At the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay, Cape May is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the United States.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
June to September for beaches; September and October for migrating birds, mild weather and fewer crowds.
How long
A long weekend covers the town, lighthouse and beaches; add a day for birding or a ferry trip.
Getting there
Drive the Garden State Parkway to its southern end, or take the ferry from Lewes, Delaware.
Why visit Cape May
Cape May began welcoming summer visitors in the late eighteenth century, and by the mid-1800s it was a fashionable retreat for families from Philadelphia and beyond. A devastating fire in 1878 destroyed much of the town, and it was rebuilt during the height of the Victorian era.
Today the town offers a rare mix: wide, clean beaches and a classic promenade, alongside walkable streets of historic inns, a strong food scene based on local seafood, and nature preserves where you can watch thousands of migrating hawks, shorebirds and monarch butterflies.
The Victorian historic district
The heart of Cape May is a grid of tree-shaded streets between the beachfront and the harbor, easily explored on foot or by bicycle.
Washington Street Mall
The southernmost three blocks of Washington Street form a pedestrian mall lined with gift shops, boutiques, fudge and saltwater taffy stores, cafes and restaurants. It is the social center of town, busy on summer evenings and pleasant for a stroll at any time.
Beach Avenue and the Promenade
Beach Avenue runs along the ocean, with a paved promenade on the seaward side and grand hotels and inns across the street. Walk it at sunrise for quiet ocean views, or in the evening for arcades, ice cream and people-watching.
Victorian streets and house tours
The blocks around Hughes, Columbia, Ocean and Jackson streets hold a dense collection of Victorian cottages and villas, many now operating as bed and breakfasts, with steep gables, wide porches and elaborate trim.
Emlen Physick Estate
On Washington Street, a short walk inland from the mall, the Emlen Physick Estate is an eighteen-room Victorian mansion now run as a house museum by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.
Cape May Point, the lighthouse and Sunset Beach
A few miles west of town, the small borough of Cape May Point and the surrounding state park mark the very tip of the peninsula, where bay and ocean meet.
Cape May Lighthouse
Built in 1859 inside what is now Cape May Point State Park, the lighthouse is the third documented light at this spot; the sites of the first two now lie underwater because of erosion. It still operates today.
Cape May Point State Park
Surrounding the lighthouse, this state park offers short nature trails through freshwater marshes and dunes, a beach and a famous hawk watch platform where volunteers count raptors during autumn migration. Allow two hours to walk the trails.
Sunset Beach
Facing west across the Delaware Bay, Sunset Beach is the place to watch the sun go down over the water. Just offshore lie the broken remains of the SS Atlantus, an experimental concrete cargo ship built after the First World War and towed here in 1926 for use in a planned ferry dock that was never completed.
Birding at Cape May
Because the peninsula funnels southbound migrants toward the tip, Cape May ranks among the top birding locations in North America. In autumn you may see thousands of hawks, falcons and songbirds in a day, along with monarch butterflies resting before crossing the bay; in spring, shorebirds gather along the Delaware Bay beaches.
Beyond the town
Historic Cold Spring Village
A few miles north in Lower Township, Historic Cold Spring Village is a living history museum of more than two dozen historic buildings relocated from around Cape May County.
Harbor, salt marsh and whale watching
Cape May Harbor, on the inland side of town, is home to one of the busiest commercial fishing ports on the East Coast. Boat trips leave from here and the nearby marinas for dolphin and whale watching, salt marsh nature cruises, sunset sails and fishing excursions.
Planning a trip to Cape May?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Cape May on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Seafood is the centerpiece of dining in Cape May. The local fleet lands scallops, flounder and other fish, and you will find them grilled, fried, broiled or baked on menus across town.
Beyond seafood, Cape May has a reputation for fine dining in restored Victorian houses and leisurely breakfasts on porches.
Popular dishes to try in Cape May
Where to stay
The historic district is the classic choice, with many Victorian bed and breakfasts and inns within a short walk of the Washington Street Mall and the beach.
Beach Avenue offers oceanfront hotels and motels that work well for families who want to step straight onto the sand.
Cape May Point is a quiet residential village with rental cottages, ideal for birders and travelers who want calm evenings near Sunset Beach.
Where to stay in Cape May
Best time to visit
Summer, from late June through Labor Day, is peak beach season, with warm water, lifeguards, every restaurant open and the largest crowds.
Getting there and getting around
Most visitors drive. The Garden State Parkway ends at Cape May, about three hours from New York City and roughly two hours from Philadelphia. Atlantic City International is the closest commercial airport, about an hour north, with Philadelphia International a larger option.
Once you arrive, park your car and walk or cycle. The town is flat and compact, and bicycle rentals, including surreys for families, are widely available.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start with a walking tour of the historic district, then browse the Washington Street Mall and have lunch nearby.
Second day
Cycle or drive to Cape May Point State Park in the morning, climb the lighthouse and walk the marsh trails.
Third day
Join a dolphin watching or salt marsh cruise from the harbor in the morning, then spend the afternoon at Historic Cold Spring Village or birding at the South Cape May Meadows.
Practical tips
- Book accommodation months ahead for summer weekends, and expect minimum night stays.
- Buy a beach tag before heading onto Cape May beaches in season.
- Rent a bicycle to avoid hunting for parking near the beach and the mall.
- Reserve dinner tables in summer and on holiday weekends.
- Pack sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for the marshes, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Bring binoculars in spring and autumn for migrating birds and butterflies.
Find local businesses in Cape May on WiserMap
Need a bike rental, a seafood market, a charter boat or another local service while you are at the shore?
