Bethany Beach has managed to preserve a calm, laid-back atmosphere that I’ve noticed many beach towns have lost.
There are no nightclubs lining the boardwalk, and most restaurants and shops close relatively early. By 11 p.m., all you can hear is the ocean.
The mornings are just as memorable. Watching the sun rise over the Atlantic is reason enough to set an early alarm, and we almost always spot dolphins swimming offshore before most beachgoers have made it onto the sand.
Even during the peak of summer, when the beach is at its busiest, Bethany’s atmosphere remains quaint.
In my experience, the crowds tend to be mostly families enjoying time together rather than the party scene found in larger beach towns. It can still get busy, but it never feels overwhelming.
I’ve come to love visiting in September and October just as much as summer. The weather is still warm enough for long walks on the beach, but the crowds have thinned enough that I start to feel like a local.
