A Quiet Beach Vacation in Central Delaware

Bay Beaches in Central Delaware

The bay beaches are calling! Delaware’s coast is lined with fantastic bay beaches, ideal for a relaxing summer vacation — but staying too close can mean fighting the crowds. Luckily, a stay in Central Delaware is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds: restful days by the waves and just a short drive to quiet, charming accommodations, dining, historical sites, and enjoyable experiences for you to explore at your own pace.

Begin your days with a hearty breakfast at one of the many breakfast spots nearby. In Dover, 1857 Jackson House has delicious brunch on Saturdays from 11am-4pm and Sundays from 10am-4pm. In Milford, Surf Bagel is a must-try with tons of combinations of bagels and breakfast sandwiches and lunch options, served until 2pm.

After breakfast, head to the relaxing, calm bay beaches of  Central Delaware! Search for seashells along the shore at the Pickering and Woodland beaches. May through June, make sure to view the annual horseshoe crab spawning at Bowers Beach for a rare sight unique to the Delaware Bay! View abundant wildlife at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, and dive into a good book at Kitts Hummock beach.

After a long day of sun and the shore, find the perfect dinner spot around the towns! With dinner options to suit any fancy, you can try a new cuisine each evening of your vacation. Enjoy fresh seafood at J.P.’s Wharf Restaurant & Bar, a true Delaware destination in Frederica, or indulge with a meal at La Hacienda in downtown Dover. Enjoy a drink or two at the many local brewers in Kent County like Camden Brews in Camden and Mispillion River Brewing in Milford. If you’re looking for a place to spend the night under the stars, book a campsite at the G & R Recreation Area and Campground and finish up the day by laughing around the campfire or roasting the perfect s’more. 

If you’re wave-weary after a few days at the beach, don’t worry — Central Delaware is full of fun activities and sites to explore! Plan a day to visit these local attractions to round out your vacation. Kayak on the Mispillion River with Delaware River Adventures or at Killens Pond State Park. Do a little tax-free shopping at the unique boutiques in downtown Dover, or pick up some fresh produce at Fifer Orchards or one of our many Farmers Markets! Stop by a few of our museums, from the Air Mobility Command Museum to the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum for a few hours of knowledge and history. More of an art lover? Take in the artistry at the Biggs Museum of American Art or in the many galleries in downtown Milford on their Art Stroll.

We love a good beach day, but in Kent County, we value the slower pace of life — and the uncrowded, charming atmosphere of our towns. Plan your next Delaware beach vacation with a stay in Delaware’s Kent County.