After years of boarding an airplane or sitting in gridlock on I-95, we spent Thanksgiving this year in Bethany Beach. It was fantastic!

Getting There

Traumatized by past experiences of driving to New Jersey on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we drove to the beach on the Tuesday before the holiday and returned home on Saturday. Both drives were about two and half hours and were delightfully traffic free. If you’ve made this trip in the summer you know it can be absolutely miserable to inch your way to the Bay Bridge on Route 50, but the off-season is completely different.

Where to Stay

There are many rental options in Bethany and the other Delaware Beaches, and we chose the Sea Colony for its amenities. We paid about one third of what we would typically pay for a summer rental in the same property and were able to book a four night stay. There are numerous options for rentals at the Sea Colony in terms of the size of your unit and the location. We opted for a three-bedroom townhouse about a mile from the beach that was adjacent to the Sea Colony fitness center and a playground.

What to Do

In Bethany: There was plenty to do on site at the Sea Colony. The indoor pool and basketball court at the fitness center entertained my daughter for hours and there were daily yoga, pilates and spinning classes as well as the usual cardio and weight machines for adults. When the weather improved at the end of the trip, the trails throughout the resort were perfect for bike rides, walks, runs, and general exploring. It was even warm enough to throw on a jacket and collect seashells on the beach.

In Ocean City: While the boardwalk in Ocean City was essentially closed for business, we enjoyed indoor golf and ski ball at Old Pro Golf.We also had a fantastic time visiting Ocean City’s annual Winterfest, a gorgeous festival of lights that runs through Jan. 2, as well as an opportunity to visit Santa.

In Rehoboth: I enjoyed better Black Friday bargains that I ever have before at the Tangier outlets in Rehoboth. The crowds were practically nonexistent compared to what I’ve experienced at Tyson's or Pentagon City on the day after Thanksgiving.

Where to Eat

If you are in town for a holiday meal, I highly recommend Blue Moon in Rehoboth. It’s on the pricey side and there is no kids menu, but if your kids are older or you have an opportunity for a date night while you are in town, Blue Moon is fabulous. The ambience, service and food were outstanding and it was a holiday meal we will remember for years to come. For more casual family dining, we enjoyed easy and tasty family meals at the Cottage Café (open year round) and Mangos (they are only open on certain days in the off season) in Bethany and BJ’s on the Water in Ocean City (also open year round). Many of the restaurants are closed for the off season but it’s not hard to find a place to eat and the dining rooms are delightfully not crowded which means none of the waiting and crowds that you will find in the summer at the beach – or on a typical Friday night in Old Town.

All in all, Bethany Beach was a surprisingly affordable and fun late November getaway! No stress, no traffic and no crowds. In other words, the opposite of my daily commute.