Looking for a Fall Weekend Getaway? Escape to the Delaware Beaches
Trade the highway for a trip across the Delaware Bay and discover a different side of the Delaware beaches this fall.
Summer may get most of the attention, but fall can be one of the best times to visit Southern Delaware.
The beaches are quieter. The pace is slower. Restaurants, shops and coastal towns are ready to explore. And whether you’re coming from New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania, getting there can be part of the getaway when you travel aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
From September 1 through December 31, 2026, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and Southern Delaware Tourism are making a fall escape even more tempting with Dock, Dine & Dream.
The promotion combines Buy One, Get One Ferry passenger travel with exclusive savings at participating hotels, inns and restaurants throughout Southern Delaware.
So pack an overnight bag, leave some room in your itinerary and your appetite, and head for the coast.
Why Visit the Delaware Beaches in Fall?
Think the Delaware beaches are just a summer destination? Think again.
Once the busiest weeks of summer have passed, Southern Delaware takes on a different personality. Fall is a great time for couples, friends and spontaneous travelers to slow down and enjoy everything that makes the coast special — without needing a week-long vacation to do it.
Spend the morning walking along the beach. Explore the shops and restaurants of downtown Lewes or Rehoboth Beach. Head outside for a bike ride or hike. Find a brewery. Order fresh seafood. Watch the sunset. Then stay overnight and do something completely different tomorrow.
Best of all, you can build the getaway that works for you.
A weekend? Perfect.
A midweek escape? Even better.
An extra-long coastal retreat? We won’t stop you.
Fall Getaways From New Jersey
Your Delaware Beach Vacation Can Start in Cape May
If you’re planning a fall getaway from New Jersey, don’t assume your trip to Delaware has to begin on I-95.
For travelers coming from South Jersey, the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City, Wildwood, Ocean City, Cape May and surrounding areas, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry offers another way to head south.
Board in Cape May, leave the road behind and cross the Delaware Bay to Lewes.
Instead of making the drive itself something to endure, make it part of your weekend.
Walk the exterior decks. Take in the views of the Delaware Bay. Grab something to eat or drink. Relax for approximately 85 minutes before arriving just outside historic Lewes.
And once you arrive?
You’re already at the Delaware beaches.
Fall Getaways From New York
Trade a Long Drive for a Coastal Detour
Looking for a weekend getaway from New York City, Long Island or the New York metropolitan area?
Southern Delaware may be closer to your weekend-trip radar than you think.
Instead of making the entire journey a highway drive, head south through New Jersey toward Cape May and turn part of your trip into an experience aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
It’s an especially fun option if you’ve already done the usual Hudson Valley, Catskills or Jersey Shore weekend and want to explore somewhere different.
Once across the Delaware Bay, you’ll arrive near Lewes, Cape Henlopen State Park and Delaware’s coastal communities, with Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island waiting farther down the coast.
The journey becomes part road trip, part boat trip and part beach getaway — before you’ve even checked into your hotel.
Fall Getaways From Pennsylvania
A Coastal Weekend That's Worth the Drive
If you’re searching for a fall weekend getaway from Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, the Main Line or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, the Delaware coast offers an easy change of scenery.
And if you have a little more time, don’t just drive straight there.
Make a road trip out of it.
Head through South Jersey to Cape May, spend some time exploring one of America’s classic seaside destinations, then board the Ferry and sail across the Delaware Bay to Lewes.
It’s a completely different way to approach a Delaware beach weekend — and a great option when the journey is part of the fun.
For the return trip, you can sail back to Cape May or continue north through Delaware, turning your weekend into a coastal loop rather than retracing your route.
Dock. Dine. Dream.
The best getaways don't need complicated itineraries.
Sometimes you just need somewhere to go, somewhere good to eat and somewhere comfortable to stay.
That’s the idea behind Dock, Dine & Dream.
DOCK
Start your getaway aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
Book qualifying Ferry travel between September 1 and December 31, 2026, and enter promo code DREAM when booking online to receive Buy One, Get One passenger travel.
Promo Code: DREAM
DINE
Southern Delaware has earned a reputation for a food scene that extends well beyond traditional beach fare.
Dock, Dine & Dream guests can enjoy exclusive offers at participating restaurants throughout the Delaware beaches, including locations in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Ocean View.
Your Ferry promotional confirmation email serves as your voucher for participating restaurant offers.
DREAM
Stay the night — or make it a few.
Participating hotels and inns throughout Southern Delaware are offering exclusive Dock, Dine & Dream rates and discounts, giving you one more reason not to rush home.
After booking your qualifying Ferry trip, you’ll receive instructions for accessing participating hotel offers.
Where Will You Stay?
Lewes: History, Nature & Coastal Charm
If your idea of a great fall weekend includes walkable streets, local restaurants, history and easy access to the outdoors, Lewes is a natural place to start.
Explore downtown Lewes, browse local shops, head to nearby Cape Henlopen State Park or simply settle in and enjoy being at the coast.
Dock, Dine & Dream includes participating hotel and dining offers in the Lewes area.
Rehoboth Beach: Boardwalk Meets Culinary Getaway
There’s much more to Rehoboth Beach than summertime on the sand.
Fall brings a different rhythm to the city, making it a great time to walk the boardwalk, explore downtown shops and turn dinner into the evening’s main event.
With participating hotels and restaurants included in Dock, Dine & Dream, Rehoboth makes an easy home base for a food-focused coastal weekend.
Dewey Beach: Slow Down by the Water
With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Rehoboth Bay on the other, Dewey Beach has water in practically every direction.
Come fall, it’s an opportunity to experience another side of this famous beach town — slower, relaxed and perfect for a quick overnight escape.
Bethany Beach, Ocean View & Fenwick Island: Head Farther South
Want to keep exploring?
Continue down the Delaware coast toward Bethany Beach, Ocean View and Fenwick Island for quiet beaches, coastal dining and an easygoing atmosphere.
Participating Dock, Dine & Dream hotel and restaurant offers make the southern end of Delaware’s coast an excellent choice for a longer getaway.
Four Months. Four Different Reasons to Go.
September: Stretch Summer a Little Longer
Warm days don’t disappear just because Labor Day has passed. Make September your bonus round of summer at the Delaware beaches.
October: Make It a Fall Coastal Road Trip
Cooler temperatures, outdoor adventures and coastal towns make October ideal for a weekend road trip.
November: Escape Before the Holidays
Before calendars fill up, give yourself a weekend away. Or turn the Thanksgiving season into an excuse to explore somewhere new.
December: Give a Getaway Instead of More Stuff
Take a break from the holiday rush with a coastal escape — or make a trip together part of your holiday tradition.
Make the Journey Part of the Getaway
There are faster ways to get from Point A to Point B.
But a getaway isn’t really about Point B.
It’s about getting out of your routine.
It’s about seeing something different.
It’s about realizing you don’t have to wait until next summer to go back to the beach.
And sometimes, it’s about standing outside in the middle of the Delaware Bay and realizing your weekend started before you even arrived.
Ready to Dock, Dine & Dream?
Dock, Dine & Dream runs September 15 through December 15, 2026.
Book your Cape May-Lewes Ferry travel online and enter promo code DREAM at checkout to receive Buy One, Get One passenger travel.
Or call 800-643-3779 and mention promo code DREAM.
After booking, you’ll receive a promotional confirmation email containing information about participating hotel offers. That email also serves as your voucher for participating restaurant discounts.
Please note: If you book online after 4 p.m., it may take up to 24 hours to receive your promotional confirmation email.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Getaways to the Delaware Beaches
Where can I go for a fall weekend trip from New Jersey?
Southern Delaware is a great option for a fall weekend trip from New Jersey, especially for travelers coming from South Jersey, the Jersey Shore, Atlantic City, Wildwood, Ocean City and Cape May. Instead of driving around the Delaware Bay, travelers can take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry from Cape May, New Jersey, to Lewes, Delaware. From Lewes, you can explore Cape Henlopen State Park and continue to Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and other Delaware beach communities.
Are the Delaware beaches worth visiting in the fall?
Yes! Fall is a great time to visit the Delaware beaches if you prefer a more relaxed coastal getaway. Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and nearby communities offer restaurants, shopping, outdoor recreation and coastal scenery beyond the traditional summer beach season. September can feel like an extension of summer, while October, November and December offer opportunities for fall road trips, dining getaways and holiday-season escapes.
How do I get from Cape May, New Jersey, to the Delaware beaches?
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry connects Cape May, New Jersey, with Lewes, Delaware, across the Delaware Bay. The approximately 85-minute crossing accommodates both vehicles and foot passengers. Once you arrive at the Lewes Ferry Terminal, you’re just minutes from Lewes and Cape Henlopen State Park, with Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island farther south along the Delaware coast.
What are some good fall weekend getaways from Philadelphia?
The Delaware beaches make an easy fall getaway from Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania region. Travelers can visit Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island for a combination of coastal scenery, dining, shopping and outdoor activities. For a different road-trip experience, travel through South Jersey to Cape May and take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across the Delaware Bay, then return through Delaware to create a coastal loop.
Can I take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a weekend getaway from New York?
Yes. Travelers from New York City, Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area can travel south through New Jersey to Cape May and take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to Southern Delaware. It can be a fun alternative for travelers looking beyond their usual New York, New Jersey or Hudson Valley weekend destinations, combining a road trip, Ferry crossing and Delaware beach getaway in one trip.
What is Dock, Dine & Dream?
Dock, Dine & Dream is a seasonal getaway promotion from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and Southern Delaware Tourism, available September 1 through December 31, 2026. Travelers can receive Buy One, Get One Ferry passenger travel with promo code DREAM, along with access to exclusive offers at participating Southern Delaware hotels, inns and restaurants.
How do I get the Dock, Dine & Dream discount?
Book qualifying Cape May-Lewes Ferry travel online and enter promo code DREAM at checkout, or call 800-643-3779 and mention promo code DREAM. After booking, you’ll receive a promotional confirmation email with information about participating hotel offers. Your confirmation email also serves as your voucher for participating restaurant discounts. If you book online after 4 p.m., it may take up to 24 hours to receive the promotional confirmation email.
Where can I stay with the Dock, Dine & Dream promotion?
Dock, Dine & Dream includes participating hotels and inns in several Southern Delaware beach communities, including Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island. Participating properties offer special rates or discounts to qualifying Dock, Dine & Dream travelers. See the Dock, Dine & Dream offer page for current participating properties, discounts and terms.
What can I do at the Delaware beaches during a fall weekend?
A fall trip to Southern Delaware can include exploring downtown Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, walking the beach or boardwalk, visiting Cape Henlopen State Park, biking coastal trails, shopping, enjoying local breweries and restaurants, and exploring Southern Delaware’s Culinary Coast™. With fewer peak-summer crowds, fall is also a great time to slow down and make dining and exploring the coastal towns part of the getaway.
Can I bring my car on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for my Delaware beach getaway?
Yes. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry carries vehicles as well as foot passengers, making it easy to bring your car and continue exploring Southern Delaware after arriving in Lewes. Advance reservations are recommended, particularly when traveling with a vehicle.
WE SAIL EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR, INCLUDING CHRISTMAS
BOOK HOLIDAY TRAVEL EARLY
Holiday travel is in high-demand on the Cape May – Lewes Ferry. Be sure to secure your spot onboard early.
When demand is high – based on reservations – we may add another Vessel to the sailing schedule to accomodate travelers. Your reservations help us make your holiday better.