Cape May is a Victorian seaside town at the southern tip of New Jersey. The lighthouse and the Victorian mansion tours bring the history, a dolphin and whale watching cruise leaves from the harbor, and the beach and the zoo cover the rest. It works for a long weekend.
✓ A pedestrian mall and a historic district make it easy to wander without a plan
✓ The Victorian architecture gives grandparents something to enjoy alongside the grandchildren's activities
✓ A cruise that looks for dolphins and whales is the kind of outing that sticks in a grandchild's memory
→The Cape May Lighthouse dates to 1859 and rewards climbers with ocean and bay views
→The Emlen Physick Estate is an 1879 Victorian mansion with tours, including children's tours
→The Cape May Whale Watcher runs whale and dolphin cruises from the Cape May harbor
→The Washington Street Mall is a three-block pedestrian shopping and dining street
🌟 Start Here
Cape May Point State Park
A coastal state park good for nature walks, birding, picnics and photography, with ponds, dunes, marsh and forest and three hiking trails ranging from half a mile to two miles. The Cape May Lighthouse is in the park area.
Check the NJ State Parks website·All ages
Cape May Lighthouse
A 157-foot lighthouse built in 1859 and still a New Jersey landmark. Climbers get views of both the ocean and the bay.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ 1 hourAges 6+ for the climb
Grandparent note: The climb is optional. Check the operator's website for current climbing requirements and any alternatives for those who prefer to stay at the bottom.
Emlen Physick Estate
An 18-room mansion built in 1879 by architect Frank Furness, one of the best remaining examples of Victorian Stick-style architecture. Tours are offered year round, including children's tours and holiday events.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ 1 to 1.5 hoursAges 5+
Grandparent note: Ask about the children's tour when you book, since it is built for younger visitors.
Cape May Whale Watcher
A 110-foot boat that has run whale and dolphin watching trips from Cape May since 1993. Its main trip is a roughly three-hour tour of the bay and the Atlantic.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ About 3 hoursAges 4+
Grandparent note: Three hours is a long time on a boat for young children. Check the operator's website for shorter or special family trips, and bring snacks and layers.
Cape May County Park & Zoo
A large zoo in Cape May Court House with animals from around the world, walking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds.
Check the county website⏱ 2 to 3 hoursAll ages
Grandparent note: It is a short drive from the town of Cape May. Check the county website for current hours and any seasonal changes.
Congress Hall
Historic beachfront hotel · Check the website for current rates
Billed as the oldest seaside resort in America, with a seasonal outdoor pool and a children's club
The Virginia Hotel
Boutique hotel · Check the website for current rates
A restored 1879 hotel on Jackson Street in the historic district, a good fit if you prefer something quieter
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
Breakfast · Check the restaurant website for the current menu
A long-running breakfast landmark serving pancakes, waffles, omelets and more, with an extensive lunch menu too
The Lobster House
Seafood · Check the restaurant website for the current menu
Cape May's best-known restaurant, at Fisherman's Wharf. It does not take reservations, and waits can be long
1
The Lobster House does not take reservations. Go at an off-peak hour and bring patience
2
The lighthouse climb is the only strenuous part of the town. Everyone else can skip it
3
The zoo is not in Cape May itself. It is in Cape May Court House, a short drive away
4
Check the website of each attraction for the current schedule, since seasonal hours vary
•Morning: Breakfast at Uncle Bill's, then the Washington Street Mall
•Midday: Emlen Physick Estate children's tour, or the lighthouse
•Afternoon: Cape May Point State Park
•Morning: Cape May Whale Watcher cruise
•Afternoon: Cape May County Park & Zoo
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