Crab houses, ice cream stands, Funland reopening
Seasonal business gearing up for summer
Some of Delaware’s landmark seasonal businesses, ranging from crab houses to an iconic Rehoboth Beach amusement park, are springing to life now and in the next few weeks.
Here’s what to expect:
Woodside Farm Creamery
1310 Little Baltimore Road, Hockessin; 302-239-9847; woodsidefarm creamery.com
Opening day for the beloved Hockessin farm-based ice cream shop was Saturday, March 23, The store is open and scooping ice cream from noon to 8 p.m. It also sells ice cream by the quart, ice cream cakes, farm fresh eggs, and large and small packages of locally raised, grass-fed beef.
The creamery, operating since 1998, is on a farm at Little Baltimore and North Star roads that dates back to 1796. Ice cream is made on the farm using milk from over 30 Jersey cows.
The creamery is open daily, except for Easter, March 31, from noon to 8 p.m. through late October. For more information, visit woodsidefarmcreamery.com
The Surfing Crab
16723 Coastal Highway (Route 1), Lewes; 302-644-4448; thesurfingcrab .com
The Sussex County crab house reopened for the season on March 13. All crabs are cooked to order. Owners suggest calling ahead to check availability and to pre-order. The restaurant does not take reservations. Visit the Facebook page for the most recent updates.
Spring hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Dairy Palace
2 Jay Drive, New Castle; 302-3289740
The popular New Castle ice cream stand off Basin Road has been locally owned since 1956. Joy Parker continues her family’s love for ice cream and the stand, known for its neon lights and swirled ice cream cone, this month has been hiring staff.
The Parkers are still unsure of the opening day, according to its social media site, but it should be soon. Visit its Facebook page for the most recent information.
Sambo’s Tavern
283 Front St., Leipsic; 302-674-9724 The adults-only, Kent County crab house on the Leipsic River has set Wednesday, April 3, for its seasonal opening. Named for founder Samuel “Sambo” Burrows, the tavern serves steamed crabs and crab cake sandwiches among other seafood specialties.
Sambo’s only has a tavern license, which means customers must be 21 or older to enter.
The Carriage House Bar + Lounge
805B N. Broom St., Wilmington Wilmington’s University and Whist Club at the corner of North Broom and Rodney streets has a Carriage House on its property open to the public. The 1902 house was transformed into a seasonally operated bar and lounge serving food and offering live music. This hidden gem, operating since 2022, is only open on Fridays from 5 to 11 p.m.
The upstairs bar and lounge reopens on Friday, April 5, from 5 to 11 p.m. Live music by Chorduroy Duo will be played from 6 to 9 p.m. A new menu includes hummus, French onion dip with housemade chips, baked wings, Caesar salad and a selection of hot dogs. Visit its Facebook page for updates.
Funland
6 Delaware Ave., Rehoboth Beach; funlandrehoboth.com
Delaware’s best-known seaside amusement park has roots in the Rehoboth tracing back to 1939. The Faschnacht family still operates the boardwalk site that features 20 rides including boat and fire engine kiddie rides dating back to the 1940s.
Opening day for the 2024 season is Saturday, May 11. The park also will be open on May 12. Games will be open from 1 to 10 p.m. and rides will operate from 1 to 9:30 p.m.
Funland is closed Monday through Thursday and will operate again from Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19. It is open for Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27.
Limited daily summer hours begin May 31. On June 8, the park will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., with rides opening at 1 p.m.
If you want to read more stories from Patricia Talorico, visit delawareonline .com/staff/2646617001/patriciatalorico. You can find her on Instagram , X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com or leave a message at 302-324-2861. Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.