Cape May 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.
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.
Cape May Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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.
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#
Road and ferry connections are the practical ways into Cape May - drive or take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for a scenic approach. Public rail doesn’t serve the town, so plan for car, bus, or ferry transfers.
- Car / rental ($40-100/day (rental)) - Driving is the most flexible way to reach Cape May and move between beaches and historic districts. From Philadelphia expect about 1.5-2 hours; parking is widely available but can be limited in summer, so arrive early at popular spots.
- Cape May-Lewes Ferry (Varies (foot and vehicle fares differ)) - The Cape May-Lewes Ferry connects Cape May, NJ and Lewes, DE with an approximate crossing time of 85 minutes. The ferry accepts walk‑on passengers and vehicles; fares vary (vehicle fares are significantly higher than walk‑on passenger fares) so check the operator’s site for current pricing and schedules.
- NJ Transit / seasonal bus ($5-25) - NJ Transit and several private bus operators run seasonal and year‑round routes into Cape May from Philadelphia and South Jersey towns. Fares are generally modest; schedules are more frequent in summer. Check operator timetables before travel.
- Taxi / local shuttle ($10-60) - Local taxis, hotel shuttles and ride services provide last‑mile connections inside Cape May and to nearby airports or ferry terminals. Availability increases in summer but may be limited off‑season, so prebook for airport transfers.
- Biking - Cape May is compact with pleasant bike routes and dedicated bike rentals available; cycling is a popular way to move between beaches, shops and historic sites in fair weather. Expect short distances and flat terrain in most parts of town.
- Walking - Cape May’s historic district and beachfront are highly walkable; many attractions, restaurants and the promenade are an easy stroll apart. Walking is often the simplest way to enjoy the town center and shore.
Where to Stay in Cape May#
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
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
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 town with abundant seafood and charming inns; restaurants highlight local clams, oysters, seasonal fish and classic Jersey shore desserts.
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.
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.
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.
