By Alison Netzer
Lewes, Delaware is known as the First Town in the First State. A small historic town with an added feature of a beach. Lewes is a Mid-Atlantic beach on the bay. The sand is coarse and the water’s cool. The public beach is less crowded than most and it is not packed with touristy t-shirt shops selling identical items to visitors willing to buy.
It is an ideal place for you and your family. It is a perfect place to recharge while fishing, hiking, or sailing. It’s a destination where memories are made! Houses are lined up right along the beach, and the local Dairy Queen has been the only place to buy food on that beach for 30 years.
Every day, a sand bar pops up at low tide and, when it does, you will see a mass migration of kids and adults alike heading out to discover the sea creatures that come with the exposed sand. Some just like to wade on the shallow, yellow rippled sand that’s splashed with lapping water. Others build sand castles hoping they won’t disappear too soon with the rising tide. The sand bar is what kids look forward to every day while on the beach of Lewes.
Things To Do In And Around Town
Take a stroll into the historic town of Lewes with the family and discover the historic buildings, some dating back to the late 17th century. Take time to explore some of the antique shops lining the main street and pop into King’s Ice Cream Shop to treat kids to something sweet. With ice-cream in hand, head across the street to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery, where you’ll find tombstones dating back to the early 1700’s.
Fisherman’s Wharf, located right off of main-street, offers half-day and full-day fishing trips for those ready to catch their meal. They provide head boats and charter boats as well as providing gear, bait, and assistance with fishing.
Cape Henlopen State Park offers families options for a public beach, bike rides, hikes, and camping. They also have a small nature center for kids to explore the critters that call the Delaware beach their home up close. The State Park also offers some day and night time excursions like ghost crab hunting and beach seining. They also have weeklong camps for younger kids in the summer.
The Pirates of Lewes Expedition lets your inner pirate come to life. The Pirate expedition is a boat ride down the canal to the bay, seeking out treasure and chasing off bad guys with pressure water canons. It is complete with a treasure map and small treasure given to the kids at the end of the ride.
If you are interested in history, the Historical Society of Lewes offers historic and maritime tours of the town. Tickets are $10 USD and can be purchased at the Ryves Holt House located right on Main Street in town.
Where To Eat
Lewes has many kid friendly options for eating out. If you’re staying in the town, you can check out Agave, a solid Mexican joint. But expect a wait, no matter what day of the week or time of the year.
The Pig and Publican, located closer to the beach and not quite on main street, is a wonderful option for local pub grub. Here you will find soups, sandwiches, and entrees plus a great selection of craft beer.
Half Full is a great option for brick oven pizzas and a vast selection of wines and local beers, plus options for kids. Although small, families will love the service and what kid doesn’t like good pizza?!
Places to Stay
Lewes has a small selection of hotels, none located on the beach. The Blue Water House Bed and Breakfast is a quirky, theme-based hotel a couple of blocks from the beach.
Another fun option is The DogFish Head Inn. The hotel is owned by the people that run the Dog Fish Head brewing company. They offer packages to their brewery, along with a stay at their hotel.
However, the best option for families is to rent a house located on or near the bay. Most homes are large enough to accommodate more than one family. This is a great option when wanting to make a summer vacation with other families. Rentals typically go from Saturday to Saturday in the summer. Airbnb, VRBO, and Homeaway are great options when searching for rentals. Another option is to use Jack Lingo Realtors. They have been renting homes in Lewes for many years, long before the advent of Internet and are experts the entire area. Most rentals near or on the beach are a short walk into town.