We LOVE history here at Family Days Out, so we were so excited when we had the opportunity to visit Lewes - pronounced Loo-Is - "The First City in the First State". How fun!
The First City!
For all those history buffs out there, yes, Lewes has named itself "the first city", as it was actually the first incorporated city - founded in 1631 and incorporated in 1818.
Fun fact: The OLDEST city is considered St. Augustine in Florida, which was founded in 1565 by the Spanish, but it wasn't officially incorporated until 1924
But here we are in Lewes, and what an utterly charming city it is! The sun, sand, and the sea are the main attractions, giving that olden day boardwalk experience (and plenty of ice cream options, don't worry kids!
Once of the great things about Lewes, is that it's very much a walking town. Park up your car and then just explore on foot. Within only a half-square mile you'll find shops, restaurants, historic sites, museums, and a stunning Historic District.
Cannonballs Ahoy!
Our first stop, however, was to the Cannonball House which was built around 1760 - and yes kids, you can see a REAL cannonball that was actually lodged into the home during the War of 1812. It's pretty impressive!
Today, within this donation only museum, you can learn about the local pilotage history (the property was once home to the river and bay pilots) immerse yourself in the maritime history of the area, AND deep dive even more in the 1812 events!
Nearby to the Cannonball House in Lewes is the Ryves Holt House, dating back to 1680. Want to know why this building is so special? Well, it's the oldest surviving house in the entire state of Delaware!
What's fascinating about the Ryves Holt House, is that you can actually see various phases of construction that represent a cross-section of architectural traditions from immigrants across the years - from the Dutch, to the English, and the Swedes!
FAQ: Discover Lewes!
Have questions about visiting Lewes? Look no further!
Lewes is situated in the lovely state of Delaware, about 200 miles south of New York City, and 115 miles east of Washington D.C.
Temperature in Lewes really allows you to experience the seasons. Across January, February and March, weather hovers around 3C to 5C (37F to 41F). July thru Sept is where you can enjoy around 24C (73F), then the other months flucuate in between.
Parking metres in Lewes being on May 1st of each year, and have two areas - Downtown and the Beaches. There are also several non-metered areas as well located throughout the city.
Parking ranges from $1.50 to $2.50 per hour, typically 15 minutes to 3 hours maximum for Downtown, and maximum 11 hours for the Beaches.
The best time to visit Lewes is either late Spring (in May), or early Fall (September and October). These times offer comfortable weather and lesser crowds than in the peak of summer.
Summer (June to August), of course is the peak time if you are a beach loving family, or if you want to enjoy water activities!
A trip to Lewes doesn't have to break the budget! First, there are those historic attrations like the Cannonball House and Historic Campus. The Cannonball House is donation only, and the Historic Campus is free to roam around and enjoy - just take some dollars for that Colonial Coffee!
There are also some great natural wonders to enjoy free of charge, including Cape Henlopen State Park for hiking and beach access, or the Lewes Farmers Market where you can just take in the amazing local produce!
Campus of History
One of our favourite spots in Lewes, was the Historic Lewes Town Campus. This may sound like you're going to wander around an 18th century University, but well... it kind of is! A University of History!
This historic hub within Lewes gives you the chance to explore 9 historic buildings, where you can really feel you are transported to centuries gone by.
Did you know you can even pick up and enjoy a Colonial Hot Chocolate!? You can play Colonial board games, and learn about Colonial way of life!
Start your exploration at the Burton-Ingram House (that dates back to 1785) where kids can take in the exhibits that detail subjects transitioning from being subjects of the British Crown, to subjects of the New United States!
I Saw The Sign!
One thing that we LOVED about Lewes, is that everything you see oozes history, but also that most buildings, or historic structures came with their own detailed sign that explained the history - so you don't need a tour guide to take in the stories.
Just keep your eyes peeled, and enjoy the well placed historic markers that can keep the learning flowing as long as you like!
(and if you want to know more about the above sign, check out the photo below!)
We HIGHLY recommend a visit to Lewes, Delaware. It was such a charming town, and took us by surprise. We didn't know what to expect before we arrived, but we will absolutely visit again.
So kids - make sure you LEWES YOURSELF in Lewes!
Lewes yourself... get it?
Of course you do!
Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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