What to Do in Lewes: A Day Trip Guide to This Historic Beach Town
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With a walkable cityscape with restaurants, unique boutique shopping and history galore, Lewes is a picturesque beach town in Delaware.
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 beautiful beaches, nature trails and bird sanctuaries.
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 and then plan your own ideal trip to Lewes. P.S. Don’t forget to tag us @DelawareTodayMagazine on Instagram if you visit any of these spots!
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9 a.m. – Bask in a hot cup of joe or a ‘no-frill’ hill sandwich from Notting Hill Coffee Roasters
Awaken your senses first thing in the morning with a caffeine fix at this local coffee shop located on Second Street. Pair your drink with a delicious breakfast sandwich with a real egg and a choice of bacon, ham, sausage, American cheese, provolone, cheddar or Swiss on either a croissant or regular bread. However, if you’re in a hurry, grab and go with either the spinach-feta croissant or cheddar, egg and ham croissant.
124 Second St., Lewes
645-0733
10 a.m. – Learn about Lewes’ history on a Quest Kayaks tour
Guided by a member of the Lewes Historical Society, this history tour is unlike any other. For 90-120 minutes, paddlers can learn about how Lewes was home to Native Americans and Dutch settlers. Gain more knowledge about who Pirate Captain Kidd was, along with the numerous shipwrecks that took place in the Lewes waters. Experience the War of 1812, maritime history and WWII Fort Miles all from your paddleboard.
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12:30 p.m. – Mosey on over to the Nectar Café & Juice Bar for lunch
After working up an appetite, stroll on down to this homey café for a light 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 non-alcoholic 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
RELATED: 6 Trendy Coffee Shops to Visit at the Delaware Beaches
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1:45 p.m. – Stroll down Second Street for some boutique shopping
Take a leisurely stroll down Second Street in the center of Lewes for some 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 perfect finishing touch to any outfit, room or gift.
107 Second St., Lewes
296-6360
112 Second St., Lewes
645-7007
142 Second St., Lewes
644-1544
3:45 p.m. – Relax near the waterfront at the Lewes 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 afternoon.
211 Front St., Lewes
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5:30 p.m. – Grab a bite to eat at Heirloom
This beautiful restaurant can be mistaken for a white Victorian home with red shutters, but is in fact one of the best places to grab dinner in Lewes. Stop in to try Heirloom’s delicious dishes, starting with its fabulous cheese boards. The charcuterie board is to die for! Follow it up with the pan-seared Ocean City scallops with roasted Dittmar Farm cauliflower, hen of the woods mushrooms, shaved leeks, watercress, cauliflower cream and back alley mulberry gastrique.
212 Savannah Rd., Lewes
313-4065
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7 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. It recently released the Popsicle Dreamsicle IPA—brewed with cherry, lime, blue raspberry and vanilla in one IPA taste—and Unreal IPA, which includes Ciara, Mosaic and El Dorado hops.
1007 Kings Hwy., Lewes
644-2621
8:30 p.m. – Tuck in for the night at the Hotel Rodney
Head back to Second Street after a day of adventure to catch some rest at the Hotel Rodney. Or, if an Airbnb is more ideal, check out this historic hideaway in one of the oldest existing buildings on Second Street. The three-story building holds this adorable two-story apartment that regularly appears as one of the best Airbnbs in the state.
142 Second St., Lewes
645-6466
Want to discover more charming towns in Delaware? View the rest of our 24-hour day trip guides here.
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