Cape May Travel Guide

City Victorian seaside resort town with historic architecture

At New Jersey’s southern tip, Cape May lures weekenders with Victorian B&Bs, a working lighthouse and late-season bird migrations. People stroll Congress Hall, take whale-watching boats and eat boardwalk salt-water taffy and seafood at docks.

Costs

About $150-250 per day (summer)

Peak-summer stays cost $150-250/day; shoulder seasons are cheaper.

Safety

Safe but busy in peak season

Generally safe seaside town; expect heavy traffic and crowded beaches in summer.

Best Time

May to September

Late spring through early fall (May-September) for beach weather and festivals.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

6:12 AM

GMT-4

Weather

56°F

Overcast

Population

3,514

Infrastructure & Convenience

Walkable historic downtown, seasonal shuttles and trolleys; car useful for exploring the region.

Popularity

Very popular East Coast summer resort popular with families and birders.

Known For

Victorian architecture, sandy beaches, Cape May Lighthouse, birdwatching, whale and dolphin trips, historic district, boutique inns, seafood, salt marshes, summer festivals

Cape May is one of America's oldest seaside resort towns and is a National Historic Landmark City for its Victorian architecture.

Why Visit Cape May? #

Historic charm and seasonal shore life draw travelers to Cape May, where rows of 19th-century Victorian houses and the Cape May Lighthouse frame seaside walks. Birdwatching at Cape May Point and the Washington Street Mall’s cafés and shops add cultural variety, while local cuisine highlights Jersey clams and boardwalk classics. The town’s many restored inns make it ideal for slow coastal weekends.

Best Things to Do in Cape May

All Attractions ›

Cape Henlopen State Park

Delaware coastal park with dunes and beaches

Park

Zwaanendael Museum

Museum interpreting early Dutch settlement and colonial history

Museum

Cape May Bucket List

Don't Miss

Cape May Lighthouse - Climb the Cape May Lighthouse for harbor and ocean panoramas from the tower.
Emlen Physick Estate - Tour the Victorian Emlen Physick house museum and learn local 19th-century history.
Washington Street Mall - Stroll Washington Street Mall for boutique shops, restaurants, and preserved Victorian architecture.
Cape May Point State Park - Walk dunes and birding trails at Cape May Point, excellent for migration viewing.

Hidden Gems

Cape May Bird Observatory - Join guided walks or visit the observatory during peak spring and fall migrations.
Cape May Winery & Vineyard - Taste local wines and enjoy vineyard views at Cape May Winery and tasting room.
Historic Cold Spring Village - Step into living-history exhibits at nearby Historic Cold Spring Village, showcasing regional crafts.

Day Trips

Cape May-Lewes Ferry to Lewes, Delaware - Take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a scenic crossing and explore Lewes, Delaware.
Wildwood Boardwalk and beaches - Spend a day at Wildwood's beaches and classic boardwalk amusements a short drive away.

Best Time to Visit Cape May #

Cape May shines in late spring and early fall when temperatures are pleasant and crowds thin. Summers are classic beach season with warm, humid weather; winters are mild, quieter, and windier.

Summer

June - August · 22-30 °C (72-86 °F)

Hot, humid and lively - beaches, boardwalks and festivals peak; expect crowds, higher prices and afternoon thunderstorms, so book early and bring sunscreen.

Spring/Autumn

April - May, September - October · 10-22 °C (50-72 °F)

Sweet spot - warm days, thinner crowds, and pleasant sea breezes; great for birding, biking, and sampling fall festivals without summer chaos.

Winter

November - March · 0-10 °C (32-50 °F)

Chilly, quieter and often windy - many attractions slow down; stays are peaceful and cheaper, with occasional snow and bracing ocean winds.

Best Time to Visit Cape May #

Climate

Cape May's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1044 mm/year), wettest in August, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 25 Good

Best Time to Visit

JuneJulyAugust

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

-13°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-3° – 6°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

5.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.7h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-2° – 7°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Low

10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

2° – 11°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

5.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 16°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 21°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

90 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

17° – 26°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Warm

24°C

Temperature

20° – 29°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

85 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.4h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

19° – 28°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 25°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

11.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.0h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

0° – 9°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

How to Get to Cape May

Cape May is a coastal resort reached most easily by car from Atlantic City (ACY) or Philadelphia (PHL), by seasonal bus services, or via the Cape May-Lewes Ferry from Delaware. There's no direct passenger rail into Cape May, so road or ferry are the practical arrivals.

By Air

Atlantic City International Airport (ACY): ACY is the closest airport with scheduled commercial service and is roughly a 35-50 minute drive to Cape May depending on traffic. Rental cars are available; taxis or prearranged transfers are also options but limited.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): PHL is the largest nearby airport offering far more flight choices and is about a 1.5-2 hour drive to Cape May. Rental cars, private shuttles and drive services provide the most direct connections from Philadelphia to Cape May.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no direct Amtrak service to Cape May; the nearest Amtrak stations are in Philadelphia and other regional hubs. From there you must transfer to bus or car to reach Cape May.

Bus / Ferry: New Jersey Transit and private carriers run seasonal bus services to Cape May from Philadelphia and other South Jersey points; the Cape May-Lewes Ferry links Cape May with Lewes, DE (crossing about 85 minutes) and provides an attractive driving and foot‑passenger connection. Ferry foot fares and vehicle fares vary by season - check the ferry operator for current rates and schedules.

How to Get Around Cape May #

Cape May’s historic downtown and beachfront areas are very walkable, especially during the summer season when streets are busiest. Driving is useful for exploring nearby lighthouses and state parks, but parking can be tight in high season. Seasonal shuttles and county buses operate around Cape May County; taxis and rideshares are available but may be more expensive or limited on peak summer nights.

Where to Stay in Cape May #

Budget

Downtown / near beach - $90-180/night

Cape May's budget tier is small inns and seasonal motels; expect historic properties with modest rooms, especially outside summer.

Chalfonte Hotel (budget rooms seasonal) - Historic, casual rooms available seasonally
Cape May budget B&Bs and motels - Small guesthouses near the beach

Mid-Range

Beachfront / historic district - $180-300/night

Mid-range choices include well-run historic hotels and boutique properties within walking distance of the beach and Washington Street Mall.

Congress Hall - Historic hotel with modern comforts
ICONA Cape May - Stylish mid-range beachfront hotel

Luxury

Premium beachfront / historic mansions - $300+/night

Luxury stays are concentrated in restored mansions and resort hotels offering gourmet dining, spa services, and beachfront locations.

Congress Hall - premium rooms - Upscale suites and beachfront dining
High-end Cape May resorts and inns - Luxury amenities and seasonal packages

Where to Eat in Cape May #

Victorian-Seaside Dining

Victorian seaside town with abundant seafood and charming inns; restaurants highlight local clams, oysters, seasonal fish and classic Jersey shore desserts.

Inns, Ice Cream & Coffee

Historic inns host polished dinners while casual spots and ice-cream shops provide easy after-beach options and family-friendly menus.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cape May's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Burger

American

Seafood

Donut

Chinese

Italian

Sandwich

Coffee Shop

Chicken

Mexican

Breakfast

Ice Cream

Deli

Salad

Steak

Pretzel

Regional

Steak House

Nightlife in Cape May #

Cape May’s nightlife is relaxed and seasonal: beach bars, cocktail lounges and live-music nights dominate the summer calendar. Evenings are more laid-back in fall and winter, with quieter pub scenes and hotel-hosted events.

Congress Hall - Historic hotel with bars and seasonal live music events in summer months.

Shopping in Cape May #

Shopping in Cape May centers on boutique retail along Washington Street Mall, antique shops, galleries and vendors selling seaside souvenirs. Summer brings many pop-up stalls and artisanal goods. Local specialty foods, Victorian-era collectibles and beachwear are the most common finds; for big-box shopping you’ll need to leave the island.