Things to do / Travel Guide
Let the locals lead you to the Jersey Shore's best-kept secrets. A plethora of Jersey Shore tours allow you a guided and informative foray into the region.
Cruises and Boat Tours along the Jersey Shore
Explore the Jersey Shore's waterways without lifting a finger. Historic schooner, paddlewheel cruiser, sailboat, and riverboat tours of Atlantic City Harbor, Brielle, Navesink River, Manasquan River, Barnegat Bay, and Cape May, among countless other locations, are available. Nearly every Jersey Shore community offers local cruises and boat tours, which sometimes include lunch, dinner, and even live music, generally from May-October. Narrated excursions with friendly and knowledgeable guides usually last several hours, and prices naturally depend on type and length of tour. For an educational (and ecological) cruise, try the Salt Marsh Safari, a premier wildlife boat tour providing information on the ecosystems and species of Jersey Shore salt marshes. The tours are offered by The Wetlands Institute near Stone Harbor.
Ghost Tours in the Jersey Shore
Cape May becomes Cape Fear when spooky specters cross back over with the help of parapsychology guides. Ghost tours introduce you to local legends, phantoms, and their haunts in both Cape May and Ocean City. These popular walking tours (best enjoyed at night by candlelight for a greater fear factor) generally last about 90 minutes, run with a minimum of 20 people.
Trolley Tours in the Jersey Shore
Travel in a classic trolley to various locations in the Jersey Shore. Narrated trolley tours through Atlantic City and along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline last for about one hour, and often include lunch. A wide range of trolley tours are available in Cape May, from a tour to the historic Washington Street Mall, Cape May Winery & Vineyard, and Cape May's natural habitats, to a unique trolley tour of Wildwood's 1950s architecture. Varying in length and range, trolley tours in Cape May cost about as much as they do in Atlantic City, and summer trolley routes provide a convenient form of transportation in Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood Crest, Rio Grande, Wildwood, and North Wildwood.
Walking Tours along the Jersey Shore
Sometimes the best way to get a sense of a place is just by relying on your own two feet. Cape May's Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts offers “Inns and Outs,” inexpensive one-hour guided walking tours of Cape May's Victorian National Landmark District and historic houses. Guided walking tours of quaint, coastal Beach Haven's Victorian and Seashore Colonial houses and bed and breakfasts are available in the summer.
And if you are a military history fan, schedule your trip to Sandy Hook around the “Going Bunkers” tours of the Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock gun batteries and bunkers. These tours are available once a month (usually on weekends) and schedules can be obtained through the Gateway National Recreation Sandy Hook Unit.
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in the Jersey Shore
On a whale or dolphin watching cruise off Cape May you can observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat - sightings are guaranteed! Cruises depart from April-October, usually last between two to three hours.
Cape May Tours
A wide range of tours for exploring the historic and architectural riches of Cape May provide an interesting and educational introduction to the community. Self-guided audio tours of Cape May's historic district including almost 100 different Victorian buildings are available - audio units can be obtained at the Emlen Physick Estate. The guided East End Walking Tour is another great way to get a sense of the area's Victorian landmarks, dollhouses, and miniature museums. These tours can last several hours.
Trolley tours abound in Cape May, including a Natural Habitats Trolley Tour (exploring the area's wildlife and native ecosystems) as well as a Cape May Point Trolley Tour that explores the history of Cape May and includes a visit to the Cape May Lighthouse. Trolley tours generally last several hours. If you happen to be in Cape May on the last weekend of November or during the weekends of December, you might enjoy the Cape May Christmas Candlelight Tour. Available as a self-guided walking tour or in a cozy heated trolley, you will see Cape May's Victorian estates, churches, and historic inns dressed to the nines in festive lights, holly, and holiday regalia.
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