Cape Henlopen State Park - Lying amidst rolling sand dunes, on a high bank overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is the Fort Miles Historical Area, home of the Fort Miles Museum. The central features of the museum include Battery 519, six barracks buildings, a fire control tower, an orientation building, and the Fort Miles Artillery Park. The museum tells the story of Fort Miles, a key piece of our nation's coastal defense, from World War II through the early 1970’s. Walking tours/bike tours.
Recent Reviews
Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area
Darius Mark : 5 on 6/4/2026 1:48 pm
This used to be a ruin, DE opened it up so everyone could see the old Fort, tower and bunkers. It used to be just ghost hunters and explorers could sneak in. It’s a very cool piece of history.
Darius Mark
1780580906
5
5
Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area
Miss Val : 5 on 5/27/2025 9:49 pm
We visited Fort Miles while in the park on Memorial Day. The museum was doing a free self guided partial tour of some of the rooms inside the bunker. There was a paid tour that day but we missed it. I would check the website to see what they are offering on any given day. If you are into WWII history it just US history in general this would be a good place to visit if you’re in the area. There is quite a good bit of information about the Fort’s importance in the war and beyond. There was no fee for admission on the day we visited, just the park admission but check the website for info on paid tours.
Miss Val
1748382589
5
5
Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area
EZ E : 5 on 6/5/2024 6:29 pm
A spontaneous stop at Fort Miles turned into a fascinating history lesson! We were surprised to learn about the critical role this location played in World War II, particularly its defense against German U-boats. It's a sobering reminder of how close the war came to the U.S. mainland.
The knowledgeable staff truly brought the history to life. They explained everything in detail, making even the lesser-known aspects of the war, like U-boat attacks off the U.S. coast and the tragic loss of life, come into focus. Their expertise really deepened our understanding of this period.
I was particularly surprised to learn that a piece of the USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor is on display here. It served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. Seeing this artifact firsthand added a whole new layer of significance to the experience.
Fort Miles is a treasure trove for history lovers. With so much to learn and see, it's definitely worth a visit! From the strategic location to the stories of U-boat attacks and the USS Arizona memorial, this place offers a unique window into a sometimes forgotten part of World War II history.
The knowledgeable staff truly brought the history to life. They explained everything in detail, making even the lesser-known aspects of the war, like U-boat attacks off the U.S. coast and the tragic loss of life, come into focus. Their expertise really deepened our understanding of this period.
I was particularly surprised to learn that a piece of the USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor is on display here. It served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. Seeing this artifact firsthand added a whole new layer of significance to the experience.
Fort Miles is a treasure trove for history lovers. With so much to learn and see, it's definitely worth a visit! From the strategic location to the stories of U-boat attacks and the USS Arizona memorial, this place offers a unique window into a sometimes forgotten part of World War II history.
EZ E
1717612177
5
5
Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area
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