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Historic Lewes Byway

Byway Profile

County:

Length:

Drive Time:

Sussex

13.1 mi

About 1 hour

About the Historic Lewes Byway

The Historic Lewes Byway is a continuous road network that, taken as a whole, captures the modern history of the greater Lewes area. The individual segments of the route include New Road, Pilottown Road/Front Street, Savannah Road, Kings Highway, Gills Neck Road and Cape Henlopen Drive. Both physically and historically, these segments have played a vital role in the town’s development and reflect its evolution since 1631.

  • The stunning views found along the designated route illustrate Lewes’ natural beauty, maritime
  • origins and rich history.
  • The character of the roads emphasizes the cultural evolution of the area providing access to miles of preserved beaches, open space, nature trails, bird sanctuaries, settled historic districts including buildings with nationally-significant architecture; a maritime working waterfront; and World War II fort.


Whether visiting and learning about the Lewes community and broader region’s heritage on your own, as part of an interpreted itinerary; or, getting outdoors to explore the regions natural beauty and cultural heritage while exercising – the Historic Lewes Byway provides an experience you’re sure to enjoy.

The roads of the Historic Lewes Byway serve as gateways into Lewes both from land and sea. These qualities shape the experience of traveling along the Byway. The route is bounded along the coast by the Great Marsh at the northwestern reaches of Lewes at Pilottown Road and by the dunes and beaches of Cape Henlopen State Park to the northeast.
  • The historic land gateways of Kings Highway, Savannah Road and New Road all extend to the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.
  • Savannah Road, Kings Highway, Pilottown/Front Street and Gills Neck Road converge at the Savannah Road Bridge in the heart of downtown historic Lewes at the Zwaanendael Museum and Fisher-Martin House.
  • The Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center is located in the FisherMartin House.
  • New Road ends less than a mile west at Pilottown Road. From the canal, Savannah Road then extends across the bridge to the coast at Lewes Beach. The route then turns northeast along Cape Henlopen Drive to Cape Henlopen State Park.
  • The route serves as a maritime gateway. Numerous docks and marinas are found along Pilottown Road and Gills Neck Road. The Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal is located on Cape Henlopen Drive. All speak to the constant flow of maritime traffic in and out of Lewes.
  • Beautiful marshes along Canary Creek
  • Striking views and features found along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal
  • Lewes’ downtown historic district listed on the National
    Register of Historic Places
  • A strong sense of place established by that rich historical fabric

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Watch Byway Story Map

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Experience the Byway

5 Days/4 Nights
Gateway City: Baltimore, Maryland

VIEW THIS ITINERARY

Things to Do Along the Byway

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in commemoration of Delaware’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch in 1631. The museum serves as a showcase for the Lewes area’s maritime, military and social history.

https://history.delaware.gov/museums/zm/zm_main.shtm

When the current lands of the state of Delaware were granted to William Penn sometime after 1682, Penn proclaimed that Cape Henlopen and its natural resources were to be for the common usage of the citizens of Lewes and Sussex County, thus establishing some of the nation’s first “public lands.”

https://www.destateparks.com/Beaches/CapeHenlopen

Cape Henlopen was once a World War II coastal defense site. Take a tour of Battery 519, and climb to the top of the Observation Tower to discover the roles the towers played in the operation of Fort Miles.

https://www.destateparks.com/attractions/fort-miles/index.asp

In the early 1800s, mariners pleaded for a breakwater to be constructed just inside Cape Henlopen, on the southern side of the bay, as a refuge from rough seas. The lighthouse is on the west end of the breakwater.

https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=454

Visit our partners’ websites for additional information.

Trails Near the Byway

Georgetown-Lewes Trail

This popular trail near Lewes Delaware provides walkers, bikers, dog walkers and families the opportunity to enjoy time together outside.

Gordons Pond Trail

This popular and easy biking, hiking, running, and bird watching trail traverses the salt marshes of Cape Henlopen State Park in coastal Delaware. 

Junction & Breakwater Trail

This coastal walking, biking trail winds through beautiful hardwood and pine forests, open fields and coastal marshes offering incredible views.

Looking for Project Plans?

Delaware Greenways is working
to preserve and protect the Byway
Pilottown-from-Front-over-Downtown-Lewes-002

View Our Other Scenic Byways

Brandywine Valley National Scenic Byway

View the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley and many historical and cultural sites.

Delaware Bayshore Byway

Historical small towns, lush marshes and some of the best birding on the east coast.

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