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Before you go
Your trip to Cape May.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Cape May – New Jersey Destination Jersey Shore and Atlantic City
How to get there
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Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) 75 km
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Cape May–Lewes Ferry Terminal 6 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
By car via the Garden State Parkway, which ends at the town entrance; it’s about 70 km from Atlantic City. The Cape May–Lewes ferry crosses Delaware Bay to Lewes, Delaware, in about an hour and a half. Regional buses connect the town with Atlantic City and Philadelphia.
How many days
One day for the historic downtown and the lighthouse; two or three days for the beach, bike rides and a boat tour.
When to go
June to September for the beach; May and October have mild days and fewer people. From September to November, raptors and monarch butterflies often pass through Cape May Point during migration. In winter many businesses reduce their hours.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Within the town, no: the downtown, the beach and the boardwalk are easy to walk or cycle, and there are sightseeing trolleys. For the lighthouse and Cape May Point, a bike or car is useful.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Cape May
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Morning
Victorian downtown
Walk the streets of the historic district, such as Hughes, Columbia and Ocean, and the pedestrian mall on Washington Street. Visit the Emlen Physick Estate with a guided tour.
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Afternoon
Lighthouse and Cape May Point
Head to Cape May Point, climb the lighthouse and walk the trails of the state park. Finish at Sunset Beach on the bay shore.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Cape May?
Stroll the Victorian historic downtown, visit the Emlen Physick Estate, climb the lighthouse, walk in the Cape May Point state park and watch the evening at Sunset Beach.
Do you have to pay to go to the beach in Cape May?
In summer, yes: the town’s beaches require a beach badge, sold by the day, week or season. Off-season, the badge is not charged; confirm the dates before you go.
How to get from Cape May to Delaware?
By the Cape May–Lewes ferry, which crosses Delaware Bay to Lewes in about an hour and a half and carries cars and passengers. Book in summer.
Is Cape May good for birdwatching?
Yes. The peninsula lies on a migration route, and from September to November it often attracts raptors, waterfowl and monarch butterflies. There is a lookout for observers in the state park.
What time zone is Cape May in?
Cape May follows Eastern Time: UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 in daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.