A highlight of the Jersey Shore, Cape May is one of the Garden State’s most popular beach retreats. Every summer, this small town swells with out-of-town (and out-of-state) visitors who flock here for the unspoiled beaches, bed-and-breakfasts, and picturesque Victorian architecture. Absent some party-hard elements of Jersey Shore culture, this traditional town was once the haven of presidents and is renowned as a bird sanctuary. Today, there are many things to do in Cape May—from summiting the Cape May Point Lighthouse to brunching in its quaint cafés.
Summer is unabashedly Cape May’s high season when its population of 3,500 swells to 50,000. The high season is when the weather is best, the Atlantic waves are as warm as they’ll ever be, and the town’s paved promenade (no, not a boardwalk) becomes its own social scene. But for an alternative experience, visit in the fall, when hundreds of migratory birds can be spotted here.
Cape May is located roughly at the very end of the Jersey Shore, on New Jersey’s southern tip. From Philadelphia, it is approximately 93 miles (150 kilometers), and from New York City, it is roughly 158 miles (254 kilometers). NJ Transit buses also link both cities to Cape May. And for visitors coming from Delaware, the Cape May Lewes Ferry offers a shortcut route.
While many of Cape May’s attractions are found in the great outdoors, don’t miss the chance to explore the Emlen Physick Estate: the only Victorian house museum in town. Built in 1879, the house is considered a prime example of Victorian stick-style architecture and has been named one of the most beautiful buildings in the state. You’ll learn all about its heritage and what life in Victorian-era Cape May was like.
