Rehoboth shopping recommendations for a day trip from Ocean City, MD

[laurajetter]

I will be chauffeuring my mom and her two friends around OC, MD for a 5 day get-away. She had gotten recommendations from a friend who used to live in OC that there is great shopping in nearby Rehoboth, and she is determined that we go there, but we weren't given any specific location.

These ladies are older and a couple use motorized wheelchairs for longer distances but can walk around stores fine with their canes. I'm thinking either a lot of smaller stores grouped together, or a larger place with a lot of things inside to look at would work best.

One thing I'm wondering is whether the shopping in Rehoboth is truly any better than what we can find closer by in OC? We are staying oceanfront at around 12th street. I am mainly familiar with shopping such as Tanger Outlets, but wouldn't it be pretty much the same experience if we go to one that is in OC vs. Rehoboth?

Are there any more unique places to shop that would make traveling to Rehoboth worthwhile? I just feel like we'd be traveling extra far to get to places that are practically the same as what we could find closer to where we are staying in MD. If there is something different or better in your opinion then I'm interested in finding out those types of places.

Preferences:
- Multiple stores close together, or one large building that's like a shopping mecca
- Easy/close parking, if possible

Thanks for any recommendations you have!

 

[RedAngie]

The various outlet centers near Rehoboth are no different than any other outlet. Same stores, nothing special or unique.

Rehoboth Avenue the first three blocks from the Boardwalk might be more interesting. Besides the usual T-shirt and souvenir stores, there is a good variety of specialty shops; home furnishings, jewelry, pet, clothing boutiques, etc.

Parking is along the street, and it shouldn’t be a problem now that fall is here.

https://www.downtownrb.com/shop

 

[laurajetter]

The various outlet centers near Rehoboth are no different than any other outlet. Same stores, nothing special or unique.

Rehoboth Avenue the first three blocks from the Boardwalk might be more interesting. Besides the usual T-shirt and souvenir stores, there is a good variety of specialty shops; home furnishings, jewelry, pet, clothing boutiques, etc.

Parking is along the street, and it shouldn’t be a problem now that fall is here.

https://www.downtownrb.com/shop

Thank you! This sounds promising

 

[bigpinkdaisy]

I will preface my response with the fact that I am not terribly familiar with shopping in Ocean City, though I have been there. I am not a local, but our family makes frequent trips to Rehoboth each year from our home in CNY and we love it there. My 85 year old mom travels with us and utilizes a traditional wheelchair(not motorized) for when we are walking around town and in and out of shops/restaurants. That said, it is an incredibly accessible town and almost all shops are able to accommodate the scooters or wheelchairs.

My first question is when your trip is planned for - parking in Rehoboth Beach in the busy season(approx. May 15th - September 15th) can be quite challenging, and you need to pay for parking then.

The Tanger Outlets, as RedAngie said, are nothing special or unique, but they are wheelchair accessible and while there are three separate complexes - two on one side of the highway, one on the other - they do offer many stores in one place.

I also agree with RedAngie - the BEST shopping in Rehoboth is near the beach/boardwalk. There are approximately 3-4 blocks of really great boutiques, restaurants and shops on an easily walkable/navigable with wheelchairs/motorized scooters sidewalk. One of our family's favorites is Browse About Books, which is a combination of a bookstore and gift shop - but not your typical "gift shop" if you know what I mean - think locally made art, candles, sweaters, decor, etc. There is also a Lilly Pulitzer store, several really great boutiques that have a lot of unique, affordable pieces that you won't see other people wearing and a bunch of stores that focus on carrying more traditionally well known but but contemporary labels.

I think a trip to Rehoboth Beach would be worth it for you for a day depending on the season. There is definitely enough for a full day of shopping and then add in the fantastic dining locations they have in the same area - it would be a great day trip! If Rehoboth Beach isn't enough, Lewes is very close by and also has some pretty great locations to shop as well... although definitely not an outlet mall...but we love to shop local when visiting anywhere - and if you can happen to time your visit to one of the days the Farmers Market is happening, even better.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

One thing about Rehoboth vs Ocean City is that Delaware has no sales tax vs 6% in Maryland. There are 3 locations of Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth, spread on both sides of Route 1.

 

[laurajetter]

I will preface my response with the fact that I am not terribly familiar with shopping in Ocean City, though I have been there. I am not a local, but our family makes frequent trips to Rehoboth each year from our home in CNY and we love it there. My 85 year old mom travels with us and utilizes a traditional wheelchair(not motorized) for when we are walking around town and in and out of shops/restaurants. That said, it is an incredibly accessible town and almost all shops are able to accommodate the scooters or wheelchairs.

My first question is when your trip is planned for - parking in Rehoboth Beach in the busy season(approx. May 15th - September 15th) can be quite challenging, and you need to pay for parking then.

The Tanger Outlets, as RedAngie said, are nothing special or unique, but they are wheelchair accessible and while there are three separate complexes - two on one side of the highway, one on the other - they do offer many stores in one place.

I also agree with RedAngie - the BEST shopping in Rehoboth is near the beach/boardwalk. There are approximately 3-4 blocks of really great boutiques, restaurants and shops on an easily walkable/navigable with wheelchairs/motorized scooters sidewalk. One of our family's favorites is Browse About Books, which is a combination of a bookstore and gift shop - but not your typical "gift shop" if you know what I mean - think locally made art, candles, sweaters, decor, etc. There is also a Lilly Pulitzer store, several really great boutiques that have a lot of unique, affordable pieces that you won't see other people wearing and a bunch of stores that focus on carrying more traditionally well known but but contemporary labels.

I think a trip to Rehoboth Beach would be worth it for you for a day depending on the season. There is definitely enough for a full day of shopping and then add in the fantastic dining locations they have in the same area - it would be a great day trip! If Rehoboth Beach isn't enough, Lewes is very close by and also has some pretty great locations to shop as well... although definitely not an outlet mall...but we love to shop local when visiting anywhere - and if you can happen to time your visit to one of the days the Farmers Market is happening, even better.

Thanks for all the helpful info! Our trip is October 6 - October 10, so hopefully parking might be a little easier, although it seems like a pretty popular place, so who knows. I like the sound of that book store, that would be right up my alley and probably theirs, too.

 

[laurajetter]

One thing about Rehoboth vs Ocean City is that Delaware has no sales tax vs 6% in Maryland. There are 3 locations of Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth, spread on both sides of Route 1.

Ooo, forgot about that!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Thanks for all the helpful info! Our trip is October 6 - October 10, so hopefully parking might be a little easier, although it seems like a pretty popular place, so who knows. I like the sound of that book store, that would be right up my alley and probably theirs, too.

I just saw that Rehoboth has covered (turned off) parking meters so that would be a plus.

 

[MillauFr]

The various outlet centers near Rehoboth are no different than any other outlet. Same stores, nothing special or unique.

This has been my experience as well. Those outlet centers are a waste of time. No great deals. Better just to order online nowdays.