Delaware… It’s Not Just for Summer

Longing for those warm, summer days at the beach? Well great news! You don’t have to wait! Even in the off season months, there are still a ton of things to do near Rehoboth and all throughout Delaware.

Tour History
Delaware is bursting with history, why not enjoy the off season by taking in some of the sites. A great way to begin, is tour the Delaware History Trail. The Trail focuses on significant sites throughout the state that have had major impacts on the history of Delaware as well as the nation. For more information, click here.

Go To Museums
One thing is for certain, there is no shortage of museums in Delaware. Lighthouses, trains, aviation, just about anything you want to learn about can be found depending on how far you want to travel:

Sussex County alone has an extensive variety of museums. A good reference that I have found is Visit Southern Delaware. This website has a huge list of museums located in Southern Delaware and even breaks them down into itineraries based on whether you want to travel through Eastern, Central or Western Sussex County.

If you are feeling more adventurous and looking to get outside Sussex County, Visit Delaware gives a breakdown of what they consider the top 10 museums in the state, while Wikipedia provides an extensive list of all the museums available throughout the entire state along with a brief description of each.

Shopping:
With Delaware being a tax-free state, why not take advantage of the shopping year round. Tanger Outlets, located right in Rehoboth, has a huge selection of stores and with fewer crowds in the off season, you just may find a larger selection of items or even better deals. If going to the outlets isn’t your cup of tea, you have plenty of other options during off season months as well. Delaware is FULL of Antiques & Boutiques as well. If you’re looking for a great resource on shopping available anywhere in Delaware, click here!

Catch a Show
Whether you are the type of person who wants a night out at the movies or if you’d prefer live theatre, Delaware has something to offer everyone during cold winter months.

Southern Delaware Theaters – A variety of cinemas, performing arts as well as summer time venues.
Wilmington Area –Wilmington, Delaware’s largest city, is in the middle of it all. You can find just about anything you want to do if you plan on being in this area.

Skating
Roller skating and Ice skating venues are available in various locations in Delaware:

Dover Skating Center – Roller skating available for people of all ages.
Centre Ice Rink – Located in the Delaware State Fairgrounds, this venue offers indoor ice skating.
Carousel Oceanfront Hotel – Offers indoor ice skating to both guests and non-guests.
Riverfront Outdoor Rink – Located in Wilmington, DE

View Nature
Believe it or not, during the month of February, you can view seals on the beach at Cape Henlopen State Park. Keep in mind that seals are wild animals and can bite, so best to leave them alone. How cool  it must be to see them in their natural habitat! Resources state that Delaware gets harbor seals, harp seals, gray seals and the occasional hooded seal.

Delaware certainly does not lack in state parks and trails. In addition to Cape Henlopen State Park, here is just a small sampling of other places to enjoy Delaware’s natural beauty:

Bellvue State Park  – Located in Wilmington, Delaware.
Lums Pond – Located in Bear, Delaware.
Killens Pond State Park – Located in Felton, Delaware.Any of these parks will provide you the opportunity to observe wildlife, admire plant life or get in some exercise. For information on other state parks availabe, click here.

Hit the Beach
Even during the winter months, you can enjoy the beach and the boardwalk. With fewer crowds, you can take in a tranquil walk along the ocean or get in your morning run or ride on the boardwalk.Some beaches, for example Dewey Beach, also allow bonfires on the beach provided you follow the rules and obtain the proper permits. It may take some looking into, but this could be a fun way to spend a winter night with some friends.

Dining
Many people think of boardwalk food when going to the beach, but really, Delaware has a ton of unique fare to dine on all year round. Some of the most popular choices near Rehoboth are:

Big Fish Grill – Casual dining and affordable prices.
Fins Fish House – Fresh seafood and custom-crafted beer.
Salt Air
– Boasts farm to fork fresh with a continually evolving seasonal menu.

A good resource for locating good, year round dining in the Rehoboth area is Trip Advisor. They have taken the time to separate restaurants by food type or by price range.In addition to a wide variety of fine dining, you can also participate in the Delaware Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail, which includes over 20 breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies across the state. Download your passport and send your taste buds on an adventure.

Take a Train Ride
The Wilmington and Western Railroad is open year round and has quickly become one of Delaware’s premiere attractions. Visit their website for more information.

While Delaware may be well known for it’s amazing beaches in the summer, it may be well worth you while to do some exploring to find out just how much there is to do all year!