This is the final segment of our 19 Places you’ll want to visit in Delaware. Links to the previous suggestions occur below or start here for our first in the series of 19 Places you’ll want to see in Delaware.
Lewes, DE
17) Zwaanendael Museum Dare you to say that three times fast. Seriously though, the Zwaanendael Museum (102 Kings Highway; Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 645-1148) commemorates the first Dutch settlement in Delaware in 1631.
This three-story museum presents artifacts and exhibits that showcase the maritime, social and military history of this part of the eastern shore. A large exhibit focuses on the His Majesty’s DeBraak, a ship that sunk off the Delaware Coast more than 200 years ago. It was recovered in the 1980’s by the British Royal Navy with some 26,000 artifacts.
For those who want to delve deeper, two-hour guided tours are available for $10, which includes van transfer to the DeBraak conservation facility where you can see the actual hull of the ship.
The first floor of the museum is accessible to those with a wheelchair, but there is no elevator. Days and hours vary from summer to winter. Check their website for the latest times. Admission is free.
18) Beach Time Distilling Ultra-premium, hand-crafted spirits are distilled in limited quantities and enjoyed by those in the Lewes, DE area. Specializing in in rums, vodkas and gins, Beach Time Distilling (32191 Nassau Road, Unit 5; Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 644-2850) has a tasting room open Wednesday thru Saturday.
Greg Christmas has been brewing and distilling for over 25 years, but just opened Beach Time in the summer of 2015. Be sure to try my favorite, his Beach Fin Gin, made with 10 botanicals. He tones down the juniper and amps up the others, including lemon grass, lavender and cucumber. He calls it his new American style gin, as opposed to the classic England London dry style. However he does it – it’s delightfully refreshing.
19) Crooked Hammock Brewery For the last stop on our tour of the Delaware Beer Wine & Spirits Trail. The Crooked Hammock Brewery (36707 Crooked Hammock Way; Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 644-7837) is the kind of place you’d like your backyard to be. Hammocks, fire ring, Adirondack chairs and beach volleyball. Oh yeah, and lots of beer.
That’s craft brewed on location of course. Starting in October 2015, they’ve already tripled their capacity, going from 7 to 22 barrel tanks. Plans are to go to 30.
They offer a wide variety of foods with their wide variety of beers. While I absolutely loved my crab cake sandwich and fries, I couldn’t stop tasting their amazing giant Bavarian pretzel. I left very full and very happy.
Well, that’s it. 19 Places to enjoy in Delaware. For such a small state, there’s an abundance of attractions worth a visit. Plan a weekend getaway, or better yet, a full weeks’ vacation. You’ll be amazed at all there is to see and do.
If you missed article one, article two, article three or article four in this series, these are links to those articles.
Before you go, here are some more articles about Delaware you might enjoy:
Rehoboth Beach for a great family beach getaway
Food adventure in Southern Delaware – one of my favorite new sports