Things to do in Cape May, NJ
We’re lucky enough to go down to Cape May, NJ a couple times a year because Jess’s parents own a house nearby. Every time, I feel like we’re somewhere else completely. There aren’t many places like Cape May, especially in New Jersey. It feels more like South Carolina or Georgia.
That’s why I have to say it to Jess’s dad every damn time.
It feels like a different world.
If you’re not as lucky as we are and don’t know all the hidden gems, we’re here to help. Check out some of the things to do in Cape May, what you can avoid, and what you should make a priority.
Things to Do in Cape May, NJ
1. Cape May Brewery
Located at: 1288 Hornet Rd., Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Located right near the Cape May Airport, the Cape May Brewery has expanded over recent years. Yes, they show you a quick tour, but it’s self-guided unless you’re a beer nerd like us and want to listen to someone talk excitedly about beer for fifteen minutes.
The bar has a cool, laid back vibe, as does the gift shop and growler filling station. But the real gem is outside, where they added an outdoor section a couple years ago.
You can hunker down at one of the picnic tables, bring your own food, and just hang out for as long as you’d like. Plus, if you forgot to bring food or flat-out didn’t want to, there’s the Taco Shop next door with great tacos and burritos that you can bring back to your beer.
2. Cape May Zoo
707 U.S. Rt. 9, Cape May Courthouse, 08210
The cost of admission is free. Yes, free. So, there’s really no reason why you can’t make a stop here. We definitely recommend that you go early (as in right when the park opens), especially in the summer, because it gets crowded quickly.
Overall, the Cape May Zoo is well-maintained, clean, and the animals seem as though they are well taken care of. Plus, there are tons of activities for kids, such as face painting and other crafts.
3. Cape May-Lewes Ferry
1200 Lincoln Blvd., North Cape May, NJ 08204
If you have any reason to go to Delaware and you don’t take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, you’re really missing out.
It’s very easy to reserve your spot, as is loading your car. The 40-minute ferry ride isn’t going to save you much time, especially if you’re going further south, like we were to Ocean City, MD, but it’s still worth the trip.
Plus, the Dog Fish Head Brewery isn’t too far away on the other side, located in Rehoboth Beach. And apparently there is some great shopping in Lewes, DE, but I don’t let Jess do things like that anymore.
They have a couple bars on board, and sometimes they also have events, such as dinner cruises or live music.
4. Cape May Lighthouse
215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Any trip to Cape May won’t be complete without making a stop at the Cape May Lighthouse.
One of the quintessential New Jersey lighthouses, it’s been there since 1859 and open to the public since 1988. Since then, roughly 2.5 million people have climbed to the top, which only costs $8 for adults and is free to active-duty military members.
For a real must-see event, you should go during sunset, where crowds gather for one of the few spots in New Jersey where you can watch a great sunset. But go early, as parking is at a premium. If you show up too late, like 10 minutes before sunset, you’ll have a pretty far walk from your car. So, leave yourself plenty of time.
Unfortunately, you can’t walk there from the beach as the boardwalk ends because of the marsh. That means, you’d have to walk along the main roads with no sidewalk for 2.5 miles. We like to walk and that sounds awful even to us.
5. Cape May Beaches
If your image of New Jersey beaches is Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant with crowds, boardwalks full of arcades, shopping, and bars, and rowdy teenagers and 20-somethings, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you visit Cape May beaches.
As with the whole town, they’re geared towards families of all sizes and all generations. The beaches get crowded, but not like the beaches of central Jersey. And you can always find a spot on the beach no matter what time you go.
Enjoy the sun, the surf, the waves, and take it all in as the southern-most tip of New Jersey.
6. Cape May Downtown
Washington Street Mall
This is not a downtown that goes on for blocks. Instead, it’s the perfect size with plenty of shops offering you the chance to bring home a little piece of the southern tip of NJ.
Plus, there are restaurants, bars, ice cream parlors, pizza places, and a two-story bookstore. The shops are expanding a little bit to handle all of the demand and have crept into nearby streets.
Some nights during the summer they have live music or other attractions. Either way, this is a great way to spend an evening before dinner or walking off some of that fresh seafood and browse for as long as you (or your husband) can handle it.
Parking can be a bit of a pain. There is a parking lot on Jackson Street between Perry St. and Lafayette. But, you have to pay. If you go to Jackson and Myrtle St. there is usually some free parking there, though it is a little further of a walk. Or, if you’re staying in town, the best way to get there is to walk.
Some of the stores you must see are:
- Cape May Peanut Butter Company
- Cape May Olive Oil Company
- Cape Atlantic Book Company
- Cape May Cigars and Wine
- Across the Way: unique gifts from wall art to jewelry to fragrances
- Colors: all about high-quality clothes for the whole family, this is where you buy your Cape May t-shirts and sweatshirts
- Latitude Cape May: more clothes, only specifically targeted for women, these summer-inspired outfits range from chic to classic
- Great White Shark: your classic boardwalk store, this has everything from sweatshirts and t-shirts to beach jewelry and car decals
Cape May Fireworks
Many years, there are plenty of options to see fireworks near Cape May. In 2018, some of the options were:
July 3rd, Lower Township
Usually, the Lower Township fireworks are the 3rd or 5th, so check each year. If you want to be around crowds and have things for the kids to do, go to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, where they have face-painting and other activities for kids and live music.
July 4th, Cape May
Every year the Cape May fireworks are on the 4th of July (weather permitting) and launched from a barge near Congress Hall. The Saturday before the 4th they have the parade along Beach Ave.
Tip: it will be crowded. Arrive early and plan to stay late for the crowds to dissipate. Unless, of course, you like sitting in traffic.
Visit Cape May
There are so many things to do with your family in Cape May that we couldn’t list here. The best part of the town is that it’s quiet, it doesn’t feel like your typical Jersey Shore town, and it’s family friendly. Bring the kids and your parents and take long strolls around the Washington Street Mall and along the boardwalk.
And, don’t forget to share your images with us or comment below on your experiences in Cape May.
