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 from the north 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, with almost hourly service in the summer months from 8:15 to 9pm. Rates for passengers (and passengers with bikes) are $7.50 one-way off-season, $10 in high season; the charge for vehicles ranges from $25 to $43, with reduced prices for motorcycles. Reservations are required for vehicles. In New Jersey, the Cape May Terminal is at the end of the Garden State Parkway. The Lewes Terminal 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 (643-3779) or visit www.cmlf.com. 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; children 6 and under ride free.
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. 877/465-3937 or 302/645-8073; www.leweschamber.com). The chamber's office is in the Fisher-Martin House at 120 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. Restrooms are located in the park behind the house. You can also get a visitors' guide from the Southern Delaware Tourism Office (tel. 800/357-1818; www.visitsoutherndelaware.com).
Getting Around
The Seaport Taxi of Lewes, 306 Savannah Rd. (tel. 302/645-6800), operates a taxi service from the terminal to downtown, as well as local service. Ferry passengers can call from the information station at the ferry terminal.
Special Events
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; www.decoastday.org) is sponsored by and held at the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies in Lewes. The fair includes lectures, ship tours, aquariums, and a crab-cake cook-off. The events are free except for parking.
The Great Delaware Kite Festival (tel. 302/645-8073) is held at Cape Henlopen State Park on Good Friday.
The World Championship Punkin Chunkin (tel. 302/684-8196; www.punkinchunkin.com), held the first weekend in November, is held in a field near Bridgeville, off Route 404. 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 -- and up to 35,000 people attend. Admission is $9; parking is $2.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
