Located on the southernmost tip of the Jersey Shore, Cape May is proof that the longer the journey, the sweeter the reward. The local secret, though, is that the reward’s even sweeter if you wait until the fall, when those iconic, gingerbread-trimmed Victorian homes get bathed in autumnal light. Unlike most shore towns, which become crowded in the summer months and a bit deserted post-Labor Day, Cape May remains calm, yet plenty lively this time of year. There’s so much to see and do, whether you’re a ghost-hunter obsessed with all things paranormal, or a birder on the lookout for your next lifer. Climb the cast-iron spiral stairway up the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse to see the coastline enveloped in fall foliage, or pay a visit to Willow Creek Winery to enjoy a glass of wine alongside a firepit and crisp breeze. Ready to plan a trip to Jersey’s favorite shoulder season beach town? Read on for where to eat, stay, and play in Cape May this fall.
What to do in Cape May
There’s no better time of year to take a stroll—or trolley ride—around the 19th-century Victorian homes that lend Cape May its historic charm. During the annual Victorian Weekend (falling October 10–13, this year), you can get a rare peek inside the triple-decker beauties and take part in other activities, like craft fairs and baseball games as they were played in 1864 (think vintage uniforms). If it’s the supernatural that sways you, be sure to take a ghost tour of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. The Victorian house museum, designed by famed architect Frank Furness, is said to be teeming with spirit residents and a bunch of “rogue taxidermy.”
Cape May is considered one of the best birding destinations in North America, with the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean acting as natural funnels. Things get especially exciting in the fall, when raptors migrate across the 200-acre wetland area known as South Cape May Meadows. If you’re interested in birding but don’t know where to begin, consider checking out the Cape May Bird Observatory at Cape May Point State Park (also home to the iconic lighthouse), which offers regular programming with experienced naturalists. But perhaps the most popular birding hotspot is Higbee Beach, where you can watch warblers, raptors, and shorebirds take flight.
Celebrate fall bounty at Beach Plum Farm: Hop on a hayride, sip mulled cider, and pick the perfect pumpkin. The charming coastal farm, which is also home to a market and a few cozy cottages, hosts Autumn Harvest Dinners—seasonal feasts served family-style around long, communal tables. For a bit of shopping, pop into West End Garage, a 1940s garage-turned-antique market (it’s also home to the Beach Plum Bakery and Café). When day turns to night, head to Sunset Beach for, you guessed it, amazing sunset views, and hunt for Cape May “diamonds” (tiny pieces of quartz crystal that wash up on the shore.)
Where to eat and drink in Cape May
Start your day at an unlikely place—The Lobster House. The family-owned, dockside restaurant has been serving seafood alongside a 130-foot-long Grand Banks sailing vessel since 1964. Come to the takeout window for a daily coffee or weekend breakfast (a local’s secret) and maybe stay for an oyster or two at the raw bar. Over in West Cape May, Ostara’s Coffee House, Good Earth Organic Eatery, and Chez Michel French Bakery are all great options for early-day bites. Come dinnertime, if you’re looking for classic, white-tablecloth American dining, choose between Peter Shield Inn or Washington Inn, two Cape May stalwarts that will not disappoint. For something a bit more modern, check out Fish House, where you can enjoy fresh fish right on Sunset Beach, or Port, for their famous lobster caviar fries (head there on a Sunday to watch football on the restaurant’s outdoor TVs).
