lewes de
 

First of all, it's pronounced Loo-is. Not Lewes like Crews. Only people who think they're cool but aren't say Lewes like Crews.

Second of all, Lewes is quite old. I don't really know how old. The Dutch settled here. Theres a Zwaanendael Museum (pronounced moo-ze-um) with lots of old stuff and a church graveyard with lots of people who died after pretty short lives. Pretty houses. One house still has a canonball stuck in the foundation from the war of 1812. Great ice cream store across from the graveyard and cool Hotel Rodney.

We're staying at 203 Midland, a rental house a block from the bay beach. Artists own this house and their paintings are on the wall and are very nice. It's a short drive or 20 minute bike ride from here to the ocean beach at cape henlopen state park. A day pass there costs $8, an annual pass $24. The park is an old military base. Beautiful beaches, dunes, hiking and biking trails.

There are neighborhoods in Lewes that feel just like summer is supposed to feel. Small cottages with porches and screens and it feels good to be inside in the afternoon, in the shade, with the windows open for breezes, and wander down to the beach later when it's not so hot.

Brother, sil, dw, ds#2 and I are here for a week. We let brother and sil take the brand new suite on the second floor. We took smaller bedrooms on first floor. We're very nice.

We went to Rehoboth for dinner, biked to Rehoboth on the something-junction bike trail, went kayaking on the bay, went to cafe azafran in lewes for dinner, cooked at home, biked to cape henlopen, dropped the teenager off with friends in bethany, and every morning went for a swim in the bay before breakfast. I still want to play tennis at the public courts in town, have pizza at Half Full, and kayak on the rehoboth-lewes canal.

Saturday we leave for one night at an inn in Chestertown Md, then home.

I really like summer.

Who told you the correct pronunciation? Had family who were born and raised there and everytime we visited, they always said Lewes like crews.

Just thought I'd mention it. ;)

Glad you are having fun. we really like cafe Azafran for tapas - they do a $7 tapas happy hour on Wednesdays in the summer that is delish.

As for the DE State Park annual pass - it's $24 for out of staters who are 62 and over. Those under 62 will pay $54.

as a transplanted Delawarean (or is it Delawarite?) I will vouch for the Loo-is pronunciation.

Be sure to go to the Buttery for lunch.

Oh, sorry about the fee. I am 62 so that explains the $24. I grew up in Newark and we went to rehoboth a lot. It was loo-is then. And yesterday we saw a t-shirt that said Loo-is. Proof! Maybe we'll try the buttery, but it must have cholesterol issues. We had goodtapas at the cafe...

It sounds like a lovely week, santa. In fact, you make me want to visit Loo-is. (I grew up with that pronunciation.) Are you going to take a ride on the Cape May - Lewes ferry?

Suki, you should visit. It's a darling town. I like getting sandwiches at the coffee shop, browsing the puzzle/gourmet shop, dinner on the waterside deck at Irish Eyes, ice cream at the ice cream parlor, and shopping for Bingley at the dog shop. I'm going to just miss you, santamonica. We'll be boarding the ferry next week. You'll also enjoy Chestertown. Another cute town on the water.

Thank you all for your comments. It's been a very nice week. We walked to the bay beach tonight after watching Tetro, a strange movie about fathers, sons, and brothers. Cool sand, dark water, bright stars, gentle wind and waves. A kick and a half, this place.

A final report on our stop in Chestertown. We stayed one night at the Claddaugh Farm B&B 3 miles outside of town. Fish whistle for lunch, Lucia for dinner. Afternoon swimming at the beach at Rolf's Wharf, on the chester river close to our B&B. Really fun. Some motorcycle guys, families with kids. You can drink Corona in the river! Beach volleyball! Lots of tats! Very un-chestertownish. Tonight we went to the Prince Theater to see a series of 10 minute plays. Not Broadway, but a fun time. Tomorrow home...

Mixter603,

Hi!! To clarify this for you; I was born at Beebe Hospital in Lewes. No one born and raised here would pronounce Lewes incorrectly. It has two syllables and is pronounced the same way you would say St. Louis. It is quiet annoying to locals when people pronounce is "lews"

Maybe thats what it sounded like they were saying, but I can assure you Lewes does not rhyme with Crews.

I thought you were going to tell me to lewes de attitude.

Glad you are having fun. (I never heard of the place before this moment.)

Its a great little historical town, you've gotta come!!!

The reason for the pronunciation, is that the city of Lewes was named after the town of Lewes in East Sussex England, which is also the origin of the name of Sussex County. Lewes, DE and Lewes, East Sussex, England both have the same seal and flag.

Although it was a Dutch settlement that held several different names initially, the town was officially named by William Penn following his acquisition of the land from Duke of York around 1682. It is believed that Penn had family members from the Prominent East Sussex town but no one knows exactly why he picked the name Lewes.

Actually, Adu, santamonica had fun a little over a year ago! :)
(I, too, tend not to notice when someone tops an older thread, so I could not resist ribbing a little!)

Whoops, I was not paying attention. I hope Santa has good memories of last year's trip.

It sounds like a very nice place to spend a couple of days.

It's never a bad thing to top a good thread.

I have been resurrected!

I'm just reading this post now and really enjoyed your trip report!

We vacation in Bethany Beach every year. We've been to Lewes for one of the pirate adventure ships for the kids. It's definitely a cute little town.

hi dc! do you know assawoman park near bethany? there's a fire tower the kids can climb and great places to go kayaking. Here's a link:

http://www.ecodelaware.com/place.php?id=278

I was driving home from work today thinking about where we could go for a weekend and I thought of this thread and of Lewes, De. It is a sign that this thread popped back up.

Suki, after another visit or two I'd revise my report to include the churchyard labyrinth, the new used bookstore across the street, and the Taste of Italy deli on the corner of 2nd and savannah. Too much for a weekend!