One of Delaware's best cafes is in the charming coastal town of Lewes. While fighting beach traffic in the summer or heading all the way to the water in the off-season may seem like a chore, the drive is absolutely worth it just for the best desserts in Delaware at the gorgeous Station on Kings.
The Station On Kings is a greenhouse garden center restaurant that's drawn a big foodie following in the First State.
It's the prettiest cafe in Delaware, with a gorgeous garden center patio and charming decor that draws in guests even long before they've had the pleasure of dining here.
The Bakery here at the Station on Kings is one of the best in the country, in our opinion. If you're looking for sweet treats, there's no better place to go.
If the gorgeous decor of this garden center cafe isn't enough to win you over, the beautiful presentation of each treat baked at the Station on Kings is sure to capture your heart.
Come enjoy a pie, a slice of cake, some sweet fruit tarts or delicious petit fours at the best little bakery in Delaware, and you'll be so glad you made the drive!
You can find the seasonal hours and more information about the Station on Kings on their website. To see what the bakery is whipping up, follow this garden cafe in Delaware on Facebook.
Where do you go to get sweet treats here in the First State? We've found the best desserts in Delaware are worth a trip around the state, so these 11 bakeries in Delaware that make dessert irresistible belong on your First State bucket list, too!
Delawareans know that the First State is rich in history and natural beauty, but you don’t always see that side of the state by sticking to the main roads. If you want to experience some of Delaware’s best scenery and historic sites, get off the beaten path and take the Delaware Bayshore Byway. You’ll travel along the Delaware River and Bay Estuary, meandering along on a two-lane road that allows you to really take in the sights. Only just designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2021, the Delaware Bayshore Byway invites you to explore historic river towns, coastal marshlands, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the landmarks and natural beauty you’ll see along this road less traveled...
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Beginning in New Castle and traveling all the way to Lewes, the Delaware Bayshore Byway is approximately 100 miles long, depending on what points of interest you decide to check out along the way.
The New Castle Court House Museum, built in 1732, is a wonderful first stop for those interested in Delaware history. It's located of course in beautiful New Castle, a charming destination in itself with cobblestone streets and over 600 historic buildings. The New Castle Court House is one of the oldest courthouses in the entire country, and today operates as a museum with an array of interesting exhibits to explore different aspects of Delaware's past.
Our next stop is Fort Delaware State Park. Located on Pea Patch Island, Fort Delaware was constructed in the 1800s and served to protect Wilmington and Philadelphia from attacks all the way through World War I.
During the Civil War, it actually housed captured Confederate soldiers. Today, you can step back in time at Fort Delaware - with the help of costumed historical interpreters - to the summer of 1864, when the fort housed both Confederate prisoners of war and Union soldiers.
Another wonderful place to stop along the Delaware Bayshore Byway is the Port Penn Interpretive Center, where you'll take another look back into the past and get a glimpse into the lives of the people of the Delaware River area up through the 1930s.
Though it was founded as Cantwell's Bridge back in the 1700s, Odessa was later named after the city in Ukraine. With a population of less than 400, this is a tiny, tiny town but well worth a visit. Pictured is Cantwell's Tavern, which opened in 1822 and operated as a pub and hotel for a century before closing its doors for a time. It reopened in the early 2000s in its new incarnation as a tavern and restaurant serving New American fare. This is a great place to take a break and enjoy a meal before hitting the road again!
Woodland Beach Wildlife Area is a great stop for nature lovers. With over 6,000 acres dedicated to wildlife management, Woodland Beach includes tidal marsh, forest, and more. Located within Woodland Beach Wildlife Area is the Aquatic Resource Education Center, which has an interpretive trail, accessible boardwalk, and aquariums and other educational displays within the education building.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is another must-do. A refuge for migratory birds, Bombay Hook spans 16,000 acres of mostly marsh. It's a nationally recognized birding spot! The easy, half-mile Bombay Boardwalk Trail is an excellent way to stretch your legs and take in the sights.
Aviation enthusiasts, this one is for you! Once home to various fighter squadrons from the 1950s to the 1970s, the Air Mobility Command Museum is the only museum dedicated to airlift and air refueling history. The museum is now home to over 30 historic aircraft, including a 1934 biplane.
Next on our list is the John Dickinson Plantation. Once home to United States Constitution framer and signer John Dickinson, it was also the home of indentured servants, and free and enslaved Black men, women, and children. Their stories are told by historical interpreters who lead tours of the plantation. This is an important look into oft-forgotten Delaware history.
This is just a small selection of all the many historic sites and scenic destinations you can visit along the Delaware Bayshore Byway.
Have you ever driven along the Delaware Bayshore Byway? What did you think of your trip along this Delaware treasure? And don't forget to check out our road trip essentials before your drive!
The Historic Lewes Byway in Delaware, also known as the Gateway to the Bayshore, travels right through the small town of Lewes – known not just for its beauty and seaside charm, but also for being “the First Town in the First State” of the United States of America. Hundreds of years of history, from indigenous settlements onward, can be found along the Lewes Byway. And the coastal views are stunning; it's easily one of the best scenic drives in Delaware. So if you’re ready for a history-rich Delaware road trip along one of the most beautiful routes in the state, pack your bags, and let’s head out on the road.
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The Historic Lewes Byway, Gateway to the Bayshore spans twelve miles, six roadways, and almost 400 years of Lewes history along the way. The route may not be as long as other scenic byways, but we’d still recommend at least one full day to truly explore all there is to see.
If you need someplace to stay overnight, the Savannah Inn is a charming choice, housed in a renovated brick Victorian home built in 1914.
There are multiple options where you can start the Byway route: "the Gateways from the Land" (Kings Highway, Savannah Road, and New Road), or the "Gateways from the Sea" (Pilottown Road, Neck Road, and Cape Henlopen Drive). The route travels along Pilottown Road/First Street, Gills Neck Road, New Road, Kings Highway, Cape Henlopen Drive, and Savannah Road, taking you right through the town of Lewes.
The Zwaanendael Museum, built in 1932, is a must-visit along your route, if only for its beautiful (and slightly out-of-place) Dutch architecture. It's worth stepping inside to learn about the first European colony, Swanendael (settled by the Dutch), in what is now Lewes, and to view some interesting artifacts...such as the "Fiji Merman," on display since 1941.
Stroll onward through the Lewes Historic District and you'll find plenty of other examples of historical architecture, like this home. One particular standout is the Cannonball House, which still has a cannonball lodged in its side from the War of 1812, during the Bombardment of Lewes.
Another must-see is the Lightship Overfalls, located in Lewes Canalfront Park. This ship was built in 1938 for the United States Lighthouse Service and, since being decommissioned, has been in Lewes since 1973. You can take a guided tour above and below deck -- visit the Lightship Overfalls website to find out current hours and plan your visit.
The Lewes Historical Society offers a variety of walking tours, from historic architecture tours to "Lewes Legends," with the latter highlighting Lewes's spookier side. Visit the Lewes Historical Society website and find out about current tours offered and upcoming events and exhibitions.
For a somewhat less historically accurate adventure, climb aboard a "pirate ship" in Lewes with Pirates of Lewes Expeditions. There's a daytime tour for kids, and an evening adults-only tour available. Both sail along the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal and make for a memorable adventure.
And of course, no trip along the Gateway to the Bayshore is complete without a thorough exploration of beautiful Cape Henlopen State Park. Over six miles of coastline, hiking and biking trails, a campground with cabins, and so much more await here.
Explore the diverse habitats that make up the ecosystem along the Delaware Bay. You can borrow a bike for free to travel along the trails if you'd like. Visit the Cape Henlopen State Park website for current Borrow-A-Bike hours.
