At the southernmost tip in the state of New Jersey is one of America’s oldest seaside resort towns. Cape May is filled with history lessons and landmarks, Victorian homes, and wide sandy beaches and is the perfect escape from reality.
Epic Things to do in Cape May:
- Beach
- Bike
- Cape May Lighthouse
- Sunset
- Enjoy the town
The Beach - Along the Atlantic Ocean lies a long, wide beach to enjoy. You do need to purchase a Beach Tag at the entrances. The tags can be purchased for a day, a week or a season. There are lifeguards on duty at most places and a wide, paved boardwalk runs along the oceanfront. The boardwalk is the perfect place for a stroll or a jog, with the ocean on one side and lots of shops and eateries across the street.
A Cape May view
Beach Tag
The beach boardwalk
Bike – rent a bike and start pedaling because there is so much to see. You can use the boardwalk (but only until 10 am), bike the streets and admire all the historic Victorian homes (many of them are now Bed & Breakfasts) or head out from downtown to the Cape May Lighthouse or sunset beach.
Visit the Cape May Lighthouse – located in Cape May Point State Park, just 3 miles from town, the lighthouse was built in 1859. If you are so inclined, you can climb the 199 steps to the top for epic views! Check the website – but the fee, currently, is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and free for active military and is open daily from 10-5.
Cape May Lighthouse
Watch the sunset – due to the location of Cape May – on the tip of the peninsula – this island is one of the few places in the world where you can see the sunrise and the sunset over saltwater. The view is perfect, although crowded at Sunset Beach. You can also view the sunset from cove beach and the sunset pavilion, at the west end of the boardwalk promenade downtown. Throughout the summer, the Cape May Kiwanis hosts a flag lowering ceremony here, and welcomes children to participate.
Sunset Beach
Washington Street Mall is a 3-block area that is perfect location for dining, shopping and people watching. Cape May offers Trolley tours, horse drawn carriage rides, tons of boutiques, restaurants, tourists’ shops, coffee and ice cream places, several historic churches, breweries, wineries, and even several “yoga on the beach” classes. There is also the World War 2 Lookout Tower, Plum Beach Farm, and spas. The town almost always has a special event or two to check out as well. Grab the local guide – Exit Zero – to find out what is happening during your visit. Additionally, you can choose the right accommodations for your trip – be it a hotel with a pool and a seaside view, a large family home or a quaint Bed & Breakfast.
Cape May Home
Overall – Cape May is the seaside town that offers the perfect retreat. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a destination wedding, a girls’ trip or a family vacation – there is something for everyone. You can be as upscale (in your choosing your accommodations, restaurants, shopping and spas) or as casual as you want to be, but I guarantee that you will find what you are looking at the end of the garden state parkway @ exit zero.
My New Jersey Native Friend, Tracy Morella, weighs in:
Cape May NJ is a beach town like no other. As a person who has been born and raised on the Jersey shore, I can say that you are in for a treat. When you live in NJ the shore /beach is not just a place to go. It is part of our culture. Each beach town has its own personality. It depends on what your family likes. Cape May is unique because you can walk to most main destinations including shopping, restaurants, coffee shops and the beach from hotels and condominiums. If you like to walk, run or bike ride you can do that each day and pick up your morning coffee on the way. The town is also extraordinary with Victorian architecture yet not overwhelmingly historic. If you like bed and breakfasts they have a whole street full of different ones to choose from. Each part of Cape is intricate and detailed. The stores and restaurants all have their own unique qualities. You will find different things in each one as you explore. Not all beach towns provide that type of experience. You will even see dolphins in the ocean each day! Cape May is an unforgettable beach experience.
