Lewes between Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

Lewes is located where Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet at Cape Henlopen. Its setting gives the town a maritime character, while its museums and historic buildings explore different chapters of its history. During your stay, you can therefore focus on cultural history, coastal scenery, or a ferry crossing.

Historic Sites and Timelines

Lewes’s historic district and several museums are located within an area of half a square mile. Built in 1931, the Zwaanendael Museum commemorates Swanendael, Delaware’s first European colony, founded by the Dutch in 1631. It presents the maritime, military, and social history of the Lewes area. Exactly three centuries separate the founding of Swanendael from the construction of the museum.

The Cannonball House is the only surviving building in Lewes that was damaged during the Bombardment of Lewes in the War of 1812. The Cannonball House Maritime Museum explores the history of the bombardment as well as the history of early electronic technology and navigation on Delaware Bay and the Delaware River. Its topics range from a specific event to technology and waterways. Access may change during renovations; check current conditions before your visit.

The Ryves Holt House dates to around 1686 and is the oldest building in Delaware on its original site. As a museum, it tells the story of the house and honors Commodore Jacob Jones. Its time period differs from the Bombardment of 1812 associated with the Cannonball House.

Fort Miles was also built during World War II. Distinctive fire-control towers are located along the Atlantic coast.

Coastal Scenery and Nature

Lewes’s Canalfront Park and Marina covers more than three acres and is located on the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. Next to the park are the 1938 Overfalls Lightship and a historic lifesaving station. The canal, lightship, and lifesaving station each offer their own maritime points of interest.

Cape Henlopen State Park has more than six miles of coastline. Visitors can take part in an interpretive program at the Seaside Nature Center. The park currently has 19.3 miles of hiking trails; future trail work may change the total. The coastline and hiking trails describe different features of the park. This makes it possible to distinguish the coast as a focus in its own right from the trails and the program at the Nature Center.

Ferry Service to Cape May

The Cape May–Lewes Ferry operates year-round between the Cape May Ferry Terminal in New Jersey and the Lewes Ferry Terminal in Delaware. It carries vehicles, cyclists, and foot passengers. The crossing takes about 85 minutes; actual travel time may vary. Along the way, you can see working harbors, lighthouses, fishing boats, and marine wildlife, including ospreys, pelicans, and bottlenose dolphins. Since schedules may change, check the timetable for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Dewey Beach, Milford, Seaford, Bethany Beach, Greenwood, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Rehoboth Beach

For the broader travel overview: Sussex County.