Cape May, NJ - A Visitors Guide
Cape May is more than a charming
summer beach resort destination.
Cape May attracts visitors year round.
The off season is very popular
with many theme weekends and in the fall, the water is still warm enough for beach activities.
It 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 and again.
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.
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.
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
At the southern end of the Jersey shore, Cape May beaches are known for their wide, fine, powdery sand, and are considered to be amongst the best beaches on the Atlantic coast.
Cape May Light House
Located on the southernmost tip of New Jersey, climb to the top and take in fantastic views of the Atlantic ocean, the town of Cape May, Delaware Bay, and Cape May Point State Park. Visit the on site Nautical Museum.
Washington St Mall
The Cape May pedestrian village mall is several blocks from the beach and steps away from charming B & B's. Visitors are attracted to the quaint shops, restaurants, art galleries, souvenir stores, and more. Many are open year round.
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.
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.
Sunset Beach
Every trip to Cape May must include a visit to Sunset Beach --- for it's spectacular sunsets, the Flag lowering ceremony at sunset, the site of the S. S. Atlantus World War l concrete ship, and the World War - ll "Concrete Tower"
Other popular things to do and attractions in Cape May include:
- Biking throughout the town. Cape May 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.
- Visit the route of the scenic New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail with fresh water creeks and tidal marshes that can be ideal for canoeing and kayaking. There are also many bike routes along the New Jersey Coastal Trail.
- Kayaking in the salt water marshlands
- Booking a salt marsh safari, or a deep sea fishing open boat.
- Visiting the Bird Observatory operated by the New Jersey Audubon society
- Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey
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.
