Major city · United States
Lewes
Spend 1–2 days in Lewes: a half‑day for historic downtown and lighthouse tours, another half‑day for Cape Henlopen State Park or a ferry to Cape May.
Lewes is a small coastal town with a compact historic centre, a few museums and easy beach access. One full day covers the main sights; add a second day for outdoor activities or a day‑trip across the Delaware Bay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm, low rain)
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold), peak summer traffic on Route 1
- Airports
- SBY · PHL
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Lewes911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lewes, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyWatch cars on busy Route 1 in summer and keep valuables secure on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSBY Salisbury‑Ocean City‑Wicomico Regional Airport (≈40 mi SW, rent a car (drive time check)).
- Getting aroundWalk or bike in town; rent a car for Route 1 trips, the ferry, or Cape Henlopen.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café$2–4
- Street or quick mealSeafood sandwich$8–12
- Museum or sight ticketCape Henlopen State Park entryFree (parking $2/h)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per personUS$30
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SBY Salisbury‑Ocean City‑Wicomico Regional Airport (≈40 mi SW, rent a car (drive time check)) · PHL Philadelphia International Airport (check distance, larger flight options)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Dec (9 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lewes: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or bike in town; rent a car for Route 1 trips, the ferry, or Cape Henlopen. DART bus connects to Wilmington, Dover and Rehoboth.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rehoboth Beach
goDoor to door: ≈30 min round trip
Drive US‑9 Business east, 10 min
Boardwalk, shops, restaurants
Cape May, NJ (via ferry)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total plus wait
Cape May‑Lewes Ferry, 70 min each way
Seasonal, check schedule
Cape Henlopen State Park
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Drive (route check), 5 min
Trails, beach, kite festival in Easter weekend
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dogfish Inn
Retro motel near downtown
Inn at Canal Square
Waterfront, within a mile of Cape Henlopen
Zwaanendael Inn
Historic inn on Second Street, close to shops
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| DART day pass2 × US$8 | US$16 |
| Cape May‑Lewes Ferry (foot passenger, round trip)2 × US$30 | US$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$257 per person per day, bed included | US$513 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | $2–4 |
| Seafood sandwich | $8–12 |
| Parking meter downtown | $1 per hour |
| Parking at beach lot #1 | $2 per hour |
| Cape Henlopen State Park entry | Free (parking $2/h) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking meters $1/h downtown (May 1–Oct 14) and $2/h at beach lots (May 1–Sep 30).
- Summer traffic on Route 1 can add 15–30 min to drives.
- Ferry schedule varies by season: check the timetable before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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LewesLewes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lewes. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (warm, low rain) · avoid Jan–Feb (cold), peak summer traffic on Route 1 · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car rental at SBY or PHL for flexible Route 1 access.
- Purchase a DART day pass for unlimited bus travel.
- Buy ferry tickets online in advance during summer.
Sources
Ask about Lewes
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