Cape May Things To Do

Tours of this mansion, which dates to 1879, explore daily life in Victorian times. The Physick Estate is the only Victorian house in Cape May that doubles as a museum, and is one of the finest examples of “Stick Style” architecture – a Victorian design style with strong Medieval influences. Inside, you’ll find original furniture and actors who bring to life past homeowners. Lunch and afternoon tea are served on the grounds; a carriage house hosts rotating historical exhibits.

Sit at a desk in a one-room schoolhouse, look through the goods at a country store, and learn about rural village life in 18th- and 19th-cenutry New Jersey. Interpreters demonstrate everything from basket weaving to blacksmithing at this living history museum, a collection of buildings transported here from across southern New Jersey. Open May 31 to mid-September.

Climb the 199 steps to the top of this still-functioning 1859 Cape May Lighthouse to take in the view – on a clear day, you can see Delaware. On the way up, read about the history of the lighthouse and past lighthouse keepers.

Get up close to 20 vintage aircraft in this giant wooden hangar. This former WWII Navy training base prepared dive-bombing squadrons to wage war in the Pacific. Hangar No. 1 itself is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dazzling sunsets over open water are accompanied each summer evening by a trumpet playing Taps and the lowering of the flag. When the sun is higher in the sky, search out the “Cape May Diamonds” (small, sparkly quartz crystals that wink up at you from the sand). Those ruins in the water are the remains of the Atlantus, a WWI ship made of concrete.

Climb up the three-story observation tower for a good look at the birds, marshes, and landscape of Cape May. An indoor observation center has telescopes; in summer, you can rent kayaks.

For a drive-in movie experience without the car, visit nearby Wildwood, which hosts first-run movies on the beach every night during the summer. Cape May usually hosts three family movie nights on its beach in July (check the calendar of events at www.capemaychamber.com). Bring your own beach chair or blanket (or rent a chair on site). Concessions are available, or bring your own picnic (but no alcohol).

Roller coasters, carnival games, and water parks stretch along two miles of boardwalk in nearby Wildwood. The five piers combined are said to have more rides than Disneyland – in any case, there are certainly enough thrills to fill a summer day. Small children will enjoy kiddie rides like the flying elephants and bouncing giraffes; teens will get thrills on the twisting roller coasters. Stay until evening for weekly fireworks (Fridays at 10:30pm) during the summer.

You might see a Humpback or Finback whale, but you will definitely see dolphins on these tours, which take place on 110-foot-long, red boats that cruise the Delaware Bay. Summer trips sell out, so buy tickets in advance – children under 6 are free, and ages 7 to 12 have reduced-price tickets. Bring your own binoculars, or rent them on board.

Over 550 animals – including lions, tigers, bears, red pandas, camels, birds, and reptiles – populate this park-like zoo. The Hummingbird Express, a four-car “steam” train, pulls park visitors around the zoo. Admission and parking are both free. The 80-acre zoo is nestled within a 200-acre park with playgrounds and fishing spots.