One Fun Day Trip on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

If you have read some of my other blogs, you might recall that I have been visiting the Delaware beaches since I was a little girl. Over the years, I have watched the Cape May-Lewes Ferry making its way across the Delaware Bay from Lewes, Delaware, to Cape May, New Jersey. Since 1964, the ferry has been traversing between these two popular beach towns transporting an estimated 17 million vehicles and over 45 million passengers. My mom invited me several times to make a day-trip of it, but regrettably, I never took the opportunity. In her memory, I finally made it happen. Greeted by blue skies and mostly calm waters, it was a special girls day with  friends and family. 

*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own.

From April through October, the first ferry leaves Lewes at 8:45 a.m. We booked the 12:15 ferry due to a last-minute reservation change based on the weather, and that was the earliest available slot on a Saturday morning in late May that included a car. We got in line about 45 minutes before departure and noticed that many folks parked and then went into the terminal for a cup of coffee at Lewes Coffee Company or to check out the view of the bay. When it was time to start boarding, an announcement was made advising travelers to return to their vehicles. There was a brief security screening of our car and a request for a picture ID from the primary ticket holder.  

Loading was efficient both getting on and off the ferry, and once we boarded, we made our way by foot to the upper deck. If you can’t manage a set of steep stairs, arrange to walk on as a foot passenger, which takes you directly to the upper deck. You can get ferry accessibility information here. 

Read 10 Fun Things to Do When You Visit Lewes, Delaware 

Settle in on an Adirondack chair on the front deck, or one of the benches that line each side of the ferry. Head up one more level to the top deck with additional outdoor seating, just don’t expect much shade! Don’t forget the sunscreen if you are planning to stay outside. Venture inside for comfortable chairs and tables and a small snack shop. Passengers can also bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy while onboard.

Book your next unforgettable experience on Tripadvisor, with flexible bookings and free cancellations.

So, what can you expect on the 85-minute ride? In 2019, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry was included in an article by Smithsonian Magazine Seven of the Most Scenic Ferry Rides in the United States! Two Lewes lighthouses quickly come into view—the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse and the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse. Look for wildlife along the way, including whales and dolphins! Lucky for us, about 30 minutes into the ride, the captain announced a whale sighting ahead. From the front deck, the whale put on quite a show as we watched from a safe distance. The rest of the ride went by fast, and before we knew it, we had arrived at the Cape May Ferry Terminal. 

Things To Do in Downtown Cape May

From the Cape May Ferry Terminal, it was a short, 6 mile ride to the downtown area and our first stop, Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille. Lunch and drinks on the busy rooftop was a fun way to kick off our visit. The popular restaurant/bar offers salads, sandwiches, and burgers, along with their popular Orange Crush drink (plus other flavors like Key Lime, Watermelon, Peach, and Strawberry. Metered parking spots line the street adjacent to the beach and we lucked out in finding a spot just a week before the summer season officially kicks off on Memorial Day weekend! 

Hanging out on the sand wasn’t part of our plans for the day, but most regular visitors praise the wide, clean beaches along Beach Avenue. If you do plan to spend time on the beach, a beach tag is required from Memorial Day through Labor Day for anyone over age 12. Stop by one of the kiosks or purchase online. Ask about free tags for veterans and active military members. 

After lunch, we drove over to the Washington Street Mall area for shopping. Our first stop was the Cape May Peanut Butter Company, where they were offering samples of Glazed Blueberry Donut Peanut Butter! This compact shop has plenty of flavors to choose from, plus all kinds of peanut treats. I can’t wait to try my Choc Choc Peanut Butter on waffles or bread!

From the peanut butter shop, take the alley at Draper Walk to get to the pedestrian-friendly Washington Street Mall. There you will discover shops that sell everything from fudge and cheese, to jewelry, clothing, and Christmas ornaments. You’ll notice a lot of historic buildings in Cape May, and the bakery A CA MIA is one of them! Built in 1872, the bakery is considered to be  “one of the oldest bakeries in continuous operation in the country.” It was the perfect place for an afternoon iced coffee and a cookie!  Pop into the Cape May Trading Post at Della’s for a little bit of everything. 

When you are done shopping, either walk or drive around town to see the historic and colorful houses. Cape May's historic district has been designated a National Historic Landmark for almost 50 years! Enjoy the Victorian-era buildings with unique architectural features and fun colors. We stopped by The Southern Mansion (720  Washington Street), which has quite the history since being built in 1863. Most recently, the house was brought back to its former glory when it was purchased in 1994 and renovated over the next 18 months. The Southern Mansion is now a highly-rated bed and breakfast. The Carroll Villa Hotel is another popular historic choice for lodging just a block from the beach. It’s also home to the highly-rated Mad Batter Restaurant. Find information about a few of the other historic buildings here. 

Other Things to Know About the Cape May-Lewes Ferry

Here's a few tips and things we learned on our Cape May-Lewes Ferry day trip.

*Depending on the time of year and day of the week, the schedule varies from as few as 4 sailings a day to as many as 9 departure options. As the summer season gets into full swing, the early morning and late day ferries get full quickly, so be sure to make a reservation in advance, especially if you want to bring your car. Four to five hours was perfect for us to explore Cape May but I would recommend staying longer if you can.

​*Rates vary, with a variety of discounts, plus an additional fee to take a car versus walking on as a foot passenger. 

*We decided to take a car over, but you can also walk on as a passenger, or bring a bike. It’s about a 12 minute drive to get the 5+ miles from the ferry terminal to downtown. I'm planning a future trip with bikes to explore the Pints and Pedals suggested beer tour itineraries. If you drive, download the ParkMobile app for use around Cape May.

*Parking in Lewes is free for walk-on passengers. Plan ahead to take advantage of the seasonal shuttle in Cape May if you are visiting between Memorial Day and late September (weekends only during part of that time). Passengers get picked up at the Cape May ferry terminal and dropped off at the Cape May Welcome Center. Book a ticket bundle that includes the shuttle, and tickets should be reserved in advance. In Lewes, the DART bus runs into the downtown area, or you can use a rideshare. The ferry terminal is convenient to Cape Henlopen State Park. 

*A few days before our trip, we decided to change our departure day from Friday to Saturday because of the stormy weather forecast. The modification process was easy, it just had to be done prior to departure time. You can cancel for a small fee up to 30 minutes prior to departure. Otherwise, you may incur a no show fee. 

*Check in about an hour before departure if you are driving. You can leave your car and head into the terminal until the announcement is made to return to your vehicle in preparation for loading.  

*It would have been great to have small binoculars for the whale watching and dolphin spotting. 

Reasons to explore Rehoboth Beach, Delaware