After many weekends of failed plans, I finally made it out to the beach this weekend. And it reminded me how much a vacation like that is needed when you’re actually working a job in the city. It’s one thing to enjoy the summer when you’re on break from school; it’s an entirely different thing to enjoy it when you’ve finally gotten those three days off from work. Once you’re on Route 50, and heading east, you cross the 3.2 mile Bay Bridge, and the world has completely changed. No more rushed traffic to get to work, no more city noises. Just you and the random produce trucks that lead you down your path to the beaches. Man, I need to get back there. 

Anyways, there’s several different local beaches that you can get to in less than 3 hours in Maryland and Delaware, and here’s the best (in order of my opinions).

1) Dewey Beach, DE. If you’re not 21, don’t bother, but once you turn legal, this is the place to be. It is pretty much a college town with several bars along a 5-6 block radius of Route 1, and it more than makes up for its small size with those numbers. Overall, a fun place that doesn’t get to hectic for a vacation.

2) Bethany Beach, DE. Man, if you were only back in high school, this would be the place to go. Those kids love to hang out on the Boardwalk and talk about their lives. Unfortunately, once you reach the age of about 18, this town is not cool to be at for a longer period of time until you’ve got your own kids. It’s a small place, centered on one main avenue (where there’s a basketball court that Doug Flutie plays every July 4th). Still, it’s good for its relative peace and quiet to enjoy the actual beach.

3) Rehoboth Beach, DE. Far bigger than the other two, this is highlighted by several different streets with multiple places to eat, shop, or just grab a drink. There are many stereotypes that come with this area, but those are overshadowed by its Boardwalk. Not too big, but not too small, there’s plenty of places to be at all along the beach, and hey the beach isn’t too bad either. Check out Nicola Pizza when you’re there and get a Nic-O-Boli – AMAZING! (Fun fact: Most of these beaches began as Puritan settlements along the coastal railroad in the 1800’s, hence some of their more strict laws concerning alcohol and such.)

400000 (or 4)) Ocean City, MD. It’s ridiculously big, but has more than enough options if you want something to do on a weekend night. I can’t even describe the magnitude of this place, so I won’t try to, but hey if you can enjoy a dirty beach town, go right ahead. Hopefully, my numbering shows you my feelings on the city.

I can’t advise you on the ways to the beach (there is a Greyhound bus that runs from Silver Spring, MD to Ocean City), but I will say the best is to drive. It’s relaxing and chill so befriend a driver and enjoy the route. Trust me, you will.