The mayors of the Washington area’s nearest beach towns are preparing for what they
hope will be a big summer season along the Mid-Atlantic ocean. One reason for their optimism
is the expectation that Northern vacationers may be looking for an alternate beach
while rebuilding continues on New Jersey and New York beaches hit by Hurricane Sandy
last October. First up, though, is Memorial Day weekend. The forecast looks good:
sunny, dry, and not too hot.
Mayors obviously have to be advocates for their communities, but even mayors can have
favorite things. We checked in with the mayors of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,
and Ocean City, Maryland, to ask for a shortlist of what they’d recommend to visitors,
whether first-timers or regulars.
Lewes mayor Jim Ford, who is in his tenth year as mayor, named these favorites:
Ice cream at King’s Homemade Ice Cream or 2 Dips, or soft serve at Dairy Queen.
The Lightship Overfalls and its park. The Overfalls is one of only 17 remaining
lightships built between 1820 and 1952.
The shopping on Second and Front streets.
While he recommends the bay beach, Lewes Beach, he says, “If you want the ocean,
Henlopen State Park is my favorite.”
Restaurants: the Buttery, Striper Bites, Agave, Half Full, and the Rose & Crown.
Ocean City mayor Ken Meehan, who has been mayor since 2006, named these favorites:
A morning bike ride on the boardwalk. It’s two and a half miles long and has just
been rebuilt as part of a planned infrastructure improvement.
Taking his grandson to Trimpers Rides and Amusements to “let him ride the same rides
my kids rode when they were [young],” followed by a visit to Alaska Stand for hamburgers
and Thrashers for French fries.
A late lunch outside on the deck at Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar, or an evening
trip to catch the sunset—“a relaxing way to enjoy the bay front.”
A crab feast at home for family and friends with steamed crabs from the Crab Bag
or Crabs-to-Go.
A round of golf at Eagles Landing or one of the other 16 championship golf courses
“all within a half hour of Ocean City.”
Rehoboth Beach mayor Sam Cooper, who says he has lived in Rehoboth all his life and is marking his 23rd year as mayor,
named these favorites:
The rides, games, and arcade at Funland. “A lot of memories from my childhood.”
A morning walk on the beach before it becomes crowded. “One of the great things
about Rehoboth is that the beach is so accessible.”
Dos Locos Mexican restaurant for a shrimp quesadilla or any item that has been stone-grilled.
“The margaritas are to die for.”
Dolle’s Candyland for saltwater taffy.
A visit to the Rehoboth Beach Museum, which is six years old and run by the Rehoboth
Beach Historical Society. “They always have interesting exhibitions.”
Mayors of Lewes, Ocean City, and Rehoboth Beach Pick Their Favorite Things
Their recommendations for Memorial Day trips and beyond.
The mayors of the Washington area’s nearest beach towns are preparing for what they
hope will be a big summer season along the Mid-Atlantic ocean. One reason for their optimism
is the expectation that Northern vacationers may be looking for an alternate beach
while rebuilding continues on New Jersey and New York beaches hit by Hurricane Sandy
last October. First up, though, is Memorial Day weekend. The forecast looks good:
sunny, dry, and not too hot.
Mayors obviously have to be advocates for their communities, but even mayors can have
favorite things. We checked in with the mayors of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,
and Ocean City, Maryland, to ask for a shortlist of what they’d recommend to visitors,
whether first-timers or regulars.
Lewes mayor
Jim Ford, who is in his tenth year as mayor, named these favorites:
lightships built between 1820 and 1952.
Henlopen State Park is my favorite.”
Ocean City mayor Ken Meehan, who has been mayor since 2006, named these favorites:
been rebuilt as part of a planned infrastructure improvement.
my kids rode when they were [young],” followed by a visit to Alaska Stand for hamburgers
and Thrashers for French fries.
trip to catch the sunset—“a relaxing way to enjoy the bay front.”
or Crabs-to-Go.
“all within a half hour of Ocean City.”
Rehoboth Beach mayor
Sam Cooper, who says he has lived in Rehoboth all his life and is marking his 23rd year as mayor,
named these favorites:
about Rehoboth is that the beach is so accessible.”
“The margaritas are to die for.”
Beach Historical Society. “They always have interesting exhibitions.”
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
AC Problem Closes Four Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
Epstein Files Fiasco Continues to Be Weird and Entertaining, GOP Congressman Sued Over Unpaid Rent, and Lotuses Hit Peak Bloom
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work