VISIT
Known as America’s oldest seashore resort, Cape May offers visitors a slew of adventures on both land and water. At 157 feet tall, the Cape May Lighthouse has welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors since it opened to the public in 1988. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the landmark in 1859. To this day, the lighthouse aids mariners in navigation. Groups can climb 199 steps up the original cast iron spiral stairway to see stunning views of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. On scheduled occasions, tour groups can trek up at night, with the light of the moon as their guide.
Nearby, groups can also check out the last remaining restorable World War II lookout tower in the state of New Jersey. Fire Control Tower No. 23 was built in just a matter of weeks in 1942.
PLAY
Cape May has a 2 1/2-mile stretch of beaches where visitors can swim, kayak, and picnic. Parallel to the sand, Cape May’s promenade is a paved trail for walkers and runners alike. Groups can travel the scenic pathway to take in sights of the Atlantic Ocean, resting at benches to capture the sunset. Along the way, tours can stop at a variety of businesses, including an ice cream shop, arcade, and candy store.
Set sail with the Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center to see the city’s marine life up close. Aboard the American Star, tours spot bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales, as well as sea turtles and stingrays.
EXPLORE
In 1976, Cape May’s Historic District was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. A walk along Washington Street and Beach Avenue showcases stunning late-Victorian-era architecture, giving visitors a glimpse at what life was like there in the 1800s. The homes incorporate a variety of styles, from gothic to Greek revival.
LEARN MORE
Cape May MAC
capemaymac.org
Main Image: Cape May Lighthouse; Credit: capemay.com
