Cape May was just named the No. 1 Best Small Town in New Jersey (and No. 9 in the Northeast) by USA Today readers, and spring is one of the best times to see why. Before the summer crowds roll in, Cape May offers plenty of reasons to visit for the day, from scenic beach walks to historic sites.
Cape May has been known as “America’s first seaside resort” since families from Philadelphia first began vacationing there in the mid-1700s. Today, it’s best known for its charming, colorful Victorian homes that look like gingerbread houses and second only to San Francisco in number—along with its free, white-sand beaches.
The are many areas to explore around the Cape May Lighthouse. Climb the 199 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the southernmost town in New Jersey. Then go next door to the Nature Center of Cape May, a small aquarium-meets-museum. Here, you’ll see exhibits of local wildlife, including some real turtles and snakes. There are easy walking trails to the beach, and since spring is peak migration season, you’ll see tons of birds flying around the area. There’s also a World War II bunker on the sand you can check out.
Cape May Food Tours offers guided walking tours to try food from different table service restaurants or grab-and-go spots; or take a self-guided scavenger hunt on a Cape May Treasure Tour. You’ll learn a little history along the way, too.
Garrett Family Preserve at Cape Island Creek is another big attraction for families who love nature. The great thing for younger kids are the stroller-friendly pathways. Kids like seeing the turtles, birds and fish in the marshlands. You can also hop on a rail bike and pedal your way into the preserve, and you’ll see butterfly murals along the way.
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area has its own sandy area where you can find lots of shells, or let the kids run around in the open space along the Delaware Bay. There are two viewing platforms in the forest.
Cape May County Park & Zoo is always a highlight, though it’s further north along the Parkway in Cape May Court House. Open 365 days a year, and always free, it has over 500 animals, a large playground and picnic areas. You can sign up for an animal encounter, guided tour, or a springtime like activity like the Earth Day Celebration.
Cape May “diamond hunting” is a fun—and free—way to keep kids entertained at Sunset Beach. The so-called diamonds aren’t gems, though; they’re quartz stones that wash up along the shore.
Located inside a former World War II hangar, the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum dates back to 1943. There are lots of hands-on exhibits and artifacts, like propeller planes, jet-propelled aircrafts, military jets, fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. There’s also a 1940s room, and kids can climb inside of a real air traffic control tower.
Cape May played a big role in the end of slavery, and the Harriet Tubman Museum (did you know she lived in Cape May in the early 1850s?) shares Tubman’s efforts in the Underground Railroad.
Historic Cold Spring Village also takes you back in time, with 30 acres that make up the largest open-air living history museum in New Jersey. The preserved buildings are from the 1800s, and you can watch as historical interpreters demo blacksmithing, printing, woodworking, basket weaving and bookbinding.
To determine the Best Small Towns in the Northeast, an expert panel from USA Today came up with a list based on towns with less than 25,000 residents, and then readers voted for their favorites based on pretty scenery, historic charm, local cuisine and cultural attractions.
These are the Best Small Towns in the Northeast (2026), according to USA Today readers:
1. Sewickley, Pennsylvania
2. Woodstock, Vermont
3. Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
4. Corning, New York
5. New Hope, Pennsylvania
6. Castine, Maine
7. Provincetown, Massachusetts
8. Boothbay Harbor, Maine
9. Cape May, New Jersey
10. Stowe, Vermont
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Things to Do in Cape May, New Jersey
New Jersey’s 3 Best “Bougie-on-a-Budget” Vacation Spots, According to Survey
