New Jersey
Cape May is the Victorian seaside town at the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Atlantic meets Delaware Bay, a National Historic Landmark district of painted inns and gingerbread porches sits a few blocks from a broad beach, and one of the continent's great bird migrations funnels past a 157-foot lighthouse.
This guide covers the best of Cape May and the Jersey Cape: the lighthouse climb and Cape May Point State Park, the Emlen Physick Estate and the Washington Street Mall, whale and dolphin cruises, marsh eco cruises, kayaks and paddleboards, the sunset flag ceremony at Sunset Beach, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and day trips to the Wildwood boardwalk, Historic Cold Spring Village and the county zoo. Alongside 22 attractions you will find 8 hotels across the historic district, the oceanfront and nearby Wildwood, and six guides on timing, boat trips, birding, itineraries and where to stay.
Cape May Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
The classic Cape May boat trip: a narrated cruise out past the jetties and into the Atlantic and Delaware Bay waters, looking for bottlenose dolphins year after year and, in the right season, the occasional whale.
Osprey Sunset Safari Eco Cruise
A two-hour evening eco cruise through the tidal marshes behind Cape May, timed for golden light, nesting birds and the quiet side of the shore that road visitors never see.
Cape May Lighthouse Climb
Climb the 199 steps of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse for a sweeping view of the Atlantic, Delaware Bay, the Victorian town and the state park from about 157 feet up.
Cape May Dinner Cruise with Dolphin Watching
An evening sailing from Cape May that combines a buffet-style dinner on board with a search for dolphins in the golden light, then a slow return past the harbor lights.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The classic Cape May boat trip: a narrated cruise out past the jetties and into the Atlantic and Delaware Bay waters, looking for bottlenose dolphins year after year and, in the right season, the occasional whale.
An evening sailing from Cape May that combines a buffet-style dinner on board with a search for dolphins in the golden light, then a slow return past the harbor lights.
A smaller-scale ecotour that pairs dolphin watching with birding on the bay, run by guides who explain the marine and coastal ecology of the southern New Jersey shore.
A two-hour evening eco cruise through the tidal marshes behind Cape May, timed for golden light, nesting birds and the quiet side of the shore that road visitors never see.
A daytime version of Cape May's marsh eco cruise: a small boat, an expert guide and close views of herons, egrets, ospreys and the tidal creeks behind the resort.
A longer guided outing built around the lighthouses and maritime heritage of the Delaware Bay and Jersey Cape, for visitors who want the story of the beacons that guided ships past these shoals.
Rent a kayak by the hour and paddle the sheltered waters near Cape May on your own schedule, with a chance to see herons, ospreys and the occasional dolphin from water level.
Stand up paddleboard rental for calm-water exploring near Cape May, a good-value way to enjoy the bay and marsh edges with a core workout thrown in.
A half-day fishing trip from Cape May for beginners and families, with the crew providing the tackle and guidance on one of the East Coast's best-known fishing ports.
Climb the 199 steps of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse for a sweeping view of the Atlantic, Delaware Bay, the Victorian town and the state park from about 157 feet up.
A Victorian mansion museum designed by Frank Furness in 1879, with period rooms, a carriage house and the story of the Physick family, the best introduction to the town's golden age.
A free stroll through one of the largest collections of Victorian buildings in the country, a National Historic Landmark district of brightly painted inns, cottages and porches.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Beachfront / Historic District
Cape May's grand oceanfront landmark, a sprawling yellow resort on Beach Avenue with a long history, a lawn that runs to the sand and the town's most famous porch.
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$$$Historic District
A boutique Victorian hotel just off the Washington Street Mall, with stylish rooms, a well-known restaurant and an easy walk to the beach.
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$$Historic District
A rambling 1870s Victorian hotel with a deep veranda, rocking chairs and old-fashioned charm, popular with guests who want atmosphere over luxury.
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$$$$Historic District / Washington Street
A grand Second Empire mansion on Washington Street, restored as an elegant inn with antiques, wraparound porches and gardens, close to the pedestrian mall.
Check rates →Beachfront
A family-friendly oceanfront resort on Beach Avenue with a pool, balcony rooms and quick access to the sand, a step up from a motel without the historic-inn formality.
Check rates →Beachfront
A beachfront hotel on Beach Avenue with ocean-view rooms, a pool and a convenient walk to the Victorian district, the pedestrian mall and the promenade.
Check rates →Beachfront
A mid-priced oceanfront resort with a pool, balcony rooms and a relaxed motor-inn feel, popular with families and groups who want the beach at their door.
Check rates →Wildwood
A retro Doo Wop hotel in Wildwood, about half an hour from Cape May, with mid-century style, a pool and an easy walk to the boardwalk, ideal for a stay combining beach and amusements.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Cape May Whale and Dolphin Watching CruiseStay
Congress HallBeachfront / Historic District
Do
Osprey Sunset Safari Eco CruiseStay
The Southern MansionHistoric District / Washington Street
Do
Cape May Lighthouse ClimbStay
Grand Hotel of Cape MayBeachfront
The essentials for a first visit to Cape May: how the town is laid out, what to book, how beach tags work, where to eat and how to avoid the summer crowds.
A guide to choosing where to stay in Cape May and nearby: Victorian inns, oceanfront hotels, family resorts, the point and Wildwood, with tips on timing and rates.
A three-day Cape May itinerary mixing the lighthouse, the historic district, the beach, wildlife cruises, birding and a day trip, with tips for rain and crowds.
Compare the boat trips and water activities in Cape May: whale and dolphin cruises, dinner cruises, marsh eco cruises, kayaks, paddleboards and fishing.
A guide to birdwatching and nature in Cape May: why the cape is special, the best seasons, the hawk watch, state park trails, boat trips and etiquette.
When to visit Cape May: how summer, shoulder seasons and winter compare for beaches, birding, crowds, prices and holiday events.
