Author:

Looking for the perfect place to bring your girlfriends for a weekend you’ll never forget? Cape May is an amazing spot for a bachelorette party, hence the reason there are so many brides-to-be that choose to spend their big weekend here.

Any given weekend you’re out and about, you’re bound to see a few bachelorette parties living it up. But what sorts of things are they doing while they’re here? If you’re currently in that research phase, we’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of some of the best things to do in Cape May for a bachelorette party.

Spend a Day on the Beach

We’ll start our list with the most obvious bachelorette party activity in Cape May. If your bachelorette party is happening between mid spring and early fall, then the beach is an automatic go-to. You can never go wrong planning a beach day with your girls. Cape May is home to some beautiful beaches your group is sure to love.

Some of the area’s popular beaches include:

• The Cove
• Poverty Beach
• Steger Beach
• Sunset Beach
• Higbee Beach

Plan a Wine Tasting at a Local Winery

We all know wine is a bachelorette party staple, and a trip to a winery is also a must if there’s a good one around. The Cape May area happens to have several great wineries, so you’re certainly going to want to try to make it to at least one.

The wineries to check out:

• Cape May Winery
• Willow Creek Winery
• Turdo Vineyards & Winery
• Hawk Haven Winery

Enjoy Some Time on the Water

A fun and unique way to spend a few hours during your bachelorette weekend in Cape May is a party boat trip around the Cape May Harbor. Cape May Cycle Cruises is the only pedal pontoon company in South Jersey and is sure to be a hit among the girls in your bachelorette group.

The pedal pontoon has a 10 person bar and a front deck where you can relax and tan or connect to the bluetooth speakers and throw a dance party. The boat can accommodate bachelorette parties of up to 20 girls, so no need to worry if you have a larger group. Cruises are BYOB (as well as BYO snacks if you’d like), so come prepared with your favorite wine coolers and liquor mixes.

If pedaling isn’t your thing, try out The Tiny Cruise Line. One of the favorite boats in this fleet is the Tiny Tiki Too. This floating tiki bar is perfect for you and your girlfriends to enjoy some sun, BYOB drinks and snacks and listen to your favorite music while you cruise around the Cape May Harbor. This cruise also stops at some of the local favorite waterfront bars along the way.

Head Out for a Fun Night Downtown

We’re going to take a wild guess that you want your weekend plans to include at least one night out at the bars. If so, Cape May has plenty of great bars and restaurants to include in your night of bar hopping.

Here’s a few popular bars we recommend:

• The Mad Batter
• The Ugly Mug
• The Brown Room
• Barefoot Bar & Grill
• Fins
• Ebbitt Room

These bars are centrally located in Cape May and are all within a few blocks of one another, so you won’t need to worry about Ubering to each one.

And if the bar scene isn’t really your thing and you’re looking for other ways your group can spend the evenings, we’ve got you covered. Our Things to Do in Cape May at Night article has some ideas for fun, non-bar activities you might be interested in.

Spend a Little Time at the Spa

Need a way to recuperate and relax after that night out? There aren’t many better ways to do just that than with a massage and facial. There are some fantastic spa options around Cape May where you and your girls can kick back and unwind.

While there are quite a few spas around the Cape May area, two that we recommend for bachelorette parties, Sea Spa and the Cape May Day Spa, are both highly rated and large enough to accommodate bigger groups. If you’re planning to take your group to the spa, we do highly recommend booking well in advance to ensure you’re able to get a group reservation during the time you’re going to be here.

Book a Great Place to Stay!

As if setting the weekend itinerary isn’t already difficult enough, you also still have the task of finding the perfect house for the group to stay in. Luckily, we at Homestead have an entire page dedicated to our Large Group Rentals that has all of our homes that can accommodate 10 or more people.

Our selection includes upwards of a hundred large group homes to choose from including some that can accommodate group sizes in the 20s. Many are located in or near downtown Cape May and provide the convenience of being within blocks of the beach and the bars. 

If you need any help finding the best rental for your bachelorette group, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope to see you and your girls in Cape May soon!

Spring Break is just around the corner, and that means the students’ much-anticipated week off of school is too! If you’re trying to find a fun and family-friendly destination to spend spring break with your kids, then we have just the place.

Cape May has plenty of fun spring break activities that you and your family can enjoy during your time here. Below is our list of some of the best things to do for Spring Break in Cape May.

The Beach

The beaches of Cape May are undoubtedly the area’s most popular attraction, and going to the beach is something almost all kids enjoy. Temperature permitting, a beach town is the best place to spend spring break.

Spring break in Cape May can be hit-or-miss though in terms of temperature. You may see some days in the 70s, and you may see some days in the 40s. When the weather is nice, the beach is certainly something you’ll want to get out and enjoy. And if it’s too chilly for a typical beach day, you can always bundle up and get out there to beachcomb, fly kites, or just walk on the beach.

Cape May County Zoo

The Cape May County Zoo is a favorite not only among students, but among Cape May visitors of all ages. TripAdvisor even ranked the Cape May County Zoo the third best zoo in the nation.

The zoo houses over 550 animals, including tigers, giraffes, elephants, and much more. They also offer guided tours, interactive exhibits for kids, and live animal shows, so guests can observe the animals up close and even interact with some of them through hands-on exhibits. Cape May County Zoo is an excellent spring break activity for kids and their families.

Cape May Museums

Cape May has no shortage of history, and with that, no shortage of museums. Museums offer kids and teens an opportunity to learn and explore different topics, from history and science to art and culture.

There’s museum options in Cape May for spring breakers with all different types of interests. A few popular museums include the Cape May Lighthouse, the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May County Museum, and the Cape May Fire Department Museum. These museums are both an entertaining and educational activity for spring breakers and their families.

Railbiking

If you want a memorable spring break experience, this is it. Railbiking with Revolution Rail Co. is one of the most unique attractions Cape May has to offer.

Ride around and experience Cape May on your own pedaled railbike. Follow along the tracks during the 1.5 hour ride and see Cape May from a perspective you never expected to. It’ll definitely be something interesting to tell peers and teachers when they ask the usual “What did you do over spring break?” question.

Escape Room Cape May

It’s no surprise that escape rooms have become so popular in recent years. Being able to solve riddles and put your problem solving skills to the test while racing against the clock in a real-life scenario is such a fun and unique concept.

While an escape room may not be the best spring break activity for young children, kids that are middle school age or older typically have a blast doing escape rooms.

Escape Room Cape May offers a wide selection of different room options and are a great way for families or spring break groups to spend an evening.

---

If you’ve decided on Cape May for spring break, we’d love to host your stay! We have more than 200 Cape May rentals to choose from including vacation homes, condos, and cottages. Feel free to browse our properties or give us a call if we can help you find the perfect rental for your spring break getaway.

While Cape May isn’t significantly known for being a music hub, there are some major music festivals around here each year. If you’re a music buff planning your 2023 trip to Cape May and trying to decide the best time to visit, here are some of Cape May’s most anticipated music festivals in 2023 that you may want to plan your trip around.

Exit Zero Jazz Festival

Twice a year, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival brings thousands of visitors for a weekend of fun, food, and incredible jazz music.

This 3-day event happens each spring and fall. The spring dates for 2023 have been set for May 5th-7th. You can keep up-to-date on their website for their releasing of the fall dates. The spring 2023 festival will be headlined by Samara Joy with plenty of other international touring jazz artists in the lineup. All concerts in the festival take place on the stage of the Cape May Convention Hall.

Cape May Music Festival

The Cape May Music Festival is a nearly one month long event put on by Cape May MAC showcasing a wide variety of artists with concerts happening every few days over the course of the month.

The 2023 festival takes place from May 25th to June 22nd. You can find the full lineup of concerts and purchase tickets on Cape May MAC’s website.

Barefoot Country Music Fest

The Barefoot Country Music Fest is not only one of the biggest music events in the Cape May area, but one of the biggest music events in the entire country.

This event brings some of the most popular country music artists to the area for four days of concerts and beach fun in Wildwood (just 15 minutes up the cape from Cape May). The festival takes place June 15th through the 18th. The 2023 Fest headliners are country music superstars, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, and Kid Rock.

Adjacent Music Festival

Subsequently, this rock music equivalent of the Barefoot Country Music Fest is happening just a little further up the road in Atlantic City. Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th and 28th, popular modern rock artists will take the stage for the Adjacent Music Festival. 

The headlining artists are Paramore and Blink-182, and there are dozens of other big name bands in the lineup. Like the Barefoot Fest, this festival takes place right next to the beach. There will certainly be two days of music and fun during this festival.

---

If you’re thinking about attending any of these festivals, Homestead has over 200 vacation rentals in the Cape May area. We would love to host your stay. You can check out all of our rentals or contact us with any questions. We hope to see you in Cape May soon!

We’ll soon be heading into 2023, and we want to ensure you ring in the New Year right! If you’re looking for a fun place to celebrate New Years Eve in Cape May, then you’re in luck, because there’s quite a bit happening on NYE.

Below are some local spots with New Years festivities to take part in this coming weekend!

New Year’s Eve Pre-Party

Wanting to start the party off early? Nauti Spirits Distillery is hosting a pre-party from 12pm-10pm with specialty cocktails, live music, and more. The RaGin Grill Food Truck will be on site with a delicious selection of entrees including the popular fresh lobster rolls. Head on over if you’re looking to have a few drinks and start celebrating early, or so you can make the pre-party the main party and get back home before midnight.

New Year’s Eve Farm-to-Table Dinner

Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May is a perfect spot for your New Years Eve dinner. The dinner will begin at 6pm with a toast to the new year, followed by by a multi-course meal consisting of fresh produce, local seafood, and pasture-raised meats. If you’re looking to kick off your evening at Beach Plum Farm, be sure to book your tickets in advance.

Kid’s New Year’s Eve Party

We can’t forget about the things going on this NYE for kids! MudHen Brewing Company in Wildwood is hosting a New Year’s party for kids from 1-3pm and from 4-6pm. There will be a DJ, a balloon drop, and a New Year’s toast with milk and cookies. This is a great opportunity for kids to take part in the festivities.

---

We started booking up early this past year and expect to do the same again. If you still haven’t booked your 2023 vacation yet, we have over 200 Cape May rentals to choose from. We’re looking forward to another great year and hope to see you all in 2023!

The best time of the year is upon us! It’s hard to believe, but we’re only a few days from Christmas, and as always, we want to wish you a very merry holiday and a joyful time with family and friends over this next week.

For locals and guests that will be in Cape May for Christmas, holiday festivities will be taking place all around town, and you won’t want to miss any of them! If these past few weeks leading up to Christmas haven’t already gotten you into the holiday spirit, then there’s still plenty of festivities to get you there over this final week of the year

Evening Yuletide House Tour

The Yuletide House Tour at the historic Physick House showcases an authentic Victorian-style Christmas. The thirty minute guided tour takes you through the festively decorated first-floor rooms of the house and is a look back in time at the Victorian Christmas traditions the Physick family had in the late 1800s. You can also take a stroll through the old fashioned Christmas exhibit at the Carroll Gallery, where you’ll be able to check out model trains, a village collection, and the enormous Christmas tree that is on display.

Holiday Lights Trolley Ride

One of the most popular attractions during the Christmas season is the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride. The trolley tour takes you through the historic streets of Cape May, starting and returning at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Listen to Christmas music, learn about Victorian tradition, and admire the stunning homes in the enchanting light of the season. Just be sure to wear layers or bring a blanket, because it’ll be chilly on the trolley!

Lamplighter Christmas Tour

The Lamplighter Christmas Tour is a self-guided walking tour put on by Cape May MAC that takes you through a selection of private homes along with some Cape May bed & breakfasts that have have been beautifully decorated with holidays lights and decor. Similar to the Evening Yuletide House Tour, the Lamplighter Tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery for the Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit.

One Christmas Carol a the Cape May Stage

Check out an intimate and spirited evening of theatre. Watch Dickens’ classic story about the true meaning of the season in this one-man Cape May Stage show.

Wondering what events will be taking place around Christmas? You can find all of the upcoming events happening around Cape May on our event calendar:

📅 Cape May Event Calendar

We hope to see you in Cape May this Christmas!

Thanksgiving is almost here! Here’s to hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday and a joyful time with family and friends. The Homestead staff is especially thankful for YOU, our loyal clients. However it is that you’ve come to know of Homestead, we thank you for being a part of our family. We are a constantly evolving company, and this evolution would not be possible without our patrons and followers. So thank you for your business and your support! It’s very important to us and is never taken for granted.

We love to continuously remind our guests that Cape May is a wonderful place to be at ALL times of the year. This is especially true during the holidays. The winter wonderland that will soon take shape is quite simply an unparalleled experience, and the holiday season just isn’t complete without a visit to Cape May.

There are plenty of things about Cape May that make it a great place to be this time of year. We’ve put together a list of our top 5 reasons we think everyone should visit Cape May for Thanksgiving.

1. Cheaper Rental Rates

During the offseason, the price for accommodation drops substantially. The rental rates are roughly 50% less than they are during the prime summer weeks.

It’s also much easier to find options without needing to book months in advance. It certainly helps also that you don’t have to book a stay for the same length as you do in the summer. If you cannot stay a full week, owners will accept a 2-3-night stay during these offseason months.

Plug in your dates on our Cape May rentals page so you can check out these unbeatable rates for yourself!

2. Less Crowds

If you’ve been to the shore during summer months, you know how busy it can get. The beaches can be crowded, checkout lines are long at shops, restaurant waits can run over an hour…

That’s certainly not the case in Cape May in November. You can take relaxing walks on a quiet beach, take your time shopping around the stores without getting bumped into, and enjoy a night out to your favorite restaurant without having to make reservations or anticipate a long wait.

So if you’re one of those people that likes to take it easy and avoid the hustle and bustle during your vacation, then you’ll absolutely love it here around this time.

3. Free Parking

One of the biggest gripes among people visiting during the “in-season” months is the parking. Many places throughout town require you to pay a meter, and it can sometimes be difficult to even find one.

That is no longer the case this time of year. Meters officially stop (except behind the mall area), so parking during Thanksgiving will be free! It’s also much easier to find a spot. You don’t have to drive around and can usually just pull up and park next to the restaurants and shops!

4. Great Options for Thanksgiving Dinner

If you don’t want to cook for Thanksgiving, there are so many great restaurants in Cape May that offer dinners.  You will still find a traditional menu including turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans casserole and cranberry sauce, but you will also find fresh seafood. After all, you are in one of the best shore towns. Below you can see a few restaurants that offer a buffet or a fixed menu for Thanksgiving. We would recommend making a reservation now.

Ballroom in Congress Hall – Every year they offer a buffet dinner for Thanksgiving. The seating starts at 1:00 pm and lasts until 6:00 pm. For adults the ticket is $79 and for children (ages 4-12) is $40.

Ocean 7 at the Inn of Cape May – Ocean 7 will be offering an a la carte feast that includes a soup or salad, a choice of one of five traditional Thanksgiving entrees, a dessert, and a drink.

Union Park Dining Room – From 2:00pm until 7:00pm, Union Park will have a three course meal that includes your choice of one of appetizer, main course, and dessert. You can purchase local wines there by the bottle or choose to BYOB. Their full Thanksgiving menu can be found here.

5. Shopping on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday

By now, your email inbox AND regular mailbox have no doubt been bombarded with advertisements for Black Friday shopping. It’s true that Black Friday is an opportune time to shop for everyone on your Christmas list, and we remind you that many fantastic deals and sales will be available right here in town. Find unique gifts for everyone at the best prices of the season! The Washington Street Mall is the perfect place to begin your Cape May shopping endeavor…but we remind you that there are many other merchants around town that you may not be aware of. 

Speaking of which, the day after Black Friday is universally known as Small Business Saturday. Here in Cape May, nearly all businesses are small, family owned operations, so this day is very important to our town. Once again, local shopping destinations will be open for business with special deals.

---

Wondering what events will be taking place during Thanksgiving? You can find all of the upcoming events happening around Cape May on our event calendar:

📅 Cape May Event Calendar

We hope to see you in Cape May this Thanksgiving!

Now is the time to book your next vacation! Are you planning your trip to Cape May and trying to figure out where the best place to stay is? There’s different cities and boroughs within the Cape May area and each has its own unique feel and different set of attractions.

Below is our guide to the different places to stay in and around Cape May along with rentals available in those areas.

Cape May

The actual city of Cape May, located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the tip of the Cape May peninsula, is where you’ll find many of the area’s attractions and restaurants.

Having a place to stay right in the heart of Cape May certainly has its perks. Being close to all of the shops, restaurants, museums, and theaters makes downtown Cape May the area’s most coveted place to stay. The city of Cape May is also home to over two miles of pristine beaches, so there’s quite a few oceanfront homes and condos to choose from.

If this is where you’re wanting to book your stay, we have over 100 rentals to choose from in the city of Cape May including beachfront properties and homes and condos situated on the city’s avenues.

West Cape May

The borough of West Cape May isn’t quite as crowded as the city of Cape May but, is close enough to ride your bike or walk downtown or to the local Cape May beaches .

The area is home to the Willow Creek Winery and a wide selection of farmers markets including the West Cape May Farmers Market, Beach Plum Farm, Duckies Farm Market, Central Park Farm, and more. It’s the closest area to downtown Cape May without actually being in the city and is only minutes from all of the main attractions.

Cape May Point

Cape May Point is a small area located at the southernmost tip of the peninsula where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet. The point is home to the Cape May Bird Observatory and the Cape May Point State Park, where the iconic Cape May Lighthouse is located. 

The state park has a beautiful beach area, and the point is also not far from Sunset Beach just to the north. We have dozens of places to stay in Cape May Point if this sounds like the perfect spot for you.

Offshore

The Offshore areas are on the Delaware Bay side of the Cape May Peninsula and is technically considered part of Lower Township. It’s the only area on this list that isn’t located on Cape Island, meaning you’ll have to cross over the bridge from the mainland to get to where the city of Cape May and its attractions, but it’s only a roughly 10 minute drive to do so.

Within the offshore areas you’ll find tons of restaurants and a few wineries and breweries including Cape May Winery & Vineyard, Red Brick Ale House and Gusto Brewing Company. You will also find great attractions like playgrounds for the kids, Ferry Park that hosts festivals and concerts, a 2.7 mile long bike path and Historic Cold Spring Village that presents a little of our area history.

Homes in the offshore area have access to the Delaware Bay beaches which have calm waters and amazing sunsets!

There’s tons of attractions and things to do in Cape May, but many of those can only be enjoyed during the daytime. So what exactly is there to do once the sun goes down? 

While Cape May doesn’t have a particularly “wild” nightlife scene like you’d find in Atlantic City, there’s plenty of fun, family-friendly things to do in Cape May at night. 

Below are just a few of our favorite nighttime activities.

Escape May Escape Rooms

Test your problem-solving skills and see if you have what it takes to make it out of one of Escape May’s escape rooms. You can have up to 10 members per team, making this something you and your entire family or friend group can enjoy together. 

You’ll have 60 minutes to solve the riddles and puzzles to try to escape. Escape May offers 3 themed rooms, so if you have such a good time that you want to do it again, you can do so multiple times on your trip and get a different experience with each visit. Escape May is open until midnight, and you can book a room starting as late as 10:30pm.

Walking Ghost Tour

This is certainly one of the more unique (and creepy) ways to explore Cape May. Take a lantern-lit walking ghost tour with Ghost Capers, and hear about the mysterious history and ghost stories associated with some of the buildings and landmarks in Cape May.

The ghost tours are available on select summer evenings and run from 45 minutes to an hour. You can visit the Ghost Capers website to check dates and times and book your tour.

Miniature Golf

Compete against your family for the lowest number of strokes at one of Cape May’s mini golf courses. Mini golf is always a fun way to spend an hour or two in the evenings after dinner.

There are 3 mini golf courses in Cape May and each is open until at least 10:30pm during the tourist season. Learn more about each of the courses by visiting Cape May Miniature Golf, Ocean Putt Golf, and Steve’s Stockton Golf.

Island Bowl Family Fun Center

Island Bowl has been providing fun nights to Cape May visitors for nearly 50 years. It is technically located in Wildwood, but that’s just a short drive from Cape May. They have over 20 lanes to bowl, and they make for a great night out with your family and friends. Even if bowling isn’t your thing, there’s arcade games, a snack center, and a large, modern lounge area where you can get your favorite cocktail or choose from more than 10 tap beers including local IPAs.

Island Bowl is open until 10pm or later most nights. Check their website for the exact closing time for the night you’re planning to visit. They have Cosmic Rock-n-Bowl on Friday nights and Classic Moonlight Redpin on Saturday nights, which makes a weekend night out at Island Bowl even better!

The Wildwood Boardwalk

As the name implies, the Wildwood Boardwalk, like Island Bowl, is located in Wildwood and not Cape May. It is a short 15-minute ride to get there and is certainly worth the trip if you’re looking for a fun night.

From shops to restaurants to rollercoasters overlooking the ocean, the Wildwood Boardwalk has it all, and it’s no surprise it’s one of the area’s most popular attractions. The boardwalk comprises 38 blocks and two miles of excitement and entertainment that draw a bustling crowd most summer nights. It’s an iconic boardwalk that you’ll definitely want to check out one of the nights you’re in Cape May.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

FREE THINGS TO DO IN CAPE MAY

THINGS TO DO IN CAPE MAY FOR COUPLES

THINGS TO DO IN CAPE MAY WHEN IT RAINS

Nothing puts a damper on a vacation quite like rainy days. We know how frustrating it can be to get to Cape May only to find out Mother Nature’s plans don’t align with your itinerary.

Fortunately, rain doesn’t have to prevent you from having the fun-filled trip you were anticipating. The beach might be out of the question, but there are still plenty of fun things to do in Cape May when it’s raining! Below are a just a few of our favorite Cape May rainy day activities.

Check Out the Museums

Cape May has some interesting museums and historical sites that provide you with both an entertaining and educational way to pass a few rainy hours.

• Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum – This restored WWII aircraft hangar takes you back in time and gives a look into military aviation during the 1940s. The museum offers special exhibits with hands-on activities as well as actual WWII aircraft and engines.
• Emlen Physick Estate – This 1879 home turned museum is one of the best embodiments of Victorian-style architecture in Cape May. Take a guided tour of the 18-room mansion, and get a glimpse into the life of the prominent Physick family during the late 19th century.
• Cape May Fire Department Museum – Learn about the history of the Cape May Fire Department, and check out antique firefighting equipment used here over the past century. The best part is this museum is completely free to visit!
• The Colonial House – The Colonial House is one of the oldest houses on Cape Island and was the family home of the Revolutionary War patriot, Memocan Hughes. The home can be toured from mid-June to mid-September and is also free to visit.

See a Show

A sure way to stay entertained when the rain is leaving you bored is to check out a production by one of Cape May’s nationally recognized theaters.

• East Lynne Theater Company – The East Lynne Theater Company has been bringing American classics to the Cape May area since 1980 and has been ranked in the top 75 summer theaters in North America by New York Times.
• Cape May Stage Professional Equity Theater – Cape May Stage brings both contemporary and traditional works to Cape May each year from mid-May through December. The theater company puts on over 150 productions each year in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in downtown Cape May.

Have a Spa Day

Use the rain as an excuse to treat yourself to a spa day. The day spa is a great place to unwind and forget about the weather outside.

• Cape May Day Spa – This day spa and holistic center provides a variety of ways to pamper yourself with solo and couple massages, facial therapies, botanical body wraps, detox packages, and more.

Visit a Winery or Brewery

Have a few brews and enjoy some of the unique spirits offered at these Cape May wineries and breweries.

• Cape May Winery – Cape May Winery is open daily from noon to 5pm and provides tap room tastings with tapas and brunch dining.
• Willow Creek Vineyard – Willow Creek Vineyard offers private and group wine tastings and both a lunch and dinner menu that includes farm-to-table grill options.
• Cape May Brewing Company – The Cape May Brewing Company has been brewing fresh, local beers in Cape May since 2011 and puts on weekly events such as trivia throughout the year.

There is no shortage of things to do in Cape May when it rains, and we’re confident you can still have a good time despite the bad weather! 

If you’re missing out on some things you wanted to do because of the rain and are already thinking about your next trip to Cape May, feel free to browse or bookmark our selection of over 200 Cape May rentals including homes, condos, cottages, and more. We would love to host you on your next Cape May vacation!

Trying to plan your Cape May itinerary and looking for fun things to do that won’t break the bank? While there’s tons of great attractions in Cape May, many of them will, unfortunately, come with a cost. But with that being said, there are some things we know you’ll enjoy that are completely free of charge!

Below is the list we’ve compiled of some of our favorite free things to do in Cape May.

See the Animals at the Cape May County Park and Zoo

When you read “zoo,” you may have started questioning the title of this post, but the Cape May County Park and Zoo is in fact free! The zoo is able to operate with donations it receives, so we certainly hope you’ll support the zoo and donate while you’re there, but there is no cost for admission. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is comprised of two sections – the County Park, which is filled with various recreational activities, and the County Zoo which is home to around 550 animals that represent over 250 species. 

The Cape May County Park offers tons of free things to do such as walking and biking trails, fishing ponds, a disc golf course, picnic pavilions, a playground, and more. Cape May County Zoo, on the other hand, offers a wide array of animals such as the Bald Eagle, the Cotton Top Tamarin, the Black Howler Monkey, the Dromedary Camel, and the Scimitar-Horned Oryx, among many others. And if that’s not enough, they also have a preserved area known as the Cameron Wildlife Sanctuary complete with more nature trails, gazebos, picnic areas, and other facilities where you can take in the wildlife and nature of Cape May.

Stroll the Cape May Boardwalk

The Promenade, the Red Buoy, the Cape May Boardwalk – whatever you want to call it, this location is probably the best place to truly capture the view of the Cape May beaches and scenery. The Cape May Boardwalk is the first boardwalk to have ever been established for a resort in New Jersey. While it has received its fair share of tragedies and storms in the past, the boardwalk stands strong to this day due to the reconstruction of the entire seawall after receiving sufficient funding from the local government. 

But it’s not just the view people come to the boardwalk for. From arcades to dining establishments and snack bars, this place has everything you need for a fun afternoon or a night out with your friends or family.

Check out our Cape May boardwalk page for more info on this attraction.

Browse Around the Washington Street Mall

By choosing some of these free options over other pricey attractions, you’re leaving a little extra spending money in your pocket. If you’re looking to do some shopping and spend some of that extra money while you’re in Cape May, the Washington Street Mall is the place to do it. 

This outdoor mall is one of the most popular attractions in Cape May and it’s not hard to see why. From antique shops to unique boutiques that highlight the culture of Cape May, there’s plenty to see walking around. So even if you don’t plan on spending any money, the mall is still a fun free experience and something we recommend checking out.

Learn About Local History at the Cape May County Historical Museum

Next up on our list of free things to do in Cape May, much like in any historical town, is the local museum full of exhibits, events, and galleries depicting the town’s rich history throughout the years.

The entire museum is distributed between three historic buildings – full of the treasures of the past and the collection of artifacts and relics showing the evolution of life in Cape May. From guided tours and lectures to featured exhibits and special events, the Cape May County Historical Museum is filled with fun activities that are sure to provide you with a unique experience every time you visit.

Birdwatch at South Cape May Meadows

It’s no surprise so many birders make their way to Cape May each year. This 200-acre preserve is filled to the brim with native and migratory birds that are a sight to behold for tourists and enthusiasts alike. Apart from being a sightseeing recreational facility, this reserve is also a protected habitat for these birds, supporting their migratory patterns for the entire year and making sure that they are protected whenever they do migrate.

On top of all of the bird species you’ll encounter here, the dunes, fields, freshwater wetlands, and beaches of the South Cape May Meadows make for an unforgettable view. Top that all off with such a vast collection of plant and animal species (land and shore species alike), and this is an environmental trip like no other.

Visit the Cape May Fire Department Museum

Another museum, you say? With the rich history of Cape May, it’s bound to have plenty of places that showcase the treasures of the past and the achievements of our forefathers.

The Cape May Fire Department Museum is an excellent addition to this and is certainly one that you will enjoy if you’re an enthusiast of the profession or are just curious about their antique fire engine and the history of the fire department. It’s not exactly the most diverse museum in Cape May, but if you’re looking for free things to do that will also bring a little color to your trip, then this museum is worth checking out.

Attend a Movie on the Beach or Free Summer Concert in Sea Isle City

Yes, you read that right. Sea Isle City is a popular beach location in Cape May County that offers a wide assortment of fun activities. You see everything in Sea Isle City from boot camps and yoga sessions on the beach to fitness classes, promenades, and skating rinks.

However, our favorite things they offer are performed at the Excursion Park – their free concerts and free family movies under the stars. From popular movies to live music performances such as an Elton John Tribute, you could get ahold of a full entertainment package for free in Sea Isle City. It might not be a VIP seat or an air-conditioned room with a surround sound speaker, but on the beach and under the stars? You can’t beat that.

You can check out their calendar of upcoming events here.

Visit the Jersey Shore Alpacas

This is definitely one of the more unique free things you can do while you’re in Cape May. If you’re looking for a more up close and personal animal experience than what you’re going to get at the Cape May County Zoo, the Jersey Shore Alpacas Farm is the place to go.

The farm has nearly twenty alpacas, each with their own personalities. You can learn more about each of the alpacas at the farm on their website (boy alpacas / girl alpacas). If you want to meet each of these alpacas for yourself, the farm owners offer both public and private tours completely free of charge. You can book your tour of the farm through their website and check out one of the fun, more hidden gems of Cape May.

---

Planning your visit to Cape May and still haven’t booked your place to stay yet. We offer over 200 Cape May vacation rentals ready to host your next getaway!