Bethany Beach Boardwalk Reviews

I enjoy walking on the boardwalk but wish there was more places to shop or visit. I also wish there was more entertainment on the boardwalk. But overall Bethany Beach boardwalk is amazing. I love that my family back home can see me when I am on the boardwalk with the webcams.

Cute shops and little restaurants. Many of the regular sea side treats and souvenirs but in an extremely nice "town square" kind of setting. Band area with seating and live music. A fun place at the beach.

If you are tired of crammed beach destination boardwalks with a circus feel, then try the Boardwalk at Bethany Beach. It's a pleasure both by day and by night. During the day there is the hustle and bustle of beach goers and by night the same people are visiting the shops and restaurants and simply relaxing on the boardwalk. They have a nice bandstand where they have regular entertainment for free.

This is by far one of the prettiest boardwalks. Trolley cat takes you all over Bethany for 25 cents. Wonderful way to see the area.

Enjoyed the quiet laid back atmosphere here. Glad to see pets are allowed. Sad to see irresponsible owners that don't keep them on leashes and allow them to urinate on all the light poles, trash cans ECT. Will ruin it for those that are respectful of the rules.

The boardwalk in Bethany is filled with unique shops and great places to eat. My favorites are The Parkway for dinner, and for lunch a crab cake from Turtle Beach Cafe!

The boardwalk has a small venue for live music and has the stores you might expect to find on other beaches. Surf shop, fudge and candy, caramel popcorn, ice cream, taffy, funnel cake...etc. It is well lit in the evening and handles the crowd well enough.

Love this Boardwalk area. While there are some shops on the actual Boardwalk, it is the side street leading to it, about 2 blocks, that is packed with shops and dining options for all ages. Pay for parking area that is closely monitored.

I grew up staying at Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Hate to say it, but Bethany Beach has now become a favorite. Everything about Bethany is great. Variety, layout and yes, architecture. Bethany is just beautiful. Cleanest place you'll ever visit. Restaurants galore. Fantastic swimsuit shop. Art galleries. And just enough fast food stops. Weekend mini concerts right on the beach. Family movie night on Sunday evenings. Just the right size for an after dinner stroll or shopping. Beautiful beach town!

I’ve been going to Bethany since The 70’s. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. The boardwalk has fantastic restaurants and a wide variety of shops. We love walking up and down visiting each shop grabbing beach food along the way all while inhaling the wonderful ocean air.

We were staying in Dewey Beach but visited the Bethany boardwalk one night. Parking was a nightmare and we almost left. Felt like they did not want visitors to the area. Small selection of stores and not much to see. We enjoyed walking around for an evening but not sure we would go back if in the area again mostly because of the parking situation.

Been coming to Bethany for years, with the whole family. Grown children and grandchildren, and plan to be back next year too. The grandkids are now 20, 16, 14, and 13 and still look forward to coming back every year.

So awesome. Beach is beautiful. Bethany is our favorite beach by far. Clean, safe, beautiful flowers, family friendly, great trolly!

Bethany Beach is very family friendly. We have vacationed here since our grandchildren were little and now as teenagers they enjoy the boardwalk. Great places to eat and shop!

I enjoyed my many visits to Bethany Beach boardwalk. This time it was just my mother and I. We enjoyed great moments.

Family oriented and quiet. Very nice and peaceful. Not the rush like Ocean City or Rehobeth Beaches. We go every year.

Great shops ! Kid friendly foods ! Khor bros custard is always a must stop ! And Boardwalk fries ! The shops are adorable ! The boardwalk is clean and family appropriate

May , many shops,,,,tucked into alleyways and spiraling culsesacs , too, Don't miss strolling around to find. Great bookstore and ice cream of course. End of street on beach is big gathering area that has evening open air entertainment during the season. Check calendar of happenings. Boardwalk is accessible.

Bethany used to be so cute and charming. It still has some of that but unfortunately it seems as if all the store owners either buy from the same cheap distributor or they're all owned by the same group of people. It's no longer fun to shop there. Nearly every store carries the same lame t-shirts and sweatshirts... and they're the same t-shirts and sweatshirts you see in Rehoboth, Dewey, Fenwick and O.C.

It's a lot more crowded than in year's past too. Best to park and beach on side streets (but then of course your bathroom options are limited). Sigh. Here's hoping they revert back to what they used to be good at (retaining some of that small family charm without fighting the big dogs like Rehoboth and O.C.). Right now, I prefer Rehoboth.

The boardwalk is a small one , but clean and friendly . You have plenty of shops and food locations . Its a nice place for a friendly peaceful walk .

Small ”boardwalk” nice for a cloudy afternoon... little shops and ice cream and restaurants. Center of town. We lucked out as Sunday nite has entertainment at the gazebo and despite the drizzle the show went on with 60s 70s music. Parking is 2.00 per hour at pay as you park for spots. Spots all along the road and the little lots. Parking is patrolled. Many good restaurants like Bethany blue, spankys nearby and the Penguin. Small beach town family friendly, much calmer than OC. We enjoyed strolling and visiting the small shops. Pleasant shopkeepers.

Fun. Sunny. Windy. Dry. Walked. Talked. Ate. Laughed. Searched for seaglass. Took photos. Enjoyed life.

We love Bethany Beach. We have rented a condo in Stewart Watch for the past 7 years and couldn't be happier there. The broadwalk is 3/4 walk from the condos and you can enjoy the shops, dining, candy, ice cream, popcorn, french fries or just sit and people watch on the benches along the way, There is nightly entertainment up on the promenade by the beach entrances. Just a nice family place and situated between Rahoboth and Ocean City MD if you want to enjoy the ride scene.

Very nicely planned boardwalk; marked easily accessible; great views; impressed by the newly planed restoration of sand dunes with grasses

Nice small boardwalk area. Very neatly maintained. Reasonable parking. Not a whole lot for kids. Many shops
And restaurants. Has a bandstand with entertainment during summer months. Area nicely decorated with flowers.

Visited for 1st time and this town and beach were a pleasant surprise. I would definitely come back. Cute shops. Nice entertainment.

Visited on a very windy, late April day. The Ocean to Bay bike ride was just finishing up. Several of the shops/eateries along the boardwalk were open. Musicians playing some music. Encountered very friendly people here. Parking was an issue the day of the bike ride.

Bethany is a nice town to stroll about. Plenty of shops to browse and purchase interesting items. The boardwalk is not long enough to get any exercise. Make sure you get to town before 9pm because everything closes early.

taking a mid day stroll around town and enjoying the views. the summer is winding down and it's still a great day to com to the beach

Can't beat the setting for free concerts during the summer on friday, saturday and sunday nights. The ocean at your back and looking into the sunset while listening to a great variety of entertainment. Did I say its free?

Don’t expect Ocean City or WildWood size boards, it is a small quaint little boardwalk with most shops centered on the Main Street in the center of town. But family friendly with lots of options for shopping and eating.

Very nice shops and restaurants up to the boardwalk and in the area. Clean. love the shops.....Sea Crest shop beautiful things. Yummy ice cream shops, and gotta have the boardwalk fries. Smaller version of Ocean city or Rehoboth. We have been visiting here for over 30+ years....always go back.

Lots of shopping for all even in the off season. Easy pre paid parking just use a credit card and set a timer to come back in time. Plenty of benches to rest on.

A small boardwalk area that has a lot to offer. I wish we came here years ago, it is very relaxing. It appeared there are a lot of police and auxiliary police in the area and it keeps things quiet.

Stopped here one night on our vacation. Parking is $2 an hour close to it and hard to find. We got lucky finding a spot. The road by the boardwalk has shops and restaurants. The boardwalk is short, but it's a nice walk by the ocean with a few shops.

Most boardwalks are permeated with powder sugar from funnel cakes or some other beach food. Bethany Beach is not! Better yet, its not cluttered with garbage. The summer weekends have a full schedule of entertainment, sometimes local and sometimes military bands or like last night, a group of older big band pros. It's just nice, and you you can get your ice cream or funnel cakes, too.

We were staying in Ocean City Maryland and decided to drive up to Bethany Beach one evening. It was an awesome beachfront environment with many activities. Highly recommend!!

Small, reserved, family resort area. Don't let the busy stretch of Rehoboth stop you from coming here.

Bethany beach boardwalk is your traditional beach boardwalk. filled with pizza, dunnel cake, restaurants, kite stores, etc. Great for young families.

This is a smallish, family friendly boardwalk that complements nicely the fine beach at Bethany. Not as crowded as Rehobeth or Ocean City. Good clean fun.

Well maintained and nicely traveled boardwalk. Near downtown there a number of shops, residences and dining establishments. Easy access to the beach to see the surf and sand. Depending upon the time of year parking can be challenging. I enjoy boardwalks wherever I go and this one was nice.

Bethany Beach including the boardwalk is quite nice. Much less commercial than Ocean City, Maryland but still having beautiful beaches.

Lovely area to walk plus they had music on both Saturday and Sunday night! Big Band one night and good old Rock and Roll.

Bethany boardwalk is different than most. There are only a few shops and places to eat on the boardwalk. The rest is just houses on the west and the ocean on the east. This is a family town and very enjoyable just to stroll and people watch. There are regular concerts in the summer evenings right in the center. There are benches but you can also bring your own chair. Parking can be tricky in town, so go early to get a spot.

This is one of the nicer boardwalks I've been around. It is small as mentioned by other reviewers. No rides, no gambling. But plenty of shops and restaurants. You could probably walk the boardwalk within 2 hours. Off the boardwalk there are more shops also indoor golf and an outdoor golf area, maybe 2 blocks down. Lots of local shops to get beach souvenirs (i.e jewelry, clothes).

Parking kept this score at three. The boardwalk was nice and we would have stayed in Bethany, if not for that price that facility wanted. We tried Ocean City and had disdain for it. Bethany was a nice change of pace but that parking ugh.

This is very family friendly - not as spacious as Ocean City, MD, ut has plenty for you. A few nice restaurants, a few shops, great toy shop, and an arcade. We also were happy to find a bookstore to browse and pick up new books for our beach reading.

The boardwalk are at Bethany is very nice. There is ample parking. The shops are classy & the entire area is clean & well-kept. There is a nice variety of restaurant offerings. The outdoor theater hosts a range of free entertainment. The beach provides beautiful views & a comfortable breeze. Great place to walk, shop, snack, dine, & relax.

This was our first trip to Bethany Beach as we used to always go to Ocean City. This boardwalk is smaller but very pretty and lots of fun. Lots of places to shop and eat and even though we didn't go they offer music on Thursday nights in the summer

A lovely beach ... stroll the great boardwalk...
Some little interesting shops on and around the boardwalk. Many outstanding restaurant near the boardwalk or a block or two away. Low keyed resort.... family oriented. Enjoy!

We walked the boardwalk and went as far as where the contractors are replacing older sections. Although no businesses were open, there are businesses off the boardwalk that were such as the bookstore and 5 guys restaurant.

You’ll find Some really nice little shops here. This boardwalk is more for adults. There aren’t any rides or arcades here. If you’re looking for a quieter place to enjoy watching people or gazing at the beach and ocean, this is the place. Weekends you’ll find some nice free concerts at the bandstand at Garfield Parkway.

We have had a home in Bethany for 40 years, and every year Bethany's boardwalk adds something new. It is a short boardwalk with only a few blocks of commercial shops. There is a lot of variety in the offerings, restaurants, seasonal shops, and specialty shops. The center area has a stage, and they have concerts there in the evenings, 3 times a week during the season. You should go early, and bring your own chairs, as the seating fills up fast, and the crowds are huge. They also have several big arts and crafts shows. A number of sponsored races , including marathon and triathlon types, are held which end at the boardwalk and are very well attended.

If your looking for a smaller boardwalk area to enjoy with family this is the spot. Sometimes walking a large boardwalk like Ocean City it a bit much with younger kids. They have plenty of little shops and great food.

We stopped off here, paid the parking meter fee (it is done through a cell phone), walked around, and came back to the car to find a parking ticket on the windshield. It took a while, and a bit of frustration and annoyance in the summer heat, to find where to go to get the ticket dismissed. We went into the office and the nice young man there checked and saw that the parking fee had indeed been paid, dismissed the ticket, and then told us that this happens all the time. His telling us that "this happens all the time" was the thing that was really upsetting - this means that the town just issues parking tickets without carefully checking to see whether the parking fee had been paid, and that they assume that some percentage of people will just pay the parking ticket.

No amusement rides or games. Just good food and nice shops. There is an arcade. Thrashers fries are great. Family friendly. Parking is tough.

We really love Bethany. Very family friendly. Has lots of cute boutique shops as well several souvenir shops,plus tons if Candy stores, pop corn, and ice cream shops. It also has some lovely restaurants to choose from.

Can't wait to go back.

The boardwalk really doesn't have much on it. The main drag is where are the action is. Food, shops, etc

Warm and friendly. No partygoers. Clean and nice for families and young couples and those not wanting tons of teens going crazy.

Plenty of shops to visit including food.

There is beach activities such as concerts on boardwalk and movies on beach.

The dunes and sand has recently been redone due to damage from storms.

We made a point to visit both Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach while staying in Rehoboth Beach. This is definitely my favorite area of the three for the beach and town area. I feel like Bethany is a great little family beach and town with cute little shops with both gift and beach items. It has everything Rehoboth beach has in a more compact area so it may be better as a place to stay with small children. Rehoboth has a lot more to do on the boardwalk and is easy to drive to for more shopping and the amusement area. It really depends on what you want.

I would recommend Bethany Beach for the day, but Rehoboth for evening. If you prefer weekend crowds and larger beach area, then you’ll prefer Rehoboth.

This has a nice view, but nothing spectacular compared to neighboring boardwalks. Good place to pass some time doing nothing.

The beach and boardwalk in Bethany is always clean and beautiful. I love sitting on the beach with a good book watching the water nothing screams vacation more than this. I also love walking in the little shops that line the streets you can always find something to look at. The only down side is there isn't a lot of parking so it is best to go early in the morning.

This was less of a boardwalk and more of just downtown shopping. The “boardwalk” was just a he entry to to beach and had a few grab and go restaurants on it for the beach goers. It was very nice though, both the shops and the views of the dunes down to the beach.

This well-maintained boardwalk is three blocks long by one block wide. A few hotels, restaurants, shops. More of same along the two block parkway that leads to it. The boardwalk sports a bandstand for community events (see the online town calendar). Yoga at dawn. Closes up early at night. For a party scene, go elsewhere, and leave the quiet and class to the rest of us.

The are loads of shops and ice cream options, and great for families to stroll around this small town with boardwalk to enjoy an evening. By using the town website you can look for the schedule of entertainment presented at the boardwalk bandstand.

This is a cute little boardwalk. It is nicely kept. The bathrooms are clean and spacious for changing to go to the beach. The boardwalk is on the smaller side. There are no rides. But, the crowds are much smaller. There is very limited parking to access the boardwalk.

This is a quaint boardwalk that is quite a bit less developed than the Rehoboth boardwalk, which is why it is my favorite beach in the area. There are a few shops, one hotel (which a nice-is restaurant attached to it), and the usual french fry, ice cream, etc. places.. as well as Bethany Blues BBQ and few other small restaurants. In summer, there are folks renting out beach chairs and umbrellas. Parking, as is typical, can be challenge in high season, and it's about 25 minutes away from Rehoboth, so you can't use the Jolly Trolley. So the best I can tell you is to try and get there early in the day, or the early evening to snag a spot, or take Lyft/Uber.

Really good boardwalk and beach area. Area has a more upscale feel than Ocean City, MD. Nice shops and friendly people.

Way smaller than either OCMD or Rehoboth Beach’s boardwalks Bethany’s is none the less charming and unique in that the stores are really not along the boardwalk leaving it for strolling and relaxing. Not that there aren’t stores. They’re located on Garfield Parkway, the street that runs perpendicular to the boardwalk. This allows you to get your ice cream, t-shirts and fries while still having a short boardwalk to enjoy. Downside is that it is only a couple of blocks long so don’t expect to get much morning jogging in. Still a quiet alternative to OCMD, Dewey Beach and Rehoboth (which to be honest is my favorite)

The beach in Bethany is always wide, long and lovely. It is definitely much quieter than, say, Ocean City - good for strolling.

This is a nice boardwalk by the beach. Great in all weather, even pleasant in the winter. Nice place to walk around and get a break from the water

Not a huge amount there but was clean nice and very pleasant. It had tons of shops restaurants and custard/ice cream. Nice for an easy stroll or jog.

The set up is picturesque , clean, and extremely safe
Perfect family spot for pure relaxation
The boardwalk area does host some food and beverage areas but there is no gaming on the boardwalk if that interests tou

My son represents the fourth generation in my family to spend time here! We love it here and hope to continue coming, annually, to enjoy the sights and sounds! It is DEFINITELY a family place! Check out the Movies on the Sand every Monday night, as well as the Kids concerts throughout the summer! There are tons of other events, as well!

Our kids are older now and not teenagers but there was no other choice above for type of visit that fit. They still enjoy Bethany. We have been coming here for several years. We enjoy walking through the shops while waiting for our table in the restaurants. Now some of the restaurants just text you when your table is ready which is much more convenient. They have bands on the boardwalk some evenings. Plenty of families with young children and dogs walking around.

Very family friendly boardwalk. Almost every night they had live music or a movie on the beach. Great choice of ice cream, custards, pizza, fries, etc as well as t-shirt shops. Very safe surrounding, well landscaped, many restaurants to choose from.

The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is only 6 blocks long and has a very nice family friendly small town resort feel. There is only 1 hotel, a few restaurants, an ice cream shop and a handful of shops on the boardwalk, but that seems to fit perfectly. If you need more, many shops and restaurants are located next to the boardwalk on Garfield Boulevard,

Cute (but short) boardwalk with great views over beach. Shops and restaurants on or near boardwalk. One of the "quiet resorts."

A smaller family friendly stroll on the boardwalk. Well patrolled with shops, eating places - subs, popcorn,candy, pizza and ice cream with lots of benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. Entertainment at the bandstand several nights a week in the summer months. Movies and bonfire on the beach.

Bethany remains a great family vacation destination. The good news is there are many more restaurants open year-round, so now you don't have to leave Bethany for a great meal. I highly recommend.

The Boardwalk is less than a mile long, has everything you need in terms of stores, food etc. Always well kept and not over crowded.

Fantastic Vacation! Great place. Boardwalk was clean, and nice with lots of fun shops and restaurants. I would definitely go back!

The short boardwalk and Bandstand anchors the small commercial area and provides a reasonable diversion for rainy days. There are band concerts and other entertainment most nights

Bethany is a quiet town with a .4 mile boardwalk. There are a few stores/ restaurants, but otherwise it’s just for strolling. It’s well maintained and makes for a peaceful stroll

Bethany beach is a small picturesque town on the Delaware seashore. The beach,the boardwalk and the town are clean and gamy oriented. Some businesses are closed at this time of year. Some also reopen on the weekends. There is a ramp to provide handicap access to the boardwalk and the beach.

Bethany beach is just charming any way you slice it.

The boardwalk is like the rest of the town - spotless, well taken care of, and cute. It's clean, neat and has some cute shops and restaurants to enjoy.

We were there in mid-April during a horrible rainy weekend so we didn't really get to enjoy and not everything was even open yet - but we saw some ice cream, sandwich, pizza, and other eateries and walked into a few of the beach stores to look at the souvenirs and clothing.

Everyone was very friendly and the beach was gorgeous.

This is a small boardwalk and small town - but the charm is undeniable.

It’s great to see places like this still exist. It’s small but well kept with great ocean and beach views. There are a string of local shops selling tourist and beach related products as well as eateries. A great example of a small seaside town boardwalk.

Small but nice. Within walking distance of where we were staying. Had entertainment and also trolley service

The Bethany boardwalk is not as long, busy, or full as the nearby Rehoboth Beach boardwalk but it is charming, and just enough for an outing with the family. We love the family vibe that Bethany has.

We love the Bethany Boardwalk - there is a terrific restaurant at a new hotel on the boardwalk, and a number of locally-owned stores. We especially enjoy the toy store, and make a stop there every time we visit the area. Get there early so parking is easier - the crowd can get larger on the weekends, so consider a weekday visit too if you're able.

We love Bethany Beach Boardwalk because of it's simplicity. If you are looking for rides, whirls of activity, and an exciting night life this is not your spot. If you are looking for a stroll, share smiles in the morning or evening after getting some ice cream, check out local shops and listen to a band - then this is your spot. Bethany, although sadly getting more crowded, is more of a simple throwback place to visit. Just enough evening family activity between movies, bands, talents shows, ice cream, fries, and local shops to keep things interesting and engaging from the very little up to the grandparents.

A smaller board walk but very nice. the beach was clean and the town had such a nice clean feel. Plenty of places to shop.

The boardwalk is small, but always clean, good shape, and pleasant. Not much on the walk but that is a positive.

Quaint boardwalk, easy to walk, less than 1/2 mile long, dog walking allowed, nice shops and dining, access to beach

Small (.4 mile?) wooden boardwalk with some storefronts. Nice views of the ocean and a great place to stroll with family and friends.

Family friendly, breezy; on the ocean. Best deals for clothes and souvenirs in September. Has many places to eat, surf shops, and souvenir shops.

My husband and I love Bethany Beach Boardwalk. It's not huge and overcrowded like Ocean City or Rehobeth. Lots of shops and restaurants and I believe it's a quarter of a mile boardwalk along the beach for your viewing pleasure. There's a great coffee shop on the ocean side that opens early too. If you have young kids they also have a gaming area off Garfield Prkwy

Visiting from the Northwest! Different beaches and different atmosphere! Amazing time walking through town and seeing new places thru my kids eyes... lots of unique shops and new things to try! The sand, waves and sky are so different from the Pacific! Memorable travels!

just love visiting their boardwalk and grab and ice cream or just walk by the beach!! Easy to park and check out a few shops or get something to eat at the Marriott on the boardwalk.

Lots of cute shops and restaurants. Make sure to pay for your parking as we seen several meter maids walking around.

Cute little boardwalk (when comparing to ocean city). Many places to shop, eat, etc. Visited during the day so not sure if busier in the evening. Mostly families, quant town.

Beautiful clean beach! Ample lifeguards; friendly and provide informative daily ocean conditions-reports. Beach Umbrellas were accessible at a reasonable price. They are conveniently brought and placed at your beach site. Boardwalk small with very strict rules and police protected. Parking is expensive and limited.

A great place for the kids to run off energy or the adults to take a romantic stroll in the moonlight.

This is a rather small boardwalk and walking the whole boardwalk shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. There's some gift shops and restaurants as well as some hotels. The beach is accessible from the entire boardwalk. The walking area is quite narrow. There aren't any rides or games and the area appears to be residential with a few shops near the parking area. However parking can be hard to find. I visited in October and had to park several blocks away. Great place to visit but not something that's going to take a whole day.

It's a small boardwalk, but well maintained.Don't expect the spectacle like Ocean City. The boardwalk has many bridges that take you to the beach and there are plenty of benches along it where you can adjust the back of the bench to face towards the beach or opposite direction. There are also enough shops for souvenirs, beach supplies, etc. And there are several restaurants in a short walk. Street parking is $4.50 for two hours and there is parking along the street leading to the boardwalk or several lots with access to the boardwalk.

Bethany Beach is very family friendly and the beaches looked well kept, but the beaches are not as deep like Ocean City.

Small but well maintained boardwalk, a little short of restaurants/ bars but pleasant walk nonetheless

The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is well maintained for its short distance. There is a central plaza with shops and restaurants running about two blocks along the main street that leads to the area and shops covering about half a black each to the north and south along the Boardwalk. Much of the walk faces and provides access to residential and rental buildings. One is impressed with the padded paths that lead from the Boardwalk out to the Beach, which make walking easier and likely preserve the sand dunes. A cheerful family atmosphere prevails.

While visiting my in-laws, my wife and I visited the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Parking can be a challenge. And most (all?) of it is pay parking.

Once you find and pay for parking, the boardwalk is a pleasant walk. We started at one end which was pretty quiet. Things got louder as we approached the center as there was a band performing. The center area has a number of shops and restaurants.

I can see how hanging out at the boardwalk could be entertaining, particularly if you enjoy the free entertainment. We enjoyed the band and would have arrived earlier had we known. Check the entertainment schedule.

Aside from the entertainment and shops, this is just a nice boardwalk. This isn't a must-see attraction but, if you're in the area, it's worth checking out.

Many shops to brouse and many places enjoy a meal or indulge in a snack. Movies on the beach once a week and concerts at the band stand on the weekends.

I have no interest in boardwalks. I come for sun and sand. We did stroll one day for a little while. There are places to eat, shop buy beach items. All parking is pay by the beach.

My family and I spent the early evening enjoying the boardwalk and taking in the sights. The area is clean and the atmosphere is family friendly. We walked on the beach and enjoyed relaxing on the sand watching the full moon. The boardwalk is not too long but there was music playing and a great atmosphere.

I was very pleasantly surprised with this boardwalk. It was small, but very clean, even the bathrooms were clean. Even though it's on the small side, it had everything you needed. A much better and safer boardwalk than Ocean City, especially for families with younger children. Will come back to this beach and boardwalk from now on.

will definitely be returning in the spring and summer, this beach is filled with small restaurants and shops. Lovely place overall.

If you are looking for something with amusements and miles of walking this place is not for you. The boardwalk is only a few blocks long with a few small shops and a bandstand. But that is its charm.

Bethany is a very quaint beach town and the boardwalk is nice to walk around and explore. It's not as famous as other beach times but pretty much has all the same attractions.

Very fun place to visit with young kids. We spotted dolphins in the ocean from the boardwalk, enjoyed custard (especially loved the benches at the bandstand area to enjoy our custard, shops were clean and the business owners were friendly, and the many staircases down to the beach were well maintained! So glad we found this low-key beach for our family to visit!

Bethany Beach is a small beach town between two large beach cities. There is Ocean City, Maryland to the south and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to the north. Still, Bethany has everything the larger beaches have, only on a much smaller scale. It has a nice boardwalk, restaurants, and shops. If having all the beach amenities is your thing without the huge crowds, Bethany might be the beach for you. If not, O.C. and Rehoboth are only a 30 minute drive away.

If you have gotten used to area beach towns like Atlantic City, Wildwood, Rehoboth, Ocean City, etc. then Bethany Beach and it's boardwalk may seem tame by comparison - but therein lies it's charm. There are no rides, mini-golf or flashing lights.

Nevertheless, the Bethany Beach Boardwalk has come a long way in recent years with more shops and buildings - but it has not lost its "beach town feel". I certainly would not call the Bethany Beach Boardwalk a destination like some of the other boardwalks in the mid-Atlantic - but if you happen to be in town, then it does offer a quiet walk along the ocean dunes, a few shops to wander into if you must, places to eat and a quiet beach atmosphere to share with family and friends.

After all - isn't that why we are at the beach?

This is just such a sweet place. Lots going on, lots to do, but also a place where you can just stroll and relax.

The boardwalk is just as nice as the beach and town it is in. Smaller than Rehoboth or ocean city, but big enough to house some nice restaurants, shops, etc. if you like a quiet, not-too-busy, family-friendly beach/Boardwalk, this is the one for you.

I do love the boardwalk in Bethany Beach. It is not like the big boardwalks in Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach, with lots of shops of all levels of quality and many arcades. This boardwalk area is a great place to bring young kids, has at least one of every type of store, and has good- and free - entertainment in the summer (evenings). Off season the dog population goes up so if dogs are not your thing go somewhere else. There are excellent ice cream stores and it is hard to choose among them. And don’t miss the small but outstanding bookstore!

Very nice walk. Great views of the ocean and beach. Some stores and shops. Plenty of benches to rest and relax

From music to food, to people watching and tourist hordes, this is the place where locals and visitors collide to snack on wonderful, mostly not very healthy though, beach cuisine and enjoy every minute of it. Lots of Boardwalk type shops, but a small enough boardwalk not to overwhelm. Benches facing away from the ocean enable a weary visitor to enjoy the scene or finish that ice cream that you waited on line for.

Great area around the boardwalk, not too big, not too small. Residential area near the boardwalk was also very "kept up" and nice. The whole experience was very nice.

I walked the boardwalk every day!!! Very nice ppl and very very clean. Great stores on the bordwalk!!! Really short tho!!!

The boardwalk was the best part of this stop in our trip the beach was nice but there was a lot of rocks in the water

Loved the small town feel of this boardwalk/beach town. Nice local shops to visit, although several were not open for the season yet. Enjoyed seeing the beach from the boardwalk, as it was too cold of a day to actually walk down to the beach.

Easy access to a small town clean and friendly boardwalk with a great mix of gift shops and good beach food. Plenty of parking and the rates are not bad.

There's enough variety that everyone will find something to like. We come down from NJ five to six times a year and love the small town feel better than the big boardwalks that are over run with trashy tshirt stores, junk food and arcades.

This is a beautiful somewhat quieter beach. The boardwalk is great and leads to a number of shops and restaurants. It felt like Rehoboth's smaller and more charming sister. Parking is a bit difficult but is available in places and on certain locations roadside.

This was my husband and I's first time at Bethany Beach. We loved how (relatively) quiet it was. The boardwalk was kept clean, which is tough given all of the foot traffic. We'll be back - probably with the family!

lf you want quiet beach time, this is the place for you. The town is easily walkable, cozy and charming. The beach is restful.

Clean family boardwalk in DE. Stopped for some french fries of course. Enough variety of shops for plenty of shopping.

As usual with ratings, I find this one infused with nostalgia and info from folks who have more money than the average family. This is a tiny boardwalk with a few extremely over priced food and shopping venues. Its a 6 minute walk end to end for an average fit person. It is nothing unique, great, or plentiful but it is clean and not commercialized like nearby OCMD or Rehoboth. Do not come here looking for a great beach, boardwalk, restaurants or shopping. However, you have no other choice if you are staying in Bethany in a pricey rental and with kids - since you have not much other choice.

Love all the little shops and quick places to get a bite to eat. Super clean and although they don't have rides they do have arcades and mini golf right around the corner and a bandstand for performances they do regularly

Bethany Beach Broad-walk is in a very suitable place with many options near the breach itself. It gives a sense of nostalgic feeling and the approach to the Sand and the Sea is very aptly made. A place one must visit while going to Rehoboth.

Although it is a short boardwalk its entire length is not all commercialized so it is enjoyable to walk on. Garfield Parkway leading to the Boardwalk has lots of the standard fare you expect relating to a visit to the beach. I did especially like the old fashioned style clock on the boardwalk.

We visited on a Sunday and the farmers market was open and we bought really large picture perfect tomatoes and a loaf of cranberry walnut bread!

All in all really nice but parking can be a bit of a challenge if you don't pay attention to the time limits on Garfield.

I hit the town center before hitting the full boardwalk and beach.. lots of shops, lots see, shop, eat, and catch rays.

My family and friends have been going to Bethany Beach for years and we love it. It has a small town feeling, with a wonderful July 4th parade, concerts in the evening, ice cream shops, candy shops, clothing stores, restaurants, and a short boardwalk--with no games or rides (which keeps it simple and relaxing.) Over the years, the beach has gotten much smaller since they built up the dunes for protection from the storms, and this also limits the view from the boardwalk, but it was important to do. We will keep coming back as long as it maintains its family friendly atmosphere.

Quiet walk by the ocean available on this 1/3 mile boardwalk. Free, guarded beach with many activities sponsored by the town of Bethany. Family oriented away from the hubbub of nearby beach towns.

Never go on Labor Day weekend! It was way too crowded, got there at noon and literally spent like 20 min trying to find parking, which they dont have any big parking lots smh u have to just try and find spots along the street or little lots, it is a cpl dollars per hour. Ppl were crammed on the beach like sardines, when looking down at the beach you couldn't even see sand just polka dot of umbrellas on every inch.😩 It was our first time so I'm not sure if this is how it is every weekend in the summer or just bc it was labor day wknd. The beach itself was actually surprisingly really nice, sand was nice and water was blue and pretty clear not like the beaches in MD where u can't see the bottom but waves were way too rough for my 3 yr old to get in so ended up being a wasted 3 hr drive. There's public bathrooms, but no changing station, and only outside showers to wash off sand. It's a super cute beach town with a nice boardwalk full of cute shops and food stops. But super expensive $18 for just a 4 chicken strip basket😱. On top of it all there was this really rude family that didn't want us to sit in front of them bc we wud "block their view" news flash rude family its a public beach and u picked the wrong day to be stingy with space that isn't even yours, next time put your things down in front of u if you want to be stingy and don't want ppl to sit there.
All in all not in a rush to go back and when we do it def won't be labor day wknd and , hope we never see that rude family again.

Very laid back. No rides mostly shops and places to grab a bite or some ice cream. Only a few blocks long.

Not very long, but the Bethany Beach Boardwalk is enjoyable and fun. Easy walk from one end to the other with a few stores and restaurants along the way to visit.

What this boardwalk lacks in length (.38 mile) it makes up for in style. It may be short, but it is clean, classic with a handful of nice shops. Walk back and forth a few times!

Bethany Beach Boardwalk is super easy to access. Easy to find parking for a decent rate. Boardwalk is small and wasn't crowded when we visited in May. The shops are nice and had friendly employees in each shop we entered. There aren't a ton of options for food but there's enough that you can find something for everyone, the ice cream tastes great and was pretty cheap. The boardwalk is clean and there are plenty of benches along the way.

Not a "rowdy" boardwalk, Very family oriented and well monitored by friendly police presence. Lots of planned activities during the high season

Bethany beach has very limited parking to access the beach. One cannot get within miles unless you live there. Very expensive to pay for parking if you manage to find a spot 3 blocks away. Only one street allows for the public. Five spots reserved for handicapped to accommodate a 38 mile beach. Delaware sucks in providing beaches for the public. Go to Maryland where all people have access.

One way from beginning to end is .38 miles, so knock out a few laps to get your exercise and people watching in. This is not a commercial boardwalk, it is a relaxing family walk that is enjoyable day or night.

TIP: Bring your dog - everyone else did!

This is a very small but quaint, clean boardwalk with a handful of local shops and small restaurants. There are no cheesy souvenir or t-shirt shops here. Easy access from the boardwalk to the local shops and restaurants on the Main Street in Bethany. Clean, well maintained restrooms on the boardwalk with a very short walk to the beach.

If you're looking for a boardwalk like Ocean City, MD or somewhere in New Jersey, you won't find it at Bethany Beach. But if you want something that isn't real commercial and is a good size for families, the Bethany Beach Boardwalk is perfect.

Unlike most shore communities, most of the stores and restaurants are on the main drag. The beginning of the boardwalk does have some shops and restaurants. But most of the boardwalk is just a boardwalk along the beach. But at the main entrance, there is a big pavilion where live entertainment is offered every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the summer months. You bring you own chairs and enjoy the show. While we were there last week, there was a group who performed all Eric Clapton songs and another that featured the music of the Four Seasons. There are also bathrooms located here, as well as beach wheel chairs. Just be aware that it is often hard to find parking along the boardwalk. You also have to pay to park.

If you are looking for amusements and rides, this isn't your place. But if you're looking for something a little more low-key and family friendly, Bethany Beach Boardwalk is a good destination.

The boardwalk at Bethany beach is small with some nice gift, clothing, and food and is located right at the beach. The center part of the boardwalk is where the bandstand, the beach patrol station, and the bathrooms are located. Most of stores and other commercials are located on the main street leading to the beach. Nice boardwalk to stroll for seabreeze.

This board walk is about 1/2 to 1 mile long. There are some shops and restaurants in the center. It is accessible from several streets along its length. An easy way to walk along the beach. Parking on the neighboring streets is by meter.

I am not usually the beach type but it was beautiful. It was clean and i felt safe there and i did in the surrounding area also. The boardwalk was enjoyable. It is a bit of a tourist trap but not so much in a bad or tacky way. The gift shops are rather expensive but they do have some good things so they got me there hah.

We like the low key nature of this boardwalk. It is relatively small in length, but there are a couple of neat boutiques. The main street in town, that runs perpendicular to the boardwalk, has several quaint shops and restaurants as well. This is a very walkable little town that is not overrun.

Only reason I rated a 4 was because of the size. I wish the boardwalk was just a tad bigger with a few more shops, pubs, sandwich shop, etc
.

The Bethany Boardwalk ties the little town together. And now that the dunes have shrunk a bit do to last winter's nor'easters, you get a great view of the ocean as you stroll down the boardwalk. After a visit to Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach, it is very calming to return to Bethany Beach

Beach was busy...lots of people. Concessionaire rents umbrellas and all things beachy. Boardwalk is typical beach town: t-shirts, ice cream, t-shirts, and food. Nice vibe. Parking is $3.00 an hour.

Forget about the summer crowds. Visit Bethany Beach off-season, when all the craziness is gone. Lovely little town, charming shops and a delightful boardwalk which is just long enough for a comfortable stroll. The whole area is very well kept, and was decorated for fall, creating a warm, cozy environment. This is the time when beach enthusiasts can really relax. Not exactly fun for kids - more appropriate for adults, with no games or rides to entertain the little ones. Dog friendly as well.

The Bethany boardwalk was disappointing, as it it very small with only a few stores. If you are in search of the true boardwalk experience, you would be better served in Ocean City MD or Rehoboth.

The boardwalk in Bethany is really small. It has some of the main shops you would expect at a boardwalk. It appeared to be very clean and friendly to visit. There are parking meters for parking in the area around the boardwalk. I think a block over they stop working at 8. Nice spot to check out if your in the area, but not a place to spend a whole night.

This place has been very well designed. The boardwalk is easy to use and there are just enough bijou shops etc to keep the character of the place secure. There was one particularly enchanting gift shop that sold shells and other lovely items at a reasonable price. I bought many things here to take back to the UK. Lovely owner as well.

Friendly quaint boardwalk. Good food. Nice shops. $2.50 per hour to park. Very cute town. Nice beach area. Very clean public restrooms.

We walked along the boardwalk and visited a few stores on a recent visit. It was excruciatingly cold with biting wind, thus we were all wearing our winter coats! I can only imagine the boardwalk and stores are really crowded in the summer. It was very busy when we visited, cold weather be darned. It’s a nice clean boardwalk, with a good selection of eateries. The beach is quite nice, but the cold wind eventually drove us away. The town allows dogs on the beach and boardwalk until May, so there were many pups, impervious to the cold, frolicking with their people on the beach and boardwalk. Parking lot was filled and I imagine it’s kind of a nightmare in the summer. Still, very nice beach and boardwalk.

Nice boardwalk. Smaller and quieter than others on the Delmarva peninsula. Bounded by natural dunes with dune grasses.

Not a huge boardwalk but nice. Family friendly, shops, ice cream/frozen custard places. Plenty of beach access points. Public bathrooms at the beach patrol place at Garfield parkway.

When ever we camp at Indian River Campground, we take a day to visit Bethany Beach. Its a nice easy stroll on the board walk with some very cute shops, without the fan fare of the larger towns. There is no amusement park here which adds to the natural setting and sounds of the surf.

Packed boardwalk! Plenty of artists and vendors of all types. A once a year event, this was the 41st festival. You get all the art and the boardwalk to boot. Set your own pace and get a beautiful piece of art - pottery, drawings, paintings, wind chimes.... A great event in this small ocean side resort.

I found the Bethany Beach Boardwalk to be a charming , quaint place to walk. Their are a few shops and food places along the boardwalk and the view of the ocean as you stroll is peaceful. I like the Bethany Beach's family centered atmosphere.

This is a small boardwalk compared to other beach resorts but Bethany is a small beach resort. There are plenty of things for the kids to do.

Compared with the surrounding beaches, this boardwalk is on the smaller side and has some places that close earlier compared with the other beaches. It is much quieter though so easier to get what you want and to walk around

There are some restaurants on the boardwalk but they seemed extremely expensive. It does not have the diversity that nearby Rehoboth beach boardwalk has.

This walk provides the Bethany Beach goer excellent views of the ocean, easy access to food and hotel attractions as well as sounvenir, book and even "5 and dime" stores!!

this boardwalk is just the right size. many shops, food outlets, plenty of beach. you can see it all in no time. it doesn't go on forever like the bigger ones do with all the same shops repeating again and again beautiful area, beach, plenty of parking, park and pay. look for the totem of Chief Little Owl and turn there, wished that it was in a better spot to take a photo, was a busy intersection.. on certain days and night they have movies on the beach, entertainment etc. check out the web cams there also.

Everything you need is at the Bethany Beach boardwalk! Good eats, Candy Kitchen, Fisher Popcorn, Grotto's and very nice shops as well as an arcade etc.

The boardwalk was relatively quiet and not very long. It was pleasant walking next to the dunes. Not much commercial activity. We enjoyed it

The Bethany Boardwalk is nestled at the edge of a bunch of cute and unique shops. Small but efficient. Views are amazing. Definitely get some frozen custard while you’re visiting.

Not a heavily commercial/retail boardwalk. Most of the retail is in the neighborhood near the boardwalk. It has typical benches that, when available, are a nice place to view the beach and ocean. Usually a well-kept area for a short walk just off the beach.

Of the boardwalks along this stretch of coast, this one is my favorite. It is the shortest, only a little over 2000 feet, but that is part of its charm. It is not a frantic or frenetic as OC or Rehoboth, and there is less commercial build up. How well it appeals may well have to do with your age, but a 61, I’d tell you this is the place to be.

Had a fantastic holiday in ocean view but Bethany beach proved a constant disappointment
No parking and very little choice of places to eat I get the impression it's trying to appear a little more up market than its neighbours but honestly fails

This boardwalk is a joke- very small stretch with nothing but a few souvenir shops. There are a few more things to do on the road that leads to the boardwalk but it’s not right on the actual boardwalk.

The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is perfect for those who want a fun atmosphere with all of the traditional boardwalk favorites - ice cream, souvenier shops, etc. without the carnival attractions. Im sure the fact that there are no bars on the boardwalk is not by coincidence. It is super clean and nicely well-kept. There are concerts there in the summer for all ages.

This is a lovely town. The people are nice, the food is good, and the driving easy. See my previous postings. The Trip Advisor app is hard to use.

Very small but clean boardwalk. You can ride bikes at certain times in the morning. A few shops along the way too!

This is a great boardwalk, great little shops. I sat down on the benches listening to the ocean while reading a book on my kindle, it just couldn't get better. On Friday nights there are a bunch of giggling teenagers hanging in groups but we all were there at one time or another. Just a great place.

This is a quaint area, and the boardwalk was not crowded. We enjoyed the shops and nearby restaurants very much. A nice change of pace from Ocean City.

We drove up from Ocean City just to see what Bethany Beach had to offer. Very nice, small boardwalk and town square type of feel with shops, lots of local restaurants and a park. Beautiful view of the ocean from the boardwalk. Very nicely maintained boardwalk in an idyllic beach town.

I have never felt so unwelcome, since my illness has made it necessary for me to need a service dog. I have a small dog so people assume she is a pet because my ailments are not visible or obvious. I have been questioned argued with and judged.

The boardwalk has a ton of good places to eat and shop. There are some shaded areas as well. There are public restrooms and foot showers.

We had walked from our condo- to the arcade and check out the scene.

The arcade is fun but the smell is horrible.
They have a lot fun pinball machines.

It's more shopping than anything else. I like they had a small grocery store that had Nut/ Soy milks, and gluten free bread and other food staples. Their coffee shop is very nice and our son enjoyed the playground.

We love Bethany Beach and visit the boardwalk area whenever we can in all seasons. We check for the sand level, greet the day, bike alongside the ocean and stop for a treat. People greet strangers and say hi. It is a beautiful, charming and perfect place.

Beautiful little beach town between Rehoboth and OC, Bethany has its own little boardwalk, complete with some great shopping. Dozens of unique stores that don’t all carry the same generic line of Knick knacks that all 386 Sunsations have. Highly recommend if you’re looking for unique gifts!

From the clam band shell to the friendly residents and visitors, Bethany Beach is a family-friendtly destination you'll be itching to get back to each summer.

Ocean on one side and all kinds of attractions on the other side -- busy, but limited crowds. Great for kids, parents, and grandchildren alike. Handy if sun bathing on the each or just visiting the town of Bethany Beach -- all of two blocks long. A great little town that has retained its style for three decades, or more.

Spent several hours here in the afternoon after a morning at Ocean City, MD, and there is quite the contrast between the bustling & noisy OC and the calmer, more relaxed Bethany Beach.
It has a much shorter boardwalk with a more narrow beach, but it is still beautiful, with all the shops you associate with a beach town, restaurants, attractions, and the like. Limited parking to begin with, and that is especially true for wheelchair accessible parking (I say that instead of 'Handicap Accessible' parking -- because I never see anyone in a wheelchair like I am, I only see people who do not have an apparent mobility issue...I often wonder what their disability is...or did they just know a doctor who signed their form? Frustrating).
I like the slower pace of Bethany, it is not overwhelming, and still retains its beach village charm, and is VERY family friendly/family oriented...I really liked seeing so many entire extended families enjoying their time together.
Next time...Dewey & Rehoboth Beaches (DE), and perhaps go back to Cape May, NJ, too.
Spend some quality time leisurely seeing which attractions this very nice beach has to offer...take some pics, send some post cards, create some memories.
Enjoy a nice respite with family & friends...but do make sure you go! :-D

Though much smaller than Rehobeth or Ocean City boardwalks, this compliments the area well. Great for a nice stroll to view the beach/ocean and get some healthy exercise at the same time.

Bethany Beach is a nice town, has a lot of shops and restaurants. Beach is very nice! Lot's of fun😎

This "boardwalk" is more like a street that intersects with the beach. It's quite small. Places to get ice cream, candy, pizza and souvenirs.

This is a great little boardwalk for strolling and shopping. Lots to see - great little local shops and places to eat.

Not overwhelmed by shoppes and more -- this a a good weary to stretch your legs and watch the surf. Clean and good even if barefoot.

We definitely prefer Bethany to the other nearby beaches, which are noisier and more commercialized. Great place for kids.

Great seasonal decorations and summer concerts. Little shops, toy store, chances for snacks. Very nice place for a short stroll!

A stroll with our ice cream and some souvenir shopping capped a beautiful week here. It was a Thursday and still busy, but less than Ocean City or Rehoboth. It felt cleaner, too. I wish parking wasn't so pricey.

The review title sums it up. We love Bethany and the amenities here. The boardwalk here is very short- maybe a third of a mile with nice shops to checkout. Unique boutiques (Water Lili) and beach shops. Very family oriented and clean.

My husband and I like to stroll the boardwalk. We love all the food and unique shops they have to offer.

The boardwalk was small, but safe , clean, and very attractive with a good selection of food and crafts. Suited for young families and groups seeking a peaceful and safe enironment

.4 miles of boardwalk with several access points to beach. A few stores, access to restaurants. A modest but nicely appointed hotel. Not gaudy like you’d find at other beaches. Well done. Very family friendly.

We arrived in the morning. Parking spaces around the shops and restaurants were plentiful and free as we were traveling offseason. The boardwalk is .38 miles long (I think) so easily covered. The wooden boardwalk offers numerous benches to people watch or to admire the ocean. The feeling here was quieter, more laid back that other beaches in the area. Most of the others along the boardwalk appeared to be retirees. There were plenty of beach access areas along the boardwalk but the access points were not marked obviously. The shops and restaurants offer the opportunity for a relaxing stroll for window shopping.

Boardwalk is so calm and peaceful!!! Just enough stores to have everything you need without getting overwhelmed. Not too big so very manageable with kids. Bandstand music is a perfect touch!

While the boardwalk is smaller than many I have visited, it was one of the cleanest and very family friendly.. Lots of options for food and shopping

A great place to take a stroll and watch the waves roll in, but no rides for kids. Get a Dickeys Custard and walk the boards!

there was a variety of shops to buy clothes, eateries, ice cream, deserts like brownies and cookies...clean with lots of benches to sit and enjoy the ocean, people watch or eat .

A small boardwalk with lots of food, shopping and entertainment. Family oriented so it does not feel overwhelming for those with younger children

We love Bethany's boardwalk. It's small, quaint and very peaceful. Crowds are moderate and mainly friendly. Take a nice walk up and down the boardwalk with an ice cream in one hand and my beautiful wife's hand in the other..

Very short compared to other near areas but nice little, typical shops. Saw several visible police on bikes - easy access to sandy beach. Restrooms available

If you enjoy panoramic seaside views and the easiest healthy exercise in Delaware, the Bethany Beach boardwalk is your cup of tea.
One complete loop is slightly less than one mile. Therefore, the happy boardwalk with its seaside visuals is a clear path to both physical and spiritual bliss. The boardwalk will never fail to enhance your day, if not your appetite, on the edge of the majestic Atlantic Ocean. Why settle for a standard gym workout, when the boardwalk is exciting, free and fun? Take advantage of eateries, bookstore, coffee/cocktail lounges, all within a few steps of the boardwalk, post-exercise.

Bethany Beach is a wonderful 12-month draw, and the Boardwalk will always be its
signature attraction.

Happy walking!

so we walked the boardwalk and the shops along the parking area. Surprised how many of the shops were active considering all the closures back home and in other vacation destinations. Salt air and rolling waves and food and shopping is always a great combination

As boardwalks go this is a short one but it has a nice selection of shops on the boardwalk itself and area adjacent to it. There is also a good selection of shops and restaurants on the two blocks leading up to the boardwalk. There are not a lot of restaurants on the boardwalk itself. I can only think of three but plenty within a block or two.

Nice place but Rehoboth has more stores. Bethany is much cleaner and more expensive though. If you're in the area- go to both they aren't far from each other

Delightful. Smaller than Ocean City MD and Rehoboth Beach; but beautiful area and fun to visit. It is nice to have this option.

We have been coming to Bethany for years and have never been disappointed. You can literally park right next to the boardwalk. Plenty of food and drinks on the boardwalk and a very clean family oriented entertainment pavilion to watch shows at the end of a fun filled day!

Boardwalk is small compared to others nearby but has everything you’re looking for and very friendly. Parking can be hard to find at times but is reasonable. 3 Blonde’s Bakery has delicious fudge and the ice cream can not be beat, delicious!!! Very family friendly.

The Boardwalk in Bethany is not long, but very nice. Hardly ever crowded, except when they have the wonderful summer weekend entertainments. A great variety of shows. There are shops and eateries near the center of the Boardwalk, but the rest of it is great for just a quiet, peaceful stroll. Bikes are allowed early in the morning.

This town and boardwalk is your typical beach town that is focused on families and full time residents. It is highly regulated which ensures the enjoyment of all. Plenty of great restaurants and shops. We enjoyed eating at local ( non chain) restaurants. The shopping for unique items was great. It is a small town and short boardwalk, but delivers on enjoyment and relaxation.

I've been to Rehoboth for the holidays a few times and while it was fun, every year we went, it got a little more busy. I like the beach in the late fall; I was looking for peace and quiet; I found it here. While my hotel was definitely busy, I could walk on the beach or on the boardwalk and not be assaulted by the stink of old french fry oils, or ratty tee shirt shops. I the beach is clean. The boardwalk is very small - maybe 1/2 mile and there's not a lot of retail. Most of the retail goes up Garfield Ave, which is nice so you can enjoy what you came here for, which is the beach!
The retail district is also very small.

I'm sure this place is packed during the season, but my guess is that it's a different kind of packed than Rehoboth - which I love. But this trip was about regrouping and hearing myself think - this was a good place and time to do that.

I visited here with my good friend and we walked the boardwalk and visited some shops. The boardwalk is right on the water and the day was beautiful, with blue sky and a soft wind. I loved every moment and would love to go again.

Small as compared to others, clean, family friendly, safe, nice shopping and eating opportunities abound here.

Great family beach area. Not as much to do as Rehoboth or OCMD but close enough to go there for a day. Love the family vibe. Parking was a challenge but always found a spot relatively easily. Like at there were restrooms easily available.

I always enjoy walking the Bethany Beach Boardwalk any time of the year. Late a night it is very serene and not crowded. It is short but very well maintained. During the season parking can be hard to find and it can be crowded. The city does a good job of keeping downtown Bethany from becoming too commercial and honky tonk, like Ocean City. It would be nice if the Boardwalk was a little longer and there was more parking. The Boardwalk is walking distance from most parts of Bethany. Also, it would b nice if there were some places to sit and watch the ocean. The barrier dune blocks the view of the ocean nearly the entire length. But it is a necessary protective feature. In the summer, there city is arranged entertainment on the Boardwalk almost every evening. As more people come to Bethany in the off season, it would nice if more eateries stayed open.

It's a small boardwalk compared to Ocean City or Rehoboth. They have a free concert Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights that are mostly for older people. They have plenty of stores down the main street.

Always nice to walk the boardwalk and see some of the strores that have clothes, jewelry and other stores giving off season sales.

The boardwalk is 0.38 miles long with town center at about the halfway point. People seemed to be very compliant as far as wearing masks on the boardwalk and in town center.

We went there for the Beach Boardwalk. The length is really good. However it is different from Myrtle Beach, too far from the ocean and two many stores.

What I like about Bethany boardwalk is there is enough to do and to look at without being overwhelmed. It has just the right amount of shops with enough variety.

The free weekend concerts charge the area with excitement and sound against a sunset backdrop. They pack people in with great bands who listen to great free music while eating ice cream cones at sunset. Believe me, it's as terrible as it sounds... I fish right off the boardwalk in the mornings and watch the pelicans fly in formation as dolphins cruise the shoreline. Once I've assured myself that there are no fish in the ocean, I pack up, stopping at the donut shop right there for fresh, made to order AMAZING donuts, then head back to the rental and tell lies about all the fish I caught. It really is the hub of our vactions down here...small, but packed with hidden gems. It isn't Ocean City, and thankfully, at least to me, doesn't want to be either

October, so many storefront businesses closed already for season. Off season expect most places to have only weekend hours, which limits selections. We really enjoyed the walkway itself, beach access and the sunrise photo ops.

Great location to hang out with lots of restaurants, sweet treats, & shopping. Especially loved how clean and family friendly it is. I would feel safe allowing the kids (teens) to walk alone and enjoy themselves.

It is a perfect boardwalk for those seeking a quieter experience. There are several good shops and it is a nice walk along the beach.

Bethany Beach Boardwalk is small but perfect for we elder strollers. Walking along the water is a great way to start and end the day.

Bethany Beach has the feel of a little quiet beach town. There are great shops, and of course ice cream, boardwalk fries, and restaurants. Plenty of metered parking. We had a great time walking around, in and out of the shops. Everything was so clean and felt very welcoming. I would recommend for families/couples/groups

The boardwalk has about 2 blocks of beach shops and restaurants. There aren't any rides on the Bethany Boardwalk. Cute beach shops, classic beach souvenirs.

Quieter than OC and and Rehoboth but just enough shops and people to make it enjoyable. Several specialty stores that can only be found in Bethany.

Bethany Beach and the boardwalk is a great family spot. Some shops are opened after 5pm. My family rents a beach house close by so we can walk over to the boardwalk in the evenings.

The boardwalk is small, simple, and clean. I love the bookstore and the cafes nearby. It's a much better boardwalk and area than nearby Ocean City.

Visiting Delaware for the first time and staying at Rehoboth someone suggested us to go to Bethany Beach: fantastic! More quiet than Rehoboth, easy parking and a great beach.

Bethany Beach boardwalk and shops held the interest of three 14 year old girs. They felt very safe, rode their bikes, used public restrooms and shopped til the dropped. Very friendly town to visit.

A safe fun family boardwalk with no crazies running around.
Ice cream, beach food or fine dining it has it all.

We decided to visit Bethany beach, staying at the residence inn right on the beach. This town is. It dog friendly. Don't be mistaken. The hotel allows dogs with an exorbitant pet fee, plus a separate "cleaning" fee. The beach and boardwalk are not open to pets at all during the summer and not even restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs. It seems that dogs can't go anywhere. Even a weekend farmer's market outdoors was off limits to dogs. So, why bother bringing your dog here. Save your money and visit a different town. Maybe somewhere not in Delaware altogether.

Very family oriented vacation spot and family friendly boardwalk.

Comparisons? Not so crazy busy as Ocean City, a little less hotel than Rehoboth, a little less college party than Dewey, and very nice beach.

We really love a lot of things there:
- nice beach that's not incredibly crowded for a public beach
- lots of food stands to walk to from the beach - hot dogs, fries, pizza, even poke bowls
- nice shops and rainy day activities in walking distance (shops, arcade, etc. )
- great bandstand with concerts and movies a few night a weeks in the summer.
- movies on at least one night (last night they had Boss Baby)
- good ice cream, soft serve and dessert (Candy Kitchen, Fischer's Popcorn, Kohr Bros and Dickey's soft serve, Bonkey's Ice Cream), Book Store (Bethany Books), 3 Blonde Bakers for fudge and shakes
- and some eclectic stuff (Good comic book store, 2 sports memorabilia/ trading card stores), etc. in short walking distance
- lots of clothing and beach stores.
- lots of rental houses in short walking distance for small groups and large from beach and boardwalk

It's gotten a lot busier on the boardwalk in the past 15 years, but that has also brought some good choices there.

Highly recommended.

The Bethany Beach Boardwalk is the perfect size to take a stroll and has a great variety of restaurants! Lots of beach shops too.

Lots to do here. Games rides and restaurants as well as fast food. The view of the ocean is spectacular.

Love Bethany Beach and the boardwalk. A big favorite over Ocean City. Fishers Popcorn, Kohr Brothers frozen custard, Candy Kitchen and Boardwalk fries make Bethany Boardwalk perfect. All the best 'beach food' is present, along with just the right amount fo shopping venues, without all the crowds.

It Was an ugly day just before Florence got the Carolinas. We spent a pleasant time in shops, on the beach for a walk and then lunch. Lots of choices for shopping and eating. Had to hit candy kitchen for titles and kohrs for ice cream.

I love the Bethany Boardwalk area. It’s family friendly. Lots of shops and restaurants. Love the live music too.

The beach and shops are lovely. However, there is no real boardwalk with benches overlooking the ocean like NY or NJ. Bring your own beach chairs if you want to sit and look out on the water. This is not really criticism, just know what to expect when they say boardwalk.

This is a short boardwalk if you're looking for shops. But there is a good variety of shops & restaurants. Great benches to watch the ocean, grandstand area has entertainment in the summer. Numerous shops to browse on both side of the street from the Boardwalk. Just the right size for strolling.

This is an absolutely lovely spot, not over commercialized, as most are, easy to get to, with beautiful ocean views, and a diversified mix of restaurants, gift shops, boutiques, beach wear shops, ice cream stores, Etc. either right on the boardwalk, or on the main access street, which is decorated with beautiful arrangement of flowers and shrubs. Just a very enjoyable place to go for a nice stroll. Totally different, and much more upscale than similar boardwalks in Maryland or New Jersey.

Nice compact boardwalk. A variety of eating choices from Boardwalk Fries to 5 Guys to Crepes to Fisher's Popcorn. Indulge your sweet tooth at Candy Kitchen or any one of the numerous frozen custard places. Need a beach chair? An Umbrella? A new bathing suit?Boogie board? T-Shirt? The boardwalk has it all. There is an especially excellent little bookstore in case you forgot your beach read. Nice wide sidewalks and a nice central area that has evening concerts and movies.

It was still chilly when we visited the Boardwalk in Bethany Beach. It was very pleasant and clean. I like yo return when the weather gets warmer.

The Bethany Beach boardwalk is .38 miles long, about 8 blocks. From the boardwalk, you can access public Beaches with lifeguards on duty from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Public restrooms at Garfield Parkway bandstand only. A quiet town with a child on every blanket.

The boardwalk was great entertainment. One evening they showed a movie, plenty of ice cream and other snack food locations, and several great shops.

Loved the boardwalk. Just beautiful. I love the old world charm it had to it. I thought it could be out of a picture from the 1920-1930. Just beauitful charm.

I loved this quaint little board walk. Upscale boardwalk. Cute shops and great food. We had a fabulous time.

Bethany Beach has a more chilled out vibe than Rehoboth. We enjoyed our time here. The boardwalk is calm and relaxed with plenty of food and shopping. The beach is quiet, clean and nice. There is convenient pay parking.

This boardwalk has the usual beach food and shopping opportunities, with a larger central area where they have live performances and show movies sometimes. It creates a great community vibe when they show movies and families bring their lawn chairs and settle in for the show. There is easy access to a very nice beach right off the boardwalk, which they maintain with occasional sand restoration every couple of years.

Must do when in Bethany Beach - catch a sunrise and a sunset. They are breathe taking and the colors are absolutely amazing.

We go to Bethany Beach every August and just love the boardwalk. Good variety of food plus little shops. We have young children so it's not overwhelming like Ocean City or Rehobath.

Filled with a nice variety of shops amd restaurants. During high season there are trolleys that can take you around the more popular areas.

We really enjoyed our recent trip to Bethany Beach, but the boardwalk is really nothing to speak of. We stayed near the downtown area where there were a handful of random shops, but otherwise it's really just a pedestrian walk without a whole lot going on on the boardwalk itself.

This boardwalk is not that big or impressive. It is mostly just shops on the road leading to the boardwalk. The NJ shore town boardwalks are much better.

Certainly not the longest or largest boardwalk, but there is a very special charm associated with the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Connected to shops, restaurants and an outdoor pavilion where musical performances are enjoyed by multi generational families in the summer months.

This boardwalk is very small but nice and not lots of annoying shops like other places. There are many places to eat at as well. There are white benches along the board walk.

The "Boardwalk" in the traditional sense is pretty darned small. But, the plank walk way that I would call "Boardwalk" leads to the downtown area that is more like a traditional boardwalk.

A very nice experience all around.

Small family-oriented boardwalk. Nice little shops and restaurants. Public restrooms, although you cannot see the beach from the boardwalk.

We walk everyday and the boardwalk is always clean. Nice quite walk well maintained beach view is great. Plenty of benches to sit if you desire.

We arrived on 9/8/20...one day after Labor Day. The Boardwalk was pretty quiet. A couple of restaurants were closed for the season or had diminished hours. There were lots of sales on clothing/suits, but nothing my gang really wanted.

Very short boardwalk on a quiet family friendly beach. Just a few shops. Clean and well maintained. No free parking, however the machines take credit and you put the receipt in you dash allowing you to move your car if necessary

Great beach stores with something for everyone. No pesky salespeople. Great entertainment. Police are always around but in a friendly way. Morning and evening strolls with little traffic

Warm and friendly. No partygoers. Clean and nice for families and those not wanting tons of teens going crazy.

Nice, hidden treasure boardwalk. I like that is not very crowded. It is close to everything.
Nice quiet atmosphere

First visit to Bethany boardwalk & promenade...found it very quaint and charming. Lobster roll and fries from DB Fries, Delicious!! The day I was there was quite crowded, so it wasn't as "quiet" as they claim, but compared to the chaos of OCMD it was bliss. Will definitely be back with the kids!

We walked up and down the boardwalk several times during our stay in Bethany Beach. I hear it gets extremely crowded further into the season but in early June it was lovely. On the Saturday, there was an artisan and craft market all the way down. Very high quality workmanship. It made for an interesting day.

It was nice to be there this sunny warm weekend. Lots of families and surprisingly a few shops and restaurants were open.

It is not very long but is very quaint. We could access it directly from our hotel. Lots of people walk it in the morning.

A true town center, the boardwalk offers relaxing walkers, snack foods, then Stan band stand recreation, in a very safe family oriented environment.

The boardwalk is nice and fun to walk quickly through. Perfect for a night after spending the day on the beach.

Memorial weekend, so pretty crowded, but plenty of spots to stop and sit, and take in the views. Just not long enough to get a good workout.

It is not a very long boardwalk but very clean with a few shops and little food stands on it.You could also walk off and there are many stores and restaurants to shop and eat.

We went here with my 11 year old niece and my sister. It is a very cute and classy boardwalk. The shops are nice and not your typical beach shops, although there are numerous t shirt shops with henna tatooes available. Quite a few nice jewelry shops that I was able to buy a watch and sterling silver sand dollar pendant. We had lunch at Mango's which was really nice and relaxing as well. You don't need more than 2 hours here unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the stores. My niece loved all the stores and wanted to go into most of them.

if you are staying in bethany, easy access to the beach. if you are driving in, plenty of parking throughout the town - although i guess that depends on the time of year. The boardwalk is clean and safe. It is not like the boardwalk in Ocean City MD or Wildwood New Jersey, It is an easy going place with some of the typical tourist places (t-shirts, taffy, french fries, etc.) and some really good restaurants. We love the 99 Sea Level. See my review about it on Trip Advisor.

Nice to see a boardwalk that has shops not junkyards of foreign made apparel. Beach 🏖 area looked clean from boardwalk ~2miles long

I love Bethany Beachas a whole! Its a great vacation town with friendly locals! Small but awesome little boardwalk with shops, food, and games.