Victorian homes decorated for Christmas in Cape May

Cape May, New Jersey

Find your Cape May.

Practical guides, memorable places and thoughtful itineraries for a better stay at the edge of New Jersey.

Start planning Explore holiday guides
What are you looking for?
Beaches Things to do Restaurants Places to stay Events Parking

The holiday edit · 2026

Christmas looks different by the sea.

Start with the lights, the historic homes and the traditions that turn Cape May into one of the coast’s most memorable winter towns.

Holiday garland on a Victorian Cape May porch

Tickets · Parking · What to expect

Candlelight House Tour

The practical guide to tour nights, tickets, timing and getting around.

Read the guide
Christmas tree inside a Victorian Cape May parlor

Traditions · Lights · Weekend ideas

Christmas in Cape May

A seasonal starting point for decorations, events and a winter weekend.

Plan Christmas
Warm holiday details inside a Cape May Victorian home

Self-guided · Evening · On foot

Winter Lights Walking Route

A simple route for decorated streets, photo stops and an evening stroll.

Follow the route
Victorian Cape May holiday table set for winter

Open places · Weather · Quiet season

Cape May in Winter

What stays open, what to pack and why the quiet season is worth a trip.

Explore winter
Explore by map

Where will Cape May take you?

Search for a favorite, follow a category, or tap a pin. Every stop includes an official website, phone number, address, and directions.

Find your next stop

Type a name or choose what sounds good today.

16 verified stops
From Cape May Point to nearby county favorites.

Cape May essentials

Four good ways to begin.

Go straight to the guides travelers use most, then follow the links that fit the way you want the trip to feel.

Cape May beach and Atlantic shoreline
Coast

Find your beach

 Victorian architecture in Cape May New Jersey
Discover

Things worth doing

 Restaurant dining in Cape May New Jersey
Taste

Choose a table
Historic hotel in Cape May New Jersey
Stay

Choose your neighborhood

 Cape May destination for a weekend itinerary
Plan

A ready-made weekend

 Coastal habitat for birding in Cape May
Nature

Follow the migration

Make the trip easier

Answers before you pack.

01Where to parkMeters, lots and practical tips → 02A ready-made weekendTwo days without overplanning → 03Getting aroundWalk, bike, trolley or drive → 04Where to stayCompare neighborhoods and styles → 05What is happeningPlan around the calendar →

Explore every side of Cape May

The complete guide directory.

Use these topic paths to move from the broad planning guides into the specific answers, neighborhoods, restaurants, landmarks and seasonal stories that match your trip.

Plan the trip

Cape May travel guide Best time to visit Weekend itinerary Cape May day trip Getting to Cape May Getting around Cape May Parking guide Bike rentals and routes Trolley guide Cape May–Lewes Ferry Public restrooms and showers Events guide

Beaches and outdoors

Cape May beaches Beach tags Beach accessibility Sunset Beach Cape May Point State Park Hiking and nature trails Birding in Cape May Kayaking and paddleboarding Fishing and crabbing Whale watching Nature Center of Cape May Cape May diamonds

Things to do

Best things to do Free things to do Cape May tours Ghost tours Carriage rides Cape May County Zoo Art galleries and theater Shopping and boutiques Nightlife and live music Spas and wellness Rainy-day ideas Cape May with kids

Eat and drink

Cape May restaurants Seafood restaurants Waterfront restaurants Breakfast and brunch Lunch guide Dinner guide Cheap eats BYOB restaurants Outdoor dining Vegetarian and vegan dining Gluten-free dining Wineries Breweries

Where to stay

Where to stay Cape May hotels Bed and breakfasts Beachfront hotels Hotels with pools Hotels with parking Luxury hotels and resorts Family hotels Pet-friendly hotels Vacation rentals Victorian hotels and inns Camping and campgrounds

Places and history

Cape May Historic District Historic walking tour Washington Street Mall Cape May Lighthouse Emlen Physick Estate Harriet Tubman Museum Historic Cold Spring Village Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum World War II Lookout Tower West Cape May North Cape May Cape May Point

Seasonal Cape May

Candlelight House Tour Christmas in Cape May Winter lights walking route Cape May in winter Cape May in spring Cape May in fall Rainy days with kids Romantic Cape May Dog-friendly Cape May Wedding venues Cape May vs. Wildwood

Stories and local context

What’s new for 2027 How Cape May was saved The Great Fire of 1878 Cape May’s lost grand hotels Shipwreck and lifesaving history How to read Victorian architecture Cape May porch culture America’s seaside resort story Why birds choose Cape May The farm-to-table story

Useful comparisons

Hotel map and neighborhoods Hotels near Washington Street Mall Hotels open year-round Restaurants open year-round Hotels with kitchens and family suites Cape May Point dining Casual restaurants Fine dining Oyster bars Coffee shops Ice cream and desserts

Looking for longer reads, local history and trip ideas?

Browse the Cape May blog