If you’ve never been to the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, you may have images of a Jersey Shore type beach with wild parties. But Cape May, New Jersey, on the state’s southern coast, is a charming beachside city with plenty of fun for the whole family.
Spend your days lying out on the golden sand beaches of Cape May. Sunset Beach is the perfect spot for beautiful views during your days in the sand. While on the beach, visit the iconic Cape May Lighthouse, where you can learn about the lighthouse’s history and get incredible panoramic views from the top.
When you need a break from the beach, take a carriage ride through town and get a history tour at the same time with Cape May Carriage Company, or visit the Historic Cold Spring Village and stroll through the 18th-century buildings. Spend a day at the Nature Center of Cape May, with dozens of kids activities, gardens, and an observation tower. The Museum of Cape May County, Cape May Brewing Company, and Louisa’s Restaurant and Chocolate Bar are other top sights in Cape May.
Locals in town are friendly and welcoming, and community-oriented.
Peak season in Cape May is from June to September, however, the spring is also a great time to go as the town warms up for the summer, but before the crowds roll in.
Vacationers have been traveling to America’s oldest seaside resort in Cape May for many decades. The city at the tip of southern New Jersey’s Cape May Peninsula is famed for grand Victorian houses such as the Emlen Physick Estate, now a museum with a preserved interior from the era. The whole area was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and has been beautifully maintained as a charming seaside destination.
Called the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts”, Cape May has perfect beaches, a stunning promenade and a rich culture. There are three municipalities: Cape May, Cape May Point and West Cape May. However, Cape May is still a small town and boasts a small-town feel.
Cape May was recognized as one of America's top 10 beaches by the Travel Channel and its beach was ranked fifth in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches contest.
The Victorian “gingerbread” homes are a feature of Cape May as are the Cape May Diamonds – clear quartz pebbles that wash down from the Delaware River. Collecting Cape May diamonds is a popular pastime and many tourist shops sell them polished
Head to one of the pristine beaches in Cape May for a day soaking up the sunshine and swimming.
From Higbee Beach to Poverty Beach, Cape May is a beach-lovers’ paradise. All of Cape May City’s beaches are family-friendly and clean. There are public restrooms close by and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. The Cape May Lighthouse provides views across the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Wildlife-lovers can also spot migrating birds during the fall as more than 400 species flock into the area. Cape May is one of the best places to bird watch in the Northeastern United States. The Cape May Warbler, a small songbird, takes its name from the seaside resort and visitors can go to the Cape May Bird Observatory at Cape May Point.
Whales and dolphins also come close to the shore (some within ten miles) at Cape May. The mammals can be spotted in the waters of Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. They make this area their home due to the fresh and saltwaters that pack the area full of nutrients. Take a cruise or watch with binoculars from the shore.
Shops and restaurants line the Washington Street Mall, perfect for tourists looking to pick up a local souvenir. Additionally, the town hosts the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Cape May Music Festival, and the Cape May, New Jersey Film Festival.
There are so many vacation rentals in Cape May to choose from that no matter what the group size or requirements, vacationers are sure to find a great deal. There are pet-friendly beach houses with full kitchens, rentals with beach access, and rentals just moments away from the main tourist attractions.
There are plenty of great vacation homes in Cape May, many of which are idyllic condos. As Cape May is a small beachside city, most of the condos are within walking distance to the city’s main dining area, alongside some of the best shops and restaurants. Its gorgeous beaches draw vacationers looking to be just a few short blocks to the beach, or to kick back and enjoy ocean views from the living room or balcony of a home rental. The most popular condos are located on the beach, and they are often quite pricey (alongside high real estate prices). If you’re looking for more of a bargain, look for condos a few blocks back from the ocean. There are several condos in the area with access to a shared pool, if you’re looking to mix things up after spending the day at a sandy beach.
This climate histogram shows you the weather patterns in Cape May. The hottest month in Cape May is May, when temperatures peak at 97 ˚F. The coolest month is January, when temperatures drop to 8 ˚F. The wettest month in Cape May is December with 5.08 inches of rain, while the driest month is May with 1.31 inches of rain.
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Choose the perfect rental for your vacation at AllTheRooms.com. We aggregate Airbnb, Priceline, Agoda and more. AllTheRooms has 1,859 rentals, hotels and other great places to stay while you enjoy Cape May, with everything from inexpensive hostels and homestays to luxury Airbnbs and hotels. On average, an accommodation in Cape May will cost you $376 per night.
Those needing to get some work finished during their trip to Cape May can pick from 421 places to stay that provide WiFi. 44 places to stay include a morning meal. Fitness fanatics can get a workout in during their stay by choosing from 19 accommodations that have gym facilities. If you're planning on getting to Cape May by car, be sure to choose from 422 accommodations that provide parking. We track 99 vacation rentals that have a pool or jacuzzi.
If you're traveling with your best friend, then make sure to choose one of the 79 pet-friendly accommodations available.
In Cape May AllTheRooms currently aggregates hotels, vacation rentals, hostels from more than 3 providers, including 392 places to stay from Airbnb, 4 accommodations from Priceline and 4 places to stay from Agoda.
911 of the accommodations in Cape May have been reviewed and rated. 64% are rated excellent or good. 412 places to stay in are instantly bookable.