Along the shore of the Delaware coast rests Lewes, a quaint and historic Sussex County town. Founded in 1631, this historic town takes great pride in its unique history, beautiful beaches and plentiful nature sanctuaries and trails.
For prospective day-trippers to Lewes, there’s plenty to do right in town or a short drive away. Take a look at our guide, then plan your own ideal trip to Lewes.
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8 a.m. – Grab a coffee from Notting Hill Coffee Roasters and stroll through the Lewes Canalfront Park
Awaken your senses first thing in the morning with a caffeine fix at this local coffee shop located on Second Street. Sip your coffee while strolling and sightseeing at the Canalfront Park. Since 1631, the Canalfront Park has been a hub of activity and is now the heart of the community with year-round activities. The park offers more than just picturesque views, as it is surrounded by tress, walkways, gardens with tennis courts, a kayak launch, baseball fields and more. With easy-to-access metered parking, nearby eateries and public restrooms, the Canalfront Park is the perfect spot for a relaxing morning or afternoon.
124 Second Street, Lewes | 645-0733
211 Front Street, Lewes
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10 a.m. – Learn more about maritime history at the Lightship Overfalls and Zwaanendael Museum
End your stroll through the Canalfront Park at the Lightship Overfalls for a guided tour. Learn all about lightships and the role they’ve played in American history. If you haven’t gotten your history fill, head over to the Zwaanendael Museum to learn all about the Lewes area’s maritime, military and social history.
219 Pilottown Road, Lewes | 644-8050
102 Kings Highway, Lewes | 645-1148
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10:30 a.m. – Indulge in an al fresco breakfast at The Station on Kings
Part café, part coffee shop, part bakery and part retail/garden center, The Station on Kings is a must-stop in Lewes. Start by sharing a hummus platter or deviled eggs. Then, indulge on sandwiches, salads, quiches and omelets, toasts and flatbreads, seasonal specials and more. Save room for dessert! The options at the in-house bakery are sure to delight anyone’s sweet tooth. Shop around the home and garden center before leaving.
720 Kings Highway | 645-0300
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12 p.m. – Stroll down Second Street for boutique shopping
Take a leisurely stroll down Second Street in the center of Lewes for boutique window shopping. Pop into Blooming Boutique to find everything from comfortable sweatshirts to jewelry and skincare products. Right down the street is Twila Farrell, a unique boutique where customers can find the perfect outfit for a night on the town or a trip to the beach. End the shopping extravaganza at The Bungalow on 2nd to find the ideal finishing touch for any outfit, room or gift.
107 Second Street, Lewes | 296-6360
112 Second Street, Lewes | 645-7007
142 Second Street, Lewes | 644-1544
1:30 p.m. – Head to Agave for lunch
Whether you’ve worked up an appetite shopping or just want to stop for a quick bite before continuing your day in Lewes, Agave is a great place to dine. Share a guacamole sampler or a tray of Agave’s Super Nachos. Choose from entrees like fish tacos, a variety of quesadillas, burritos, fajitas and more. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a pomegranate or ancho chili margarita to wash it all down.
137 2nd Street, Lewes | 462-4283
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2 p.m. – Stop at Nectar Café & Juice Bar for a smoothie or juice
If you’d prefer something lighter, stroll down to this homey café for a healthy lunch and maybe a mimosa or two. Offering everything from breakfast to lunch, Nectar Café serves delicious dishes including the Vedge, a vegan dish with zucchini, squash, portobello mushroom, roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, spinach and mozzarella with pesto and balsamic glaze on a ciabatta roll. Pair it with the nonalcoholic Good Morning Sunshine for a kick of fiber to keep the day going strong. Alcoholic drinks are available as well.
111 Neils Alley, Lewes | 645-5842
2:30 p.m. – Visit the scenic Cape Henlopen State Park
There’s so much to do and see in this expanse of woods, shoreline, historic landmarks and hiking trails. Whether you choose to visit the Fort Miles Museum for a look at American military history, bike the trails or walk along the shore and take a dip in the Delaware Bay, you can’t consider a day in Lewes complete without a visit to the cape.
15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes
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5 p.m. – Grab a bite to eat at Heirloom
Lewes is home to many incredible eateries. Perhaps the hardest part of any trip to Lewes is choosing where to stop for dinner. This beautiful restaurant can be mistaken for a white Victorian home with red shutters, but is in fact one of the many great places to grab dinner in Lewes. The seasonal menu changes to reflect the bounty of each time of year. Visit in the summer to try entrees like pan-seared mahi mahi with green beans from Fifer Orchard or the heirloom veggie bowl filled with local produce.
212 Savannah Road, Lewes | 313-4065
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6 p.m. – Catch a live show at Lewes’ “Rocking the Docks” summer music series
This is your chance to see nationally touring artists in Lewes! If you visit during the summer months, you can enjoy live music on various Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Lewes Ferry Grounds. Find a full list of artists and show dates online.
43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes
8 p.m. – Finish the evening with a nightcap from Big Oyster Brewery
Located in the Big Red Barn on Kings Highway, Big Oyster Brewery has a full bar with 16 beers on tap, a wine list, and to-go four-packs, crowlers and growlers. Grab a flight and taste locally brewed craft beer, then leave with a four-pack of your favorite.
1007 Kings Highway, Lewes | 644-2621
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9:30 p.m. – Tuck in for the night at the Dogfish Inn
Dogfish Inn is an ideal stay in Lewes. Along with cozy overnight accommodations, Dogfish Inn acts as an ideal homebase for all of your explorations around Lewes. The on-site gear shed is a great resource for those staying at the inn to borrow things like beach chairs, binoculars for wildlife watching, tote bags and cornhole bags and boards. Plus, the Dogfish Inn patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a nightcap before turning in for the night.
105 Savannah Road, Lewes | 644-8292
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Want to discover more charming towns in Delaware? View the rest of our 24-hour day trip guides here.
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