Unlike Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City, the 1-mile-long Bethany Beach Boardwalk has only a few businesses on it. It's more of a promenade, perfect for a leisurely walk near the beach. Most of the shops and fast-food eateries are on Garfield Parkway, which intersects the boardwalk midway. Fenwick Island has no boardwalk between its hotels and its wide-open beach with gentle dunes. Most of the shops and businesses are concentrated along Route 1.
To see real sunken treasure, head to the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, Route 1 and Bayard Street, Fenwick Island (tel. 302/539-9366; www.discoversea.com), a small private museum above the Sea Shell City shop. The collection includes jewelry, coins, china, and a seashell display. Admission is free. Hours are Memorial Day through Labor Day daily from 11am to 8pm; September through May Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
Built in 1859, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, on the Transpeninsular Line, Route 54, about a quarter mile west of Route 1, is one of Delaware's oldest. The lighthouse is still in operation; its beams can be seen for 15 miles.
Across from the lighthouse is the Viking Golf Theme Park, routes 1 and 54, Fenwick Island (tel. 302/539-1644), an inland amusement park with miniature golf, a water park, and go-carts. Hours vary according to weather. The water park is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, daily from 10am to 8pm. Miniature golf is open from Easter weekend to October, on warm weekends from 10am to 11pm, and in summer daily from 10am to midnight.
