Cape May, NJ - A Visitors Guide

Cape May is more than a charming
summer beach resort destination.

Cape May is not the type of resort that you visit just once. There is a charm and special warmth about the town that pulls you back again an again.

Cape May is not just a summer resort, the fall season is very popular with many theme weekends and the water is still warm enough to visit the beach. Not a beach enthusiast? There are many activities that are in full swing right up until New Years Day.

Cape May is the oldest seaside resort town in the United States, located below the Mason-Dixon line at the southern most point of NJ.

It's charm lies in it's tree-lined, gas lamp streets, it's quaint shops, authentic Victorian homes and Bed and Breakfasts. One of it's claims is that it possesses the largest collection of authentic Victorian homes in the nation.

You can park your car and bike or walk around town. In fact, If you're coming to Cape May for the first time, make a stop at the Welcome Area of the Transportation Center (where the buses go) off Lafayette Street across from the Acme shopping center and pick up a guide map on a "Car Free/Care Free" vacation.

Cape May is also the home of one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the United States, and as a result you will find a good variety of seafood restaurants that serve up locally caught fresh sea food.

If relaxing on the beach is not your thing, there are plenty of other activities that can occupy your day time leisure hours.

Cape May Attractions & Things To Do

Cape May Beaches
The Cape May County Beaches in the southern end of the Jersey shore are known for their wide, fine, powdery sand, and are considered to be amongst the best beaches on the Atlantic coast.
Read more

Biking
Cape May is a bike friendly town. Their "Dero Fixit" is a free bicycle repair and service station located to the left of the steps leading up to Convention Hall. Its equipped with a hand air pump for filling your tires, and tools to change a flat tire or adjust your brakes. Its secured by wires to make sure everything will be there when you need it.
Cape May also has many bike rentals available throughout the town by the hour or day. Cycle down to the Cape May Light House or to Sunset Beach.

Cape May County Zoo
The Cape May County Zoo is the largest and most visited zoo along the Jersey Shore. Popular with families the zoo features lush country gardens, with a large collection of over 550 animals representing over 250 species.
Visit their site to learn more

Cape May Light House
The Cape May Lighthouse is located on the southernmost tip of New Jersey. Climb up the winding 199 stairs to the top of the 157 foot-tall structure and from the watch gallery take in a fantastic view the Atlantic ocean, the town of Cape May, Delaware Bay, and Cape May Point State Park.
Read more

National Wildlife Refuge
The Cape May National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest in the National Wildlife system. It was established to protect migratory birds along New Jersey's coastline.
Read more

Sunset Beach
Every trip to Cape May must include a visit to Sunset Beach.
Known for it's spectacular over the water sunsets, the Flag lowering ceremony at sunset, the site of the S. S. Atlantus, a World War l concrete ship, and the World War - ll "Concrete Tower."
Read more

Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey
632 Lafayette Street
Harriet Tubman lived in Cape May in the early 1850s, working to help fund her missions to guide enslaved people to freedom.
The Harriet Tubman Museum building is located on a block that anti-slavery activists called home in Cape May. Lafayette Street and Franklin Street became a center of abolitionist activity centered around three important buildings developed in 1846.
Visit their site to learn more

Cape May Stage - Robert Shackleton Playhouse
405 Lafayette St, (Corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets)
Cape May Stage is a non-profit organization, located in a 1853 historic structure that is now a state-of-the-art theatre and is known to residents and visitors "as the jewel in the crown of Cape May's architectural gems." This beautifully restored building has 124 seats set up in stadium design.
Visit their site to learn more

Whale Watching
Take in a Whale and Dolphin watching boat trip. For a more casual experience, there is picnicking, and beach walking at sunrise or sunset, where you are apt to see schools of dolphins swimming by.
Read more

Washington Street Pedestrian Mall
A pedestrian village with quaint shops, restaurants, art galleries, souvenir stores and more. Many are open year round.

Other popular things to do and attractions in Cape May include:
kayaking in the salt water marshlands, signing on to a salt marsh safari, deep sea fishing, and visiting the Bird Observatory operated by the New Jersey Audubon society