Known as America’s first and oldest resort town on New Jersey’s southern peninsula, Cape May is full of natural coastal beauty, grand Victorian architecture, inlet farms, and rich history. From the boutique shops on Washington Street, quaint residential streets, vast beaches, historic lighthouse, and countryside wineries—Cape May has a summer adventure waiting for you.
Historic District - McCreary House
Cape May with its charming village and historic district is an architecture lover delights lined with Late Victorian-style homes, mansions, and hotels. The Late Victorian Period from 1850-1910 brought forth intricate, colorful, and highly decorative architectural styles to Cape May—including Edwardian, Italianate, Romanesque Revival, Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Carpenter Gothic, and Craftsman Bungalow. The distinct ornamentation of gabled roofs, diamond-shaped window panes, gabled dormers, gingerbread carvings, cupolas, and acroterion combined with a rich coastal color palette romanticizes every street.
The Merry Widow, Mainstay, Stockton Cottages, Chalfonte Hotel, Colonial Hotel, J.R. Evans House, Jackson’s Clubhouse, Eldridge Johnson House, and John B McCreary House are notable. And with over 600 historic buildings and homes—Cape May's exceptional collection of 19th-century frame build homes and Late Victorian architecture is one of the largest in the country, only second to San Francisco. So enjoy a bed and breakfast and stroll through history at this charming seaside resort town.
Washington Street
In the heart of the downtown is Washington Street Mall the center of shopping and dining—lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and vibrant cafes with outdoor seating. The 1816 Congress Hall Hotel is on one end of the mall and once the summer White House for The President of the United States—Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, and Congressional Leaders. Emlen Physick Estate on the northern end of the mall is an 1879 Stick Style mansion with oversized features, hooded dormers, and large corbelled chimneys. Physick Estate is a museum dedicated to Victorian architecture, decorative arts, and lifestyle.
Cape May Lighthouse
Gorgeous natural setting with scenic beach views of the Delaware Bay—Cape May Lighthouse is along the southern end of Cape May Point. Built in 1859, the classic tower with red lantern lighthouse stands 157-feet with a cast-iron spiral staircase, two separating walls, and a Fresnel lens. Along the beach is a 1943 WWII coastal defense battery. Battery 223 is a t-shaped concrete structure designed to hold 6-inch guns with a 9-mile range.
Cape May Point State Park is a 244-acre natural preserve with hiking, nature trails, marshes, coastal dunes, and pristine beaches—it is considered one of the best places for bird watching due to bird migration.
Beach Plum Farm
Beautiful, charming, and great for families—Beach Plum Farm is a 62-acre working farm with a fresh produce market, farm yoga, woodland nature trails, chicken feeding, Berkshire hogs, and quaint open-air countryside experience. The Farm Kitchen offers casual picnic-style dining with its ever-changing breakfast and lunch menu in the historic Amish barn. Beach Plum provides meats and produces to local restaurants throughout Cape May. So take a break from the beach, grab a picnic table—and enjoy the fresh coastal-country air and rich farming heritage.
Willow Creek Winery & Farm
Sun, sand, and wine—The only winery on Cape Island with thirteen varietals of vinifera. Willow Creek offers scenic vineyards, savory farm dishes, and a large selection of dry, semi-dry, and sweet wines. Try a glass of 2018 Malvasia Bianca Front Field with aromas of honey and pear or a refreshing summer glass of Wilde Cock Blush with a delightful fruit pink blend of Estate Merlot and Concord grapes.
Turdo Vineyards & Winery
Boutique winery—elegant tasting room and outdoor atmosphere with award-winning wines make it a must-stop for wine enthusiasts. Turbo Vineyards produces hand-crafted Italian wines and known for its signature Nero D’Avola—style indigenous of Sicily with its rich and complex flavors of cherry, raspberry, fig, vanilla, and soft tannins creating a smooth clean taste to the finish.
Cape May Winery & Vineyard
Festive outdoor farmhouse environment with rustic barn and award-winning estate wines from the 5th largest grower in New Jersey—with over 150-acres of farmland and 11 grape varietals harvested from Isaac Smith, Townbank, Shumpike, and Sandman Vineyards. Cape May Winery offers well-curated wines and ports, with an exceptional outdoor patio, tapas bar, and vintage barn.
Cape May Beaches
From sunrise to sunset, Cape May gorgeous beaches with unique terrain and views of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean are a beach lovers' paradise. The most popular and pristine Cape May Beach with views of the Atlantic is best for sunrises, daily beachgoers, and runs along the historic district with colorful Victorian homes, hotels, and charming.
Cape May Point State Park Beach is vast, open, and secluded overlooking the Delaware Bay with the famous Cape May Lighthouse. It’s a great place to embrace nature and get away from the crowds. Higbee Beach is a natural wildlife area with rugged sand dunes and great for a walk—it is also haunted so you never have to worry about being alone. The ghostly vivid spirit of Thomas Higbee is often seen walking the beach in solitude.
End the day on the northwestern end of the peninsula at Sunset Beach. Not only are there stunning sunsets but the remains of S.S. Atlantus, 1943 WWII concrete ship. Sunset Beach was once a nude beach—and although it is not today occasionally beachgoers forget their clothes.
Architectural Highlights
The natural coastal beauty and Victorian architecture that romanticized the streets make Cape May truly unique and magical. The 1892 Eldridge Johnson House known as the Pink House brings joy with its cake-like frosting color palette, gingerbread trim, bargeboard, and ornate decorative details is the prettiest porch in Cape May. The Mainstay Inn and former Jackson’s Clubhouse were once the center of card games, drinking, and prostitution. The 1872 Inn with a southern-style summer porch, ornate trim, spiral columns, and classic look is a must-see. And 1894 Colonial Hotel with its mansard roof, gabled dormers, and signature octagon peaks reaching for the sky towers over the beach and the promenade. Or visit the colorful summer cottage of John B. McCreary built by a former Senator and coal baron. The 1869 Gothic Revival home features lancet-arched windows, Tudor entrances, patterned shingles, and decorative bargeboards. The village is full of wonderful stories and breathtaking architecture—so stroll the quaint streets, reminisce, and discover the casual elegance.
Cape May is an architectural dream with the beauty of a colorful seaside resort. Its natural beaches, stunning Victorian architecture, countryside wineries, and boutique shops and eateries are full of coastal-country charm—so get out and explore. Learn more about New Jersey's charming seaside towns such as Ocean City and return for future posts on Watch Hill, Newport, and Mystic Seaport.
Sources: Wikipedia, Cape May Magazine, capemay.com & numerous local business websites.