Rehoboth Beach, DE: 

Rehoboth Beach is a three hour drive from the Washington, D.C. area. The beach is known for its bustling boardwalk full of shops with funnel cakes and fries, as well as its famous Funland amusement park. This beach is perfect for families with younger children as there are plenty of restaurants, both casual and fancy. My personal favorite is Egg, a brunch spot located a mile from the boardwalk. However, Egg does not take reservations and can get extremely busy, which makes visits there challenging. Another fun activity for younger kids is the Funland amusement park. There is a wide variety of rides, ranging from thrilling pirate ships to miniature ferris wheels to teacups. Additionally, Funland is indoors, which makes it the perfect afternoon activity for a rainy day. 

Dewey Beach, DE: 

Dewey Beach, located on Rehoboth Bay, is perfect for young adults due to both its convenience and bustling nightlife. Although the beach does not have a boardwalk, it has plenty of fast food restaurants for beachgoers to visit in the middle of their beach day. Locals often consider it the town that never sleeps, as it is filled with vibrant nighttime activities. If patrons want a break from laying on the beach, there are many companies that offer sunset boat rides and tubing on the Rehoboth Bay. 

Assateague Island, MD & VA: 

While Assateague Island is conveniently only an hour south of Dewey and Rehoboth Beach, the island offers few tourist attractions, making it a more secluded getaway. Many often make a one night camping trip out of the island due to its remote nature. One of the appeals of Assateague is that patrons can drive their cars onto the beach and stay there throughout the day. Furthermore, only 14 miles south of Assateague is Chincoteague Island, which is famous for its wild horses on the beach. 

Long Beach Island, NJ: 

Long Beach Island is an 18 mile barrier island on the coast of New Jersey.  The island is about a three hour drive from the D.C. area and consists of many small beach towns. The northern part of the island is quiet and the beaches are very wide. This  makes it a great summer vacation spot for families. The southern part of the island is full of commercial businesses and restaurants, plus a waterpark that is great for children. My personal recommendation is LBI Table, a brunch spot located in the middle of the island. LBI Table has great pancakes and omelets, and is the perfect place to go before a long day at the beach. Long Beach Island is the ideal place to escape from the bustle of the fast paced D.C. lifestyle for a quick summer getaway even though it can be a further trek than other beach getaways.