Delmarva Peninsula is a place unto itself. Caught between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, it is made up of parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (VA), thus its name, Del Mar Va. There is a distinct lifestyle here that is unique to the peninsula and decades away from the uniformed, homogenized mainland to the west.
Dotting the shores of Delmarva, quaint towns of 300 to 400 people beckon the tourist to come and explore Delmarva Peninsula. Reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting, the tree-lined streets and the wood-framed houses are home to shoremen who earn their living like their forefathers - on the ocean. For centuries, the shores of Delmarva have been the livelihood, the playground, and the oasis for residents and visitors alike.
The pristine, white sandy beaches of Delmarva peninsula boast charming, coastal towns such as Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Tangier Island, and Chesapeake Bay, to name a few. These picturesque communities offer the visitor an array of activities. On the ocean side, the more adventurous can engage in body surfing, clamming, crabbing, and/or deep-water fishing for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. The traveler can also dodge the incoming breaking waves in some of the best ocean around on a hot summers afternoon or relax on the soft sand and watch the ebb and flow of the ocean waves. The bay side lends itself to good windsurfing and jet-skiing. A leisurely stroll on the beach is always a must, especially in the evening when the sun begins to set: A sunset on Delmarva Peninsula is spectacular.
For inland activities the traveler can explore the nooks and crannies of the small towns and their charming antique shops and restaurants or take an historic lighthouse tour in the town of Lewes, Delaware where the breathtaking view of Cape Henlopen seascape awaits. For bird watchers, the region around Salisbury, Maryland is rich in both local and migratory bird species; for mountain bikers, Maryland offers some of the best trails in Delmarva: Great Falls Park; Iron Hill Park; Northern Central Rail-Trail.
For the less sporty, the Blueberry Festival in Chincoteague Island, Virginia, is a slice of Americana. There is entertainment, contests, food, and lots of sweet blueberries. It is held every year on the last weekend in July.
Of course, several of the beach towns (Onancock, Cape Charles, and Belle Haven, Virginia, Chesapeake City, Maryland, South Bethany and Fenwick Island, Delaware) have farmers markets which start in mid-May and run through September. This is a great way to savor the local produce and dishes of Delmarva.
For those who crave bigger-city life, Ocean City, Maryland is one of the larger towns on Delmarva Peninsula. Even though Ocean City has lost some of its charms thanks to wall-to-wall condominiums and hotels that make up much of the coastline, there is still a bit of nostalgic enchantment to be found in this city. There is the old boardwalk lined by shops and restaurants, and, of course, there is always plenty of saltwater taffy. A reminder of a bygone era is the 1802 carousal that shimmers in the sunlight and comes to electrifying life at night. And...there are still miles of beautiful, white beaches.
Whether one wants solitude or excitement, Delmarva has something for everyone. From the shores of Delmarva to the inland towns, Delmarva Peninsula welcomes the traveler. The beaches, the trails, the shopping, the fishing, the culture, all offer the visitor an abundance of experiences and memories like no where else. Delmarva Peninsula is definitely a golden thread in the fabric of America's regions.
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