History Enthusiast! - Delaware has plenty of history, and if you are a history buff, Delaware is a terrific place to explore the past.
After a good night’s sleep at the Lighthouse Inn B&B and a healthy breakfast, take a short 9-mile drive to Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes Delaware. There you can climb a concrete artillery fire-control tower from World War II, at Fort Miles Fort. The view is magnificent, and you can explore the 16-inch guns, the only concrete barracks ever built, or bike and walk the nature trials in this area. In the lead up to World War II, Fort Miles was quickly built to protect the vitally important industries in Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA and Trenton, NJ. Also at the park, you can make use of the showers and changing room if you plan to go swimming. Cost: $8 for the day, in season; Free off-season. Food and drinks are available for a reasonable amount.
If aboard the Cape May Ferry (which is just down the road from Cape Henlopen State Park) as you take a delightful 70-minute ride across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, NJ. For prices and schedule go to their web site www.CMLF.com. For reservations call 800-643-3779. Once you arrive in New Jersey, drive to Sunset Boulevard, in Lower Township near Cape May Point. Here you can explore the last of four remaining towers that also were part of the Fort Miles costal defenses at Cape Henlopen. Cost: $6 for adults, $2.50 for children.
Should your interest be in historic planes, we are only 30 miles south of Dover, DE Air Force Base Air Mobility Command Museum. Plan to spend plenty of time there, because there is a lot to see and experience. The Museum houses a large collection of vintage and veteran Aircraft, plus historical artifacts dated from beginning of the air base in 1941. There are a variety of educational exhibits (including a unique set of flags in U.S. history) and historical displays ranging from WWII to the present, plus a colorful fuselage artwork exhibit. Special events featuring demonstrations by the base fire department, bomb disposal robot, and military working dogs are featured as mission workload permits. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
For our Civil War buffs, take a daytrip for a walk in the park on the restored Pea Patch Island, Fort Delaware. This is a unique living history experience. The Union fortress, which is the main attraction of the island, dates back to 1859, when it served as a prison for confederate prisoners of war. To get to the fort, drive 87 miles North of Rehoboth Beach to Delaware, City, DE. There, the Three Fort Ferry takes you to the island. During a short ride on a rustic jitney to the main base, you will view some of the 10,00 herons and egrets that nest on the island. For additional information you can call Fort Delaware at 302-834-7941. Cost: Aduts $11, Children 2-12 $6 , Seniors over 62 and active military $10 (you must have proper identification).