Biking -- Even if you're not a serious cyclist, bring a bike to Lewes -- the historic streets and shoreline paths are ideal for cycling, and it's a great way to avoid the parking problem in the shopping district. You can also rent bikes from Lewes Cycle Sports, in the Beacon Motel, Savannah Road (tel. 888/800-BIKE or 302/645-4544).

Biking is also one of the best ways to see Cape Henlopen State Park (tel. 302/645-8983). Paved bike routes run through the park and take you places that cars can't go. The terrain is mostly flat, with just a few hills on routes to overlooks.

Bird & Wildlife Watching -- Lewes, located between Cape Henlopen and Prime Hook, is the best base for birders on the Delaware coast. Cape Henlopen State Park (tel. 302/645-8983) is prime breeding ground for the endangered piping plover. (Access is restricted certain times of the year to protect the nesting grounds.) Whales and dolphins appear regularly off the coast of Cape Henlopen, though usually a little farther south. About 10 miles north of Lewes, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, off Route 16 (tel. 302/684-8419), is the best place around for birding and wildlife photography. The refuge has two hiking trails and a 7-mile self-guided canoe trail (bring your own canoe); they're great places to view migrating waterfowl in spring and fall, plus shorebirds, warblers, amphibians, and reptiles in spring. Admission is free; the refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4pm, plus Saturdays and Sundays between April and November from 9am to 4pm. Note: Bring bug repellent, especially in late summer.

Camping -- Campgrounds at Cape Henlopen State Park are open March 1 to November 30. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Call tel. 877/987-2757. There are 139 sites with water and 17 without. Nonresidents pay $29 per night for water sites and $27 for sites without. Two sites are accessible for those with disabilities, and 12 are set aside for tent camping only.

Fishing -- With easy access to both Delaware Bay and the Atlantic, Lewes offers a wide variety of sportfishing opportunities. The fishing season starts when the ocean fills with huge schools of mackerel in late March through April. Large sea trout (weakfish) arrive in early May and June; flounder arrive in May and remain throughout the summer, as do bluefish and shark. As the ocean warms up in June, offshore species such as tuna and marlin begin roaming the waters. Bottom fishing in the bay for trout, flounder, sea bass, and blues continues all summer, with late August through September often providing the largest catches. October and November bring porgies, shad, and blackfish. No license is required for tidal-water fishing. Surf-fishing permits are available at Cape Henlopen.

Arrange headboat ocean and bay fishing excursions and cruises at Fisherman's Wharf, Anglers Road (tel. 302/645-8862), or at Angler's Fishing Center, Anglers Road (tel. 302/644-4533). Call for full-day, half-day, or nighttime excursions.

Cape Henlopen is great for shore and surf fishing. In Lewes, try the Lewes Harbor Marina, 217 Anglers Rd. (tel. 302/645-6227), for fishing supplies.

Horseback Riding -- Windswept Stables (tel. 302/645-1561) offers horseback excursions along trails or on the beach.

Kayaking -- Quest Kayak (tel. 302/644-7020) offers Saturday dolphin counts, as well as tours of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, area lighthouses, and Delaware's other coastal waterways.