Lewes, DE is a superb little beach town, rich in history, beautiful coast and culture. If you love the water, Lewes Beach is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay, providing both ocean and bay beaches. It's a center for water sports, seashore parks, sport fishing, golf courses, and much more.
Lewes (pronouned loo-is) isn't the typical boardwalk beach town that is so prevalent along the east coast. Once a community of fishermen and whalers, it's now a highly sought Delaware vacation spot, featuring stunning beach homes as well as old-fashioned beach cottages and preserved historic architecture. The National Trust of Historic Preservation has named Lewes one of "A Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in the U.S.
Lewes hotels, beach rentals and bed and breakfasts are among the finest accommodations on the east coast. Everyone walks most everywhere, from the historic district to the beachfront. Second Street is the town's main street - and offers a great day of strolling and enjoying excellent restaurants, bistros, antiquing and specialty shops.
The beach at Lewes Harbor
Lewes Harbor
Perhaps one of the loveliest areas in Southern Delaware, Lewes Harbor is nestled on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. It is home to seafaring yachts and pleasure boats, as well as charter boats offering fishing expeditions and sightseeing cruises.
The harbor is a center of activity, featuring Lewes Harbor Marina, Angler’s Fishing Center, Adams Wharf, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Boaters can use the public boat ramp, located at the drawbridge on Savannah Road, to head out to the Delaware Bay by way of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.
Places To Eat
If you like homemade baked goods, stop in Lewes Bake Shoppe. Perhaps best known for their famous "Ooey Gooey" - an incredible cinnamon sticky bun - they also serve superbly brewed coffee to compliment their baked treats and deli sandwiches (made with fresh-baked bread.)
The Striper Bites Bistro is a favorite restaurant of locals and vacationers. The food is creative and delicious, from Crab Bisque and Seared Tuna to caramelized Sea Scallops, and their famous Shrimp and Grits. Easy to find downtown on Savannah Road, the atmosphere is relaxed and you know you're welcome the minute you walk in.
Fish On: Always busy, because it's always terrific! The Fish On restaurant uses the freshest of local seafood and produce. Serving dishes from the casual to the elegant, its a great time and you won't be disappointed. Pan Roasted Salmon, Seared Scallops, Lewes Seafood Stew, or a Lobster BLT. A little bit upscale... and you'll find it the Villages of Five Points just outside the historic town.
Cape Henlopen State Park
If you want to see dolphins in the surf and deer in the woods in the same setting, head out to the spacious and beautiful Cape Henlopen. For the ultimate in swimming and sunning, the cape's spectacular beaches stretch for miles, with good waves, clean sand, and life guards on patrol during summer months.
There are over 4,000 acres of preserved lands in Cape Henlopen State Park. Pet-friendly beaches can be hard to find on the East Coast, but not here - so bring the pups. Plus, the beaches don't seem too crowded even on peak weekends, although parking can become congested.
The only operating lighthouse on the Delaware coast, the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, is off the coast of Cape Henlopen State Park. There is also an excellent fishing pier that stretches a quarter mile into the Delaware Bay, and is well-lit for nighttime fishing. For campers and hikers, the state park offers great nature trails through the dunes and swamp, with bike trails along the dunes and through the woodlands.
Make a vacation to Lewes Beach a trip to remember by visiting nearby Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach. For a real Bon Voyage, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry connects New Jersey and Delaware historic and shopping districts. You can cruise to New Jersey Beaches, Delaware Beaches and Virginia Beaches, all in one day!
