23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Bethany Beach (DE)

Bethany Beach is a mini and relaxing coastal town in Sussex County, Delaware, United States, famous for its expensive, limitless, and extensive sandy beaches and boardwalks.

The town had a population of 1,150 people during the 2020 census. Due to its small size, it has a homely feel.

Bethany Beach is rich in attractions, historical landmarks, and recreational areas despite its small size.

Towards the north side of Bethany Beach is the Seashore State Park, a barrier island with many beaches perched between the Rehoboth River Bays and the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian.

Fenwick Island is near the South and famous for its expansive surf area and dunes.

The coastline is filled with forest areas that attract birds such as herons and ospreys and makes for a perfect location to have a fun-filled and substantial time.

Tourists can quickly gain access to significant landmarks of Delmarva, take a lazy stroll in the many surf areas, attend free concerts and watch movies on the beach. 

Are you planning an exploration of Bethany Beach? Here are the top things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Things to Do in Bethany Beach

1. Bethany Beach Boardwalk

Bethany Beach Boardwalk
Credits: Jazzy Jones / Shutterstock
Bethany Beach Boardwalk

One of the first things you want to do when you visit Bethany Beach is to have a lovely stroll along the half-mile lengthy boardwalk.

The Bethany Beach Boardwalk has a width of 12 feet, with a large area for visitors to relax and stretch their legs after long hours at the beach.

Visitors can forget about their everyday workout routine when they are on vacation, and the boardwalk can be used to go jogging every day. However, pets are not allowed in this place between May and September

During summertime, foot washing stations are functioning on all the streets for visitors who want to wash off the sand from their feet.

Bike riding is allowed during morning hours from 6 am to 9 am. You can also be part of their concerts that hold on Thursdays and enjoy their Funnel Cake Fries. There is ample parking space, shopping areas, and good restaurants.

 Exploring this destination is one of the top things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Address: Boardwalk, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

2. Grotto Pizza

Grotto Pizza
Credits: Rich Renomeron / Flickr
Grotto Pizza

Are you a Pizza lover? If yes, a visit to the legendary Grotto Pizza should be on your checklist of the top things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

This restaurant has been providing delicious pizzas for residents of Delaware and tourists for more than 50 years.

Grotto Pizza is a credible ancient pizza spot, sports bar, and restaurant that provides a vast menu. To quickly arrive at a table upon visiting, check out their website and make a reservation.

Be sure to bring the kids along, so they enjoy the big chicken platter and the large size pizzas sold here. A visit to Bethany Beach is not complete without checking out this landmark.

Address: 793 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

3. Comics and Gaming

Comics and Gaming
Credits: Comics and Gaming Bethany Beach / Facebook
Comics and Gaming

This attraction, which features a great collection of comics and games, is a must-see for tourists who are comic lovers.

Comics and Gaming are ideal for adults and kids. You can check in anytime and go through their extraordinary collection of comics, the kiddies’ area, and the Funko Pop collection.

Upon entering the store, you are handed over a grab-n-go bag for 20$ each by a staff, after which you can do your shopping. All their collections are interesting, even on your first visit.

Browse through their incredible collectibles, Pokemon trading cards, and manga at the store. Exploring this destination is one of the fun things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Address: 101 Garfield Pkwy #6, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

4. Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf

Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf
Credits: Andrey_Kuzmin / Shutterstock

For golf freaks, one of the best things to do in Bethany Beach, DE, during the weekend is golfing at Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf.

The Golf course is located just a few distances from Garfield Parkway and close to the boardwalk.

This tourist attraction center, privately owned by Captain Jack, attracts tourists every day, most especially during holidays, so be sure to stop by to play.

The golf course features a 50-foot pirate ship and unique challenges for golfers of all skill levels, ranging from challenging holes to customized settings.

Captain Jack’s Pirate Golf is the only mini golf course in Bethany Beach, Rehoboth, and Ocean City.

Address: 21 N Pennsylvania Ave, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

5. Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar

Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar
Credits: Bluecoast Seafood Grill / Facebook
Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar

Another excellent place to visit in the town is the Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar to get your stomach filled, especially after getting involved in water sports.

Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar provide visitors with freshly served and delicious seafood dishes in a beautiful natural ambiance that oozes the flavors and atmosphere of the east coast.

This restaurant offers the best reception, customer relationship, and food quality.

Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Raw Bar have been featured in several magazines as one of Delaware’s ten most famed restaurants.

The restaurant also provides visitors with excellent homemade wine. In addition, some delicious cocktails and ales are also locally produced.

If you are searching for a restaurant to enjoy great seafood and a vast selection of drinks, check out the Blue coast Seafood Grill, as it’s one of the best things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Address: 30904 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

6. Garfield Parkway

Garfield Parkway
Credits: Lee Cannon / Flickr
Garfield Parkway

For some entertainment, visit the beach off Garfield Parkway for their fantastic family movie night, as it is one of the fun things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Their movies kick off by 8:30 pm weekly, especially on Mondays. So going for the movie night is like a tradition from June to September and moves unto Bandstand from September.

You owe yourself a blanket, some bottles of drinks, and a filled bucket of butter popcorn for Monday night and experience a family movie like no other at Bethany Beach.

Ensure you come along with friends and family.

Address: Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

7. Bethany Boathouse

Bethany Boathouse
Credits: Bethany Boathouse / Facebook
Bethany Boathouse

If you want excellent family time, visiting the Bethany Boathouse should be on your bucket list of the best things to do in Bethany Beach, DE. The restaurant features a playground for children and a complete service bar.

The family restaurant Bar has different fresh fruit crushes, beer, wine, and an expansive cocktail menu. Bethany Boathouse also has unique indoor and outdoor seating where visitors can relax and unwind.

Their signature drinks include Watermelon Wave, Boathouse Bloody Mary, and Seasonal Sangria. The exciting thing about this restaurant is the live entertainment done weekly during summertime.

Address: 39817 Hickman Plaza Rd, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

8. South Bethany Seafood Market

Stop by the South Bethany Seafood Market if you want to eat delicious seafood dishes during your vacation. The Market, founded in 1991, sells the best fresh, tasty, and delightful seafood items.

The market is a huge attraction in this country and is visited mainly by tourists and locals. Here is a place of abode for various restaurants in the area, offering the best of their products. Their lunch and dinner menus are unique, tasty, and worth the try.

Their menu includes lobster salad, coleslaw, fruit pies, clam bake, chowder, salmon, swordfish, filet mignon, salmon, chicken rotisserie, handcrafted crab cakes, and soups.

Their foods are of a sizable portion. Preorder services are available. The destination also serves unique island cakes and numerous handcrafted desserts on their food menu, which is definitely worth the try.

It doesn’t matter if you are searching for raw seafood, fresh or a homemade cooked dish, be rest assured that the South Bethany Seafood Market got you covered.

Address: 33260 Coastal Hwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

9. Mango’s

Mango’s
Credits: Patrick Nouhailler’s… [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Mango’s
Mango’s is a beautiful beach restaurant and bar adjacent to the Bethany Beach Bandstand; immediately after Bethany Beach Boardwalk, this attraction provides visitors with delicious drinks and breathtaking views.

There are many cocktails, wine, and beer in Mango, and the bar is famous for its Margarita, a favorite drink among both residents and tourists alike.

It is also famous for providing visitors with a vast selection of cocktails to share and drink with family and friends. This attraction comprises two bars, each serving Happy hour in a relaxed and cozy ambiance.

Their favorite drinks include Mango’s Jumbo Punch, Tiki Shooter, and Margarita.

Address: 97 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

10. Island Watersports

Island Watersports
Credits: Studio Peace / Shutterstock

Island Watersports is an expansive sports center close to Maryland, Ocean City, and the Delaware Beaches. With the introduction of their newest brand of water sport, known as Flyboarding, the center has attracted more people from across the country.

The company also has fast and recent jet skis, fishing boats, paddleboards, and kayaks that are readily available for rent, giving you an unforgettable water sports experience.

If you intend to have some time off from beach life, sun, and shopping, spend a day or two at the Island Watersports Complex and create some good memories.

Address: 39084 Harpoon Rd, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

11. Discoversea Shipwreck Museum

Discoversea Shipwreck Museum
Credits: Discoversea Shipwreck Museum / Facebook
Discoversea Shipwreck Museum

If you are a lover of history, don’t hesitate to check out the Discoversea Shipwreck Museum, as it is an exciting place that will pique your interest.

Learn about the various onboard goods that are swallowed up by the sea as a result of a shipwreck. This museum features the most expansive collection of shipwreck exhibits in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Regional exhibits are not the only thing to find here. It also features international exhibits of shipwrecks. Not minding periodic conditions, the museum accommodates 10,000 artifacts for you to browse through.

Have an exploration to remember at this spectacular Museum.

Address: 708 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

12. Candy Kitchen

Candy Kitchen
Credits: Michelle Patrick / Shutterstock

What else can you ask for on a gorgeous summer vacation when there are a limitless number of sandy beaches, surfs, shopping plazas, and others in Bethany Beach?

If you like sweet treats, a visit to Candy Kitchen should be on your checklist of the best things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

You can satisfy your sweet tooth by trying their treats like their famous fudge or salt water taffy; you sure will be excited you made the right choice as it is tasty.

Candy Kitchen has about 19 different outlets in the business of taking care of your sweet craving and is your best bet for different chocolates whenever you visit.

Their outlets are in these locations: Fenwick Island, Virginia Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City.

Address: 123 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

13. Hotel Bethany Beach

Another exciting thing about this region is its beautiful hotel facilities, offering visitors a unique top-class lodging experience.

The hotel is close to the ocean; thus, you can enjoy the ocean view. Hotel Bethany Beach offers comfortable accommodation and an outdoor pool which is perfect after a touring experience.

The hotel also features upscale dining, complimentary mini golf, and bike trails. Visitors can enjoy a rejuvenating walk at the shore while sipping a glass of beverage, wine, or cocktail.

Hotel Bethany Beach golf packages include breakfast, lunch, vouchers, tees, ball markers, free club cleaning and storage, and lots more.

Address: 39642 Jefferson Bridge Rd, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

14. Coastal Kayak

Coastal Kayak
Credits: phototravelua / Shutterstock

Fenwick Island is situated on Little Assawoman Bay and covers a distance of one mile north of Ocean City. The Island is one of the most excellent eco vacation operators in Delmarva.

Coastal Kayak offers eco-tour, sailboats, and paddle board rental services to give you that unforgettable holiday experience.

The Coastal Kayak is just close to the Bayside beach and has shallow and warm waters, making it a lot easier to launch, land, and explore various areas.

Address: 36840 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

15. Pirate Adventures

One of the best things to do as a family on vacation within the area is to bring the kids to the Pirates Adventures on Fenwick Island.

Embark on this one to two-hour trip in a quaint pirate ship. Safety is paramount in this place, as it has a licensed captain and coastal guard vessels. 

Everything you need to make your stay here fun and exciting is in place, from water cannons to pirate battles, treasure maps, and painted faces.

Every child can choose a nickname and play pirate. The activity is a fun one, especially for the whole family.

Address: Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States.

16. Nassau Valley Vineyards

Nassau Valley Vineyards
Credits: Barnaby Chambers / Shutterstock

Nassau Valley Vineyards is the first ever award-winning vineyard in Delaware, opened by famous jazz musician Peggy Raley.

The Vineyard, near Bethany Beach, has an incredible art exhibit museum, a beautiful gift shop, and a brief self-guided tour.

You can be part of their wine tasting for a fee of $10, where you partake in six of the fourteen flavors of wine. In addition, you can check out their signature wines, such as Laurel Red and Chardonnay.

Drop by on Sunday to enjoy live music, a sangria bar, and a farmer’s market.

The vineyard is located within the luxuriant field of the peaceful country road. If you want to try one of the best wines in the area, heading to Nassau Valley Vineyard is a great decision.

 Address: 32165 Winery Way, Lewes, DE 19958, United States

17. Bethany Beach Trolley

Bethany Beach Trolley is an excellent way to explore the beautiful Bethany Beach town. Adventuring with Bethany Beach Trolley is one of the fun things to do in Bethany Beach, DE.

Keep away from the troubles of summer traffic as you sit back, relax and enjoy a beautiful trip around the area.

This activity commences on Memorial Day Weekend, and visitors can stop at the various locations they desire, depending on the timing. Have a fun trip to the entire town at 25 cents per trip.

Address: 101 Garfield Pkwy Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

18. Thunder Lagoon Waterpark

Thunder Lagoon Waterpark
Credits: Andrei Bortnikau / Shutterstock

Are you searching for a place to have a relaxing and laid-back experience filled with excitement and unforgettable memories? Then visit the Thunder Lagoon Park nestled on the nearby Fenwick Island.

If your kids want to tag along during your trip to this place, bring them along, as this attraction is a must-see for all. 

The Thunder Lagoon Park has a Lazy River ride which measures about 400 feet in length, and it also has six slides, a kiddies pool that is 800 square feet, and a swimming pool that is 3000-square feet.

This park also features a double twisted slide and a black hole slide which everyone can enjoy. 

The most iconic attraction to look out for in this park is the Viking ship which is slightly bent over and pours about 250 barrels of water on anyone.

The Park has ample parking space, so you don’t have a reason not to visit.

Address: 38965 Island St, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

19. Tee Off at Some incredible Coastal Courses

Coastal Courses
Credits: Gualberto Becerra / Shutterstock

While enjoying your vacation in Bethany Beach, check out the many beautiful golf courses close to the Delaware Beaches.

There are many public golf courses in the area; each has its unique landscape and environment, ranging from forest areas to farmland and coastal marshes.

The various beautiful landscapes in the Delmarva Peninsula make up for an excellent canvas for anyone who is a golf architect.

Famous course architects have engaged their skills in transforming this seaside terrain into beautiful greens and fairways, producing incredible courses and numerous historic holes.

Numerous fairways surround towering pines, rivers, streams, and coastal wetlands. You might stumble upon a deer, a heron, or other wildlife, just a few kilometers away from the crowded beaches.

The beauty of this area can be attributed to nature’s endowments that span through these area courses, creating a scintillating environment for complete relaxation.

The course to find here comes with challenges and obstacles, all geared toward testing the ability and skill of the golfer. There are some holes in the area course that are challenging, and this keeps golfers always coming to lower their handicap.

Address: Bethany Beach, DE, United States

20. Off the Hook

Off the Hook
Credits: Off the Hook, Bethany Beach / Facebook
Off the Hook

Off the Hook, a restaurant in Bethany Beach, is famous for providing visitors with freshly cooked farm-to-fork dishes from their lovely and comfortable dining space.

Here is an ideal spot to have a romantic night out with your partner as they have a vast wine menu and unique cocktails that you will surely love.

There are about 40 wines to select from, with various flavors such as pinot grigio, Cabernet, Sauvignon blanc, and lots more. So enjoy your stay here, eating their delicious meal and drinks.

If you have a particular interest in cocktails, be sure to have one of their favorite selections of cocktails. Their favorite drinks include Smoky “Hab” Margarita, Dragonberry Basil Smash, and Burnt Old Fashioned.

Address: 769 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE 19930, United States

21. Fenwick Boardwalk

Fenwick Boardwalk
Credits: Lee Cannon /  Flickr
Fenwick Boardwalk

If you have had enough of strolling through Bethany Beach, visit the Fenwick Boardwalk, which encompasses all you desire in one location.

The Boardwalk features the Hershey’s Island Creamery, the Dutch Funnel Cakes, the Hungry Viking, Dunkin Donuts, fruit smoothies, grilled burgers, hot dogs, baked pizza, and hand-cut boardwalk fries.

This attraction is less crowded and wears a countryside look filled with many souvenirs to bring back home. Fenwick Boardwalk is more of an ideal commercial area than a seaside boardwalk.

Fenwick Boardwalk is just right for you if you are searching for a peaceful place to relax and enjoy freshly made local foods.

Address: 40055 Lighthouse Rd, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

22. Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Restaurant

Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Restaurant
Credits: Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria / Facebook
Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Restaurant

Visiting Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Restaurant on Fenwick Island will be without regret.

It has been in the business of providing excellent dining experiences for locals and tourists alike since 1995. Their environment and service are unmatched.

Their pizza is crispy and wood-fired to give you that perfect bite. You can also have your meal with a glass of delicious cocktail or wine to make it much more complete.

The menu includes fresh traditional seafood, delicious wood-fired pizza, Mancini family favorites, and others.

The atmosphere to meet here is a cozy, relaxed environment, good customer relationship, and its stance in preparing foods with quality and fresh ingredients together has helped Mancini build a lasting legacy over the years.

907 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, United States

23. Bayside Resort Golf Club

Bayside Resort Golf Club
Credits: Krumao / Shutterstock

Bayside Resort Golf Club is a historic course providing visitors with a unique experience. If you are a golf enthusiast, visiting this attraction should be a must.

This course consists of beautiful holes that are along the coastline of Assawoman Bay and meanders through the gorgeous line forests.

The top-notch waterfront resort club has Tennis & fitness complex, Luxurious pools and Splash Zone, Beach, Kayaks, 38 Degrees waterfront restaurant, Pier, Bayside Institute Life Enrichment Classes, and many more.

Address: 12021 North Haven Drive, Selbyville, DE 19975, United States

Plan Your Trip to Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach is a place to have a lovely vacation experience, with all the beautiful outdoor areas, especially the beaches, which promise to be fun and exciting.

The exquisite restaurants where you make purchases of varieties of seafood dishes are worth checking out. This simple town awaits your presence.