Cape May ... a classic, summer excursion
Cape May distinguishes herself in many ways. They have the gorgeous beaches, promenade, and all the amenities that make any seashore town worth visiting, but also have a rich history and an architectural diversity equal to none. With miles of pristine beaches, restaurants for every taste, year-round festivals, world-class birding, and a showcase of late-Victorian architecture, there are lots of reasons to visit Cape May.
Cape May began hosting vacationers from Philadelphia in the mid-18th century and is recognized as the country's oldest seaside resort. This day trip takes us through the New Jersey wetlands with fascinating stops along the way.
Did you know ...
Cape May is designated the Cape May Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, due to its concentration of Victorian buildings. In fact, it has the second-largest collection of Victorian houses, behind San Francisco.
Let's do lunch at the Lobster House!
Lucy the Elephant
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped wood frame and tin clad building, constructed in 1882 by James V. Lafferty. Lucy was built with the purpose of promoting real estate sales and attracting tourists to the area. Today, Lucy remains the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America.
Lucy is six stories high and is listed on the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks. Lucy's park is fenced and contained, making child supervision easy. Picnic tables are also on site for eating out-of-doors.
The only elephant in the world you can go in and come out alive!
Southern New Jersey Coastal Wetlands
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year. Wetlands form a transitional zone between waterbodies and dry lands, and are different from other ecosystems due to their vegetation's roots having adapted to oxygen-poor waterlogged soils.
Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems and serve as habitats to a wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants and animals.
Somers Point Music Scene
"It helped to look like Bobby Rydell in Somers Point in the summer of 1960. Rydell was a big star then, though it had been only a couple of summers since he’d been a baby faced drummer playing backup at Bayshores on the Somers Point traffic circle alongside a trumpeter named Frankie Avalon in a band called Rocko and the Saints. The Saints were gone by the summer of ’60 – Avalon was making movies and Rydell was making hits – but there were a hundred kids in Somers Point, playing a dozen instruments in a half a dozen bars, clawing to reach those heights." Geoffrey Douglas
The Great Egg Harbor River Delta
The Great Egg Harbor River is 55 miles long. It is one of the major rivers that traverse the largely pristine Pinelands, draining 308 square miles (800 km2) of wetlands into the Atlantic Ocean at Great Egg Harbor, from which it takes its name.
Great Egg Harbor (and thus the river) got its name from Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen May. In 1614, Mey came upon the inlet to the Great Egg Harbor River. The meadows were so covered with shorebird and waterfowl eggs that he called it "Eyren Haven" (Egg Harbor). Today, the National Park Service considers it one of the top 10 places in North America for birding.
The Wetlands Institute - Stone Harbor, NJ
A visit to The Wetlands Institute is a “hands on” educational experience that is fascinating and fun! The Wetlands Institute hosts more than 20,000 visitors each year. Participants of all ages are able to chose from a number of hands-on activities and experiences including guided tours, aquarium feedings, lectures, touch tank demonstrations and featured programs.
In addition to being a massive source of flood control and water purification, the wetlands are the “nursery” to hundreds of species of fish and shellfish that sustain mankind.
Museum of Cape May County
Established in 1927, the Museum of Cape May County is the county’s foremost advocate for the acquisition, preservation, and display of local history.
Located in three historic buildings, the museum is a treasure trove of exhibits showcasing county life from Native American times through the twenty-first century. The 1704 Colonial period home, 1830 Federal period addition, carriage shed and 1780 barn offer a fascinating look at how life in the county has evolved.
Cape May County Zoo
The Cape May County Park and Zoo is free and open every day of the year except for Christmas, weather permitting.
The zoo features over 550 animals representing more than 250 different species. You can walk through it in about an hour, or take your time and make it a long day! In May 2010, the birth of two Snow Leopard cubs put Cape May County’s zoo on the map. In April 2012, the zoo saw its third consecutive year of Snow Leopard births.
Cape May
Located at the southernmost point in New Jersey, Cape May Harbor allows fishing vessels to enter from the Atlantic Ocean, making it the second-largest fishing port on the East Coast. Tourism is a dominant industry for the city, with the economy focusing on shops, restaurants, lodging and tourist attractions including the Washington Street Mall and the beachfront promenade.
Ecotourism is also prominent, featuring more than 400 recorded bird species, marine mammal watching trips, fishing trips and more.
Cape May Point
Situated at the southern-most tip of New Jersey, Cape May Point is well known for its many natural attractions, serene beaches and historic sites. The Point is a major migratory route along the Atlantic Flyway. Many sea/shore birds and songbirds migrate through this area in the spring. At the end of the summer, dragonflies and monarch butterflies migrate through the area stopping briefly to gain their strength before continuing their journey across the Delaware Bay.
During spring and fall migration, this small borough is home to more birds than residents.