Eventually other beach communities sprang up and Cape May became all but forgotten.

Thankfully, Cape May was saved as other historic areas were being demolished to make way for modern architecture. With the recently-renewed interest in historic preservation, Cape May’s Victorian splendor has been rediscovered for all to appreciate.

Cape May caters to many interests. With all its activities and seasonal special events, you can expect a bustling town year-round. In the fall and winter, take a historic tour, shop or rent a bike and stay at a romantic B & B. In the spring and summer, take the kids and go swimming at the beautiful beach, lay by the pool at your motel or rent a kayak.

THINGS TO DO

See full list of activities and businesses

If you are staying overnight, check into your accommodations first, but if you are daytripping, right next to the Transportation Center bus stop, you’ll find Village Bike Rental. They rent bikes for $10.00/day and $35/week, or surrey’s built for two for $12.00/hour through September.

Just two blocks down from where the bus comes in on Lafayette Street, is the Visitor’s Center, where you can pick up more information. Next to the Visitor’s Center is Elaine’s Haunted Mansion Restaurant. Be sure to sign up for a Ghost Tour for that night.

From there, walk or bike two short blocks to Washington Street Mall, an outdoor shopper’s paradise.

At the entrance on Ocean St., you’ll see the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) Information Booth, where you can make reservations for all kinds of recreational, historical tours, kids tours and Cape May Lighthouse tours. Hurry, as they fill up fast. You can also purchase beach day passes for $4.

Before your scheduled tour, browse the shops and antique stores and galleries of Washington St. Mall.

All tours leave from the MAC Information Booth. We took the trolley tour of Historic Cape May. Make sure you sign up for the historic section tour (parts of the other half of town burned down in 1878 and have since been replicated in the Victorian style.) You can also combine your package with a tour of the marvelous Emlen Physick Estate.

On weekends through October 15^th, catch a local C.A.T. bus at the Washington St. Mall entrance. The C.A.T. bus will take you to various places like Cape May Point next to the Cape May Lighthouse, the Concrete Ship Atlantus (moored 1918 ship) and the Cape May Bird Observatory, where you can go bird watching. Buy the passes onboard.

On weekends through Christmas, you can also catch the local Seashore Line Train at the Transportation Center on Lafayette. The train takes you to Historic Cold Spring Village (open Summer). Authentically clothed artisans demonstrate their crafts in a 19^th century village recreation. The Seashore Line Train will also drop you at the Cape May Zoo (free 7 days a week, open Summer).

If going by car, pack your golf clubs and head to the top-ranked Cape May Golf Club on Rt. 9 at Exit 4A. Without a car, go miniature golfing at Ocean Putt Putt in town!

Other offerings include, strolling along the promenade, taking in a movie at the movie theatre, playing games at the arcade or catching a carriage ride with Cape May Carriage Co. at the Washington St. Mall entrance. At the corner of Jackson and Carpenter’s Lane, you’ll find Victorian Photo. Preserve your Cape May memories by posing in authentic Victorian garb.

If all else fails—go to the beach! (Passes $4.00 at the entrances or the MAC Information Booth

LODGING

The number of lodging choices in Cape May outnumbers the people—or so it seems.

The Atlas Resort, rates starting at $59/night, The Heritage Inn, rates starting at $60/night, and The Jetty Motel, rates starting at $69, are all right across from the beach. La Mer Motor Inn, rates starting $41/night, is farther down the beach from town. Rates start at $60/night at the Victorian Motel, which is adjacent to the Washington St. Mall. All of these accommodations have pools.

Most of the historic homes have been converted into B & B’s. Locals recommend the beachfront, Avondale-by-the-Sea, the historic Bedford Inn on Stockton Avenue, the Carroll Villa Hotel on Jackson St. and 41 Jackson on Jackson St. The Windward House, also on Jackson offers a separate apartment for long-term guests. Also recommended were The King’s Cottage, on Perry St., The Linda Lee on Columbia Ave, and The John F. Craig House, also on Columbia Ave.

The Perry Street Inn, a B&B and motel, offers abreakfast buffet, beach passes, special packages and beach views. The Sevilla on Perry St., serves a continental breakfast and includes beach passes in your stay as well.

Other highly recommended lodgings to consider include the Chalfonte Hotel, The Fairthorne Bed & Breakfast, the Mission Inn and the Primrose Inn. You may also be interested in the John Wesley Inn & Carriage House.

There are also many apartments and suites for rent on a weekly basis, call Cape May’s Victorian Guest Accommodations at 609-885-9199 for more info.

If camping is your passion, there are several campsites in the area, such as the Beachcomber and the Seashore Campsite, both only accessible by car. Only the Depot Travel Park, open may- through September 30^th in West Cape May, is within walking/biking distance (1 mile) to the main part of town. The Cape Island Campground, open through October 31^st is directly across from a Seashore Lines Train stop. The train runs four times a day directly into Cape May.

See full list of lodging

DINING

There are plenty of restaurants along Washington St. Mall to choose from. Orders sandwiches from the Lemon Tree and pack a beach picnic. If you fancy, try the more upscale Cucina Rosa, serving classic Italian dishes.

Outside the mall, Ballpark Café on Beach Drive gets a thumbs up with locals, as does Gecko’s at Carpenter Square mall. For lunch, we enjoyed shrimp at Henry’s, a casual eatery right on the beach. For more casual dining along the water, try Zoe’s.

For fine dining, visit Aleathea’s on Ocean St., Mangia Mangia on N. Broadway, The Mad Batter on Jackson St. or The Magnolia Room at The Chalfonte Hotel, reservations are suggested at all.

Of course don’t forget Elaine’s Famous Dinner Theatre at the Haunted Mansion Restaurant for a new experience, and you can’t miss Uncle Bill’s Pancake House for breakfast.

See full list of dining

NIGHTLIFE

Experience a lively late-night pub scene at Carney’s, (live music and dancing), The Rusty Nail or Jackson Mountain Café during peak seasons.

Take in a movie at the Hoyt 4 Movie Theater on Beach Drive or sign up for a dinner or sunset cruise with the Cape May Whale Watcher.

Catch some live theatre at Cape May Stage and Film or cabaret at the Grand Hotel. How about dinner theatre at Elaine’s Famous Dinner Theatre at the Haunted Mansion Restaurant? For a haunting experience, try Elaine’s Ghost Tour.

See full list of nightlife

TRANSPORTATION

BUS:

From Port Authority, take a NJ Transit bus #319 to Atlantic City. (2-1/2 hours) In Atlantic City, change for the #552 bus to Cape May. (2 hours).

Store your bike in the luggage bin, first come first serve, no charge.

In the summer, there is an express bus from NYC to Cape May. You will arrive at the Cape May Transportation Center on Lafayette St.

Call NJ Transit to confirm schedule (973) 762-5100.

Total travel time: 3.5 to 5 hours.

If you are going on to Lewes, stop in Cape May for breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on when you arrive. At the Cape May Transportation Center bus depot, take the Shuttle to the Cape May Ferry - make sure you purchase a loop pass that includes 2 shuttle rides and the ferry ride. (Only operates weekends through 10/15) (15 min.). Ride the ferry to Lewes. (90 min.) At the terminal, catch the Shuttle to Lewes. (5 minutes). Call to confirm schedule of CML Ferry at 800-64-FERRY—no reservations needed if on foot.

LOCAL BUS:

The local C.A.T. bus makes a loop through the major attractions of Cape May through Mid-October.

TAXI:

Call Aart's Cape May Taxi at 609-898-RIDE.

CAR:

Take the Garden State Parkway to the very end. Take 109 South to Cape May. Cross bridge onto Lafayette St.

Make sure you have change for tolls!

Travel time: 3.5 to 5 hours.

See full list of transportation

TRAVEL TIPS

Packing Extras: Sunglasses, suntan lotion, camera, bathing suit, bike.

LINKS

New Jersey Tourism

MAP

For a detailed map of Cape May, please click here.