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Major city · United States

Cape May

Cape May.
Photo: Nr837, CC BY-SA 4.0

Go for 2–3 days in late spring or early fall: walk the Victorian streets, climb the lighthouse, and eat seafood. Skip if you want a boardwalk and nightlife — that's Wildwood.

Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the US, at the southern tip of New Jersey. It is a quiet, walkable town of Victorian houses, a small beach, and a working fishing harbor. Most visitors come for a weekend or a few days, not a week. The town is compact — you can see the core on foot or by bike in a day, but the pace rewards two or three nights. Summer is crowded and hot; the best months are May–June and September–October, when the weather is mild and the crowds thin.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
check
avoid check
Airports
Atlantic City International (ACY) · Philadelphia International (PHL) · Newark Liberty International (EWR) · Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
Nights
2–3

About Cape May

Cape May is a resort town at the southernmost point of New Jersey, on the Cape May Peninsula along the Atlantic Coast. The name can mean the small city at the peninsula's tip, the peninsula itself, or the county reaching about 33 miles northeast to Ocean City. Delaware sits across the Delaware Bay. A canal dug from a shallow creek links the harbor to the bay, making the town effectively an island, long known as Cape Island. Tourism and fishing are the two main industries, and Cape May ranks second to Atlantic City for tourism in the state. The Coast Guard Training Station is also based here.

The town is small compared with other mid-Atlantic and southern resort communities. Cars are allowed, but parking and walking or biking suits the flat terrain. Visitors based in Wildwood Crest, about 10 miles north by road, often use it for day trips.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Cape May: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Cape May.

  • Cape May Lighthouse — The third lighthouse on the site, in Cape May Point State Park, has 199 steps to the top and a light visible 20 to 25 miles out to sea.
  • Cape May Bird Observatory — Wind currents carry migratory birds over Cape May, making it one of the best birding spots on this part of the East Coast.
  • Sunset Beach — A flag lowering ceremony honoring servicemembers is held there daily at sunset, and visitors look for Cape May Diamonds.
  • Historic Cold Spring Village — It presents day-to-day village life in South Jersey during the age of homespun through hands-on family activities.
  • The Painted Ladies — Walking tours of these Victorian homes cover their history, ghosts and stories.

Do

  • Take a dolphin or whale watching boat trip; humpback and finback whales are sighted with frequency through the year.

Events

  • Spring Weekend Festival — Held in connection with the Cape May Bird Observatory.May
Emergency numbers for Cape May911 ▾
  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cape May, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Victorian architecture and the 'Painted Ladies'Cape May Lighthouse and Sunset BeachBirding at Cape May Bird ObservatorySeafood and the Washington Street Mall
Airports
ACY Atlantic City International (About 45 min drive; NJ Transit bus 552 connects.) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 2 h drive; no direct transit.) · EWR Newark Liberty International (About 3 h drive; no direct transit.) · BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 3 h drive; no direct transit.)

Map of Cape May

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

Wildwood CrestWildwood, New JerseyStone HarborAvalon, New JerseyLewesRehoboth BeachDewey BeachSea Isle City

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Cape May
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cape May: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

4°C (39°F)

−3°C (27°F)

8 rd

Feb

5°C (41°F)

−2°C (28°F)

7 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

2°C (36°F)

9 rd

Apr

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Jun

27°C (81°F)

18°C (64°F)

8 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

21°C (70°F)

7 rd

Aug

30°C (86°F)

21°C (70°F)

8 rd

Sep

26°C (79°F)

18°C (64°F)

9 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Nov

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Dec

7°C (45°F)

0°C (32°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town is flat and compact — walk or rent a bike. Cars are allowed but parking is tight in summer. NJ Transit bus 552 connects to Atlantic City; the Cape May–Lewes Ferry crosses to Delaware (about 85 min).

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Wildwood

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive about 10 miles north on NJ 109; NJ Transit bus 552

Boardwalk, amusement piers, and big surf — a different vibe from Cape May.

Ocean City, New Jersey

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive about 45 min north on the Garden State Parkway

Family boardwalk and beaches; worth it if you want a longer boardwalk.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Beach Avenue

Oceanfront hotels and motels, steps from the beach and the mall. Best for first-timers.

Washington Street Mall area

Heart of town, walk to shops and restaurants. Quieter at night.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$80–120 excl. bed
Mid
$150–250 excl. bed
High
$300+ excl. bed

Watch out

Safety

Cape May is a safe, family-oriented town. The main risks are summer heat, crowded beaches, and traffic on summer weekends. Watch for bicycles on the sidewalks.
  • Many restaurants and shops close in the off-season (Nov–Apr); call ahead.
  • Beach tags are required in summer — buy at the beach or nearby shops.
  • The Cape May–Lewes Ferry needs advance booking in summer.
  • Parking fills by mid-morning on summer weekends.

Emergency numbers

Police / Fire / Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Cape MayCape May

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please

Emergency

  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Embassy

The US is your home country; no embassy needed. For consular help, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate abroad.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • NJ Transit bus 552 (Atlantic City → Cape May): about $5–10 (check)
  • Cape May–Lewes Ferry: about $30–40 for car + driver (check)

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello (HELL-oh)
  • Thank you — Thank you (THANK you)
  • How much is it? — How much is it? (HOW much is it)
  • Where is the beach? — Where is the beach? (WHERE is the beach)
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (Can I pay by CARD)
  • Help! — Help! (HELP)

English is the local language; no phrasebook needed.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cape May. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
  2. 4 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 2 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add pages for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry and NJ Transit bus 552 schedules.
  2. Create a dedicated 'Cape May in winter' page for off-season visitors.
  3. Add a page for Cape May Point State Park and the lighthouse.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Cape May

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