Can’t Make It to Cape Cod? Try This Delaware Alternative

Cape Cod is a summer dreamscape, with its windswept coastline, dunes, cedar shingles, and bigleaf hydrangeas. It's among New England's most beloved coastal destinations, but it's also quite crowded during the warmer months. If you're looking for an alternative, you'll be pleased to find one right here in Delaware. Cape Henlopen State Park and the nearby town of Lewes have the rugged coastal charm of their Massachusetts counterparts, but with far less tourism.

Cape Henlopen is 5,000 acres of pure maritime beauty. It's located at the meeting point between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, offering visitors a variety of lively ocean waves and calmer bay waters. It's easily the most-visited state park in Delaware, welcoming 1.9-2 million visitors annually. But that's still just a fifth of the number of travelers to Cape Cod, meaning the beaches here will provide some much-needed peace, quiet, and tranquility.

It's difficult to compare a destination like Cape Cod with a single state park, but the nearby town of Lewes is certainly worth exploring. From boutique shopping to waterfront dining, it's easy to fall in love with this seaside town, which isn't so dissimilar to destinations like Chatham and Wellfleet. Some of the most popular restaurants in Lewes include Heirloom, Bramble & Brine at the Buttery, and Matt's Fish Camp.

But you're probably here for the beach, as you should be. There are a handful of public beaches at Cape Henlopen State Park, including Deauville Beach, Herring Point Beach, and the park's main swimming beach situated near the bathhouse. While lounging is always a great idea, the trails offer a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery. In addition to hiking trails, Cape Henlopen also offers a scenic bike trail known as the Cape Henlopen Bike Loop. This three-mile loop is a fantastic way to dive into the park's history—and you can even rent a free bike from the park to use!

And speaking of history, Cape Henlopen has a fascinating one. Fort Miles was constructed during WWII at Cape Henlopen as a coastal defense installation that would protect the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay from a potential German invasion. The creation of the state park was largely an effort to preserve the region's wartime history.

As you can see, there's a lot to uncover, and you'll likely want to spend more than a day here. Fortunately, there are plenty of charming places to stay near Cape Henlopen. (Outdoor enthusiasts can even pitch a tent at the state park!) One vacation rental that caught my eye is a cottage rental just steps from the sand. Moreover, you'll be close to everything this darling town has to offer. So while Cape Cod is certainly a bucket-list-worthy destination, I'd argue that Delaware's coast is every bit as charming and can certainly hold its own.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to plan your trip to Cape Henlopen and the nearby town of Lewes? If so, be sure to send this article to your favorite travel companion and let the adventures begin!