From boardwalks to frozen custard, these beaches have it all.
Beaches in Maryland
Ocean City
One of the biggest beach in the field , Ocean Cityhas been a tenacious - meter destination for families count for sun and surf , 20 - somethings looking to party all nighttime , and laid - back folks who demand nothing more than a dock with a sunset . The summer destination has welcomed several new and refreshed hotels and eatery . SeaLoft Oceanfront Hotel(formerly the Atlantic Oceanfront Inn ) opened May 23 after complete a $ 4.7 million renovation , debuting retro dining tables and mini - fridges , vinyl floor , and an OC mural / selfie patch . Another beachfront property , Commander Hotel & Suites , will wind up a $ 2 million facelift on June 15 , with new guestroom bathrooms and pull - out sofas , pool lounge chairperson , and furniture in the vestibule .
This follows the renovation ofAshore Resort & Beach Club , fill out last spring , which includes five eating and imbibing constitution , some with live euphony and entertainment . Bethany Beach Ocean Suites , locate 15 minute north in nearby Bethany Beach , also completed a multimillion - dollar renovation last year . It has updated suites and an Italian restaurantVia Sophia , which also has locations in DC and Maine .
The metropolis offers 10 miles of sandy beach , a boardwalk with seaboard shops , ice cream galore , and a more than 130 - year - oldamusement commons . When it ’s time to hang up up the towel for the mean solar day , watch the sunset and heed to live euphony with anOrange Crushin script outside at one of many waterfront restaurant , includingFager ’s Island , Harborside , andShark on the Harbor , which offers a pick of local trade brews and bracing catches . Famous political party hotspotSeacrets Jamaica USAwill soon debut baysideWest goal 51 Restaurant & Bar .
Virginia Beach.|Barbara Sauder/Shutterstock
Wine lovers can head to an unassuming strip mall for the well - execute dishes atLiquid Assetsbistro and wine shop or grab some tapas at waterfrontSpain Wine Bar , which lately refreshed its terrace . Beer buff can head to theOther One Brewing Co. , which give last yr and do wheat beer , IPAs , and a coffee porter’s beer . Distance from DC:3 hour
Sandy Point State Park
The 786 - acreSandy Point State Parkhas long been a favorite day - slip destination for DMV resident seeking to nonplus the heat without cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge . The commons charges $ 4 per soul during the week and $ 5 on vacation and weekends . The calm water of the Chesapeake Bay make it a good swim spot , while the pavilions make it ideal for picnicking . Landlubbers can hike the trails through the pine forest , and marshes abound with bird sighting and other wildlife . delight it this summer before it close mid - September until summer 2025 for a major restoration project to add improved trails , shaded walkover areas , and more trees .
On the means there , make a stop in the state ’s scenic historical capital to snap up a sting for your snap or stop for lunch on the path there . Get sweet and giant lump Cancer the Crab from the longstandingCantler ’s Riverside Inn . Seafood lovers can also manoeuvre to the perennial favoriteCarrol ’s Creek Cafe , while all - daylight breakfast , six - pound milk shake , and thick corned bitch sandwich await guests of the old - schooling politico hauntChick & Ruth ’s Delly . AtBakers & Co , fill up on baguettes , focaccia , and more . space from DC:50 minutes
Assateague Island National Seashore
At this 37 - mile island in Virginia and Maryland oversee by The National Park Service , you ’ll want to set about your sidereal day on the sand too soon as Assateague official turn away visitors once it ’s fulfil to mental ability . After secure entry toAssateague Island National Seashore , prepare for a magical escape . While swim , kayaking , tramp , and bike on local beach and track , you ’ll find baseless ponies that swan the beaches and salt Marsh .
To experience the area ’s true beauty , secure an NPScampgroundsite offered only on the Maryland side . Other attractions include the 142 - footAssateague Lighthouseand theAssateague Explorer , which offers gravy boat and kayak tours to view cavalry , dolphins , and birds .
If you ’re into space mission , stay in Assateague during a rocket launch at theNASA Wallops Flight Facility , just 15 mile from the beach . Check thelaunch schedulebefore manoeuver to the visitant ’s mall to catch it . you may also get view launches from the beach . Distance from DC:3 hours
Ocean City|Eliyahu Yosef Parypa/Shutterstock
Gunpowder Falls State Park: Hammerman Area
locate 60 Roman mile Northeast of DC , Gunpowder Falls State Parkfeatures 120 knot of trail for hiking and biking , kayaking , sportfishing , and a marina . Divided into six areas , theHammerman Areaoffers the perfect metropolis escape with a small - key , well - wield beach . Maryland residents yield $ 5 per person and non - occupant $ 7 , during weekends and holiday from Memorial Day through Labor Day and $ 3 during the week ( $ 5 for non - residents ) . It ’s $ 2 chintzy on weekdays .
If you make up one’s mind not to lug your cooler , head to one of the nearby waterfront restaurants where outdoor table spread out over the sand . Bowley ’s On The Bay , Sunset Cove , andCrazy Tuna Bar & Grilleare some of your good stakes for seafood , beer , and , in some cases , live music . space from DC:1 hour and 15 minutes
Beaches in Virginia
Virginia Beach
The first blockage for many visitor toVirginia Beachis the 38 - closure boardwalk , where you’re able to snap a selfie byKing Neptuneas the sun sets , ride your bike , or delight a waterfront dinner party . New brewery , a creative arts territorial dominion , and summer festival have broadened the entreaty beyond surf and sand .
TheVB Street Art Festivalruns from May 30 to June 2 , while the escapade sports competitionJackalope Festreturns from May 31 to June 2 . Kids in towage ? Take them to theVirginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center ’s new edifice showcasing jellyfish and the North American River Otter . New Brewery Aslin Beer Co.recently opened with a beer garden , tropical bar , and moving picture nights , whileVoodoo Brewing Co.is model after a European - style beer hall . Sample IPAs at the home - ownedVibrant Shore Brewing Company , which hosts live music and artistry exhibits . discharge your beer spell by visit other brewery along theVirginia Beach Craft Beer Trail . Some bid cornhole , bocci , and eat from expanse food truck .
Arts lovers can take a one - mil walking tour past colourful murals in theViBe originative Districtand sojourn theVirginia Museum of Contemporary Art , which is innocent for Virginia resident and $ 16.50 for out - of - state resident .
Virginia Beach.|Chansak Joe/Shutterstock
For an outdoor adventure , chatter the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge , which offer nearly 5,000 land of wetlands and thousands of migratory piddle birds . First Landing State Parkfeatures miles of walk and biking path and hillock by the water system .
dining compartment hunting for eating house with out-of-door seating can head toHearth , which serves woods - fire pizza and craft beer , and the seafood shackChix on the Beach , which serves 20 type of crushes .
quell at the 350 - roomMarriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront , which has three eating house and a pool , or at its sister prop , the swankyCavalier Hotel & Beach Club , which once hosted presidents and celebrities . Distance from DC:3 minute
Wildwood|Photo credit: Roy Rochlin via Getty Images
Beaches in New Jersey
Wildwood
Wildwood offers the quintessential summertime beach experience with a two - knot boardwalk with an amusement park , arcade games , mini golf game , and interminable funnel shape cakes . Though infuse in nostalgia , it is n’t resistant to alter . The boardwalkrecently receive a faceliftafter a multiyear project , and a 1915 Nickelodeon theater , Old Movies by the Seahas been update . The 40 - seat movie hall covert film , hosts comedy shows , and feature a tappa bark menu . charge itself as the large resort in Cape May County , the recently openedMadison Resort Wildwood Crestfeatures 200 room , two pools , and several restaurants just a mates of land mile from the boardwalk .
Located a 20 - moment parkway from the boardwalk , the freeCape May County Park & Zoocontains Leo , cerise pandas , cheetahs , and more . If you ’re up for greenish blue adventures , East Coast Water Sportsoffers jet ski rentals , parasailing , and fend - up paddleboarding in Cape May and Wildwood . Distance from DC:3.5 hours
Beaches in Delaware
Rehoboth Beach
Summer in the DMV is n’t utter if you have n’t devoured a slicing ofGrotto Pizza , a giant bucket of acetum - topped fried spuds atThrasher ’s French Fries , a frozen custard fromKohr Bros , orDolle ’s Candylandsalt water taffy inRehoboth Beach . The iconic Dolle ’s sign has move from its boardwalk location to the Rehoboth Beach Museum , while the confect store has moved 50 foot down the street . paroxysm in these popular beach eats between magnetic inclination in the Atlantic Ocean , strolls along the boardwalk , and carnival games atFunland .
For more upscale menu , the Ithiel Town offers no shortage of epicurean enthrall in an sphere dubbed “ the Culinary Coast . ” come betimes to grab a seat atHenlopen City Oyster House , one of the area ’s most popular restaurant in Rehoboth . Drift Seafood & Raw Barhas been a strike for its topically sourced produce , meat , and fish . Dogfish Head Brewing & Eatsis always a salutary bet for topically - make brews and resilient medicine . Head toConfucius Formosan Cuisinefor excellent Hunan - stylus beauty or theCultured Pearl Restaurant & Sushi Bar , whose rooftop patio overlooks Rehoboth Avenue . Also eff for its taxation - liberal shopping , Rehoboth’sTanger Outlets Rehoboth Beachfeatures discounted make names .
Stay overnight at one of the orbit ’s fancy hotels , includingThe Bellmoor Inn & Spa , which offers guests two pools and beach access , or the Victorian - styleBoardwalk Plaza Hotel , with a waterfront restaurant and a heated soaking pool . Coast Rehoboth Beach , Tapestry Collection by Hiltondebuted last summertime next to the conventionalism center with an indoor pond and Mediterranean restaurant Sirocco Food & Drink . Cambria Hotel Rehoboth Beachwill feature indoor and out-of-door pools when it opens on June 1 near the sales outlet . Distance from DC:3 hours
Cape Henlopen State Park|Bruce Goerlitz Photo/Shutterstock
Lewes Beach
While Rehoboth ’s boardwalk game , souvenir store , and funnel cakes provide the authoritative beach experience , Lewesoffers a restrained getaway . The quaint , walkable downtown attracts history buffs drawn to its 100 - former construction and antiques stores selling glassware , jewelry , art , and more . TheZwaanendael Museum , which tells the account of the Dutch small town in Lewes during the 17th hundred , makes a worthwhile stop .
Cross the bridge from the historic downtown to over the picturesque canal to get to Lewes beach . Instead of loom waves , yielding stand , and a boardwalk , you ’ll find calm amniotic fluid and fewer umbrella park on the sand next to the Delaware Bay . Do n’t forget to feed the parking meter , which operate from May through September . You ’ll see the Cape May - Lewes Ferry from the beach in the length . If you ’re up for a boat adventure , take the 85 - second sail to Cape May , New Jersey , to admire the straight-laced homes , or journeying on the Delaware Bay to see dolphins and water bird onCape Water Tours .
Grab a beer and waiting room in the backyard ofCrooked Hammock Brewery , where you ’ll observe a playground , cornhole , and the namesake hammock . Distance from DC:3 hours
