A trip to the beach or "down the ocean," in local parlance, is the only true vacation for many Marylanders and Delawareans. And though they may choose one beach as their destination, everybody -- well, it can seem that way -- visits the other beaches. Bethany's vacationers can't keep away from Rehoboth's shops and restaurants or Ocean City's amusements. If you're an angler, check out both Ocean City's and Lewes's charter boats. The beaches of Delaware Seashore State Park are the quietest. If you want a party, head for the nightspots of Delaware's Dewey Beach or the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland.
Each town has its own character -- and Delaware beaches are quite different from Maryland beaches. For one thing, all of the Maryland beaches are public, whereas Delaware has some private beaches. Here, we'll give you a snapshot of each, starting at the north end of the Delaware resorts and heading south to the Maryland shore, focusing on the individual delights and differences of each.
