Lewes Travel Guide
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86 miles SE of Wilmington, 34 miles N of Ocean City, 121 miles E of Washington, D.C., 107 miles SE of Baltimore
Delaware's northernmost and oldest beach resort, Lewes (pronounced Loo-is) is also its oldest town, founded in 1681 as a Dutch whaling station named Zwaanendael. The community maintains strong ties to both its Dutch heritage, which you can learn about at the Zwaanendael Museum, and to the sea -- as a beach resort, a boating marina, and a port for dozens of fishing fleets.
Though Lewes is where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the town has grown up west of the Lewes Canal, and turned away from the water. Here you'll the historic sites, small shops, restaurants, and inns. The result is a quaint, friendly little town that also has a beach.
Beach fans must take an easy walk across the Savannah Road Bridge to the water. Parking is available in a paid lot. And lots of Lewes vacationers head to the nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for its wide sandy beaches there.
Lewes seems more like a Cape Cod resort than a Delmarva beach resort. With its small town atmosphere and proximity to beaches, it's a good choice for anybody tired of the bustle of the other resorts. Ocean City and Rehoboth fans find it's a good day trip destination, too.
