10 ways to entertain yourself at Delaware's beaches

Sure, there are beaches. And boardwalks. And parks. But if you’re looking to be entertained, Delaware's east coast has plenty more to offer. There’s something for everyone on our list of 10 Delaware beaches entertainment destinations.

1. Jungle Jim's River Safari Water Park, funatjunglejims.com, Rehoboth Beach. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Jungle Jim’s is Delaware’s largest waterpark with 16 acres of attractions. It features water park staples such as a lazy river and giant waterslide plus land-based offerings like go-karts and mini-golf.

2. Millsboro Lanes, millsborolanes.net, Millsboro. This 24-lane bowling alley (each one bumper-ready) includes a full menu. Open bowling every evening in the summer (lanes limited Tuesday evenings).

3. Rehoboth Beach Film Society, rehobothfilm.com, Rehoboth Beach. In addition to supporting the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the society also puts on film programs year-round for adults, students and youth. Among them are family films shown at both the Lewes Canal front Park and the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.

4. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Tours, dogfish.com, Milton. Tours on the hour are held weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours every 30 minutes on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. Closed-toed shoes required. Visitors are asked to bring something (such as art, crafts, a phrase, postcard, or drawing) that “speaks to your own perception of off-centeredness,” which is the brewery’s unofficial theme. Guests with valid, unexpired IDs are welcome to four free samples, tour or not.

5. Clear Space Theatre Company, clearspacetheatre.org, Rehoboth Beach. This nonprofit acting company, arts institute and touring group puts on about 150 professional theatre performances each year. A typical summer consists of a rotation of three popular Broadway shows.

6. Midway Speedway Park, midwayspeedwaypark.com, Rehoboth Beach. Features four go-kart tracks, including one designed for kiddie drivers. White Water Mountain Water Park and Fire Mountain Golf, an 18-hole mini golf course, are adjacent. The park is open seven days a week May through September.

7. Pirates of Lewes Expeditions, piratesoflewesexpeditions.com, Lewes. This child-focused attraction features a 70-minute cruise on the Sea Gypsy that promises “swashbuckling pirate adventure of fantasy and fun.” Includes face-painting, pirate garb, music, dancing and a battle against “Pirate Pete” using 12 water cannons. Reservations are required.

8. Zwaanendael Museum, history.delaware.gov/museums/zm/zm_main.shtml, Lewes. The museum was built in 1931 to honor the 300th anniversary of Zwaanendael, Delaware’s first European settlement. It explores the history of Sussex County with exhibits on local history, shipwrecks, lighthouses, the War of 1812 and more. Tours held during regular hours.

9. Nassau Valley Vineyards, nassauvalley.com, Lewes. Founded in 1987, Nassau Valley is the first commercial wine vineyard in Delaware. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are free, and tastings are $5 per person, which includes glass to take home. Guided group tours are available only in off-peak season (November through mid-May) and by appointment only. If Nassau's tour interests you, take the Delaware Beer, Wine and Spirits Trail, which features stops at wineries, breweries and distilleries north to south.

10. Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, rehobothbandstand.com, Rehoboth Beach. The bandstand has been providing free, family-friendly entertainment since 1963. Hosts dozens of free events between May 28 and Sept. 3. Includes military bands like the United States Navy Concert Band, a number of jazz and country performers and film showings. Shows are exclusively Friday through Sunday. Most begin at 8 p.m. and run for about 75 minutes.