Cape May, NJ

Address:Cape May, New Jersey

Established in 1761 and known as America's first seashore resort, Cape May boasts one of the largest collections of authentic Victorian homes and bed-and-breakfasts in the nation. More than 600 beautifully maintained 19th-century Italianate, Gothic, and Mansard-style wooden-framed and sheathed structures were designed by talented and well-known architects such as Samuel Sloan, Frank Furness, and Stepehn Dacatur Button. In the early 20th century, Cape May's architecture reflected Dutch Colonial, Renaissance Revival and Spanish Colonial styles, as well as Arts and Crafts Movement bungalows. Today, people pour into Cape May for tours and discussions about the town's unique architecture.

A wide range of trolley tours are available in Cape May, including tours to the historic Washington Street Mall, Cape May Winery & Vineyard, and Cape May's natural habitats, and a unique trolley tour of Wildwood's 1950s architecture. The summer trolley routes provide a convenient form of transportation in Cape May. Visitors may also enjoy a peaceful, comfortable ride around town on a historic train - Cape May Seashore Lines offers rides on a restored Reading Company steel speedway.

Among the many period homes, we especially recommend visiting the beautifully restored Emlen Physick estate, a splendid 1878 Victorian mansion with period furnishings. Impressive interiors include a square staircase and geometric mantelpiece. The estate is open to the public daily. Architecture lovers will also marvel at the Cape May Lighthouse, a beautifully-restored 1859 brick structure that is one of the oldest continually-operating lights in the U.S. The lighthouse, located on the tip of the Cape May Peninsula, follows the design of Barnegat Light and Absecon Lighthouse, which were overseen by General George Meade. Other touring highlights include the town's several wineries, the Cape May Winery and Turdo Vineyards & Winery, where visitors can tour the vineyards and processing facilities and taste new vintages. With children, consider visiting the Cape May County Park Zoo, where you'll see many exciting and interesting varieties of birds. The Reptile House is home to creatures like Blue-Tongued Skinks and Leopard Tortoises, while the African Savanna exhibit features animals like the Red Ruffed Lemur and Mountain Bongo. The zoo is free.

Cape May has three miles of urban shoreline. There are lifeguards on duty on the beaches for safe swimming, and other activities include walking or biking on the boardwalk, fishing, scuba diving and surfing. The area is popular with beachcomber, looking for sand-buried treasures and famous Cape May diamonds (which are actually pure quartz crystals). There is plenty of parking near the beaches.

Surrounded by water and wildlife, Cape May Harbor has become a primary destination for marine adventure. Kayakers regularly see bald eagles, dolphins, pilot whales and harbor seals. Scuba divers can descend to several fascinating shipwrecks in the Harbor. Cape May is one of the best saltwater fly fishing spots in the U.S. The fishing season runs from March-June with the peak being late April/early May. Many people catch up to four species in a single day.

When you're ready to rest, savor some fresh fish and shellfish at some of the Jersey Shore's best seafood eateries, or hop aboard a schooner, paddlewheel cruiser, sailboat or riverboat for local cruises and boat tours, which sometimes include lunch, dinner and even live music. Cape May has often boasted the title "Restaurant Capital of New Jersey," ranking first on the East Coast in commercial seafood restaurants. For a spooky change of pace, the Haunted Mansion Restaurant at Elaine's Victorian Inn is a crowd-pleaser.

Spend the night in one of hundreds of colorful, affordable motels, designed to accommodate vacationing families. Many of the motels are relics from the Doo-Wop, 1950s-era architectural style, and make your accommodations in Cape May as interesting as the town itself.

Cape May is located on a barrier island on the New Jersey Shore. It is approximately 3 1/2 hours from Manhattan, via the Garden State Parkway. The area is served by several airports, the Cape May County Airport, Atlantic City Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, and can also be reached by the Cape May Lewes Ferry, which crosses Delaware Bay several times a day, connecting the Cape May peninsula with the town of Lewes, Delaware. The ferry trip takes an hour and ten minutes each way.