Every few years over the past decade, Delaware Online/The News Journal has published an occasional series called “What Wilmington needs to be more fun.”

A bit of a think-out-loud brainstorming session, we reach for the stars, but keep a dash of reality in our minds as we cook up ideas.

Over the years, many have actually come to be: beer gardens (Constitution Yards Beer Garden, Maker’s Alley), record store (SqueezeBox Records), another art house movie theater (The Screening Room at 1313), production brewery (Wilmignton Brew Works), rooftop bar (The Quoin Hotel) and more.

With the weather heating up, we figured it’s time to turn our attention down south to Delaware’s beaches, already a bastion for summertime fun.

We asked readers, co-workers and others for suggestions, condensing the best recommendations into this list.

Keep in mind, some of these may not be feasible for a bunch of reasons. But just like the list, we wanted to be fun … and think big.

Swim-up bar

Maybe we’re jealous of the set-up at Seacrets in Ocean City, Maryland, with tables and chairs in the Isle of Wight Bay, allowing patrons to play in the water while grabbing a drink or snack. And perhaps we like “The White Lotus” a little too much, and we’re still daydreaming about that swim-up bar at the hotel in the show’s first season.

But it got us thinking. We have water. And bars. Why not combine the two?

We know of two in the area: the heated pool with a swim-up bar at the Sun Outdoors resort at Massey’s Landing near Long Neck and one in the private Coastal Club near Lewes. But what about one for the public?

While Indian River Bay is too deep where it meets Dockside Marina Bar & Grill and perhaps Rehoboth Bay is not quite clean enough at The Rusty Rudder or northbeach in Dewey Beach for sitting, perhaps in-bay seating could work out somewhere, somehow.

More likely to work is a restaurant or resort with a pool, allowing swimmers to splash their way up to a pool-level bar to grab a drink.

More concerts on the beach

Each September, a large stage is constructed on Dewey Beach near Dagsworthy Street for a “Property Owners’ End of Season Beach Party” once the tourists have returned home.

It’s a great event with food and drink vendors right on the beach with a local cover band playing familiar tunes only a few feet away from the coastline.

That show, combined with the Rockin’ the Docks concert series near the Cape May-Lewes Ferry in Lewes and the growing on-the-beach concert festival schedule at Ocean City (Oceans Calling, Country Calling, Boardwalk Rock) has us dreaming of on-the-beach concerts at Delaware’s beaches.During the summer season, it’s likely not possible. But perhaps the fall or spring could be a good time to host bands if a promoter was able to get a town on board. Until then, bandstand shows in Rehoboth and Bethany beaches are the closest we’ll get.

Bird’s-eye view of the beach

OK, we promise that we don’t want to turn Rehoboth Beach into Ocean City. OC is fine for those who like it, but we think Delaware’s beach towns have small-town charm that you can’t find in Ocean City or most of the Jersey Shore.

But there’s just something about the Ferris wheels in Ocean City and the Jersey Shore – it gives the space a whimsical touch, but more importantly, a new vantage point for beachgoers to see the beach.

Is there any way we could deliver a bird’s-eye view of our beaches besides the Haunted Mansion and the Sea Dragon ride at Funland on Rehoboth Beach’s boardwalk?

Maybe our own Ferris wheel? Perhaps a tethered hot air balloon or two like they had at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover? There has to be a better way to see our beaches from the air besides photographs taken by drone operators.

Full-time dog-friendly beach

At each of Delaware’s beach towns, there are restrictions on when owners can bring their dogs to the beach.

Some have total bans during the summer season (Rehoboth and Bethany beaches) or have summertime restrictions, allowing doggies only in the early morning or evening hours (Dewey Beach, Lewes).

Perhaps one of our beach towns could open up a portion of their beach to dogs full time, allowing families to bring their four-legged friends for some oceanfront fun during the day in the summer.

All-inclusive resort

Did we mention our slight addiction to “The White Lotus” already? That’s right, we did. Well, here we go again.

While there are plenty of ways to make a temporary Delaware beach home in the summer from house rentals to hotels to campsites, all-inclusive resorts like those found at other vacation destinations are missing.

Sure, no one expects a Four Seasons-level resort like those found on the HBO series at Delaware’s beaches, perhaps a smaller all-inclusive resort would work for those who want to be pampered in one setting, while still allowing them to venture out into town when they want.

Foilboard rentals

If you’ve ever seen someone on a foilboard, a surfboard powered by a hydrofoil underneath in the water, it’s hard not to be wowed at the possibilities for fun.

It gives the user the ability to lift out of the water and travel at higher speeds.

While you can take foil lessons at spots such as East of Maui in Dewey Beach, they don’t do rentals due to insurance liability issues and the price of the boards, which can range from $1,000 to $3,000. (They do have limited, supervised rentals for experienced riders.)

So if you want to foil at the beach, you have to bring your own board. Perhaps a water-lover with deep pockets will take the risk and open a spot allowing for wider rentals, but it’s an uphill battle.

Laser tag

When it comes to what the beach needs to be more fun, a constant refrain is more activities for families and, more specifically, their children. And, of course, that goes doubly for rainy days at the beach.

While laser tag had a home for a short time at Lefty’s Alley & Eats near Lewes, it was discontinued, leaving the beaches without a spot for you to go pew-pew.

Maybe a dedicated laser tag spot such as Dover’s Diamond State Laser Tag could work at the beaches with the right set-up and location.

Aquarium

Whether it’s Baltimore, Atlantic City or Camden, New Jersey, aquariums attract crowds year-round.

Perhaps another waterfront area – our beaches – could find success with an aquarium, drawing visitors that already have water on their mind.

Sure, we don’t expect anything like Baltimore’s National Aquarium with its 2.2 million gallons of water to be replicated here. But a smaller aquarium could actually work.

Large-scale LGBTQ dance club

Years ago, Delaware’s beaches were home to some large-scale LGBTQ dance clubs such as Renegade and The Boathouse, partially fueled by the gay-and-lesbian Washington, D.C., crowd that found summertime fun here.

Sure, there are still spots with dance floors, but Diego’s Bar & Nightclub in Rehoboth Beach stands out in our mind as the only spot that operates as a true large-ish LGBTQ dance club.

Given the size of the LGBTQ community in Rehoboth Beach – both in the summertime and off-season – along with the increasing popularity of LGBTQ dance clubs with straight crowds as well, maybe a bigger dance club like those found in major East Coast cities would work.

IMAX theater

There’s nothing like an IMAX theater, especially for summertime blockbusters. But if you’re at the beach, you wouldn’t know it.

The closest IMAX theater is in Wilmington or Baltimore – not even in Ocean City.

While we love the homespun, family-owned Movies at Midway (those affordable candy prices and popcorn refills can’t be beat), it’s hard not to dream about also seeing films on a massive 72-by-52 IMAX screen.

Could Delaware’s beaches sustain one on their own? Probably not unless it’s prime summer season. But it would also pull in movie fans from the entire surrounding region, no matter the season.

Zipline

It’s hard to believe there’s not a zipline at Delaware’s beaches, given that it seems like a perfect warm-weather activity for visitors.

We envision a beach version of the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, which operates at Lums Pond State Park near Bear.

Perhaps one of our state parks down south can go ape themselves and add ziplines, treetop adventures, ax throwing and more.

Teen dance club

As demand for fun activities for teens at the beach seems to increase, along with concerns about large groups of teens congregating and getting into trouble, like in Rehoboth Beach this spring, perhaps a teen dance club would help.

The under-21-only H20 just off the boardwalk in Ocean City could serve as a model with DJ-led nightly parties, foam parties and theme nights.

Upstate/downstate ferry

We have a good way for someone to probably lose some money, but, hey, we’re going to pitch it anyway.

We heard from plenty of upstate Delawareans tired of Delaware Route 1 traffic who would love to be able to hop on a small ferry or water taxi from Wilmington to Delaware’s beaches.

If you don’t want to drive your own car, there’s always DART’s Beach Bus, which runs from Wilmington to the Lewes Transit Center on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. But that still leaves you in traffic.

Maybe one day we’ll be able to pay extra to make the trip on the water and leave the highway blues behind.

Rooftop bar

Yes, we have Mangos in Bethany Beach, Starboard Claw in Dewey, Big Chill Beach Club at the Indian River Inlet and Above the Dunes and Cultured Pearl in Rehoboth, all of which give you an elevated spot to have a drink and a bite.

But there’s no true outdoor rooftop bar at the beach where everyone can mingle, have fun and take in a view without a restaurant vibe.

We’re envisioning something like the former Two Seas restaurant in Dewey Beach with its views of the ocean and the bay, but stripped of the fine dining and focusing more just on drinks and small bites, giving more of a bar/lounge vibe.

Food truck festival

Let’s face it, there’s no shortage of places to stuff your face at Delaware’s beaches from Boardwalk eats and fast food to fine dining and family restaurants.

But a food truck festival once a year would be a fun way to inject some new flavors into the scene, whether it’s held during the summer or restricted to spring or fall.

It could be held in a downtown, state park or another venue. Either way, a food truck festival would likely be a hit.

Food vendors on the beach

Sometimes you just don’t feel like making the trek across hot sand to the boardwalk for something to eat or drink.

Maybe our beach towns could contract with a local company to provide limited food vendors to roam the beach selling sodas, hot dogs or ice cream with restrictions to make sure they aren’t too intrusive.

Sure, the prices would rival those at concerts or sporting events, so both the company and the town could make their money. But being handed an ice cream sandwich on a hot day while lounging on your beach blanket sounds really good to us.

Marijuana lounge

With marijuana now legalized and recreational retail shops (eventually) opening across the state, perhaps marijuana lounges aren’t more than a longtime wishful hallucination of sorts.

As more people turn away from alcohol and toward marijuana and THC drinks and cocktails, a marijuana lounge at the beach could be a thing of the future. Perhaps the distant future, but it could happen – not without a fight, most likely.

And if you want one in the “quiet resort” of Bethany Beach, where bars close early, don’t hold your breath.

Higher-end supermarket/wholesale club

While there’s no shortage of local supermarkets for residents and vacationers looking to fill their rental house refrigerators, you won’t find any higher-end supermarkets such as Trader Joe’s or Wegmans.

While we give a nod to The Fresh Market in Rehoboth as an enticing specialty grocer, if you’re used to your wholesale clubs at home, the only one in the area is a BJ’s Wholesale Club and gas station near Millsboro. Sorry Costco fans, the only one in Delaware is found upstate.

A little more variety, especially when it comes to the possible addition of a Trader Joe’s or Wegmans, already has us salivating.

Water taxis

When you’re on land, seeing boats fly across Rehoboth and Indian River bays might make you think, “I wish I could take one to get around.”

Perhaps a water taxi that could connect waterfront restaurants and bars such as The Rusty Rudder, The Lighthouse, northbeach, Paradise Grill and Dockside Marina Bar & Grill would be popular.

Back Bay Tours has hourly water taxis from Ocean View to Paradise Grill and offers special restaurant charters in addition to fishing trips and sunset cruises, but not regular service to all the bayside restaurants.

And maybe one day water taxi service will return to connect Lewes and other towns to Rehoboth Beach, but for 2025, it has been shut down due to structural concerns at the Grove Park Canal dock.

Parking garage

These two words are enough to make your blood pressure spike: beach parking.

On-street parking is hard to find, for sure. And, yes, there are transit centers, park-and rides and the Jolly Trolley to help make parking and getting around without your car a bit easier.

But many of our respondents fantasize about a proper parking garage in Rehoboth Beach. Given how much property is worth in town, don’t hold your breath for a big parking garage to make beach life easier, however.

More restrictions on canopies on Dewey Beach

Large beach tents and canopies that block the ocean view for others are a big no-no in Lewes and Rehoboth and Bethany beaches.

While Dewey Beach fixed their free-for-all and added restrictions in the offseason – tents are now prohibited and open-sided canopies with roofs must be supervised in the morning – some don’t think it goes far enough.

Perhaps canopies should be restricted to the back third of the beach so they don’t interfere with the view of beachgoers and, more importantly, lifeguards.

You tell us: What else do Delaware’s beaches need?

We threw some of our Delaware beach wants out there into the world. Now what about you? What lifestyle additions to the beaches would make it a more fun place to play? Send your suggestions to Ryan Cormier at rcormier@delawareonline.com. Please include your name and town.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).