Sussex County Entertainment
Sussex County is more known for its natural beauty than its world-class entertainment options, but there’s a surprisingly wide variety of things to see and do in Delaware’s largest, yet most rural, county.
From theater groups to rides on the boardwalk to museums for the history lover in all of us, Sussex County has plenty to offer residents and visitors of all ages.
Theater
The Possum Point Players was formed in 1973 with the goal of bringing the experience of live theater to Sussex County for the education and enjoyment of local residents. Located in Georgetown in an old youth recreation building aptly named “Possum Hall,” the theater group has featured more than 150 shows since its beginnings and has become a fixture in the Sussex County arts scene.
Spinning off from the Possum Point Players in recent years has been a theater group of secondary school age children, a Shakespeare reading group and an Ad Hoc Touring Company.
Since its beginnings, the membership of the group has grown from just 15 charter members to more than 200.
The Milton Theatre Co. produces high-quality stage productions at its historic theater on Union Street in historic Milton. They also partner with other arts organizations in an attempt to promote the arts in Sussex County.
Performances are held in the old Milton Theater, an art deco movie house that was purchased and extensively remodeled in 2000 by the theater company.
Located in Rehoboth Beach, Clear Space Productions trains local talent through their Clear Space Arts Institute and supports that talent with professionally produced theatrical opportunities
More than 13,500 people attended or participated in Clear Space Productions programs in 2007; they present a season of seven performances each year.
Restaurants
There is no shortage of good restaurants in Sussex County. From fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King to traditional American-themed eateries like Cracker Barrel and Applebee’s and more upscale restaurants like Cafe Azafran in Lewes, the Back Porch Cafe in Rehoboth Beach and Ponos in Dewey Beach, there is something for every type of food aficionado in Sussex County.
And of course there are the seafood restaurants. What would a beach community be without some good quality seafood? Do a search online and they’ll all pop up. Why live near the beach if you can’t enjoy a good seafood meal from time to time?
Movies
Surprisingly, there aren't a whole lot of movie theaters in Sussex County. But there are two very different, and very unique, choices for those who want to enjoy a show on the big screen.
The Movies at Midway is a 14-screen cinema complex located on Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. The facility boasts first-run movies throughout the year, with special showings and features in the summer months.
For a night out with the family, you may want to head to the small town of Dagsboro, where the Clayton Theater continues to operate on Main Street. Featuring a stage and a balcony, this freestanding theater was built in the 1940s and shows first-run movies suitable for the entire family.
Amusements
For amusement rides, Funland in Rehoboth Beach is the place to go. Still featuring affordable ticket prices for all of their rides, along with video games and games of skill, Funland is a great place to take the family for a break from the sand and the surf.
The park features 18 rides, 13 midway games, an electronic shooting gallery, redemption games and redemption center and an arcade with video and pinball machines.
The park has been family owned and operated since 1962 and is open from Mother’s Day weekend through Labor Day.
Museums
Sussex County is filled with museums, each one unique in its own way. A partial listing follows:
- The Anna Hazard Museum in Rehoboth Beach features a local history of Rehoboth, including photos, publications and artifacts.
- The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island houses a collection of shipwreck and recovered artifacts that is one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region. It contains shipwreck artifacts both regional and worldwide.
- The Marvel Museum in Georgetown houses carriages from the collection of Georgetown businessman Nutter Marvel. Among these carriages are the Queen's carriage, the Disney carriage, a peddler’s wagon and an 1800’s era horse drawn hearse carriage. There are also collections of photographs, telephones, furniture and many more items related to Georgetown history.
- The Indian River Life-Saving Station on Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach was built in 1876 for use by the United States Life-Saving Service and has been meticulously restored to its 1905 appearance, complete with diamond-shaped trim.
- The Lydia Be Cannon Museum in Milton focuses on the history of Milton. It is the town’s only museum; a former church turned into a sanctuary of historical preservation.
- The Treasure of the Sea Exhibit at Delaware Technical & Community College in Georgetown houses a permanent collection of artifacts and treasure from a 1622 shipwreck off the Florida coast. The galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha was rediscovered in 1985 by treasure hunter Mel Fisher.
- The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes is a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. Modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, the museum commemorates the founding of Delaware's first European settlement by the Dutch in 1631.
- The Seaford Museum in Seaford is run by volunteers and covers the history of the western Sussex County city through fun exhibits and interactive displays.
- The Nanticoke Indian Museum in Oak Orchard features artifacts, artwork and beadwork of the local Nanticoke Indian tribe.
