Lewes DelawareATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lewes, Delaware.
1. Cape May - Lewes Ferry
BAY CROSSING ADVENTURE
The Cape May - Lewes Ferry offers a scenic 85-minute journey across the Delaware Bay connecting Lewes, Delaware to Cape May, New Jersey. Passengers can enjoy breathtaking views from the deck while spotting dolphins and various marine wildlife during their crossing. The ferry provides a convenient transportation option with the added benefit of onboard amenities including food service and comfortable seating areas.
2. Cape Henlopen State Park
NATURAL COASTAL BEAUTY
Cape Henlopen State Park encompasses over 5,000 acres of pristine coastal environment featuring stunning beaches, maritime forests, and salt marshes. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking, as well as exploring the World War II observation towers and Fort Miles Historic Area. The park's nature center offers educational programs and exhibits about the local ecosystem and wildlife throughout the year.
3. Lewes Historical Society
HERITAGE AND HISTORY
The Lewes Historical Society preserves and celebrates the rich history of America's First Town through its collection of historic buildings and artifacts. Visitors can take guided tours of meticulously restored properties that showcase the town's maritime heritage and colonial past. The society hosts various educational programs and seasonal events that bring local history to life for guests of all ages.
4. Lewes Beach
CALM BAY WATERS
Lewes Beach offers visitors a more relaxed and family-friendly alternative to the ocean beaches with its calm bay waters and gentle waves. The beach features convenient amenities including restrooms, a bathhouse, and nearby parking, making it perfect for a day of swimming and sunbathing. Visitors can enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Delaware Bay while watching boats sail in and out of the nearby harbor.
5. Lightship Overfalls
HISTORIC MARITIME LANDMARK
The Lightship Overfalls is one of only 17 remaining lightships in the United States and serves as a floating museum and National Historic Landmark in Lewes. Volunteers offer guided tours that explain the vessel's important role in maritime safety and navigation before modern technology replaced these floating lighthouses. The meticulously restored ship provides visitors with a glimpse into the challenging life of lightship crews who served in dangerous waters.
6. Hopkins Farm Creamery
FARM FRESH ICE CREAM
Hopkins Farm Creamery serves homemade ice cream made from milk produced by their own dairy cows, creating a true farm-to-cone experience. The family-owned establishment offers over 25 flavors ranging from traditional favorites to unique seasonal creations that keep customers returning throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy their treats while watching the dairy farm operations and even meeting some of the cows responsible for the delicious dairy products.
7. Zwaanendael Museum
DUTCH COLONIAL HERITAGE
The Zwaanendael Museum commemorates the first Dutch settlement in Delaware with its distinctive architecture modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, Netherlands. The museum houses artifacts and exhibits telling the story of Lewes' founding and its development over the centuries, including maritime disasters and the town's whaling history. Special programs and changing exhibitions throughout the year provide insights into various aspects of local history and culture.
8. Fort Miles Historic Area
WWII COASTAL DEFENSE
Fort Miles Historic Area preserves one of the most important coastal defense sites built during World War II to protect the Delaware Bay and River. Visitors can explore the underground Battery 519, which now houses museum exhibits featuring the fort's original 12-inch guns and military equipment. Guided tours provide fascinating insights into the fort's strategic importance and the daily lives of soldiers stationed there during wartime.
9. Lewes Cannonball House
MARITIME MUSEUM GEM
The Lewes Cannonball House Maritime Museum gets its name from the British cannonball that struck the building during the War of 1812 and remains embedded in its foundation. This historic structure houses maritime artifacts, ship models, and exhibits chronicling Lewes' important role as a seafaring community through the centuries. The museum's collection includes items from local shipwrecks, pilot boats, and fishing vessels that shaped the town's development.
10. Second Street Shopping District
CHARMING BOUTIQUE ROW
Second Street forms the heart of Lewes' shopping district with its collection of independent boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops housed in historic buildings. Visitors can browse unique clothing, home décor, gourmet foods, and locally made crafts while enjoying the street's charming atmosphere. The pedestrian-friendly area invites leisurely exploration with its brick sidewalks, flowering planters, and welcoming storefronts that showcase the town's distinctive character.
11. Big Oyster Brewery
CRAFT BREWS AND SEAFOOD
Big Oyster Brewery combines craft beer production with a full-service restaurant offering fresh seafood and American favorites in a casual atmosphere. Visitors can sample a rotating selection of house-brewed beers ranging from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts while watching the brewing process through large windows. The restaurant's menu features local oysters and seafood that perfectly complement their beer selection, creating a true taste of coastal Delaware.
12. Fisherman's Wharf
MARINA AND SEAFOOD HAVEN
Fisherman's Wharf serves as both a working marina and popular dining destination where visitors can watch fishing boats unload their daily catch. The on-site restaurant specializes in ultra-fresh seafood caught by their own fleet, ensuring an authentic maritime dining experience. Visitors can also book fishing charters and dolphin-watching excursions that depart directly from the wharf throughout the season.
13. Ryves Holt House
OLDEST STANDING BUILDING
The Ryves Holt House, built around 1665, holds the distinction of being the oldest standing building in Delaware and serves as a visitor center for the Lewes Historical Society. This carefully preserved structure offers a glimpse into colonial architecture and building techniques used by early settlers in the region. Knowledgeable docents share stories about the house's namesake, Ryves Holt, who served as Delaware's first Chief Justice, and the building's various uses throughout its long history.
14. Nassau Valley Vineyards
DELAWARE'S FIRST WINERY
Nassau Valley Vineyards holds the distinction of being Delaware's first and oldest winery, established after founder Peggy Raley successfully lobbied to change state laws to allow wineries. Visitors can tour the vineyard and production facilities before enjoying a tasting of their award-winning wines produced from both estate-grown and regionally sourced grapes. The winery's grounds feature a self-guided tour through exhibits on wine history and production, as well as an art gallery showcasing local artists.
15. Junction & Breakwater Trail
SCENIC RAIL TRAIL
The Junction & Breakwater Trail follows a former railroad corridor connecting Lewes to nearby Rehoboth Beach with a scenic 6-mile route through coastal woodlands and wetlands. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers enjoy the well-maintained crushed stone path that offers glimpses of local wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes. The trail provides a car-free alternative for traveling between the two resort towns while offering interpretive signs about the area's history and ecology along the route.