Delaware
Visiting Delaware beaches this summer? What’s different in 2026
Warm spring day in Rehoboth Beach
Temperatures were in the 70s in Rehoboth Beach on April 17, 2026.
Every year in the wintertime, Delaware beaches undergo a transformation.
Stores and restaurants close, stores and restaurants open, rules change. By Memorial Day weekend, for the most part, everything is in its place, and ready to serve the masses.
This winter, the price of parking went up in Lewes, several storefronts and restaurants changed hands in Rehoboth Beach, and notable changes were made further south.
If you’re among the more than 7 million visitors headed to Delaware beaches in late spring or summer, or even if you’re just a local who hasn’t gotten out much lately, here’s what’s changed in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island as the season heats up.
Rehoboth Beach
The osprey are still nesting atop the fire siren in Rehoboth Beach, but “The Nation’s Summer Capital” has one change this year visitors are sure to notice.
Two drop-arm or swing gates and numerous bollards are being or have been installed in the area of the boardwalk and bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue. Bollards are sturdy, vertical posts designed to prevent vehicles from driving onto sidewalks or the boardwalk, while the drop-arm or swing gates will provide access to emergency vehicles.
Over on the corner of Wilmington Avenue and Bayard Avenue, there’s an empty space where several restaurants once stood. Many remember it as home to the beloved Chez La Mer in the 1980s and 90s, but it was demolished over the winter. It’s slated to become a two-story building with retail on the first floor and an apartment on the second.
What’s happening with the two major hotel projects on the boardwalk? Nothing right now. Construction on the planned One Rehoboth hotel is paused until the fall, and demolition to make room for the planned Belhaven has not yet begun, either.
New and closed Rehoboth restaurants
The Market at 59 Baltimore is Chef David Kneller’s new gourmet grab-and-go kitchen, with the concept’s adjacent restaurant to open in the coming weeks.
Across the street at 58 Baltimore Ave., Frank & Louie’s became Pazzo Italian last fall. Don’t worry, you can still get your favorite sandwiches.
Over at 204 Rehoboth Ave., the tiny Gather Alfajores is open, featuring the South American shortbread cookies with a dulce de leche center and other artisanal baked goods.
Pink Flamingo, at 222 Rehoboth Ave., opened in late 2025. It has just about every dessert item you can think of, but is best known for its viral desserts: Dubai chocolate, “freakshakes” and trompe-l’œil cakes.
At 47A Rehoboth Ave., signage is up for Ledo’s Pizza in the former Five Guys space, but no other details are known yet. At 46 Baltimore Ave., the tapas-style Sea Hag Champagne Lounge is expected to open soon.
Coho’s Market at 305 Rehoboth Ave. is closed and will be the new home of JAM Bistro. Eden restaurant, located for a long time at 53 Baltimore Ave., moved out to 20200 Coastal Highway.
In First Street Station, Jerk and Jambalaya opens May 16, serving Caribbean and soul food. Also in First Street Station, White House Black Market and Tidepool Toys and Games have closed.
The Point Coffee House & Bake Shoppe, located where Rehoboth Avenue meets Coastal Highway, closed in March. One of the owners, Jennifer Zerby, said the property is being prepared to be sold.
On the boardwalk, Baja Bob’s is the now The Dunes. It’s beneath Above the Dunes restaurant – get it? All three are owned by Bob Frankis.
Out on Coastal Highway, Kaja Asian recently opened in Midway Center, from the owners of and in the former location of Palm Beach Bar & Grill. Also in Midway Center, 1776 Steakhouse has been fully renovated and is under new ownership.
Iron Hill Brewery, at 19791 Coastal Highway, closed abruptly last year. It’s planned to become Three Notch’d Brewery, but an opening date is not yet known.
In Tanger Outlets Seaside, signage is up for Dave’s Hot Chicken, but no other details are known yet.
The downtown Rehoboth Beach Starbucks closed in September, too. Rehoboth Beach Running Company moved into that space from just a few doors down in The Shops at the Pearl.
New and closed Rehoboth stores
Lia Lane Boutique will soon open at 146 Rehoboth Ave., No. 3, which was last a sunglasses shop.
High Tide Fibers is open at 36 Baltimore Ave., formerly home to Grace Boutique, and Coastal Corner is open in Rehoboth Avenue’s Penny Lane, in a space formerly home to Penny Lane Lighting.
Enjoy thrifting? All Saints Parish Thrift Shop in the Forgotten Mile closed and is now located in Midway Center. Another location is expected to open soon in the former Old Wood Delaware building on Route 9 in Harbeson.
There’s also a brand-new thrift store in the Forgotten Mile. Ocean Blue Thrift Store is located at 20644 Coastal Highway.
And, of course, Rehoboth is home to Tanger Outlets. Sephora, lululemon and Vuori are all opening soon in Tanger Outlets Surfside. Eddie Bauer is on its way out.
Lewes
The biggest change in Lewes this year is that the cost of parking has gone up.
Starting May 1, meters are now $3 per hour at the beach and $2 per hour downtown from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New and closed Lewes restaurants
The Lewes Diner, at 1201 Savannah Road, closed last year and is now home to Vino Del Mar, a restaurant and wine bar. A Hopkins Creamery store is set to open next door.
Rare Steak and Seafood is now open in in the Weis shopping center at the Villages of Five Points, taking the space that used to be Ocean Grill. The building has been fully renovated.
Acai favorite Bountiful Bowls has moved from its location on Dreamweaver Lane to the Shoppes at Lewes, at 412 E. Savannah Road.
Also at the Shoppes at Lewes, the Daily Market is being renovated and will become Market 1631. A sign in the window says it will feature snacks, deli, ice cream, grab-and-go and groceries.
Out on Coastal Highway (or just off it), after Bob Evans closed last year, 34571 Postal Lane became a First Watch.
New and closed Lewes stores
Several storefronts have changed on Second Street.
At 111 and 113 Second St., Deanna’s and Piccolino closed and Lewes Dry Goods Co. opened. Across the street at 114, Henlopen Trading Co. closed and Lula Blue, a home accessories shop, opened. At 130 Second St., Gypsy Myst closed and is now Flair, a women’s boutique.
On Front Street, The Stepping Stone is closed and Lewes Artists’ Gallery opened in its place.
On Third Street, Old Wood Delaware closed and will become Moon Coins Market, according to Lewes Chamber of Commerce President Betsy Reamer. Moon Coins is from Megan Collective, which also owns Bramble & Brine at The Buttery and other restaurants. The Moon Coins website says it will feature coffee, donuts, cookies and flowers.
Dewey Beach
Metered parking will begin at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. in Dewey Beach this year, starting May 15. The price is the same at $4 an hour.
Iconic Dewey bar The Starboard has upgraded from an outdoor dining tent to a permanent pavilion. The shark head has been moved to the front of the pavilion and now stretches over the sidewalk.
Also, move over Rehoboth Beach. Dewey Beach now has its own inconvenient osprey nest, atop a crane adjacent to the bay on Rodney Street.
Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach also adjusted paid parking times this year, making it 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. townwide.
Expect the post office downtown to be a lot busier this year. The Ocean View Post Office remains closed and much of its business has moved to Bethany.
New and closed Bethany Beach restaurants
The Blue Crab, at 210 Garfield Parkway, closed last year after 22 years. It is now home to Claws Seafood House.
Stop N Go Taco has opened a second location at 761 Garfield Parkway, in addition to its original Rehoboth Beach location.
The Bethany area – down Route 26 in Millville – also has a new entertainment addition. High Tide VR offers immersive virtual reality arenas at 35246 Atlantic Ave.
Fenwick Island
Fenwick Island Social, a barbecue restaurant, is the latest thing in Fenwick Island, having taken the place of Fenwick Crab House at 100 Coastal Highway.
Also new in Fenwick is Perfectly Pretty boutique, in Ocean Bay Plaza at 1300 Coastal Highway.
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
Looking for a new furry friend? Over 1,000 pets will be waiting to meet you at Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event in Delaware.
The event will take place Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware in Newark.
Organizers said dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from BVSPCA and participating partner organizations will be available throughout the event for $35 in adoption fees.
All pets available at the two-day event will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations.
The event is supported by Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit organization whose goal is to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill. No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter.
“Our Megas are such inspiring events, providing a lifeline to so many pets who have lost everything. Seeing these dogs and cats chosen by families eager to give them a new life full of love is what it’s all about,” BVSPCA CEO Adam Lamb said in a news release. “As the largest adoption event in the country, our goal with the size and format is to save even more lives by reaching folks who might not otherwise consider coming to a shelter to adopt.”
“We’re proud to support Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event and the incredible impact it has on pets and the community,” said Aurora Velazquez, East Regional Director, Best Friends Animal Society. “Events like this bring people together around the shared goal of helping more dogs and cats find loving homes.”
Organizers said a limited number of early-access fast passes will be available for purchase. If you are a fast pass holder, you will receive entry one hour before general admission on Saturday, June 20.
If you are considering adopting a new pet, please bring a leash and collar for dog adoptions, a carrier for cat adoptions, a valid ID, and the adoption fee.
This event will celebrate the BVSPCA’s 22nd Mega Adoption. Over the years, more than 22,000 pets have been adopted into loving homes.
More details and volunteer opportunities are available at megaadopt.com.
Dewey Beach restaurants and bars on gloomy Memorial Day weekend
As they say at The Starboard, “When it rains, we pour.”
No, Taylor Swift was not in Dewey Beach this weekend.
However, there was a little truth to the rumors that pervaded social media.
Travis and Jason Kelce were invited to a wedding in Dewey this weekend, Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery said.
“The groom played football with them at Cincinnati and is close with those boys,” Montgomery said.
The Starboard is one of Dewey’s most iconic bars and restaurants and has offshoots across town, such as Starboard RAW and Starboard Sauced.
Montgomery said he did close Starboard RAW for the wedding party May 29, but the professional football-playing brothers and Travis Kelce’s ultra-famous fiancée, Taylor Swift, did not end up attending the wedding.
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
MUNCIE, Ind. — Indiana State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Muncie early Sunday morning.
According to ISP, around 12:13 a.m., officers from multiple agencies were called to an event in the area of Bunch Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on reports of a person shot.
A Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at the scene and approached on foot. While the deputy was walking, he made an encounter with a vehicle and discharged his sidearm at the vehicle.
The circumstances and reason behind why the deputy fired his weapon remain under investigation.
The gunfire struck the vehicle, but no one was injured during the course of the incident.
The ISP Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the deputy’s use of force. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be used by the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The investigation remains active and ongoing; no additional information is available at the time of this article’s publication.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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