8 Best Lakeside Towns in Delaware

A quick lap around Silver Lake or an unplanned paddle on Lums Pond can turn an ordinary Delaware afternoon into the best part of the day. In Smyrna, the water comes with a sandy swim area and rentals for kayaks and canoes. In Laurel, Records Pond adds a restored launch, winter ice fishing, and a quiet freshwater setting within walking distance of town. So pack a cooler and let Delaware’s sparkling waters turn an ordinary day into your next great story.

Lewes

This coastal town offers a range of activities year-round. Home to roughly 3,000 residents, Lewes, Delaware, is positioned at the mouth of Delaware Bay just west of Cape Henlopen. Downtown Lewes is completely accessible on foot and includes an array of museums, charming and unique shops, eateries, and maritime history tours. A historic landmark worth noting is Cannonball House, the only structure to survive damage when the town was bombed during the War of 1812. Inside the building today is the Lewes Maritime Museum, a window into life out on the sea.

Considered a year-round hot spot for tourists due to its sandy shores, vibrant downtown, and recreational activities, Lewes is also home to a large saltwater lagoon known as Gordon’s Pond, located within Cape Henlopen State Park, just a six-minute drive or 45-minute walk from downtown Lewes. This vast recreational area spans 5,000 acres and is home to the Fort Miles artillery park and two swimming beaches. It also boasts food concessions with showers and changing rooms, an 18-hole disc golf course, and basketball courts.

Rehoboth Beach

This resort community is best known for its clean sandy beach glistening with taupe-colored sand and its almost 1-mile-long wooden boardwalk. Rehoboth, Delaware, lies along the Atlantic Ocean and is home to approximately 1,400 residents. Rehoboth is a coastal community offering family-friendly attractions, with a range of hotels, restaurants, boutique shops, and entertainment. Kids of all ages visit Rehoboth’s boardwalk for its Funland Amusement Park, arcade, carnival-style rides, and scrumptious food choices.

Despite these main attractions, Rehoboth also features several other bodies of water that are often overlooked due to the town’s proximity to the ocean and its access to the sandy shore. Located near the northern end of the boardwalk is Lake Gerar, a 15-acre body of fresh water situated behind the Henlopen Hotel and accessible via Lake Avenue or the intersection of Virginia Avenue and the Boardwalk. A reprieve from the large beach crowds, Lake Gerar is surrounded by a park offering a picnic area with grills, walking trails, and a kid-friendly fishing pier known for catching large-mouth bass, pumpkinseed, carp, and black crappie fish.

Millsboro

Often overlooked due to its proximity to popular beach towns such as Lewes and Rehoboth, Millsboro is a historic town with plenty of modern amenities. With just over 7,500 residents, it sits alongside the Indian River. Downtown Millsboro features places to wet your palate, along with a variety of modern and vintage shops. It’s also home to the historic Nanticoke Indian Museum, dedicated to sharing the story of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, which first settled Millsboro.

Anchored by the Indian River and Millsboro Pond, the town is surrounded by water, wetlands, marshes, and preserved areas that offer a tranquil escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Millsboro Pond is a 101-acre reservoir located on the banks of the Indian River and just minutes from downtown. It is home to Cupola Park, known for its abundance of statuesque cypress trees. In the spring, summer, and fall, the park offers two public boat ramps, a playground for kids, picnic tables, pavilions, and barbecue grills. Millsboro Pond is best known for being a popular fishing spot that is well-stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie, and pickerel. It is also a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 100 types of birds.

Dover

Delaware’s state capital, Dover, is bursting with sights and activities. The second largest city in the state, Dover, is home to over 38,640 residents. With over 10 nationally recognized museums and a downtown full of history buffs, people from all over come to learn about the city that helped pave the way for American culture. The state’s capital is home to the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity races at the Dover Motor Speedway and Dover Air Force Base.

For downtime and outdoor fun, locals and tourists alike head over to Silver Lake. This charming urban lake offers recreational activities and family fun across 167 acres of marshy woodlands. While swimming is currently not permitted, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities are available to the public. There are walking and hiking paths, a playground, picnic areas, and plenty of natural environments to enjoy. Anglers come to catch catfish, perch, and carp while bird enthusiasts enjoy the different types of waterfowl that peruse the shoreline.

Laurel

As the nation’s first state, Delaware is filled with history, and the town of Laurel is no exception. Incorporated in 1883 and named for the wild laurel that grew along its creek banks, the town attracts visitors for its extensive historic district. If the architecture of its buildings is not vintage enough, those interested in the area’s past can visit several museums, including the Nanticoke Indian Museum and the Laurel Heritage Museum, located in the town’s historic train station.

Yet Laurel offers more than history. The town of Laurel is home to a shallow, freshwater body of water known as Records Pond, or Laurel Lake, as locals call it. Just a few minutes' walk from downtown, the lake is man-made and was developed in 1900 with the completion of the Records Pond Dam on Broad Creek. At just over 90 acres, it is one of the larger lakes in Delaware. A newly restored boat ramp makes it an excellent location for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. With a large picnic area and a small swimming area, it is known as a tranquil spot for wildlife observation. Biking and hiking trails are also available. In the winter, the lake freezes and becomes an ice fisherman’s paradise.

Bear

About 15 miles south of Wilmington, in northern Delaware, sits the community of Bear. Bear combines the beauty of nature with the convenience of small-town living, all while offering the amenities of a big city. While there is no traditional downtown area, the town itself is filled with family-friendly parks, shopping centers, local breweries, restaurants, and art studios.

Bear is home to Lums Pond, the largest freshwater pond in Delaware and the centerpiece of Lums Pond State Park, which covers more than 1,700 acres of woodland and shoreline. In spring and summer, the water becomes a recreational hotspot, and tourists from all over can visit the park to enjoy an array of outdoor activities. Swimming is not permitted at any time of year; however, visitors can enjoy the fresh water by canoeing, kayaking, or boating. Equestrian and walking trails are also available. During the winter months, the pond freezes over, creating a common spot for ice skating and sledding.

Nature enthusiasts can learn more about the natural environments of Bear, Lums Pond, and the State Park at the Whale Wallow Nature Center, an educational facility featuring local native wildlife. The Center features a 500-gallon freshwater fish tank and offers field trips, day camps, and public programs.

Felton

At just three‑quarters of a mile long and home to roughly 1,500 residents, Felton may seem small at first glance, but its minute size is part of its charm. Established in the mid‑1800s thanks to its proximity to the Delaware Railroad, the town is known for its quiet, rural atmosphere and rich history. With its historic architecture and the friendly, down‑to‑earth nature of its community, Felton has a way of feeling like home the moment you arrive. As small as it is, Felton also lacks a traditional downtown area, and most residents venture to nearby Dover for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

A major draw for visitors is Killens Pond State Park, located within the town limits. From spring through fall, the park offers an impressive range of activities, including a scenic boardwalk, a fully equipped campground, and a water park complete with a leisure pool and waterslides. Visitors come from all over to cast a line in Killens Pond, which is known for its abundance of bass, sunfish, and crappie. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, and a nature center featuring live animals and plant exhibits.

Smyrna

Smyrna is a community in south-central Delaware. With a population of almost 13,000, Smyrna is still considered a small town, yet it maintains all the services and amenities of a larger city. A community rich in culture and history, a large portion of its downtown area is part of its registered historic district. Glimpses of the past are evident in its 19th-century architecture, and for a complete time travel experience, take a tour of the downtown Smyrna Museum. There are also plenty of restaurants, breweries, ice cream shops, and shopping to entertain every traveler.

A key feature of this charming town is Lake Como. Located just minutes from downtown, Lake Como features a small sandy beach with picnic areas, pavilions, a playground, and a boat launch. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are available to rent for a fee. This crystal-clear body of water is ideal for swimming, so feel free to jump in and cool off. Lake Como is also known as a much sought-after fishing spot by anglers nationwide, as it is completely stocked with black crappie, pickerel, bluegill, largemouth bass, white perch, and yellow perch.

A Different Side of Delaware’s Waterways

Whether planning a weekend getaway, seeking a relaxing refuge, or adding to your must-see bucket list, these waterfront towns deliver something unforgettable for the whole family. From the northern part of the state to the scenic stretches of central Delaware, through the sunnier disposition of the south, the state’s lakes, rivers, and bays blend outdoor adventure with pure relaxation. Across these eight towns, the water isn’t background. It’s part of the local routine, with parks, paths, and easy access that hold up beyond peak season.