Cape May

Mission Inn
The beach
Dolphin watching

Elegant tea
Physick House
Celtic festival at Cold Spring Village

In the 1800s, during the hot summer days before the advent of air conditioning people from the city resorted to cooler places like Cape May – and people still do. Cape May is America’s first seaside resort and reached its pinnacle of elegance during the Victorian era.

1. The history: Start with an overview of the history of the city on one of several narrated trolley tours. The tour is designed for the first-time visitor to Cape May who wants a quick introduction to the many cultural, historical, and natural attractions on the island.

2. The Victorian era: The Physick Estate offers a peek into the area’s Victorian past. The Physicks' distinctive home illustrates the changing tastes as well as the particulars of the Victorian lifestyle in Cape May. It is just one of the many Victorian houses that give Cape May its unique character.

3. Shopping: People who recall the days when towns had active Main Streets will love wandering Washington Street Mall. Most of the Mall's shops are privately or family owned. Looking for antiques? Antique shops are scattered throughout Cape May and the rest of the Jersey Cape.

4.The lighthouse: The newly restored 1859-vintage lighthouse is one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the United States. Climb the 199 steps to the watch gallery for a breathtaking panoramic view. For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible visitors' orientation center with a video.

5.The beaches: The beach is the reason for the season and there is a lot of beach to enjoy. But it is more than tanning in the sand. Head to Sunset Beach to look for Cape May diamonds and beach glass. Each day at Sunset Beach they fly the flag from the casket of a veteran. At sunset the flag is retired in a special ceremony that concludes with Kate Smith’s stirring rendition of "God Bless America."

6. The water: The sunset boat trip aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher is a two-hour narrated sightseeing cruise around the island of Cape May out into Cape May Harbor, along the Victorian oceanfront, into Delaware Bay, and returning via the Cape May Canal. Sightings of dolphins, porpoises, or whales are quaranteed.

7. It’s natural: Cape May is on one of the great migratory flyways. From the wildlife viewing platform at Cape May Point State Park to osprey nests in the salt marshes to the eagles nest along the canal, Cape May is definitely for the birds. Other nature related activities include Beachcombing at the Cove, a Harbor Safari, and a Queen Victoria Gardens Tour.

8. The pre-Victorian era: In Cold Spring Village, an early American open-air living history museum, walk the clamshell lanes. Experience life before the Victorian era and learn about the day-to-day activities of villagers living in South Jersey during the "age of homespun." (1790-1840).

9.The theater: When the sun goes down the curtains go up on several stages. Cape May Stage is a professional equity theater offering a variety of presentations from "Private Lives" to "It’s a Wonderful Life."

10. The festivals: From strawberries to Celtic Festivals, from music to the Revolutionary War, there is always some special festival or fair. Any season is a reason to visit Cape May. Special themed weekends are offered year round.

For more information on more things to do www.capemaymac.org, 800-275-4278, and/or www.thejerseycape.net. www.thejerseycape.com, 800-227-2297