Situated at the mouth of the Delaware Bay in southern Delaware, this maritime community traces its roots to the Dutch settlers who founded it in 1631 as an agricultural and whaling village. It has survived much since then, including destruction by Indians and attack by British forces during the War of 1812.

Today, its 2,300 residents host hordes of tourists and vacationers heading for its nearby bay and ocean beaches, which include Cape Henlopen State Park, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Delaware Seashore State Park. The beaches provide a range of activities, from swimming, fishing, and boating, to hiking on nature trails. The 8,818-acre Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 8 miles north of Lewes off Route 1, provides marsh habitat for migratory waterfowl and native mammals, and more than 7 miles of canoe trails.

The Seaside Nature Center has a variety of interesting exhibits, including large fish tanks, displays of stuffed birds, and whale and dolphin skulls; a self-guided interpretive trail that explains the human and natural history of Cape Henlopen; and a World War II observation tower that is open for tours.