As February rapidly draws to a close, we hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy a taste of spring here in Cape May. The beautifully clear skies and above average temperatures drew a wonderful crowd over the President’s Day weekend. And long range forecasts seem to be indicating continued warmth! It’s still winter, so of course there will be a few inclement days on the horizon…but it’s also nearly March, and that means that spring fever is in full swing.
At this time of the year, even when inland temperatures become downright 
balmy…the beach remains far more brisk. That’s not to say that a beach walk isn’t a fantastic idea, and we highly recommend it! But it’s also not quite time for sunbathing and surfing. The good news, as we’re sure you already know, is that Cape May is home to so much more than just the beach. There is beauty everywhere you look right here in our very own national historic landmark. One of Cape May’s most novel aspects is the lovely uniqueness of each and every street. Locals, visitors and vacationers agree that trying to choose just ONE favorite is nearly impossible…but it’s a fun attempt. As you take advantage of this late winter warmth, here are the streets in town that you simply must explore…
Columbia Avenue: Running parallel to the beach, this beautiful tree lined street travels straight through the historic district, connecting Ocean Street to Madison Avenue. Why We Love It: It’s home to some of Cape May’s most stunning historic homes, and the central location means that the intersecting avenues lead to the beach in one direction, and Cape May’s town center in the other.
Hughes Street: This gorgeous, winding lane parallels the beach and connects Franklin Street (just past the post office) to Ocean Street. Why We Love It: The entire street is tree lined and every property is stunningly unique. Entering the relatively short street from either side invokes a feeling of enchantment and old Cape May charm.
Ocean Street: Running perpendicular to the beach, this is where the historic district converges. Why We Love It: When heading south, the ocean is in plain sight, even from blocks away. It’s also home to the Cape May City Library, the east entrance to the Washington Street Mall, the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts trolley stop, and the place to begin your tour of town via an old fashioned horse and carriage ride.
Washington Street: One of the main entrances into town, this busy but beautiful street breezes past the historic Emlen Physick Estate (as well as Homestead’s rental at 1125 Washington St., The Maggie McKean) before ultimately intersecting with Ocean street. Why We Love It: Heading west on Washington Street will bring you directly to the Washington Street Mall…often considered the hub of Cape May’s shopping and dining experience. It’s also home to one of our favorite local restaurants, The Washington Inn.
Jackson Street: Best explored on foot, this narrow street begins at the end of 
Lafayette and ultimately opens to Beach Avenue. Why We Love It: It’s home to the west entrance of Cape May’s gorgeous new rotary park and bandstand, it winds directly through the center of the Washington Street Mall, and it’s lined with gorgeous homes and fabulous dining experiences, such as the Mad Batter Restaurant and Bar.
Page Street: We think this is one of Cape May’s best kept secrets. It’s a small alley that connects the main streets of Franklin and Jefferson. Why We Love It: It’s a quiet little escape in the center of it all. There’s not too much traffic, and it’s flanked by two of Homestead’s prime vacation rentals: 721 Page Street and 509 Franklin Street.
So there you have it, some of our favorite Cape May streets! We say “some” because once again it’s impossible to list them all! We hope you’ve had a chance to explore these areas, or at the very least, a newfound interest in doing so. And now we pose the question to you. What are YOUR favorite streets in Cape May? Where do you like to stay when you’re here in town? We’d love to hear it. Better yet, we’d love to accommodate your vacation or short term rental! We have a large inventory of properties in or very near all of the locations mentioned. So begin planning your vacation today, all while keeping in mind that here in Cape May, there’s beauty everywhere you look. The beach, we think, is just the bonus.
*The artwork featured in this post is that of the talented Jan Bendyna. We thank her for allowing us to feature her work on our blog, and we invite you to visit her Facebook page (click her name above) for more information.
