This Is The Friendliest Small Town In Delaware
Beyond its history of shipwrecks, historic battles, and pirate raids, Lewes, the “First Town in the First State,” boasts a legacy of welcoming people to its shores. Today, the town’s setting at the mouth of the Delaware River as it enters the Delaware Bay makes it a popular destination for a classic beach vacation. However, Lewes offers so much more than just its scenic coast. With a history of tenacity, maritime safety, and Dutch heritage, Lewes shines as the best place in Delaware to not only experience coastal beauty but also engage with a rich maritime culture. Whether visiting Lewes for its gorgeous shores, spirited festivals, or beautifully preserved historic sites, hospitality and kindness will follow you every step of the way.
A Friendly Town Keeping Its Dutch Heritage And Maritime Legacy Alive
The origin of Lewes dates back to 1631, when Dutch pioneers sailed across the Atlantic in search of a whaling colony. Excited by its rewarding setting on Delaware Bay, they founded the town as “Zwaanendael.” Decades later, the colony was on its way to becoming a significant maritime hub, which was amplified by the construction of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse in 1767. The structure not only helped decrease shipwrecks by improving sea navigation but also enhanced the town’s reputation as an important maritime town.
Zwaanendael was eventually renamed Lewes in 1685 by William Penn, whose family was granted land rights by the King of England. Change continued to impact Lewes in the years that followed, with pirates storming its shores in the late 1800s and a British frigate raiding the town during the War of 1812. In spite of this chaos, Lewes blossomed into a thriving port, housing several shipbuilding companies and establishing a reputation for its skilled maritime pilots.
With the construction of a US Coast Guard Station in Lewes in 1883, Lewes continued to uphold its legacy of maritime safety, a value that remains intact to this day. Also intact is the town’s Dutch and maritime heritage, celebrated through its contemporary festivals, museums, and beautifully preserved historic sites.
Upcoming Lewes Events and Festivals In 2025
Lewes Tulip Festival
In honor of its Dutch heritage, Lewes will celebrate its 16th annual Tulip Celebration in 2025. Each year, the maritime community comes to life with thousands of vibrant flowers to welcome spring, hosting flower sales, art exhibitions, and Bloom Walking Tours. In 2024, visitors were able to see over thirty thousand tulips at over 20 locations across town. Keep in mind, since bloom timing is an inexact science, the 2025 festival dates are still being discussed, so keep your eyes peeled for March and April.
Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
For a weekend of creativity, consider visiting Lewes for its annual Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival. Celebrating its 18th year, this treasured event will take place from June 7th to 8th, 2025, featuring live music and over 70 talented sea glass artists. The family-friendly event will be hosted at the Lewes Historical Society, where attendees can also enjoy art workshops, lectures on the history of sea glass, and captivating glass-blowing demonstrations.
Annual Maritime Day Celebration
The Annual Maritime Day Celebration is a newer Lewes tradition, commemorating the town’s maritime heritage. 2025 will mark the celebration’s 4th year, with an exact date yet to be determined. The festivities generally take place at the Lightship Overfalls and CanalFront Park, featuring tours of the Lightship Overfalls museum, water cannon displays, boat rides, and other maritime-themed activities. Much of the event is free, and while many activities are aimed at children, the festivities are fun and educational for the whole family.
Top Attractions In Lewes
Lewes Beach
Curving along the shores of the Delaware Bay, Lewes Beach is one of the town’s top attractions. While certain sections are closed to out-of-towners for residential use, there are countless entry points visitors are welcome to enjoy. Johnnie Walker Beach and Savannah Beach are the two most popular shores in the Lewes park system, their third-mile stretch parted by a dune. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy calm waves, soft sands, and a relaxed atmosphere at both shores, although Savannah Beach stands out as the more inclusive of the two, offering free beach wheelchairs available to rent.
Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park is another anchor attraction in Lewes, proven by welcoming nearly 2 million visitors in 2022. The 5,000-acre area blends maritime heritage and nature, showcasing historic landmarks and a range of coastal landscapes. History enthusiasts like to start at the Fort Miles Historical Area where they can explore underground bunkers and batteries used in WWII to defend the nation’s coast. On the Bike Loop Trail, visitors can also access WWII landmarks like the Cape Henlopen Observation Tower. Once a Fire Control Tower, today it can be climbed for unbelievable panoramic views of the park.
For a taste of Cape Henlopen’s wild side, the Beach Plum Island Nature Preserve is a great follow-up. Although only a portion of the preserve is open for exploration to protect local wildlife, the dunes and marsh habitats provide a stunning glimpse into the area’s ecology. Other shores, like Herring Point, allow more freedom. The beach is a popular fishing, swimming, and surfing spot, while land lovers can enjoy ocean views atop a dune.
Before the sun slips away, make sure to visit Cape Henlopen’s other top attractions, like the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. While 145 feet of the pier are currently under repair, visitors can still stroll and appreciate over 1,000 feet of scenic views. For an experience the whole family will love, the park’s Seaside Nature Center is another must, boasting a 1,000-gallon aquarium exhibit and an interactive touch tank. But before you wave goodbye to this coastal treasure, make sure to head to The Point for sunset views over the actual “point” where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic.
Historic Sites And Heritage Attractions
Beyond Cape Henlopen’s WWII landmarks, the “First Town in the First State” offers a remarkable range of historic sites and attractions. One standout site is the Zwaanendael Museum, which celebrates Lewes’ Dutch heritage and maritime past with exhibits on the area’s Dutch origins, shipwrecks, and everything in between. Other notable activities in Lewes include snapping a postcard-worthy photo at the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, a historic beacon built in 1926.
As a follow-up, the Overfalls Lightship Maritime Museum is a short drive from the iconic beacon. Now docked and offering seasonal tours of the historic vessel, the Lightship is known for being the last of its kind built for the US Lighthouse Service in 1938. For the chance to get further out on the water, the Pirates of Lewes Expedition is a family-friendly activity paying homage to Lewes’ pirate past. The 70-minute expedition “combines history, entertainment, and excitement” aboard a replica pirate ship, offering interactive activities and stories of local legends from the Golden Age of Piracy.
What Makes Lewes The Friendliest Small Town In Delaware?
Over the centuries, Lewes has undoubtedly endured its fair share of mayhem. But amidst the chaos of pirate raids and historic battles, this coastal town has endured and prospered, earning its reputation as a beacon of hope and hospitality. Today, the residents of Lewes are still more than happy to welcome visitors here, just as its historic port did centuries prior. From the thousands of festival goers to the millions visiting Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes residents are happy to share in the celebration of their town's rich Dutch and maritime heritage. Whether you come to Lewes for its scenic shores, its frozen-in-time museums, or its colorful celebrations, this tight-knit community will welcome you with open arms.
