Imagine that first glimpse of the ocean, that stretch of blue-green that trails off forever into the horizon. Imagine the oaks and pines that shade the residential streets and the landmarks that make Rehoboth Beach, such as the huge, orange Dolle's sign shading the Boardwalk. It is a combination of these things that has attracted millions of visitors, and given Rehoboth the honor of being "The Nation's Summer Capital."
Rehoboth has an eclectic population of artists, politicians and social activists. The area also has a thriving gay community whose members play an active role in cultural and civic groups. As Rehoboth Beach continues to grow, city leaders worry it may lose some of what makes it special, such as the beach cottages and tree-lined neighborhoods.
It all began when the "Sea Hath Spoken." The Reverand Robert W. Todd was worn out in the summer of 1872 after weeks of camp meeting services in Wilmington, Del., so the Methodist pastor retreated to the Ocean Grove Camp on the New Jersey shore. Upon returning to Wilmington, Todd told his flock about his revival in a sermon using the words, "And the sea hath spoken." In the weeks that followed, Todd was consumed with the idea of a religious retreat by the sea. He said his vision of Rehoboth Beach came to him in a dream.
The Rehoboth Beach Camp Meeting Association, created by the Methodist Episcopal Church, purchased 400 acres in what is now central Rehoboth Beach for just under $10,000. Lots were laid out to form a fan shape, to give all landowners a view of the sea. It wasn't long and the first camp meeting started in the summer of 1873. Worshippers built humble, framed cottages called "tents," starting in the area that is now called The Grove. It only lasted about eight years.
Approximately 14 years later, an attempt was made to revive the camp meeting, and in that first year dozens of lots were sold. The bylaws were interesting in that anyone within a mile of the camp was expected to abide by the rules. Thus the very first hotel was built in what is now Dewey Beach. The hotel, known as The Douglass House, was just outside the one-mile limit, meaning patrons could consume alcoholic beverages, unlike those staying in Rehoboth Beach.
As time moved on more and more people flocked to the area to seek that quiet resort vacation. It took some folks approximately two days to travel to Rehoboth in a Model-T Ford, with many stops to change and repair flat tires. Others preferred to come a different way by taking the train and ferry. However, it was the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which opened July 30, 1952, and then the addition of a second span, which opened June 28, 1973, that really brought about change, and a large influx of people, to Rehoboth Beach. Later, the annexation of Rehoboth Heights, now south Rehoboth, nearly doubled the size of the newly popular city.
Others credit Rehoboth's boom to housing developments such as Pot-Nets and Indian Landing that were created in 1962 on the Long Neck Peninsula. There was also Wall Street's stellar ride with technology stocks in the mid-1990s, a boom that carried many into the second-home market.
Rehoboth Beach Map
Rehoboth Beach Weather
Rehoboth Beach Events
Rehoboth Beach Restaurants
Name | Location | Phone |
---|---|---|
1776 Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-9355 |
59 Lake | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-5900 |
Adriatico Italian Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9255 |
Aqua Grill | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9001 |
Arena's Deli | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3895 |
Atlantic Seafood Company | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2093 |
Back Porch Cafe | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3674 |
Big Fish Grill | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9007 |
Blue Moon Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6515 |
Cafe Papillon | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7568 |
Captain's Table Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6203 |
Casa Dileo | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-8660 |
Casapulla's South | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7827 |
Catchers Crab & Lobster House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-1808 |
China Wok | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8545 |
Claws Crabhouse | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2529 |
Confusious Chinese Cuisine | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3848 |
Crabby Dicks | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-9132 |
Crystal Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-1088 |
Cultured Pearl | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8493 |
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2739 |
Dos Locos | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3353 |
Eden Cafe | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3330 |
El Dorado | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-1596 |
Espuma | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-4199 |
Fins Fish House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-3467 |
Franco's Pizza and Pasta | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3454 |
Frogg Pond Tavern | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2234 |
Go Fish | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1044 |
Grottos Pizza | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-5880 |
Gus & Gus Place | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3329 |
Iguana Grill | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0948 |
Irish Eye's | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-5758 |
Jake's Seafood House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6237 |
Jerry's Subs & Pizza | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9600 |
Just In Thyme | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3100 |
La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-644-3994 |
Louie's Pizza | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6002 |
Mama Celeste's Pizzeria | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-4482 |
Mariachi Restaurant & Bar | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0115 |
Nage | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2037 |
Nicola Pizza | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2654 |
Obie's by the Sea | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6261 |
Ocean Point Grill | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-1127 |
Planet X Cafe | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1928 |
Purple Parrot | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1139 |
Red Square Restaurant & Caviar Bar | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-7782 |
Rehoboth Diner | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0908 |
Restaurante Salero | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8630 |
Ristorante Zebra | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1160 |
Roadhouse Steak Joint | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-8273 |
Robin Hood Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0770 |
Sammy's Kitchen | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-1168 |
Seaside Thai Cuisine | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9525 |
Stoney Lonen | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2664 |
Summer House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3895 |
Thrasher's French Fries | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8499 |
Victoria's Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0615 |
Yesterday's All-American Restaurant | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-5444 |
Zogg's | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7660 |
Rehoboth Beach Shopping
Name | Location | Phone |
---|---|---|
Accents | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-6690 |
Blooming Boutique | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1216 |
Carlton's | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-3590 |
Liquid Board Shop | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7130 |
Quiet Storm Surf Shop | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2747 |
Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6996 |
Sea Shell Shop | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-4323 |
Sea Shell Shop | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6666 |
Tanger Outlets Bayside | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9223 |
Tanger Outlets Midway | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9223 |
Tanger Outlets Seaside | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9223 |
Rehoboth Beach Lodging
Name | Location | Phone |
---|---|---|
Abbey Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7023 |
Admiral Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2103 |
Americ Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-0700 |
Anchorage Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-8320 |
At Melissa's | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7504 |
Atlantic Sands Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2511 |
Atlantis Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9446 |
Avenue Inn & Spa | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2900 |
Beach View Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2999 |
Bedazzled Bed & Breakfast | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9482 |
Bellmoor | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-5800 |
Bewitched Bed & Breakfast | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-9482 |
Boardwalk Plaza Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7169 |
Brighton Suites Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-5780 |
Canalside Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2006 |
Cape Suites | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-3342 |
Comfort Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-1515 |
Crosswinds Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-7997 |
Delaware Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6031 |
Econo Lodge Resort | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0500 |
Hampton Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-8003 |
Henlopen Condominiums | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6409 |
Henlopen Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2551 |
Heritage Inn and Golf Club | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 800-669-9399 |
High Seas Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2022 |
Holiday Inn Express | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-4030 |
Holly Haven | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8378 |
Lighthouse Inn Bed & Breakfast | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-0407 |
Lord Baltimore Lodge | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2855 |
Oceanus Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8200 |
Pirates Cove Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-2844 |
Printz Motel Efficiency Apartments | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9411 |
Quality Inn & Suites | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2400 |
Rehoboth Guest House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-4117 |
Rehoboth Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2410 |
Royal Rose Inn Bed & Breakfast | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2535 |
Sandcastle Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-0400 |
Sea Esta Motel IV | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-5882 |
Sea N Stars | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2742 |
Sea Voice Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-858-7173 |
Shore Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-8487 |
Silver Lake Guest House | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-2115 |
Sirocco Motel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-9324 |
Summer Place Hotel | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-226-0766 |
The Breakers Hotel & Suites | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-227-6688 |
Wild Swan Inn | Rehoboth Beach, DE | 302-645-8550 |