1. Check in to your hotel—the Beach Shack (205 Beach Ave.) is a laid-back resort with a swimming pool, nearby bike rentals and beach service. Book the Bunk Shack so the kids can have a bunk bed in their own separate area. Be sure to hit the hotel’s Rusty Nail, a surfer bar and restaurant.
2. Have breakfast at the Mad Batter (19 Jackson St.) and try their stack of three pancakes, either with blueberries or chocolate chips. You may have to wait in line but it’s a Cape May tradition!
3. Take a walk past all of the Victorian houses you’ll find here. Pass by The Southern Mansion (720 Washington St.) built in 1863 and recently renovated into a bed and breakfast. Head on to the Emlen Physick Estate—you can tour the house, which is also a museum, or book a trolley tour.
4. Have lunch at The Lobster House (906 Schellengers Landing Rd.), an old school seaside restaurant. You can sit in the restaurant but dining dockside and ordering from the raw bar is better.
5. Do some serious shopping on Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only area filled with great clothing stores, gourmet foods and local goods.
6. Treat yourself to ice cream at Fine Fellows Creamery (313 Beach Ave.). Their dark chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate sprinkles is decadent and delicious.
7. Rent bikes at The Bike Shop at Congress Hall (200 Congress Pl.). They even have surreys to accommodate your family! While there, be sure to look around this historic beachfront hotel that dates back to 1816.
8. Ride to the Cape May Lighthouse (215 Lighthouse Ave.) and climb 199 steps to the top. Located in Cape May Point State Park you’ll see stunning views of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
9. Have dinner at Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall. This casual restaurant has a rustic dining room and burgers and fish and chips.
10. Head to the beach. Even if the weather isn’t right for swimming, you’ll still appreciate the sound of the waves and the perfect sand beach that’s been called one of the most notable in the world. Head to Sunset Beach to find some sea glass as the perfect souvenir.