Tourists: Who are they and why do they come here?

I’m amazed at the number of tourists who come to the Cape Region each summer. We all complain about the traffic and how hard it is to get anywhere in eastern Sussex County most days, yet without tourists spending their money, this area would be very different. For one thing, we wouldn't have the wide assortment of restaurants we enjoy throughout the Cape Region. I doubt we would have the great multimillion-dollar trail network we have today without the tourism industry.

And more and more tourists are coming to the area during the shoulder season, which is a trend that has developed over the past decade. They spend dollars on lodging, restaurants and everything from Funland to kayak rentals to sightseeing and fishing trips. That's great for many local businesses that could not survive without the influx of tourists' dollars.

Tourism is the second-leading industry in the state; agriculture is No. 1. More than 3 million tourists contribute over $850 million to the county's economy each year, and 20,000 people work in the tourism industry. That doesn't include those who work in businesses that support tourism.

So what do tourists do when they arrive in Sussex County?

According to Southern Delaware Tourism, the top 10 activities include: 1. dining; 2. going to the beach; 3. tax-free shopping; 4. breweries and wineries; 5. festivals; 6. museums and historic sites; 7. cycling; 8. antiquing; 9. cultural arts; 10. fishing, boating and kayaking. Also on the list should be golf and camping. Boating is only No. 10 on the list of what people do, but it's hard to believe that. All you have to do is drive by any public boat launch on weekends, and you'll see what I mean.

Also according to Southern Delaware Tourism, nearly half of area tourists (42%) stay in hotels and motels, followed by 26% in rentals, 10% in bed and breakfasts/inns, 8% in state parks campgrounds, 8% with family and friends, and 4% in private campgrounds.

And where do they come from? We see out-of-state license plates from states all over the country, but most of our tourists come from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, followed by Virginia and New York.

What Sussex offers

What does Sussex County offer? Here is a list off the top of my head: Dining, shopping, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, beach walks, sports, breweries and distilleries, tax-free shopping, sailing, surfing, fishing, boating, surf-fishing, permits to allow vehicles on the beach, miniature golf, concerts, nightlife, crabbing, nature photography, fresh produce stands, museums, birdwatching, camping, farmers markets, strolling the Rehoboth and Bethany boardwalks, sea-glass hunting, festivals and benefit events, hiking, cycling, tours on land and sea, watching sunsets, sunning on the beaches, amusement rides, go-karts, yoga and other exercise on the beach, museums in nearly every town in the county (sometimes more than one), great state parks, Delaware Botanic Gardens, one of the last remaining lightships, a World War II fort and much, much more.

And thanks to Sports at the Beach near Georgetown, thousands of tourists come to spend money during youth baseball tournaments. Not far from that facility, Sandhill Fields is sponsoring sports tournaments as well.

Throughout most of the county, you can’t get too far away from water. From the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek in western Sussex to the Broadkill River in Milton to the Delaware, Rehoboth and Indian River bays and the numerous creeks and ponds, tourists and locals are able to enjoy everything that waterways have to offer.

One of the hidden gems in the county is Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located along the Delaware Bay shoreline. Visitors come from near and far to hike, kayak and birdwatch in the more than 10,000-acre refuge. The Delaware Bayshore Byway links all of the Sussex bay towns, which are more hidden gems.

Sussex is fortunate to have five diverse state parks including Cape Henlopen State Park, home to historic Fort Miles and featuring both bay and ocean beaches, which has been named as one of the top parks in the country. Others include Fenwick Island, Holts Landing near Ocean View, Delaware Seashore between Dewey and Bethany beaches, and Trap Pond near Laurel.

The Freeman Arts Pavilion near Fenwick Island offers a full schedule of entertainment and concerts during the summer, including some of music’s superstars.

Diverse beach towns

Each coastal town has its own identity. Rehoboth is what you think of when you envision a typical beach resort with a boardwalk, rides, beach shops, pizza, ice cream and candy shops, and a wide variety of restaurants. Lewes also has a great beach, but it's on Delaware Bay and so provides a perfect place for families with children. It's also become a bicycling mecca. Second Street is among the best downtowns in the county. The city oozes history, and historical activities and events are part of the lifestyle. Bethany Beach, part of the Quiet Resorts, is more of a family resort without the hustle and bustle of Rehoboth. It also has one of the two boardwalks along the coast. Dewey Beach is known for its music and nightlife but also has great ocean beaches.

More to Sussex County

Sussex County doesn't end at the beach resorts. There is a whole lot more available, including one of the real state gems – Trap Pond State Park near Laurel, the location of the northernmost stand of bald cypress trees in the country.

Milton is on the fringes of the coast, yet it offers some awesome restaurants, Milton Theatre, and concerts and special events. It's also a great town for a walking excursion.

One area that has exploded over the past few years is Long Neck. It seems like a new restaurant opens every week in Long Neck, which is really not a town but an unincorporated area in Sussex County. I bet if you added up the population of the greater Long Neck area, it would be the largest town in the county. A visit to Paradise Grill should be on your list.

Georgetown, Milford, Seaford, Laurel and Bethel are all rich in history. The Nanticoke River in Seaford is a hidden jewel and one of the least-developed rivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Woodland, about five miles down the river, is home to the Woodland Ferry, one of the few remaining cable-drawn ferries that has been in operation for nearly 200 years.

Getting around in summer

We join with tourists in an effort to enjoy everything the area has to offer during the summer, including loads of free concerts in every town, farmers markets and special events. Because we are locals, we've learned a few tricks to at least try to get the upper hand when we travel beyond our homes in the summer.

Arrive early – I mean really early – is No. 1 on the list. Plan in advance where you are going to park. There are some parking areas – like the Lewes Little League fields – where you can park for free if you are willing to walk a little. Don't discount the DART Beach Bus for trips into Rehoboth and Lewes. It's cheap, you don't have to find parking and the bus can travel in its own lane when cars are moving at a snail's pace. The Lewes Transit Center is the place to go to catch a bus.

Beaches are the draw

Even with everything the eastern part of the county offers, what's the biggest draw? The beaches, of course. The beaches are the fabric that underpins the county economy. And the Atlantic Ocean beaches are annually selected among the cleanest beaches in the country. It’s not hard to understand why Sussex County is such a popular tourist destination.

Fun facts: The number of restaurants and other food establishments, particularly in Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey, is outstanding if you take time to count them. Consider this, there are nearly 60 places to eat – from fast food to fine dining – just along Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth.

Nearly 2 million people a year go to Cape Henlopen State Park, the most visited park in the state.

The population of the county is nearly 250,000, a 20% increase over the last decade.

More than 750,000 people ride the Cape May-Lewes Ferry each year.

Some of the most unique events: Apple-Scrapple Festival, Bridgeville; Nanticoke Indian Powwow, Hudson Fields between Lewes and Milton; Great Delaware Kite Festival in Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes; Nanticoke Rivefest, Seaford; Return Day, Georgetown; Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Rehoboth and Lewes; Zombie Fest, Milton; Fort Miles: Delaware Goes to War, Cape Henlopen State Park; Polar Bear Plunge, Rehoboth Beach.