Make Southern Delaware your happy place. Life is more good natured here.
Whether you and your friends or family are hardcore outdoor adventurers or prefer more laid back outdoor pursuits, you'll find lots of bucket list-worthy outdoor fun in Southern Delaware!
Here are 10 Must Do's to get you started...
1. Cycling: Did you know that Delaware is in the Top 10 Most Bike Friendly States east of the Mississippi? Yup, it's true! Southern Delaware's flat landscape, excellent roadways and scenic routes ensure an enjoyable cycling experience that the whole family can enjoy together. Watch a video and read more here...
2. Watersports: Love sailing, kayaking, parasailing, surfing, skimboarding, skydiving, kiteboarding, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, canoeing? You’ll find all of that – and more – right here. Visit and create your own adventure along Southern Delaware's 26 miles of five-star ocean beaches and on our sparkling inland bays, tidal marshes, and several beautiful rivers. Numerous outfitters offer lessons and guided tours as well as equipment rental. Read more here... and here!
3. Hiking Our State Parks: Our five state parks offer miles of beautiful hiking/biking trails that meander through coastal marshes, pine forests, cypress swamp, and along ocean beaches. You’ll find fishing piers, frisbee golf, campgrounds, nature centers, many activities and events in our parks as well as incredible hiking trails for all ages and abilities. Whatever you do, don’t miss the scenic Gordons Pond and Junction and Breakwater trails. These trails can’t be beat for pure, unspoiled coastal beauty. Read more here...
4. Birding: Southern Delaware is situated right smack in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, so the birding here is absolutely phenomenal. Whether you choose to explore birdlife along the coast, the state parks and wildlife refuges, or to participate in the organized annual spring or winter birding weekends that are offered, you will not be disappointed. Read more here...
5. Fishing & Boating: There are plenty of beautiful beaches, bays and waterways in Southern Delaware. It seems like everywhere you look there is a pond, stream, river, bay or the Atlantic ocean. Enjoy fishing on a quiet pond or in the Atlantic Ocean surf, or charter a boat and experience the thrill of an offshore fishing adventure. Southern Delaware marinas provide fishing information, charter boats, whale and dolphin watching, boat rentals and bait and tackle shops. You'll also find boat tours including eco tours, lighthouse tours, sailing tours, music cruises, foliage tours, and more. Read more here... and here!
6. Brewery hopping: Ok, not technically outdoor adventure, but you need to be outside to travel from brewery to brewery, right? Plus if you're biking/hiking the Junction and Breakwater Trail into Rehoboth Beach, you'll pass right near Revelation Craft Brewing and Big Oyster Brewery and might as well stop in. And along the new and almost complete Lewes-Georgetown Trail you'll find Brimming Horn Meadery (not technically a brewery, but if you haven't tasted mead, or honey wine, it's delicioius!) Southern Delaware has plenty more where that comes from, too, including the renowned Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton and Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats in Rehoboth Beach. You'll also want to check out Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes, Dewey Beer Company and 378-75 Brewery in Dewey Beach, Iron Hill Brewery in Rehoboth Beach, Brick Works Brewing and Eats in Long Neck and Ocean View Brewing Company in, of course, Ocean View. Plus two wineries! You won't go thirsty here, that's for sure. Plan your route or take a tour! Read more here...
7. Running: Enjoy everything from a solitary jog along a quiet beach to organized running events. Southern Delaware's flat coastal landscape and temperate weather make it an ideal spot for running events throughout the year so there are lots of races and events to choose from! Read more here...
8. Beachcombing: Beachcombing is an especially exciting outdoor adventure because you never know what the waves will churn up and deliver right at your feet. The perfect shell, beautiful pieces of sea glass, coins or pieces of crockery from long ago shipwrecks, and it's both a great solitary adventure or group activity for the whole family.
9. Walking: If trails aren't your thing but you enjoy walking, consider exploring Southern Delaware's historic, quaint seaside and riverside downtowns. Filled with antiques and collectibles stores, boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and more, our charming downtowns are highly walkable (and the shopping is Tax Free!) Read more here...
10. Exploring Southern Delaware's Agricultural Treasures: Just a little inland from the beaches, you'll discover that Sussex County is full of farm adventures and, in season, farmers markets and fabulous farm stores! While we're best known for our beaches, agriculture is actually the county's number one economic driver and many of our local farms welcome visitors (they also supply our local restaurants - that's why we say Life Tastes Better Here. It really does!) Read more here...