Setting Out for the Diamond State: Delaware

Approximately three hours from Washington, D.C., is a small yet mighty place, perfect for those seeking a weekend getaway. That place is Delaware — southern Delaware, to be exact.

President Joe and first lady Jill Biden own real estate in Greenville, Delaware, the posh suburb of Wilmington. If you’re interested in checking out where the Bidens live when they’re not at the White House, Greenville has lots of options for things to do. For starters, consider the Delaware Museum of Natural History — but keep in mind it will not reopen until early 2022, so plan accordingly. There’s also the André Harvey Studio, a great place to check out metal sculptures of animals like frogs and turtles. Of course, if you want to visit Greenville, be prepared for security measures when the Bidens are in town.

Restaurant public relations maven Linda Roth has had a beach house in downtown Rehoboth Beach for many years with her husband. Although it is not near where the Bidens have a home, it is on the same block as their church.

“When they worship there, the Secret Service blocks off the street,” Roth said. “It’s not a main road so there is really no traffic issue. If anything, there’s less traffic on our street, as church attendees cannot park on our block.”

Roth has not been there when the Bidens have been at church, but her stepson has. “He’s a runner, so he has run up to North Shores, but hasn’t been allowed on the Bidens’ street,” she added.

Roth was eager to share that Ellen Kassoff and Todd Gray, who own Equinox Restaurant on Connecticut Avenue NW, just opened Federal Fritter a block off the Rehoboth boardwalk. “They’re hoping to see the Bidens there!” she said.

The fast-casual concept sells, you guessed it, multiple kinds of fritters.

Venture south to five-star beaches and boardwalks with breweries and family farms. Acclaimed seafood restaurants dot the coast, including Rehoboth Bay Oyster Company, a storefront opened by two local oyster farmers. If you want classic fried oysters, fresh from the ocean, try Beaches Seafood Market & Restaurant.

Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts, which owns a dozen restaurants in the state, loves the coastal Delaware atmosphere. “I would say our beaches are some of the most beautiful anywhere,” he said. He named all the outdoor activities in the area, saying how hard it was to list them all: deep sea fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing and jet-skiing, to cite the most popular.

Kammerer said his favorite spot in all of southern Delaware is the back deck at Bluecoast Bethany. “I know this may sound like boasting, as Bluecoast Bethany is one of our restaurants, but going there with a group of friends for drinks and dinner on a summer night is an amazing experience,” he said.

Kammerer’s restaurants are currently at 50-percent capacity. As more people get vaccinated, he expects capacity to be at 75-percent in the coming weeks and close to fully operational by summer.

“For this, we need people to do their part. When you can, please go get your vaccine. That will do so much to help the people working in the restaurant business, which have been more adversely affected by this than most,” Kammerer said.

If family farms and orchards are more your speed, you’ll want to check out Bennett Orchards in Frankford. Tucked into land less than 10 miles from Bethany Beach, Bennett offers pick-your-own blueberries and peaches. Also in Frankford, the 26-acre Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery makes tasty merlots and cabernet sauvignons, with a tasting room open daily. Salted Vines offers a fun, unique event, too: “Sippin’ with Sloths,” which allows visitors to sip wine in the company of cute sloths visiting from Barn Hill Preserve.

Farther north, don’t miss Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor, with lavender fields that were part of a 1,000-acre land patent granted by William Penn in 1684.

More information on Delaware getaways is available at visitdelaware.com.