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Downtown historic district · Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May Historic District
Hundreds of late 19th-century Victorian houses with porches, turrets and colorful paint, gathered in a historic district a few blocks from the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cape May Historic District
Cape May is one of the oldest seaside resort towns in the United States: it was already receiving visitors from Philadelphia in the early 19th century. A major fire in 1878 destroyed much of the downtown, and the town was rebuilt in the following decades with wooden Victorian houses that were preserved when tourism shifted to other beaches.
In the 1970s the whole town was declared a National Historic Landmark. There are hundreds of buildings with wide porches, wooden lacework, turrets and multi-colored facades, many converted into inns. Hughes, Columbia, Ocean and Jackson streets concentrate some of the best-known clusters.
In the middle of the district, the Washington Street Mall is a pedestrian street with shops and cafés, and Beach Avenue runs along the sea with a concrete promenade. Sightseeing trolleys with guides tour the downtown and tell the story of the houses and the old hotels.
In December, the houses are often decorated for Christmas, and there are guided evening visits to some of them.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From two hours to a day, depending on guided tours.
Best time
From spring to fall during daytime to see the facades; in December for Christmas decorations.
How to get there
The district occupies the town center and is walked on foot. Visitors arriving by car will find metered street parking and public lots.
Tip
Guided trolley and walking tours organized by Cape May MAC help understand the houses. Many inns do not allow interior visits outside the tour dates.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cape May Historic District
Why does Cape May have so many Victorian houses?
After the 1878 fire, the downtown was rebuilt in the style of the time, and the houses remained preserved when tourism waned. Today the town is a National Historic Landmark.
Can you go inside Cape May’s Victorian houses?
Some open for guided tours on scheduled dates, especially at Christmas, and the Emlen Physick Estate is open year‑round. The others are inns and private residences.
How can you see downtown Cape May?
On foot or on a guided tram tour that passes the main streets of the district.