Cape May for the Holidays

A town for all seasons.
By Beth D’Addono

A beach destination in the summer and a lovely spot in fall, when the crowds have all gone home, Cape May doesn’t take a holiday once the temperatures start to dip. Winter is a magical time to visit this Victorian gem, when the town is wrapped in a cloak of winter finery and homes and restaurants are decorated to the nines. Located on the Southernmost tip of the state, bracketed by the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May delivers gobs of charm with (almost) no kitsch. Whether you plan to celebrate the holidays away from home or just take enjoy the beach in winter, Cape May fills the bill.

What to do when you get there: Park the car and walk everywhere. Take a 90-minute strolling tour of the historic district to get the lay of the land and absorb some of the fantastic architectural details. As the oldest seashore resort in America, Cape May boasts more than 600 stunning 19th century Italianate, Gothic, and Mansard-style homes designed by architects including Stephen Decatur Button, who designed many homes in Hoboken. Hughes Street, Columbia Avenue, Washington Street, and Jackson Street are in the heart of the historic district. Tour the Emlen Physick Estate, designed by Frank Furness and the town’s only Victorian house museum. Rent a bike and take a ride to the lighthouse in West Cape May, where, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can climb 199 circular stairs to an observation deck with a vast ocean view. For another perspective of the water, glide through Cape May’s serene wetlands, in a rented kayak (even in winter!) or with a guide from Aqua Trails. Ask about a paddle at sunset or in the light of the full moon. From strolling on the beach to biking, shopping or taking a fishing excursion offshore, there is plenty in wintery Cape May keep you occupied. And you won’t have to wait on line to do it.

Best eats: The Blue Pig Tavern and the Ugly Mug for lunch, the Lobster House for seafood, Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel for a swank dinner featuring produce from the restaurant’s nearby farm. For happy hour and late night, it’s the Rusty Nail, the best place to mix with the locals.

Where to stay: There are plenty of options, from the grandly restored Congress Hall to one of the many B&Bs around town. Congress Hall is fun because of its old world resort vibe, including a spacious wrap around porch dotted with rocking chairs, well manicured garden and comfy rooms. Rates from $129 a night.

After Dark: Jazz at the Boiler Room in the basement of Congress Hall.  If you love jazz, mark your calendar for the annual Cape May Jazz Festival which takes place every November, paying tribute to greats like Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Another idea is Carney’s, situated on beachfront real estate at Beach and Jackson, a Cape May hot spot catering more to locals than tourists. The crowd is friendly, there’s a mix of live music and DJs, and if you’re hungry, a menu of the typical pub grub (wings, fries, burgers, salads), will suffice. Occasional weekend jam sessions, featuring area musicians, kick off in the late afternoon. This is an excellent watering hole for a rainy, or snowy day.

Don’t miss: A walk through the Cape May Bird Observatory on the way to the lighthouse, where you’re likely to see herons, cormorants, egrets, ospreys and some of the many birds that migrate through Cape May in early fall.

For more information, visit www.discovercapemay.com.

Beth D’Addono is Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine’s Travel Editor.