We had the best summer visiting several beaches this summer that weren't too far from Washington D.C. Picture the heart of summer...I'm talking about being immediately as sticky as the devil's armpit, and melting the moment you step outside! The kids are climbing the walls, they're hungry for the nineteenth time today, the phone won't stop buzzing, the laundry seems to pile up fast, and don't get me started about that shopping list that's staring me down from the refrigerator. All the schedules, appointments, and to-do lists oftentimes just accumulate into this overbearing mental noise that you feel the need to escape.
I'll be the first one to admit that acknowledging sometimes "Our soul just needs an intervention" is the first step.
Living in the District of Columbia in the summer is a lot like a concrete pressure cooker! 95-degree humidity in the city, and A/C that's hardly able to keep up will have you questioning your life choices. It will also drive you to the realization, and conversations with other locals, that a beach getaway is exactly what's needed to recharge your soul.
So, we packed up our family and traded the traitorous city pavement in order to explore the Top 3 suggested Mid-Atlantic Beaches from other locals!
The top of my list: Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
The Island itself provides you with this wild and untouched reset! Wild horses roaming the beach, sandy feet, and warmer water while watching the kids frolic ahead will offer you this overwhelming peace. Finding the salty air, wide open dunes, and waves will leave you rejuvenated at the least. The feet rinse stations and outdoor changing rooms will make cleaning the kids up after a day of play a breeze!
Next up, coming in at number two: Ocean City Beach, Maryland.
Needing that jolt of nostalgia with a dash of unadulterated fun?! The sweet smell of Fried Oreos will drift through the boardwalk that's facing the gorgeous Mid-Atlantic beach. It will grasp your attention even at those old-school skee-ball machines you're playing in the arcade. The buzzing energy here is guaranteed to leave the most restless kids exhausted. Even between the rides, shops, and boardwalk treats, those warm waves will call you just as the ocean calls Moana. This is a wonderful location for a family vacation, and a tourist stop that you’ll be sure to remember.
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Need to refuel here:
Inevitably, we’ve all seen those hangry toddlers, the ones that need to be fed to find happiness once more! Well, how about the local hidden gem right up the way from the boardwalk? Dead Freddies Island Grill offers a unique pirate-themed restaurant for your entire crew to enjoy. From a sandy playground (where shoes are optional) to custom pirate-themed drinks and tasty food with reasonably sized portions for the price, you’ll leave as happy as a pirate with a chest of gold.
Filling my number 3 spot: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
While I loved the quaint and charming atmosphere of this cozy town, having so few restrooms with young children is challenging. No tired beach Mom enjoys running the beach, like a Marine doing PT along the coast, to find a "potty" before it is too late. Need a stroll down a quieter boardwalk, that small-town tourist shop feel, or a unique beach boutique before heading back to reality, this would be the location to choose. A quick, quiet weekend beach day to build a sand castle or splash in the waves would be ideal for this spot. As it just didn’t quite have that fun beach vacation feel like Ocean City.
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Need to refuel here:
When your beach day winds down and hunger strikes, I have the perfect hidden gem for your family to feast! Tucked away in the tiny town of Lewes, Delaware just 20 minutes from Rehoboth Beach, is Crooked Hammock Brewery. Here you’ll find the “Longboard Nacho,” which is a 14” pan covered nacho piled high with the tastiest smoked pulled pork you’ll ever have! The games in the yard will serve as a distraction for the hangry kids. Their food is shareable in size, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Make this a must-do when you find yourself in the area, and I can ensure you won’t regret it!
So, whether your soul is calling for the untamed horses on the Chincoteague horizon, the high-energy nostalgia of Ocean City, or the cozy coastal charm of Rehoboth, stepping away from the daily noise of adulting in the city is worth every bit of effort. Being able to step away for a weekend, hitting pause on life, and connecting with your family will leave you with endless memories before jumping back into the daily grind. The sand will eventually wash out of the car, but the memories of a coastline getaway will cure your soul!
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