Cape May “The Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort"

It's easy to feel you've stepped back in time when you visit the city of Cape May, home to more than 600 authentically restored Victorian structures, bed-and-breakfasts and inns.

Highly acclaimed and award-winning restaurants go hand in hand with the Victorian i nns and distinguish Cape May from other towns.

The resort has been provided an escape for city dwellers since the days when U.S. Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Ulysses S. Grant spent summers here in the 19th century.

Cape May is also the only New Jersey seaside resort where you can watch the sunset over the water from the beach (Sunset Beach is located at the southernmost part of town.)

Tours of the historic district will get you inside many of the Victorian Inns you've been ogling, but there's more to do here than gawk at architecture. The city features a thriving arts community that includes theater, music and many events sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts at 1048 Washington Street.

Whale-watching and fishing charters leave from Cape May, which remains one of the most successful commercial fishing ports on the East Coast. Sightseeing tours on tall ships are also available in season..

Another fun family activity is searching the bay-side beaches for Cape May diamonds (really quartz stones that have been polished smooth by the movement of the tides). While on that side of town, you may want to check out the Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point State Park. Built in 1859, this is one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the U.S.

Washington Street Mall covers a two-block area of town and features shops, galleries, and eateries.

Getting to Cape May is an easy drive by car to the end of the Garden State Parkway. Or you can come from Delaware by way of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Cape May's small size makes it easy to get around on foot, or you can rent a bike or hop a trolley.

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Courtesy of the Press of Atlantic City