Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Cape May, New Jersey
Known as the first beach resort in the U.S., Cape May is an old-fashioned, keeping-it-real kind of shoreline. Attracting thousands of visitors every summer, Cape May's shores are so invitingly calm that even bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, and seasonal shorebirds feel comfortable to hang out with the folks. Located at the southern tip of Jersey Shore, the place, Cape May's three miles of soft white-sand beaches and clear waters offer the best beach activities: snorkeling and diving, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and a well-attended annual sand sculpting contest that doesn't need to dig for compliments. What you can dig for, though, are Cape May diamonds; pure quartz crystal gemstones hidden in the sands of Cape May's Sunset Beach.
Founded in the mid 1700s as a delightful, get-away community, Cape May retains its small town feel and laid back, "southern" hospitality. Scattered along the tree-lined, coastal roads, you'll find Victorian mansions, quaint B & Bs, affordable seaside motels, and gingerbread cottages that further enhance Cape May's charming and eclectic vibe. If you're looking for a natural high, climb the 199 steps of the Cape May Lighthouse, (the second tallest operating lighthouse in the U.S.), and watch the waves crest and crash into Cape May's magnificent coastline. If you don't want to make the climb, try a flat, packed-sand beach walk from the last jetty in Cape May (at 2nd Street) to the Bunker in Cape May Point State Park. Be sure to stop at the beach along the Cove, where you can search for shells, and watch sandpipers dashing out of the waves.
When it comes to hardcore beaching in Cape May, folks usually favor Sunset Beach. The sand at Sunset Beach is soft and smooth, and there is a pleasant cove for swimming. Should you get water-logged, check out a World War I replica, the Atlantus, which mysteriously sunk in 1926. If want a beach without the bustle, try the pristine sands of Cape May Point State Park, just a few miles south of Cape May.
To savor Cape May's fresh catch, choose from a long list of casual and white table seafood restaurants. Don't leave without sampling the crab cakes on the Promenade. If you would rather try your hand at catching your own dinner, there are several fishing charter companies that will take you out for ocean fishing. Cape May anglers, however, claim that simply standing in the sand and sinking a line offshore (try the Cove Beach) will likely bring home a respectable meal. But if you cast out from the jetties, the locals recommend wearing spiked shoes as the rocks are slippery.
Try Cape May's various boating options, for a day out on the water. Kayaks are available for rent as are breakfast and sunset dinner cruises. You can catch the Cape May Lewes ferry and cross the Delaware Bay to enjoy the Cape May peninsula. If you'd rather get a glimpse of the life that lies under the sea, take a dolphin or whale watching tour with one of the local companies.
Travelers will be pleased to know that parking is available at nearly all of the favorite spots at Cape May, and Beach Avenue, that runs parallel to the shore, will help you get to the attractions of your choice. If you're looking for superb sand, calm and rowdy waves, marine wildlife, and a relaxing atmosphere, Cape May is the ideal seaside escape.