America's oldest seaside resort (since 1766) is the only city in the United States to hold National Historic Landmark status in its entirety. While other shore towns chase the summer crowd, Cape May built something different—a year-round destination where Victorian architecture, world-class dining, and natural beauty converge. Seven U.S. presidents vacationed here during the Victorian era, and the town has never stopped attracting visitors who want more than just a beach day.
Cape May's beaches are notably different from the wider sandy stretches up north. The beach is narrower and more intimate, with gentle waves that make swimming safe for families. Beach badges cost $10/day, $25/week, or $40/season—under 11 and military are free. The main beach along Beach Avenue offers full amenities with restrooms and outdoor showers. Locals know that Poverty Beach on the west end stays quieter, while Sunset Beach on the bay side is the go-to spot for Cape May Diamond hunting (quartz crystals polished by the Delaware River) and watching the nightly flag ceremony at sunset.
The town itself is the attraction here. Washington Street Mall—a three-block pedestrian promenade—anchors the downtown with boutiques, fudge shops, and sidewalk cafes. Rainy days aren't a problem: the Emlen Physick Estate offers mansion tours (with reported hauntings), Cape May MAC runs trolley tours through the historic district, and the Nature Center of Cape May has hands-on exhibits. Evenings bring a different energy than the boardwalk towns—think wine bars, craft cocktails, and live jazz rather than arcade games and funnel cake.
Cape May's dining scene punches far above its weight. Chef Jason Hanin at The Ebbitt Room (Virginia Hotel) earned 2025 NJ Chef of the Year. The Lobster House is a local institution—skip the restaurant wait and grab seats at the raw bar or on the schooner deck parked alongside. For something special, 410 Bank Street serves Creole-Caribbean cuisine the NY Times called "the reason many come to Cape May." BYOB is big here—Washington Inn has the town's most extensive wine list, and corkage runs $15-25 at most spots. Expect $35-60/person at nicer restaurants, $15-25 at casual spots.
The best time to visit depends on what you want. Peak summer (July-August) brings crowds and $300+/night hotel rates, but the water hits 72-76°F and everything is open. September is the local favorite—warm water, empty beaches, lower prices. Victorian Week in October draws architecture enthusiasts and history buffs. Cape May's Christmas celebrations rival Dickens villages, and spring birding season (April-May) attracts serious birders from around the world to see migrating shorebirds and warblers.
Cape May is not for everyone, and that's part of its appeal. If you want arcade games, water parks, and late-night bars, look to Wildwood 15 minutes north. But if you want a shore experience that feels more like Nantucket than Seaside Heights—adults who appreciate good food, historic architecture, and a slower pace—Cape May delivers. Couples dominate here, especially for anniversary trips and romantic getaways, though families with older kids who can appreciate the history find plenty to love. Book early for summer weekends and holiday events; the town's limited hotel inventory fills fast.