Dover’s craziest party—unless you count that rowdy maypole dance at Dover Days—is just a few short weeks away. The 6th annual Firefly Music Festival will bring upwards of 90,000 sweaty millennials (plus a few cool older folks) into Kent County starting on June 14, along with the likes of Eminem, the Arctic Monkeys and Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar.
But even after the confetti’s fallen and the glowsticks have lost their luster, there’s still fun to be had in Southern Delaware. Here are just a few suggestions.
We’ll see you in the Woodlands.
BEACH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE
Delaware’s capital region has loads to offer, but just an hour south of The Woodlands are some of America’s flat-out best beaches. Families and foodies love Rehoboth Beach, and history geeks and margarita aficionados prefer Lewes—but Firefly denizens may feel right at home at bona fide party town, Dewey Beach. It doesn’t end there. Head to Fenwick Island and Coastal Kayak for guided waterway tours, kayak or boat rental, and even sailing clinics.
Escape to Rehoboth for the scores of restaurants, bars, outlets and boutiques (plus a little place called Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats), and then to cool new attractions like Escape Rehoboth and Escape Reality, for themed escape room shenanigans and virtual reality gaming. Better yet, hop over to J&J Shop Heliair for scenic helicopter tours of the entire coastline.
Find more Delaware beach content here.
SLIM SHANDY
We know that beer makes everything better, even brainy pursuits like science and history. Head over to Sun Otter Tours in Rehoboth for The Brews & Booze – Science of Spirits tour, where you’ll learn about the science the suds—from fermentation to hangovers—at Dogfish Head, Brimming Horn Meadery, and Fork and Flask at Nage. Then hitch a ride with Delmarva Discovery Tours for its menu of all-inclusive history, agricultural, and of course, brew tours, where you’ll hit a handful of the area’s many craft breweries (or wineries) for drinks and snacks.
Tiny Delaware is home to some serious hops, and sits near the top of the nation in terms of per-capita craft beer production and, more importantly, consumption. Take a short drive from Dover Downs to the Fordham & Dominion Brewing Company, or venture out of town to Blue Earl Brewing in Smyrna, Mispillion River Brewing in Milford, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, 16 Mile in Georgetown, 3rd Wave in Delmar, Dewey Beer Company and 38º-75º Brewing in Dewey, Crooked Hammock and Big Oyster in Lewes, Brick Works in Smyrna, Iron Hill and Revelation in Rehoboth
MR. BITE-SIDE
Incredible post-festival-recovery food can be found all over Southern Delaware. Options abound right inside Dover Downs Hotel and Casino (though you may want to shower first), from fine dining to sandwiches and Italian. Abbott’s Grill in Milford and Laurel are huge with localvores, as are the classic crabhouse Sambos in Leipsic and Po’ Boys Creole in Milton.
The beach area boasts James Beard Award nominees, and a ridiculously stacked roster of fine dining pioneers, celebrity chefs, taquerias, watering holes, and candy shops. Grotto Pizza practically invented the beachside slice, and the maniacs at The Ice Cream Store can serve you a scorpion on a stick. What more do you need?
Hit as many as you can on an Eating Rehoboth Walking Food Tour, and check out Pam George’s guide to eating your way along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.
Need a place to stay for a few extra days? Visit Delaware has you covered.
