It's what sun worshippers and beach bums come for: the shore. It can get crowded during peak season (May to August), but beachgoers say the sands are clean and the waves are typically calm, making it very family-friendly. The beach is backed by a mile-long boardwalk that's packed with shops, restaurants and bars. While recent visitors noted that the boardwalk isn't as long as others in the region (like those in Ocean City, Maryland, or Atlantic City, New Jersey) the variety of local businesses ensures that visitors will never run out of things to do.

The beach is free to visit and is reachable from numerous access points, but the sands are off-limits between 1 and 5 a.m. each day for safety reasons. Lifeguards patrol the beach inside the city limits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (and until 5:30 p.m. on weekends). If you drive, you'll have to pay for parking – either at metered spaces, which cost $2 per hour, or by purchasing a parking permit that ranges from $10 during the week to $15 over the weekend. Extended parking permits are also available. For more information on beach rules and regulations, check out the City of Rehoboth Beach website.

The premier entertainment venue in the area, the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand is situated just behind the boardwalk. Established in 1963, the open-air pavilion hosts a free summer concert series every year. Shows are offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid-June to Labor Day and feature a variety of acts including local orchestras, tribute bands, rock 'n' roll groups, jazz performers and even the occasional movie screening.

Locals and summer visitors alike say the concerts are fun, free entertainment right along the boardwalk. Since the bandstand is located at the center of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, plan to walk or find nearby permitted parking. To check the schedule for upcoming acts, check out the bandstand's website.

For a deeper look into the history of this seaside retreat, take a trip to the Rehoboth Beach Museum. The small museum displays everything from vintage bathing suits to archaeological artifacts that date back to the settling of the area. The museum also offers rotating exhibits that showcase the area's rich history as a vacation destination, such as a display of vintage Rehoboth Beach postcards that span more than 100 years.  

Recent visitors described the museum as quaint and said it's a good activity for a rainy day. The museum is located  just off Rehoboth Avenue, a few blocks west of the Dogfish Head Brewing Company. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The museum's hours vary by season, but generally, it's open from 10 or 11 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. To learn more, head to the museum's website.