Getting There

By Car -- From points north, take routes 113 and 13 to Route 1 and then to Route 9 (Savannah Rd.) into town. From the south, take Route 113 to Georgetown, and then take Route 9 east to Lewes. From Ocean City or Rehoboth, take Route 1 to Route 9. From the west, take Route 50 across the Bay Bridge to Route 404 east, and then to Route 9.

By Ferry -- Many visitors come to Lewes via the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, an 80-minute Delaware Bay minicruise that connects southern New Jersey to mid-Delaware and saves considerable driving for north- or southbound passengers along the Atlantic coast. In operation since 1964, this ferry service maintains a fleet of five vessels, each holding up to 800 passengers and 100 cars. Departures are daily year-round, from early morning until evening, with almost hourly service in the summer months from 7am to 9pm. Passenger rates are $6 off season, $8 in high season; the charge for vehicles ranges from $20 to $25, with reduced prices for motorcycles and bicycles. Reservations are recommended. In New Jersey, the Cape May Terminal is at the end of the Garden State Parkway. The Lewes Terminal (tel. 302/644-6030) is by the Cape Henlopen State Park entrance, about a mile from the center of town. For reservations and information, call tel. 800/64-FERRY or see their website. Shuttle service is available to both Cape May and Lewes every day in summer and on weekends in spring and fall for an extra $3.

By Plane -- Visitors arriving by plane should fly into the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport.

Visitor Information

Contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (tel. 302/645-8073). The chamber's office is in the Fisher-Martin House at Kings Highway, next to the Zwaanendael Museum. It's open year-round, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. In summer, it's also open Saturday from 9am to 3pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. You can also get a visitors' guide from the Southern Delaware Tourism Office (tel. 800/357-1818).

Getting Around

The Seaport Taxi of Lewes, 1016D Hwy. 1 (tel. 302/645-6800), operates a taxi service from the ferry terminal to downtown, as well as local service. Ferry passengers can call from the information station at the ferry terminal.

Special Events

The Great Delaware Kite Festival is held at Cape Henlopen State Park on Good Friday. The first weekend in October brings the Boast the Coast/Coast Day weekend. Boast the Coast, sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the town's nautical history. The highlight is the lighted boat parade in the canal. Coast Day (tel. 302/831-8083) is sponsored by and held at the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies in Lewes. The fair includes lectures, ship tours, marine aquariums, and a crab-cake cook-off. These events are free except for a small parking fee.

Nearby Milton hosts the World Championship Punkin' Chunkin' (tel. 302/684-8196), held the first weekend in November. Contestants enter their own mechanical contraptions (no explosives allowed) to see which can hurl a pumpkin the farthest -- and that can be 4,000 feet or more. In addition, there are food and crafts vendors, live bands, and entertainment for kids. It's silly, rowdy, and a lot of fun. Admission is $5; parking is $1. Be prepared for traffic on routes 9 and 24 -- up to 35,000 people come to this.