This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Delaware Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination
By Meghan Byers|Published March 06, 2023
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Meghan Byers
Author
A New Jersey native, Meghan is passionate about travel and enjoys finding off-the-beaten path destinations. You're most likely to find her at a coffee shop, or hitting the trails with her dogs. She graduated with a creative writing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been writing professionally for over a decade.
If you’re looking for the best walkable small towns in Delaware, look no further than Lewes. Lewes, Delaware is a small town meant to be explored on foot, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings all gathered together within a half-square mile. Stroll along its peaceful streets and you’ll soon see why this sleepy little seaside town is the perfect Delaware day trip destination.
Situated along the banks of the Delaware Bay, Lewes has the salty air, beautiful scenery, and laidback feel of the best coastal towns - although it tends to be quieter than its more popular neighbor, Rehoboth Beach, so you’ll be able to avoid the bigger crowds here.
Proudly called “the first town in the first state,” Lewes was the site of the first European settlement in Delaware. Dutch settlers established a whaling and trading post there in 1631, and called it Zwaanendael, or “Swan Valley.”
Today, the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, built in 1931 and modeled on 17th-century Dutch architecture, serves as a place to learn about the Lewes area’s history throughout the centuries. It’s just one of many fascinating records of the past located within the Lewes Historic District.
Downtown Lewes is mainly centered around Front Street and Second Street. Here you’ll find plenty of unique shops to pique your interest, like The Vintage Underground, where you can find vintage clothing and vinyl. Or check out biblion for used and rare books. On Front Street, be sure to stop by PUZZLES, where you’ll find, yes, you guessed it, tons of puzzles and thinking games.
If all that walking makes you hungry, you’ve got plenty of options for lunch or dinner. There’s the seafood-centric Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant which also offers some Irish-inspired fare, Touch of Italy for some delicious Italian cuisine, and Kindle, a cozy bistro serving American fare with a French influence. These are just a few of the great restaurants in town.
After your meal, grab a delicious pick-me-up in the form of a caffeinated beverage at local favorite Notting Hill Coffee Roastery. You’ll find lots of pastries to choose from for dessert, too.
Cape Henlopen State Park is definitely worth a visit while you’re here, with over 4,000 acres of gorgeous seaside scenery to enjoy. Hit the trails or catch the sunset at The Point Overlook. You can even borrow a bike for free and explore the park that way!
Lewes really is such a wonderful, walkable town in Delaware, with so much to explore. It makes for a truly excellent Delaware day trip any time of year.
