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Lewes Historic Area – Lewes Delaware historical marker for Zwaanendael📷 Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Lewes Historic Area

Lewes, DE

History

A small seaside town on the Delaware Bay with a canal, a Dutch-style museum building and old houses on quiet streets. Browse Second Street, then continue to the beaches a few minutes away.

Lewes is considered the first European settlement in Delaware: on June 3, 1631, Dutch colonists founded the whaling and trading post of Zwaanendael ("Swan Valley") on the Hoorn Kill, now the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. In 1632 the Lenape killed all 32 settlers. In 1813 the Royal Navy bombarded the town, which the Cannonball House recalls with a cannonball lodged in its foundation. Lewes was incorporated in 1818 and today calls itself "The First Town in The First State."

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 for the 300th anniversary of the founding. Architect E. William Martin modeled it on the town hall of Hoorn in the Netherlands, recognizable by its stepped gable. The museum covers the region's maritime, military and social history. The historic core is easily explored on foot in two to three hours; Cape Henlopen State Park lies right next to Lewes.

Nearest town
Lewes, DE
Category
History & culture
GPS
38.7746, -75.1393

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Sources

Nearby

Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware - panoramio© Art Anderson · CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Cape Henlopen State Park

Lewes, DE
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk – DART First State bus 314 on Rehoboth Avenue at boardwalk© Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Oddities

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk

Rehoboth Beach, DE
Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet – Coastal Highway Bridge at Night© Andrew Parlette · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet

Rehoboth Beach, DE
Cape May Lighthouse – Cape May, New Jersey© Townsendma30 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
History

Cape May Lighthouse

Cape May Point, NJ

Campsites nearby

  • Lighthouse Beach RV ResortMotorhome stopover
    10 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • The Depot Travel ParkCampsite
    16 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    TentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Seashore Campsites RV Park & CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    Caravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Sun Outdoors Cape MayMotorhome stopover
    19 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Lost Lands RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    21 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • G&R CampgroundCampsite
    23 mi from Lewes Historic Area
    TentsCaravansElectricity
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Delaware · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Lewes Historic Area?

Lewes Historic Area is in Lewes, DE, at GPS 38.7746, -75.1393. It is about 5 mi from Rehoboth Beach.

Can you camp near Lewes Historic Area?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Cape Henlopen State Park Campground, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 29 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Lewes Historic Area?

Places worth a stop nearby: Cape Henlopen State Park (3 mi), Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (5 mi), Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet (12 mi) and Cape May Lighthouse (15 mi).

When is the best time to visit Lewes Historic Area?

The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

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