This Small Delaware Town Has The Best Downtown
In Delaware, Lewes is a self-proclaimed walking town. Surprisingly, within only a half-mile square in downtown Lewes’ Historic District, you will find historical landmarks such as the Ryves Holt House, the oldest surviving house in the entire state of Delaware, and premier dining establishments like the Lewes Oyster House. Beachgoers can access Savannah Beach from downtown, where they can relax on the sand along the Delaware Bay. Not everywhere can incorporate historical landmarks, acclaimed restaurants, and outdoor spaces into its downtown, yet Delaware’s oldest town has managed to pull it off.
Lewes Historic District
The Ryves Holt House is on Second Street near Mulberry Street in the Lewes Historic District. It was built in the late 17th century and is named after Ryves Holt, who was appointed the Naval Officer of the Port of Lewes. He and his family moved to Lewes from Philadelphia in 1721. The house stayed in his family until 1792, when his step-great-grandson and War of 1812 hero, Jacob Jones, sold the property. Ownership changed hands over the years until Historic Lewes acquired it in 2005. Today, it operates as the Lewes Historical Society Visitor Center and a museum Gift Shop.
The Lewes Town Clock is along Second Street. The details in its design are reminiscent of architectural elements and styles of the surrounding buildings that date back to the 1700s and 1800s. The clock was erected to commemorate the founding of Delaware's first European settlement in 1631 by Dutch colonists.
The Lewes Oyster House is just a short walk along Second Street from the town clock. In keeping with the Lewes Historic District, the Oyster House pays tribute to the tradition of oyster service in 18th- and 19th-century Mid-Atlantic taverns. Their menu combines Mid-Atlantic comfort foods with world beers, classic and signature cocktails, and a wine list that pairs well with menu items. Happy hour is offered daily, making it a convenient stop while exploring the town.
Front Street
Front Street is the next street over from Second Street and runs perpendicular to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. 1812 Memorial Park overlooks the water and is dedicated to the defense of Lewes against a two-day attack by the British on April 6th and 7th, 1813. The park was the site of a defense battery during the War of 1812. This area is marked in the park with a large granite monument. Different forms of artillery are dotted around the park, including four large guns on the upper terrace, a smaller gun believed to have been taken from a pirate vessel, and a three-inch naval gun on the lower terrace from World War I.
The Lewes Maritime Museum is located inside the Cannonball House. Among Lewes’ historic buildings, the Cannonball House stands out as the only surviving structure damaged during the 1813 bombardment. The house got its name from a cannonball that is still lodged in its foundation.
Historic Lewes acquired the home in 1963 and turned it into a maritime museum. Exhibits revolve around the War of 1812, Lewes’ role in the development of electronic technology, and navigation of Delaware Bay and Delaware River.
Savannah Road
The Zwaanendael Museum at 102 Kings Highway traces Lewes’ origins as the site of Swanendael, the short-lived Dutch colony established in 1631. Inside, exhibits move from early settlement to the town’s maritime and military history. The building sits within Zwaanendael Park, where a central fountain and the Fisher-Martin Herb Garden nod to the colonial period. The garden features herbs commonly used in 18th-century kitchens and home remedies.
Savannah Road continues over the Lewes Drawbridge, which spans the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. A drawbridge has been here since 1927, but it was replaced by the current bridge in 1983. It’s a direct route across the canal to other parts of Lewes. Savannah Road ends at Savannah Beach, where a stretch of bayfront sand includes restrooms, food concessions, and a volleyball court.
Venturing out of Downtown
Cape Henlopen State Park spans 5,000 acres of beaches, maritime forests, and nesting habitat, with 19.3 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Within the park, the Fort Miles Museum preserves the former World War II coastal defense site, including six barracks buildings, an orientation center, and a fire tower open for views of the coastline.
Within Cape Henlopen, the Seaside Nature Center adds a smaller indoor stop, with a 300-gallon touch tank and five 1,000-gallon aquariums that focus on marine life found in Delaware Bay and along the Atlantic coast.
Downtown is Older Than Delaware
Walking through downtown Lewes reveals layers of history at nearly every turn. The town leaves an impression with many landmarks, such as Cannonball House, which has withstood bombardment and the passage of time, and museums like the Zwaanendael Museum, which echoes Lewes’ early beginnings as a Dutch settlement. For those interested in a town older than the state itself, downtown Lewes offers a compact and deeply rooted historical setting.
