When you visit our town you'll see why the Dutch seamen who landed here in 1631 established the first settlement. Lewes is ideally situated for visitors who love the water because we’re located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean (Cape Henlopen). Our location provides both bay and ocean beaches for swimming and recreation. The Lewes–Rehoboth Canal, which winds past the commercial district, allows for easy access to either the bay or the ocean for anglers. Docking facilities for pleasure boats are conveniently located within walking distance of the nearby restaurants, shops, and lodging facilities. Commercial “head boats,” charter boats, and a boat launching ramp are also available.
For visitors who prefer to get in touch with our natural resources, one of our greatest assets is the proximity to Cape Henlopen State Park. The park area encompasses over 5,000 aces of natural beauty including spectacular bay and ocean vistas, a unique saltwater lagoon (Gordons Pond), and the Great Dune which rises 80 feet above sea level.
Lewes is fortunate to have a number of biking and hiking trails tha connect to the surrounding towns. The Junction and Breakwater trail is a former railroad bed and offers a scenic trip between Lewes and Rehoboth on the western edge of Cape Henlopen State Park. The park's trail in Lewes extends to Gordons Pond in Rehoboth creating a 16-mile loop. Another new trail that is partially completed will eventually connect Lewes to Georgetown.
In addition to the recreational opportunities for visitors and residents, Lewes has many homes and buildings of historical and architectural interest. Within a half-mile of the commercial district, you can see numerous restored homes dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. One 17th-century home is documented to be Delaware’s oldest standing building. The Lewes Historical Society established and maintains a complex of historic homes moved from their original locations and restored.
Lewes has been the recipient of several prestigious national designations recognizing Lewes' historical and cultural significance. The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected Lewes as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations and Mrs. Laura Bush, when she was First Lady and served as Honorary Chair of the Preserve America organization, named Lewes a Preserve America Community. Southern Living Magazine named Lewes the Best Small Town in Delaware in their April 2018 issue listing the best in every state. Additionally, USA Today's national contest for Best Small Town for Shopping voted Lewes #2, competing with other like-sized towns across the United States. Most recently in 2022, Southern Living Magazine's "South's Best" named Lewes to their list of Top 20 Small Towns.