Cape May, Rehoboth Ranked Among Best Family Beaches

As you're planning your family's summer vacation, don't overlook two local spots for affordable beach getaways. Downbeach.com named Rehoboth Beach in Delaware and Cape May in New Jersey among the best places to visit for a budget- and family vacation.

A Cape May, New Jersey, vacation comes in around $3,900 for a seven-night, two-bedroom stay at a Victorian home rental. Expect to spend approximately $100 for beach tags. Meals can run around $850 when you blend casual treats — Hot Dog Tommy's four-dollar franks and Kohr Bros. custard cones  with a dinner at the harbor-front Lobster House. Many inns include breakfast with your stay.

The Cape May County Zoo is free to explore. A lighthouse visit costs only a few dollars, and evening concerts on the promenade are free. A dolphin-watching boat tour costs about $150.

"The slow pace lets teens explore the pedestrian mall while adults sip lemonade on a porch. Choose a midweek stay to trim rates and skip weekend crowds, then let the town's timeless charm take over," writes Chris Bates of Downbeach.com about the Cape May guest experience.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, totals approximately $4,360 for the week. Lodging runs around $3,300 for a two-bedroom condo one block from the beach. Meals are approximately $800, with entertainment at about $180. The beach is free; downtown parking at $3 an hour can be avoided by riding the $1 Jolly Trolley.

"Rehoboth feels safe enough for tweens to roam, lively enough for teens to stay interested, and relaxed enough for parents to unwind. Arrive Sunday evening and leave Friday morning to dodge heavy traffic and catch midweek rental discounts," Bates noted.