Step Into Christmas

Sooooo....it's December.

There are really only two reasons to head to the beach this month:

1.  Escape
2.  Shopping

I like to combine the two.  That's what I plan to do every other weekend this month.

If you're escaping, you might as well make it fun.

You can tour the Ocean City MD Winterfest of Lights.  It runs every night at Northside Park from 5:30-9:30 PM (10:30 on Fri/Sat nights).  Admission is $5/person (adult).

If you're in Delaware, you can drive through the Winter Wonderfest at Cape Henlopen State Park.  Admission is $15/car (up to 7 passengers).  There is also a Christmas Village on the grounds of the Cape May/Lewes Ferry Terminal with no entry fee, but you can buy tickets for ice skating, rides, and other amusements.  There is also a fire pit and S'mores.  That sounds awesome.

Back in Ocean City, there are horse and carriage rides with Santa on the boardwalk every Saturday and Sunday in December.  Rides run from 10-4 and cost $10 person.

If you're heading to the beach to shop, you're most likely heading for one of the Tanger Outlet centers.  There are three in Rehoboth/Lewes and one center in West Ocean City.  Extended shopping hours for the holidays (12/1/16 - 12/23/16)  are as follows:

Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

My advice:  go early or go late.  Any time in between is a clusterfuck of cars and people.

For a more enjoyable shopping experience, I highly recommend strolling down Rehoboth Avenue.  You may not find the Michael Kors bag you're looking for, but once you sit down for a couple of beers at Purple Parrot, you really won't care.

It's not too early to start thinking about New Years Eve.  Along with tons of hotel and restaurant deals (too many to mention), Ocean City is, once again, going to have a fireworks display in Northside Park.  The sparks fly at midnight and you can ride the tram and listen to DJ music until then.

Whatever your reason for heading to the beach, I hope you have fun.  Take some time to walk on the sand and enjoy the quiet crispness of early winter.  

Happy Holidays to All!  See you in 2017.