End of Summer at Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, DE

It didn't take long for me to reunite with my beach bum gene. As soon as the warm sand sifted through my feet and my eyes laid on calm ocean rolling ashore the seemingly permanently-tensed-muscles perched on my shoulders released. What took me so long? This was one of the more relaxing vacations that we have been on since Alex arrived. Our destination was a cross-section of two small beach towns: Lewes and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware roughly two hours south of Philadelphia. 

Alex chasing the seagulls

Alex conned the lifeguard out of his walkie talkie.

Ready to do some damage on the blue crabs.

Blue crabs at The Surfing Crab

Soft-shell crabs at the Surfing Crab

Lewes Bake Shoppe in Downtown Lewes

During our visit to downtown Lewes I had a couple of deja vu moments as I found aspects of the town reminiscent of Sausalito and Cape Cod, each small charming seaside destinations with cute boutiques and delicious seafood restaurants.

Jerry's Seafood in Downtown Lewes, DE

Touch of Italy, Downtown Lewes

Platter of charcuterie and cheeses including a house-made mozzarella. 

Bay in Downtown Lewes

Harbor in Downtown Lewes

The expression on his face says it all. 

Coffee roaster

Cuban lunch at Mariachi's

Fish and chips at Go Fish! 

Fish burrito at Go Fish!

Shops in Rehoboth Beach

In contrast to Lewes, Rehoboth Beach offered a more colorful scene that includes a somewhat cheesy amusement park, Funland, along the boardwalk, several souvenir shops and restaurants, of which many were primed for a lively and crowded nightlife. There some aspects of this town that reminded me of the Castro in San Francisco.

Fried Oysters at Henlopen City Oyster House

While nearly every restaurant we visited over the week served amazing seafood, one that should be noted is Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth, where I wanted to order a dozen of every dish on the menu.  From the fresh oyster sampler to the fried oysters, corn and crab chowder (a personal favorite), crab cake sandwich (a personal favorite) and the lobster roll, this venue was a destination on its own.

A platter of fresh locally harvested oysters at Henlopen CityOyster Bar

Corn and crab chowder

Ponzu infused salmon

Lobster roll

Platter of steamed oysters, mussels and shrimp

While I was lukewarm to the idea of spending a week at the beach, towards the end of it I found myself wishing that we had just a few more days, if only to continue creating those precious memories with my family. Amid Alex sifting through sand, chasing after birds and fighting the cold ocean waves, I found the experience of rediscovering the beach through my little boy's eyes the most amazing part. For that reason alone I will never forget this trip.