Cape May, New Jersey is a gem of the Eastern Seaboard, with its stunning architecture, crystal waters and outdoor experiences
Known as the nation’s oldest seashore resort, Cape May captivates visitors looking for Victorian charm and coastal beauty. With white sandy beaches and waves crashing along the shore or boardwalk, this quaint town, located at the southern tip of New Jersey, beckon groups with intriguing sights and activities.
Victorian-era houses
Photo Credit: CapeMay.com
Historic Architecture
A National Historic Landmark, the entire town of Cape May is a showcase of Victorian architecture. Walking down the streets, visitors can gape at the “painted ladies”—large, colorful painted homes embossed with gingerbread trim, wraparound verandas, stained-glass windows, gables and turrets that represent the Victorian era.
The Emlen Physick Estate, the only town’s only Victorian house museum, is an 18-room home with period-authentic furnishings. The Estate is headquarters for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, a local arts organization that organizes many festivals and celebrations.
Beach Strolls
Take a stroll down the paved, two-mile stretch of the Promenade. Pop into candy shops, ice cream parlors and other shops while enjoying the oceans views. At the end of the boardwalk is a postcard-perfect gazebo.
At Sunset Beach be sure to leave with a few “Cape May diamonds,” clear quartz pebbles that wash in from the Delaware River and Bay. These souvenirs can be found by combing the beaches or in gift shops.
Also at Sunset Beach be sure to notice the sunken ship, the SS Atlantus, a World War I-era concrete ship that broke loose in 1926.
Cape May Lighthouse
Photo Credit: CapeMay.com
Cape May Point State Park offers more than 230 acres of beaches, dunes, hiking trails and bird-watching sites. Cape May Lighthouse, a 157-foot-high beacon of light that continues to guide ships to shore, is open from April through November for self-guided tours, as well as weekends in the shoulder seasons. Visitors can climb the 199 cast-iron spiral staircase steps to the Watch Room Gallery for a panoramic view. On the “Stairway to the Stars” tour, guests are taken on a trolley ride from Cape May to the lantern room of the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the night sky.
Nature & Wildlife Adventures
Cape May County Park is best known for the Cape May Zoo, which houses more than 500 animals representing almost 300 species. See scarlet ibises, bald eagles and cheetahs, just to name a few of the inhabitants.
The peninsula is a prime spot for birding enthusiasts, known as the Birding Migration Capital of North America. Some famous locations are the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge and the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, where visitors can watch raptors, shorebirds and songbirds passing through the area.
Cape May, New Jersey
Photo Credit: CapeMay.com
Whale watching tours are available through Cape May Whale Watcher, sailing from Miss Chris Marina aboard the 110-foot, air-conditioned Spirit of Cape May.
Wine enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the area’s vineyards. Stop by Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery in Rio Grande, Turdo Vineyards, Natali Vineyards and the Cape May Winery & Vineyard for wine tastings and tours.
To start planning your adventure at the shore, visit capemay.com.
