Little Delaware is Big on History and Fun
From the first ventures of Dutch explorer Henry Hudson in 1609, Delaware--first state to ratify the constitution, second only to Rhode Island as the smallest state in the union--has been a destination of choice for boaters around the world for 400 years. Thus, the curious visitor will note Delaware's rich cultural heritage with antiquated influences from its Dutch, Swedish and English ancestry, all providing romantic and quaint retreats for the avid Maxum cruiser. Additionally, shellfish lovers will enjoy the large annual yield of oysters, clams, crabs, and lobsters from Delaware Bay.
Delaware is nestled on the northeastern half of the Delmarva Peninsula of which it shares with Maryland. It possesses a 28-mile-long coastline along the Delaware Bay--short, but packed with history and interesting sites. If you include all bays and inlets indenting the coast, you can stretch your journey to more than 380 miles of shoreline. Because of its small size and water frontage, Delaware ranks as the lowest in the nation with an average elevation of only 60 ft. Saltwater marshes are found along the shores of the Delaware River and Delaware Bay, with sand dunes and barrier beaches located south of Cape Henlopen. The Indian River Inlet, the only break in the barrier beaches, allows small vessels to reach the shallow lagoons behind the coast such as Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and others. The Delaware Breakwater at Cape Henlopen provides Lewes and other port towns with an excellent protected anchorage.
|
The Delaware Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, laps the coastline of New Jersey to its northeast bank and Delaware on it southwest bank. It's 50 miles long and about 4 miles wide. The depth of the bay varies from 30 to 60 ft. Numerous streams and creeks of New Jersey and Delaware feed into the Bay, including the Delaware River, which is navigable. This article will be featuring three stops along the Atlantic and Delaware Bay coasts: Bethany Beach, the town of Lewes, and Delaware City.
Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach and South Bethany, Delaware and surrounding areas, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the inland bays, are known as The Quiet Resorts. Founded in 1901 by members of the Christian Church, the original idea was not to find a town but to find a suitable tract of land for a permanent yearly seaside church retreat. Now open as a resort town and available to all, Bethany still reflects the character of the early settlers who were looking for "a haven of rest for quiet people."
Though a peaceful community, activities still abound at Bethany Beach with seashore parks, golf courses and a seven-mile stretch of sandy beaches (guarded by its famous totem pole). The water is warm enough to swim in from late May through early October (some even take a dip in January!). Of course, there is also fishing, shopping, water sports, and more for daylight activities, while nighttime offers everyone in the family something to do with shops, restaurants, basketball and volleyball, video arcades, or just walking Bethany Beach's half-mile long boardwalk. The summer season is full of events, including regular concerts and performances on the boardwalk bandstand in the center of town, the annual Fourth of July Parade, the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce's annual Boardwalk Arts Festival, and Surf fishing tournaments.
Lewes
Lewes: "the First Town in the First State!" is the proud statement the good folks of Lewes make. Settled by the Dutch in 1631, the townspeople take great pride in sharing their historic and seafaring heritage with visitors. An easy amble around Lewes will yield abundant historic sites with great architectural interests including many of the older preserved homes and museums such as the Zwaanendael Museum, the Fisher-Martin House, and the oldest house in the state the Ryves-Holt House built in 1665. Lewes also offers more than 40 unique shops and boutiques, and several fine restaurants.
|
Lewes' location at the mouth of the Delaware Bay at Cape Henlopen provides both bay and ocean beaches for swimming as well as all types of sportfishing and pleasure boating opportunities. Cape Henlopen State Park offers more than 4,000 acres of beautiful beaches, nature trails, bird sanctuaries and an education center. As a year-round community, it's its quality of life that sets them apart from other resort towns.
Delaware City
Delaware City is a community blessed with a rich history and architectural heritage. Dating back to the 1820s The Delaware City Historic District is one of the largest in this historic state with more than 250 homes and buildings, many flanking the wide tree-lined streets. Architectural styles beginning with the Federal style of the 1820s, Delaware's Italianate "Peach House" buildings of the 1850s, and even the catalog mail order homes of the 1920s mark important periods in the town's prosperity.
Other sites not to miss include Battery Park, located along the Delaware River at the foot of Clinton Street; here a visitor is surrounded by a scenic panorama of the Delaware River, Pea Patch Island and the New Jersey shoreline. It is the perfect spot to shop for antiques, relax, and enjoy outdoor activities. Civil War enthusiasts will pass through Delaware City for the ride aboard the 3 Forts Ferry to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island. Dragon Run Park, Fort du Pont, and even tours of the local Texaco refinery are other interesting places to visit.
Delaware may be small on size, but it's big on adventure, especially for the boating aficionado. Cruise the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay and create historic memories for a lifetime on your Maxum boat.
Tourism Information
Bethany Beach
Town of Bethany Beach
214 Garfield Pkwy
PO Box 109
Bethany Beach DE 19930
(302) 539-8011
Fax: (302) 539-8149
Email: Inquire@TownOfBethanyBeach.com
http://www.townofbethanybeach.com/
Lewes
Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors¿ Bureau
P. O. Box 1
Lewes, DE 19958
(302) 645-8073
(877) 465-3937
Fax (302) 645-8412
http://www.leweschamber.com/
Delaware City
City of Delaware
1-866-2-VISIT-DE
PMorrill@ci.delaware-city.us.de.
http://www.delawarecity.info/citydelcity.html
Marinas
BETHANY BEACH
Beaston's Marina
Rt. 1 Bayview Park
Bethany Beach, DE
(302) 539-3452
South Shore Marina
Bethany Beach, DE
(302) 539-7384
White's Creek Manor Boat Marina
P.O. Box 1
Bethany Beach, DE
(302) 539-8000
LEWES
Angler's Marina
P.O. Box 788
Lewes, DE
(302) 645-9931
Lewes Yacht Club Marina
West Cedar St.
Lewes, DE
(302) 645-9635
Love Creek Marina
RR1 Box 1368
Lewes, DE
(302) 645-6997
