28 Best & Fun Things To Do In Cape May NJ (New Jersey)
There are always things to do in Cape May NJ! Visiting Cape May for the first time can be a daunting task. There is so much to do and see in such a small town. It’s hard to know where to start!
You could spend hours walking around aimlessly, or you could make your life easier with this list of 28 things that can give you a taste of what Cape May has to offer.
Worry less, we’ve done the research and have put together a list of some of the best things to do in our wonderful city. From food festivals to being a tourist for a day, this list has something for everyone.
Check it out below and see if any of these activities interest you!
28 Best & Fun Things To Do In Cape May NJ (New Jersey)
#1. City Beaches
The first thing to do in Cape May NJ is to visit the city’s beach. There is nothing more relaxing than a trip to the beach. With Cape May’s stunning beaches, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect spot.
Whether it’s the action-packed beach on the south end of town or the quieter north end, there is something for everyone if you enjoy chilling on a blanket with a good book and refreshing drink, head over to Lighthouse Beach.
Try one of our many water sports destinations like Sea Isle City or Wildwood to get your adrenaline pumping. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Cape May NJ.
#2. Light House
The Cape May Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. This is one of the best places to visit in Cape May NJ, This Victorian-style landmark is one of the leading lights on America’s East Coast, outshining its counterparts thanks to its location atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking Delaware Bay.
The imposing tower with its red and white stripes towering over the quaint town below had welcomed travelers since 1821 when it first lighted up for business.
The lighthouse served as a beacon for sailors in distress and played an essential role in developing early steam navigation with its powerful beam guiding ships safely down the Jersey coast.
The strategic location of Cape May at the head of Delaware Bay made it an ideal spot for one of the country’s first significant lighthouses. And while technology has advanced dramatically since 1859, this lighthouse remains one of our nation’s most recognizable landmarks.
#3. Naval Air Station World Aviation Museum
The Naval Air Station World Aviation Museum is located at 1601 South Broadway in Cape May, NJ. It was founded by retired United States Navy Captain Dennis P. Hays, who recognized the need for a museum to preserve aviation history.
The museum hosts more than 50 aircraft and displays relics that date to 1910.
Through its exhibits, the museum tells the stories of Naval aviation from its inception to the present day using interactive learning opportunities that are perfect for entertaining children and adults alike. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Cape May NJ.
#4. Washington Street Mall
The Washington Street Mall in Cape May, New Jersey, is a historic and tourist destination. This mall has been revitalized to provide a mix of entertainment, shopping, dining, and tourism.
This mall offers more than just shopping, with restaurants, theaters, and attractions on the lower level. The upper level is home to many shops and boutiques.
This mall has over 125 stores and galleries, studios, and artisans’ spaces, and a mall is an excellent place for any tourist or local to spend a day enjoying the company of others!
#5. Cape May Winery and Vineyards
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or want to experience something new, a visit to Cape May Winery and Vineyards is the perfect getaway for you.
Established in 1982, this family-owned vineyard has poured its wines for thirty years. There is sure to be something for everyone with a wide selection of wines to choose from.
Whether you want to sit back and relax at the winery or go on a journey through the vines, a trip down south is always a good idea.
Since you love the things to do in Cape May NJ, you might also love the things to do in Punta Cana, Hickory NC and Lubbock.
#6. Willow Creek Winery
Willow Creek Winery is the perfect place to go for a day of wine tasting. It‘s one of the few wineries open on Sundays and has a beautiful setting overlooking Cape May.
This winery offers food too! The Willow Creek Winery Restaurant is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays for lunch and dinner. It features traditional New Jersey fare with some southern influences like fried green tomatoes.
Their wines are all very affordable, with many wines available by the glass, half-liter, or full liter. You can also get your wine to take home or enjoy by the seashore. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Cape May NJ.
#7. Emlen Physick Estate
Emlen Physick Estate is one of the most famous landmarks in New Jersey. The estate is located on Beach Avenue between Emlen Street and Lafayette Place, directly across from the beach. built-in. According to research, the house was renamed “Emlen” in 1889 in honor of Lewis’s sister-in-law, Louisa G. Emlen.
The building achieved notoriety for its connection with Franklin D. Roosevelt through his courtship with Eleanor Roosevelt, who attended a family picnic at the home when she was 16 years old.
Today it is operated as a museum by the nonprofit organization Historic Emlen Physick Estate Inc., which operates two other historical properties in Cape May County: Mott Hall Museum and Gibbons House Museum.
#8. Historic Cold Spring Village
If you’re looking for an authentic New Jersey experience, complete with history and culture, look no farther than Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May.
Visitors can explore more than 40 historic structures, including homes, churches, shops, and the lighthouse.
The village is also home to the Cape May County Museum of Arts and Sciences, where visitors learn about regional culture and art through exhibits and performances.
#9. Nature Center
A nature center is a part of an educational facility where the natural environment is presented to the public. These centers may be open to the public for visitation or serve as an arm of educational institutions and universities.
Nature centers are typically located in rural areas, though there are exceptions. They often provide space for interpretive exhibits, environmental education programs, and sometimes animal rehabilitation or preservation projects.
#10. Poverty Beach
Poverty Beach is located in Cape May County, New Jersey. The beach has no lifeguard, no parking lot, and no facilities.
It is not maintained by the state of New Jersey or any other local government entity.
The beach’s only visitors are the people who live nearby and walk over to enjoy the scenery. Poverty Beach is a slight stretch of land once used as an unofficial dumping ground for trash.
Today, however, it can be found with seagulls nesting on top of abandoned fishing nets and children playing in waves that wash up onto rocks.
If you’re willing to chance it, you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen at Poverty Beach in Cape May, New Jersey! Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Cape May NJ.
#11. South Cape May Meadows
The South Cape May Meadows is a one-of-a-kind community of over 100 homes. You can relax in our expansive, open spaces when you come home.
You’ll love the variety of activities and amenities we offer. In addition to a 24-hour fitness center, there’s a sandy beach with an outdoor pool, a picnic area with barbecue grills, and a playground for the kids.
The town has beautiful restaurants and shops just blocks away from your doorstep. There’s no need to head into town for entertainment because it’s all right here in South Cape May Meadows!
#12. Out of the Past Antiques
Old things have a way of bringing back memories. They’re often sentimental objects and can be anything from photo albums to old jewelry boxes.
If you have sentimental items that you want to store for the future, there’s no need to throw them away! You can sell your old treasures online or in-store through consignment shops.
#13. Spirit of Cape May
This is a place where memories are made, where memories are made of people, places, and things. Of laughter and love and family. Memories are made in many forms by so many different types of people: artists, visitors, writers, students, retirees, and business owners.
As the city’s population has grown over the years, so too has its spirit become more vibrant. This collection of stories from Cape May, New Jersey, will give you insight into what makes this beautiful place unique.
#14. Washington Street Gallery
There are many reasons to visit New Jersey, and one of the most popular is Washington Street Gallery, right on Washington Street in Cape May.
This street features numerous galleries, shops, and restaurants, which are very affordable and offer fantastic discounts. The gallery itself showcases a wide array of paintings that range from photography to sculpture and even a few paintings.
This gallery has been around since 1983, so it’s been around for quite some time. It’s easy to find parking on the street or nearby streets as well as public transportation if you need it.
There are also plenty of places to eat nearby, including steakhouses, fine dining, seafood restaurants, casual fare, and more!
#15. Rotary Park
Rotary Park is a beautiful waterfront park located in Cape May, New Jersey. In the past few years, this city area has undergone many changes.
This location has been home to an industrial area specializing in shipbuilding and boat repair. Now that these industries have relocated thanks to newer technologies, Rotary Park is becoming a haven for families to enjoy nature.
With the addition of the new reclamation project and waterfalls, it’s become one of the most popular recreation areas in Cape May today.
#16. Antique Emporia
Antique Emporia in Cape May, New Jersey, is a great place to find beautiful and unique items at affordable prices. Antique Emporia has a wide variety of furniture and decor to help you create the perfect room for your home.
They also offer antiques and collectibles daily, so if you look for unusual items, you will never be disappointed by shopping here.
#17. Antique Center
The Cape May Antique Center is a fantastic place with a wide array of antiques, collectibles, and unique treasures that are sure to please any collector.
This treasure-trove offers more than just the typical antique trinkets and old curiosities. The center also offers a variety of furniture, paintings, sculptures, books, jewelry, and much more.
#18. Cape Island Theater Company
The Cape Island Theater Company is a Cape May County Arts Council member. The theater company has been producing plays and musicals for over 60 years.
They are known for their performances of the works of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” and “Twelfth Night.”
The theater company has also been performing other productions such as Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters,” Horton Foote’s “The Trip to Bountiful,” as well as the operas “Carmen” and “Madama Butterfly.”
It currently runs an annual production season that includes three major productions each year plus several special events and children’s shows, which would make this one of the most diverse theater companies in the nation.
#19. Fishing Touches
Locals and tourists alike enjoy the peaceful nature of this area as they fish nearby in coves, lagoons, and ponds.
The fishing is especially significant when you want to try something different that you’ve never tried before or had one last chance to get that big catch of a lifetime before the winter season begins.
Cape May has some great fishing spots as well, so if you’re looking for an exciting place to go on a date or just hanging out with your friends, give this place a try!
#20. Salt Marsh Safari the Skimmer
If you’re looking for an adventure in the great outdoors, look no further than the salt marshes of Cape May. With its miles of trails and breathtaking views, this is a place that you can explore from dawn to dusk.
It’s also home to some rare wildlife like sandhill cranes, which use salt marshes to break the ice layer on their wings and cover long distances without stopping.
If you’re looking for your next outdoor adventure, meet Skimmer in Cape May. Be sure to add this to your list of things to do in Cape May, NY.
#21. Birding By Boat on the Osprey
It is not unusual to see birds at Cape May in New Jersey. The famous birding destination is perfect for birders who want to see species such as ospreys, bald eagles, and more.
A great day trip for birders is to take a boat ride out onto the Delaware Bay to find these majestic birds. As you cruise on the bay, you will be able to enjoy watching the birds from a serene perspective.
It’s a relaxing way to spend an afternoon, but it’s also a great experience that will leave you with memories that last forever.
#22. Pedego Cape May
Traveling by bike is a fun and easy way to get around. The faster you go, the more exercise you can do. Biking is also good for the environment as it reduces pollution and congestion on the road. If you’re looking for a new way to travel in NJ, then the Pedego cape may be perfect for you.
The Cape May Bikeway is a great place to start biking if you’re new to road cycling or not sure where to begin because it’s well-marked and has many places to stop along.
#23. Food Tours
If you’re looking for a great way to experience the best of what Cape May has to offer, try a food tour. Food tours are a fun and easy way to get the most out of your vacation.
Let us show you around the city’s vibrant food scene and provide you with some much-needed culinary inspiration for your next trip!
#24. East Coast Parasail
The seas off the coast of New Jersey are a beautiful and serene place to enjoy nature. You can find yourself sitting on the beach or even out in the water, looking up at the beautiful blue sky and hearing nothing but the sound of waves crashing.
It’s not unheard of to see dolphins or whales swimming alongside you, enjoying some time in their own company before they head back out into open waters.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush that doesn’t require parachuting, parasailing might be just your thing. Many companies throughout New Jersey offer parasailing tours all year-round.
From scenic Cape May to Atlantic City and Ocean City, parasailers can experience more than just nature from above. Along with exploring New Jersey’s natural beauty, parasailers can also expect a thrilling ride and a fun experience that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.
#25. Trolley Tours
Have you ever wanted to take a tour with a trolley? Trolley tours are almost as old as the city of Cape May in New Jersey. These tours cover the history, architecture, and wonders of Cape May.
They also take you on a leisurely walk around the town. There is always something new to see on these tours, with three different tours per day.
#26. Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is a luxury hotel in Cape May, New Jersey. It provides excellent amenities for the hotel guests, including an indoor pool, a private beach, and a bar.
The hotel’s location makes it easy to visit various attractions during your stay. When you’re done with those attractions, come back to enjoy all the luxuries offered by this impressive hotel.
#27. Olive Oil Company
Olive oil is a healthy food product that has gained popularity over the last few years. The health benefits of olive oil have made it a staple in the diet for many people.
If you’re looking for help losing weight, using olive oil as a part of your diet can help you lose weight. Here are some health benefits of using olive oil as a part of your healthy diet and why Cape May Olive Oil Company is the best place to purchase your favorite product.
#28. Whale Watch & Research Center
There are many whale watch and research centers around the world. People come from all over the country to see humpbacks and dolphins for free or pay a small fee for the best possible experience.
The Whale Watch & Research Center in Cape May, New Jersey, is one such place. The center offers an unparalleled natural experience with up-close views of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
The center has been a well-known attraction. It was one of the first to offer this type of experience. Its location onshore near miles of private beach offers guests an opportunity to see wildlife from land, water, and sky.
The center’s unique environment allows guests to take part in hands-on activities that teach them about whales and dolphins, as well as their connection with our planet.
Plan Your Trip To Cape May
If you are searching for things to do in Cape May, NJ, this article has everything you need to know. It’s an excellent place for visitors and locals, and the weather is always perfect.
Cape May is the perfect destination for people who love adventures. With an array of attractions and activities, it’s no wonder that it has become the fastest-growing city in New Jersey.
So, start preparing to tour Cape May on your next vacation. You’ll love it and enjoy the places to visit in New Jersey.
