Picturesque, Victorian style homes, quiet lanes, and family attractions go hand in hand in Cape May, New Jersey. The beautiful seaside getaway I visited with my family for years falls just below the Mason-Dixon Line. It’s literally at the southern tip of the state.
The fact that this entire former whaling town is on the National Register of Historic Places says something about its historic appeal. Fun excursions prove as simple as a ride on the town trolley or a sightseeing surrey. Families love to climb up the 199 steps of Cape May Lighthouse. Other Cape May family attractions are as simple as a stroll somewhere along seven miles of scenic beach.
Summer is Tops but there’s Year Round Cape May Family Fun
How’s the beach in Cape May? Although it hugs the Atlantic, the narrow and crowded sand stretch lends itself more to strollers and sand castle builders than swimmers. The good news is that the water is very shallow close to shore so it’s fun to splash around in.
Although Cape May attractions operate year round, they are much more kid-friendly come summer. The local Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts sponsors a few fun outings in July and August in addition to a variety of garden and historic home tours. They manage several local cultural institutions, too, such as the Emlen Physick Estate, centrally located at 1048 Washington Street. If you’re with little ones, be sure to check out the festivals and special events.
Each summer, old time Kids Days events are held at the Emlen Physick Estate. Look to Cape May’s only Victorian house museum to be transformed into a wonderland of bubble-blowing, hatmaking, face-painting and story telling. Join a Phantoms tour, a brew festival or other events with older kids. All ages love the Christmas and special summer activities.
If you go shopping (or browsing!), The Toy Shop on the Washington St. mall offers an especially enticing selection for youngsters.
Cape May Family Attractions for Chill Weather Fun & Winter
Spring and fall have their own appeal when it comes to Cape May family attractions. Between April and November, whale watches embark to view whales and dolphins feeding in the coastal waters. It can get busy during the school summer holidays, so we suggest visiting in May, June, September and October.
Several boat operators, such as Cape May Whale Watcher who have been doing this for more than 20 years, run these trips and dolphin spotting cruises from the marina. Many are on large boats so there’s less chance of little ones getting seasick, but be sure to call ahead.
The New Jersey Audobon Society features, as you might expect, lots of birding adventures. Check their calendar for in-depth marine and other land adventures.
If the creatures of the beach aren’t enough, the Cape May County Park and Zoo features nearly 200 species of animals and a Children’s Zoo. It’s open year round and always free. Look up the Yoga for Animals program held Saturday mornings in summer and teach the kids to do the Downward Dog posture as well as the leopards.
Fewer winter travelers brave the sometimes damp, chilly air. Yet urban families seeking an escape discover that Cape May stays alive with festive events. Cape May winter family activities include the Taste of Christmas Walking Tours and evening Holly Trolley Rides. Visit Cape May Dept of Tourism to learn more about what this traditional beach getaway has to offer once the Atlantic Ocean gets too cold to enjoy.
Cape May’s Family Welcoming Hotels
Amidst Cape May’s array of Victorian lodging, full of antique furniture and decorative charm, several accommodations accept children. The Virginia Hotel offers 24 luxury guest rooms, some of which have private porches.
More than 30 years ago, the founders of Cape Resorts saw quiet Cape May as a future destination for young urbanites who would be charmed by its quaint ways. As long as they were comfortable, of course. The team transformed the gingerbread Virginia Hotel first. They gave guests an authentically Victorian atmosphere with terrific dining options, elegant guest rooms, air-conditioning, a pristine beach and lots of service.
From there, they remodeled Congress Hall, the oldest seaside resort in America, dating to 1816. After restoring the village’s Grande Dame to a luxury property, they turned their attention to other classic inns, reviewed in our roundup of Cape Resorts’ Cape May hotels.
Keep in mind that each of these places provides a unique experience to families. Some are quieter, some more stylish, some more casual — but each is a learning environment filled with teachable moments for kids who have never seen a rotary phone. Additionally, in this small village, any one of them is a convenient option to visit the local family attractions.
Cape May’s Family Welcoming Inns & Rentals
The Mainstay Inn, the work of Philadelphia architect Stephen Decatur Button, is Cape May’s original bed and breakfast. When it opened in 1872, it was a private gambling club whose elegant style and beautiful architectural detail was designed to appeal to well-heeled gentlemen. After gambling became illegal in the 1890s, it turned to innkeeping. There are six rooms in the main house, plus six more across the courtyard in another restored home designed by Button. The more modern two-story beach cottage has a bedroom with a queen bed and a queen sofabed, plus a kitchenette, for longer stays. This inn welcomes children over age 10. Rates include breakfast and afternoon tea. Closed January to mid-March.
The Queen Victoria Inn comprises three restored Victorian houses located one block from the ocean at the intersection of Ocean and Columbia Avenue. Each has a different personality — yet always a formal Victorian one. Guests at all three are welcomed to use lounges and parlors in each building. Rooms and suites, all with private baths and mini-refrigerators, accommodate couples. Only a few have extra beds. While not super family-friendly, the Queen Victoria Inn allows “well behaved” kids ages 8 and older to stay. Like most, this inn offers breakfast and tea in rates, but the breakfast is a bit more elaborate than most. (Think coffee, homemade muffins and breads, an egg dish, fruit and more.)
Finally, for an especially warm welcome for your children, contact the Cape May Chamber of Commerce. Their website or helfpul staff has a referral system to match families with Victorian-style apartments and suites. We love supporting these local families with direct booking instead of searching through the big name rental sites. Prices vary widely but standards are very high and places are ususally well-maintained year round.
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