Cape May

A Victorian seaside town at New Jersey's southern tip, with colorful gingerbread houses, a lighthouse and a sunset beach—and in fall, one of the East Coast's top birding spots.

Cape May sits at the tip of the Cape May Peninsula at New Jersey's southernmost point, surrounded by water on three sides, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Delaware Bay to the west. It is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the United States. About 600 Victorian buildings across town are collectively designated a National Historic Landmark, and colorful gingerbread houses, old inns and the Washington Street Mall pedestrian street form the heart of town, all easily explored on foot. About 5 km west of town, Cape May Point has a lighthouse, a state park, Sunset Beach and a WWII fire control tower; it is also one of North America's most famous birding sites, with spectacular raptor and monarch butterfly migrations in fall. About 15 km north, Wildwood offers a lively boardwalk, amusement piers and retro neon motels for an evening out, while the county zoo and the Wetlands Institute are good for families. Jun–Aug is peak beach season, with high room rates and beach tags required; Sep–Oct brings fewer visitors and comfortable weather, ideal for birding and whale watching. In winter many shops close, but the Christmas season's Victorian decorations and historic house tours are a special draw. It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Philadelphia and 2.5–3 hours from New York, straight down the Garden State Parkway; NJ Transit buses also run in summer. Plan on 2–3 days.

Top sights

• Cape May Historic District – One of the best places in America to see a concentration of Victorian architecture, with rows of colorful “gingerbread” houses. The entire…
• Cape May Lighthouse – A red-roofed, white lighthouse completed in 1859. Climb 199 steps for views where the Atlantic Ocean meets Delaware Bay.
• Cape May Beach & Promenade – A broad sandy beach facing the Atlantic Ocean on the south side of town. Along the shore, a boardwalk links ice cream shops, amusement arca…
• Sunset Beach & SS Atlantus – A spot on Delaware Bay for watching the sunset, where the remains of a concrete ship poke out of the water. In summer, a flag-lowering cere…
• Washington Street Mall – A historic pedestrian shopping street three blocks long in the old town, lined with candy shops, gift stores, restaurants, and open-air caf…
• Emlen Physick Estate – A museum housed in an 1879 Victorian 'Stick Style' mansion. Guided tours tell the story of seaside life in the Gilded Age.
• Cape May Point State Park – A coastal preserve where the lighthouse stands. Its wetland boardwalks and famous hawk-watch platform make it a top fall birdwatching desti…
• South Cape May Meadows – A coastal meadow and freshwater pond managed by The Nature Conservancy. Its loop trail is excellent for birdwatching, and it leads directly…
• Cape May Bird Observatory – The bird observatory of the New Jersey Audubon Society, offering bird reports, birdwatching talks, and guided outings.
• Cape May Whale Watch – Boat trips from the Cape May harbor to see Atlantic spotted dolphins and humpback whales. Dolphins are seen on nearly every trip, and sunse…
• Congress Hall – A historic hotel founded in 1816 that was once the 'Summer White House' for several US presidents. Its yellow-columned veranda is a landmar…
• World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23) – A concrete observation tower from World War II used to track German submarines. Visitors can climb to the top for coastal views. It is one…
• Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area of woodlands, fields, and beaches along Delaware Bay. It is a hot spot for spring and fall migratory birds and butterfl…
• Historic Cold Spring Village – An open-air historic village museum with 26 relocated old buildings recreating rural life in 19th-century South Jersey.
• Willow Creek Winery – One of the largest wineries on the Cape May peninsula, offering wine tasting among the vineyards, Spanish-style snacks, and sunset music.
• Cape May County Park & Zoo – A county zoo with free admission, home to more than 550 animals including giraffes, lions, and red pandas. Its reputation far exceeds its s…
• Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum – An aviation museum inside a World War II wooden hangar, with more than 20 military aircraft on display. Some aircraft have cockpits you can…
• Wildwood Boardwalk – A classic Jersey Shore wooden boardwalk about 3 kilometers long, with amusement piers, arcades, snacks, and a yellow-and-blue sightseeing t…
• Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks – Three amusement piers and two water parks extending over the ocean in Wildwood. The wooden roller coaster 'Great White' is the most famous…
• Wildwoods Doo Wop Motels – The largest concentration of 1950s–60s 'Doo Wop' motels in the United States, with neon signs and space-age designs.
• Hereford Inlet Lighthouse – A Victorian 'Stick Style' wooden lighthouse in North Wildwood, surrounded by an elegant English-style garden.
• The Wetlands Institute – A salt marsh research and nature education center beside Stone Harbor, with an observation tower, boardwalks, and aquarium galleries that a…

Where to eat

• The Lobster House – Family-run seafood landmark on the wharf in Cape May Harbor, with dining rooms, an oyster bar, a takeout window, and a…
• The Mad Batter – Family-run landmark opened in 1976, on the ground floor of the historic Carroll Villa hotel and known for its breakfast.
• The Ebbitt Room – Upscale restaurant in the Virginia Hotel, sourcing from the owners' Beach Plum Farm. The executive chef was named New J…
• The Washington Inn – Family-run fine dining in an 1840 plantation-style mansion, known for its extensive wine cellar and fireside dining.
• George's Place – Seaside Greek diner opened in 1968, with generous breakfasts and flaming saganaki at dinner. Featured on Diners, Drive-…

Itineraries

• New Jersey to Delmarva Coastal Highway – Head south along the Atlantic from boardwalk towns to Cape May, take the ferry to Delaware, and see wild horses.