Sussex County: Discover Nature, Coast and History

Explore Sussex County through a variety of experiences: paddling along waterways, trails through coastal landscapes and places steeped in history. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between these highlights, as options range from guided boat trips to museums and historic routes.

Nature and Waterways

Trap Pond State Park offers opportunities for paddling, waterways and guided pontoon boat tours. The park also preserves one of the northernmost naturally occurring stands of bald cypress in the United States. Its landscape around an 18th-century logging pond vividly connects nature with the history of how the area was used.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 10,000 acres of habitat and offers a seven-mile canoe trail along Prime Hook Creek. This makes both a specific paddling option and a large protected area central to the experience. As of August 2026, the visitor center is wheelchair accessible and features educational exhibits. Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve offers a different focus, encompassing beach, dune, tidal marsh and river habitats.

Coast and Trails

To get your bearings along the coast, it’s worth looking at the different figures for trails and shorelines. Cape Henlopen State Park has 19.3 miles of trails. Delaware Seashore State Park has six miles of ocean shoreline and 20 miles of bay shoreline, alongside more than seven miles of trails for hiking, biking and birdwatching. Shoreline lengths and trail distances describe different aspects of the landscape.

The American Discovery Trail runs for 45 miles through Sussex County. The Broadkill River Canoe Trail is a different kind of route, running between Memorial Park in Milton and The Nature Conservancy’s McCabe Preserve. When comparing routes, you can distinguish between a long trail through the county and a water route with named endpoints.

Historic and Cultural Sites

Historic sites also offer different ways to explore the past. Construction of Old Christ Church began in 1771. It is the only 18th-century frame church in the Chesapeake region to retain original elements of its interior. The Indian River Life-Saving Station was built in 1876 and now serves as an educational center for maritime heritage.

As of August 2026, guided tours of Battery 519, a World War II bunker, are offered at Fort Miles Museum. The Zwaanendael Museum commemorates Swanendael, Delaware’s first European colony, and presents the maritime, military and social history of the area around Lewes. The Southeast Sussex Historical Trail connects historic homes, churches, museums and landmarks. History enthusiasts can therefore visit individual museums and buildings or follow a route that brings together several kinds of attractions.

Regional Cuisine and Trip Planning

In Southern Delaware, wineries offer wine tastings and live music. Visitors can also explore farms and U-pick operations; some farms welcome guests and sell their own products. Examples of farm-made goods include fresh ice cream, lavender chocolate, cherry cider and bison burgers. Sussex County is also known as the “Culinary Coast,” a name for the region’s restaurant and culinary scene.

Connections across Delaware Bay may also factor into your plans: the Cape May-Lewes Ferry is an 80-minute car and passenger ferry between Lewes and Cape May, New Jersey. Check the schedule for your planned travel day. This can help you choose a hotel location based on the experiences you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Long Neck, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Fenwick Island, Millsboro, Greenwood, Seaford, Dagsboro, Bethany Beach, Lewes, Milford

For the broader travel overview: Delaware.