100 miles SE of Wilmington; 120 miles SE of Baltimore; 130 miles SE of Washington, D.C.

Nicknamed the "Quiet Resorts," Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island have the most laid-back atmosphere of the Maryland and Delaware beach resorts and are a calm alternative to the bustle of Ocean City to the south and the sophistication and shopping of Rehoboth to the north. This pleasant stretch of condominium communities, state parks, and public and private beaches may be quiet at night, but it offers visitors -- especially families -- so much during the day: It's a great place to just sit back and enjoy the beach, swim in the surf, bicycle along quiet roads, bird-watch in the dunes or coastal waterways, and stroll on the tiny Bethany Beach boardwalk.