Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Ñaño house with mausoleum skull in foreground.
Ñaño Casa Museo
Honningsvåg Bamse Statue
Honningsvåg Bamse Statue
The salt cairn.
The Lewis and Clark Salt Works
South entrance.
Reigate Tunnel
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The 2,653-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
Meet the Volunteers Who Keep Thru-Hikers Moving
10 days ago
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House building on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?
10 days ago
A woman peering into the cave of Sarah Bishop c. 1900.
The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
10 days ago
The Big Well
This Kansas Town Advertised the World’s Largest Well. It Wasn’t.
11 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Delaware Lewes

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Lewes

8 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Lewes, Delaware

Updated June 21, 2024

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Lewes

Zwaanendael Museum.

Lewes, Delaware

Zwaanendael Museum

A grotesque Fiji merman dwells within this traditional Dutch-style building.

Lewes, Delaware

Bunkers of Cape Henlopen State Park

World War II-era bunkers are hidden under the beaches of this picturesque park, which is still scattered with wartime watchtowers.

Lewes, Delaware

The Cannonball House

The historic home still shows the scars from a little run-in with the British in 1813.
Step right up for a shot and a history lesson.

Lewes, Delaware

Sussex Tavern at Rabbit’s Ferry House

Sip colonial-era cocktails at this monthly recreation of a 1740 watering hole.
The Fountain of Youth may be found in Lewes, Delaware.

Lewes, Delaware

The Fountain of Youth

What if the Fountain of Youth was actually found in Delaware? One historic coastal town believes it to be true.
Lewes Town Clock

Lewes, Delaware

Lewes Town Clock

Designed to commemorate the founding of the first settlement in Delaware.
The menhaden fishing net reel that was vital to Lewes’s maritime history.

Lewes, Delaware

Menhaden Fishing Net Reel

This controversial reel is an artifact of the largest fish processing plant in the country, and a symbol of Delaware's integration.
Permanently Closed

Lewes, Delaware

Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck

A wrecked ship dating back to the American Revolution was only recently discovered off the Delaware coast.

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Lewes

Step right up for a shot and a history lesson.

Lewes, Delaware

Sussex Tavern at Rabbit’s Ferry House

Sip colonial-era cocktails at this monthly recreation of a 1740 watering hole.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Only In Delaware

Sponsored by Visit Delaware

Delaware may not be the largest state in the country (in fact, it’s the second-smallest, and could squeeze into the next biggest state, Connecticut, two times comfortably). It’s not the most metropolitan, either (in fact, its capital city, Dover, is one of the least populated capital cities in the country). Delaware is, however, the oldest state in the country. The rich history therein, along with the natural beauty of the Blue Hen State and the unique characters who have called it home, make it a true hidden gem. From opulent family gardens to cannonball-riddled homes to fascinating defense structures, this itinerary will guide you through some of the state’s most extraordinary attractions. Beside outdoor activities like kayaking, horseback-riding, and fishing, there’s also historic homes, museums, and art installations of unthinkable scale. Sometimes, it’s true what they say—the best things do come in small packages. Welcome to Delaware.

View Itinerary
One of the grandest spaces in the Nemours Estate, The Reception Hall is where the duPonts would celebrate Christmas.

Explore Lewes, Delaware

A
8
Aletrail 3
Museums 2
War History 2
Water 2
Military 2
Local History 2

Lewes Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. dogfishhead
    3
  2. ianlefk
    2
  3. horticulturcat
    1
  4. neon astrolabe
    1
  5. sethmilest
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Lewes.

Places Edited

  1. Deniseg2266
    5
  2. blimpcaptain
    3
  3. ianlefk
    3
  4. neon astrolabe
    2
  5. mromaine
    1

Places Visited

  1. Edward Denny
    7
  2. Scriv
    7
  3. The Danner Family
    7
  4. Kev Obie
    7
  5. lets go2
    7
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Lewes.

Recent Lewes Activity

  • BOEK

    has been to Menhaden Fishing Net Reel

    4 days ago
  • BOEK

    has been to The Fountain of Youth

    4 days ago
  • BOEK

    has been to The Cannonball House

    4 days ago
  • BOEK

    has been to Lewes Town Clock

    4 days ago
  • Jfmcl

    wants to go to The Cannonball House

    3 days ago

Stories About Lewes

The shores of Lewes support large populations of horseshoe crabs, especially during summer.

Photographs Capture the Ancient Elegance of Horseshoe Crabs

"Nature is there for you, especially when you need it."
by Claire Voon
April 20, 2020

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.