Best known for its numerous authentic Victorian homes and bed and breakfast inns, the City of Cape May is a National Historical Landmark and is the nation's oldest seaside resort.
As early as 1766, visitors, encouraged by their physicians to take in the good sea air and water, came from Philadelphia - by horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, sloops and schooners. They were housed in very rustic public houses, taverns, and resident homes. At the turn of the century, advertisement in the Philadelphia papers described the beautiful situation of Cape May, the sea-bathing, and the fish, oysters and crabs to eat and enjoy.
Today Cape May is known not only for its Victorian charm and good food, but also for its pedestrian Washington Street Mall; its ongoing beach restoration projects; and the year-round offering of cultural, historical, music, arts, nature and water-related activities and events.
Cape May was ranked the fifth best beach in New Jersey in the 2008 Top 10 Beaches Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium.
Beach Fees:
The daily fee is $4 and the weekly fee is $13. Visitors can purchase a three-day pass for $9. Children 12 and under are free. Access to the beach for the season costs $25. Visitors can purchase beach tags between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Tax Office in City Hall, which is located at 643 Washington Street.
Beach Season:
Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Beach badges are required on May 24, May 25, May 26, June 1, June 7, June 8 and June 14 through Labor Day. Restrooms and Showers: There are restrooms available and on select beaches there are showers. No changing rooms.
Parking:
Metered parking is located at Jackson Street, around the Washington Street Mall and along most of the beach and side streets. Meters are in effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lifeguards:
Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Access for Visitors with Disabilities:
Ramps are located at the entrances to the beaches and beach wheelchairs are available, as are accessible bathrooms.
Food:
Open fires and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Additional Info.:
Animals are prohibited. For more information, call (609) 884-9530 or visit www.capemaycity.com.
