Cape May and her surrounding areas offer so much more than just the beach—although the beach is pretty wonderful, too! Here are our top picks by category.
801 Stockton Avenue, Cape May
609-884-5425
801 Stockton Avenue, Cape May
609-884-5425
Cape May and her surrounding areas offer so much more than just the beach—although the beach is pretty wonderful, too! Here are our top picks by category.
The Cape May County Zoo is one of the loveliest, best-maintained small zoos in the country. AND IT’S FREE! Donations boxes are provided at the entrance and exit, and you will be so impressed by the facility that you’ll gladly leave a contribution. The snow leopards are the main attraction, and if there are cubs you’ll be in for a real treat! The zoo is an easy 10-minute drive up the Garden State Parkway.
The Nature Center of Cape May is located on the harbor, just past the Coast Guard base. It’s primarily an educational outpost, highlighting marine and environmental conservation. There’s a gallery exhibiting the work of local artists, lounge, gift shop, and two observation platforms (a 2nd floor deck and a 3rd floor tower) offering spectacular views of the harbor and surrounding areas, and a chance to see a wide range of birds -- binoculars provided!
The Emlen Physick Estate is Cape May’s Victorian House Museum, located on Washington Street. You’ll see how the well-to-do Dr. Physick lived, with the museum’s focus on the decorative arts, architecture, and customs of the Victorian era. There’s an art gallery, gift shop, and the Carriage House Tea Room. Cape May’s Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is the caretaker of this gem.
Historic Cold Spring Village is an open-air living history museum, along the lines of Massachusetts’s Sturbridge Village or Virginia’s Williamsburg (but on a much smaller scale). The Village focuses on historic preservation/education, giving visitors a taste of what life was like in rural NJ during the early part of the 19th century. The Cold Spring Brewery and the Grange Restaurant are adjacent to the grounds.
Cape May Brewing Company was our first local craft brewery (and remains our favorite for their Cape May IPA). While taking the “tour” is a mere formality, you can sample a range of specialty and seasonal brews in the Tasting Room. There’s a taco shop next door since all that beer will undoubtedly make you hungry!
Cape May Winery was likewise our first local winery, and we think produces the best wines, with the largest variety. The facility is large and elegant, and offers a lovely deck and patio where you can enjoy a glass or bottle during nice weather.
Our favorite shops on the Washington Street Mall:
Good Scents for candles, lotions, and gorgeous pottery and jewelry, most from local artisans
Whale’s Tale for their greeting cards and lovely seashells (their sister store Splash, also on the Mall, has beautiful jewelry)
And our favorites off the Mall:
West End Garage for their extraordinary selection of goods from over 70 vendors, many of them local artisans, ranging from gourmet peanut butters to alpaca wool ponchos
Cape May Honey Farm for their locally-produced honeys and selection of imports; Andi’s Cape May Wildflower Honey is what we serve on our Greek Yogurt Parfaits at breakfast!
And here are some other suggestions for things to do while visiting: