Not only is Cape May’s beach consistently voted once of the best in the country, the city is also dotted with quaint stores and restaurants and set in a neighborhood filled with colorful Victorian homes.
The beach in Cape May is unmatched anywhere else on the Jersey Shore. You can easily pass a day here in warm weather, and even in colder temps it’s fun to just walk along the shore or on the beautiful boardwalk. Spend an afternoon hanging with zebras, giraffes and pink flamingos at the Cape May County Zoo. This fantastic zoo is free and open year-round.
Another beautiful daytime destination with the family is Beach Plum Farm. Kids can have fun picking berries, feeding hens and checking out all of the fresh produce they grow. Explore the Washington Street pedestrian mall, which is filled with shops and restaurants. Snag an outdoor table at Cape May Fish Market for sandwiches, burgers and the raw bar.
Renting bikes for the afternoon is a fun and easy way to explore and get some exercise. Cape Island Bike Rental has three locations. Head to Sunset Beach to dig for “Cape May diamonds,” pure quartz crystals that sometimes wash up on the shore. You can also go railbiking, pedaling along decommissioned railroad tracks.
When it’s time for a sweet treat, visit Peace Pie for ice cream sandwiches in a variety of flavors. The Original Fudge Kitchen offers homemade fudge and saltwater taffy—no trip to the beach is complete without it. Grab dinner and a drink at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, which has had pop-up, family-friendly events for Halloween, Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day.
For a truly terrific adventure, Cape May MAC trolleys offer guided tours of the historic district. Watching the sunset on Cape May from the lawn of the historic Congress Hall hotel is a must. Let the littles run around on the Grand Lawn while you sit back in a rocking chair with a cocktail in hand, marveling at all this amazing beach destination has to see and do.
To learn about life in days gone by, visit Historic Cold Spring Village, which has an 1800s-feel at the historical site; the Emlen Physick Estate mansion and museum; or the Cape May lighthouse.
For performing arts, check out the musicals and productions at Cape May Stage. Cape May Convention Hall has its own lineup of concerts and events.
