Where to Stay in Cape May (Best Places & Areas)

👉 Best Area For History Lovers | ✨ Best Historic District Hotels: Congress Hall • Lokal Hotel Cape May • Southern Mansion

The Historic District is one of the top choices for where to stay in Cape May. Its Victorian stick-style architecture is bursting with the historic beauty that Cape May is known for. Book a stay at a historic inn like Congress Hall or the Southern Mansion for a truly charming experience.

Pay a visit to the Greater Cape May Historical Society where you can learn more about Cape May’s rich history. You can even take a trip back in time at the Emlen Physick Estate. Here, you can step into a Victorian home filled with antique furniture and learn how one family lived during this time period. 

The Historic District is a great place to stay in Cape May if you love history, but still want to be close to the beauty of the Jersey shore. Not to mention shopping at the Washington Street Mall!

Pros of Staying in the Historic District:

• Beautiful Victorian architecture
• Home of the Washington Street Mall 
• Plenty of attractions to enjoy

Con of Staying in the Historic District:

• Not many hotels specifically in this area
• Farther out from the beach 

Cape May Harbor

👉 Best Area For Nature Lovers | ✨ Best Cape May Harbor Hotels: La Mer Beachfront Resort • Inn at the Park • Cape Harbor Motor Inn

Cape May Harbor is further away from the more popular areas by the beaches and the Historic District. There aren’t any hotels in this area, so you’ll have to choose Cape May accommodations close to the Jersey shore. You can then drive up to the Harbor area to enjoy the attractions.

The Harbor is a beautiful, underrated section. Here you can enjoy waterfront dining at a number of harborside restaurants. There’s also a Marina where you can watch boats blissfully sail by. Pay a visit to the Nature Center, or catch a boat to go whale-watching! 

While Cape May’s Harbor area doesn’t offer accommodations, it’s still a great place to visit during your stay in Cape May. This being said the Inn at the Park is a historic and highly-rated bed and breakfast that’s just a short drive from the harbor.

Pros of Staying in Cape May Harbor:

• Beautiful waterfront views
• Waterfront dining
• Whale-watching opportunities

Con of Staying in Cape May Harbor:

• Farther away from the beach
• No hotels in the immediate area

West Cape May

👉 Best Area For Relaxation | ✨ Best West Cape May Hotels: Buttonwood Boutique Hotel • Wilbraham Mansion • Elaine’s Cape May Boutique Hotel

West Cape May is a great place to stay in Cape May if you want a quieter experience. While Cape May isn’t a noisy town to begin with, West Cape May is even quieter. This area is more residential, so you’ll find more local Cape May residents as opposed to tourists. 

Come to West Cape May if you want to avoid crowds of tourists and just enjoy a serene pace of living. The Buttonwood Boutique Hotel is a charming, highly-rated inn with a beautiful property.

You can enjoy Cape May Point State Park, which features the historic Cape May Lighthouse. A little further out you can visit the Cape May Bird Observatory to catch a glimpse of Cape May’s feathered friends. Nearby Cape May Point is also a perfect place for a day visit.

Pros of Staying in West Cape May:

• Very quiet 
• Still close to Cape May’s beaches
• Fewer tourists

Cons of Staying in West Cape May:

• Not many options for hotels
• Further out from Cape May’s main attractions
• Most bars & restaurants are outside of West Cape May

Tips for Staying in Cape May

Prepare to do Some Walking

While there is parking in Cape May, it can be tough to find – especially during the peak travel season. This is especially the case around the beach. 

If you want to enjoy all that Cape May has to offer, walking is your best bet. It’s also great for taking in all of the great scenery in beautiful weather. 

Don’t Skip Out on the Seafood

As a seaside resort town, Cape May’s seafood is unmatched. Enjoy a variety of fish, lobster, shrimp, and even savory scallops. Most of it is freshly caught, so you’re getting only the best and freshest seafood. This freshness comes out as a decadent flavor that you don’t want to miss.

Book Off-Season

It stands to reason, if you’re traveling during peak season, prices are going to be higher. In addition, restaurant reservations may be harder to come by, and you’ll encounter more people. In many ways, this coincides with my general tips for when to visit New Jersey.

Off-season travel between the months of October and April can give you the best possible way to enjoy the beautiful Cape May.

Take in the Historic District

One of Cape May’s most notable features is its fantastic architecture. The Victorian architecture is enough to draw in visitors from all over. You can take in such great sights as the Emlen Physick Estate. 

Visit Local Breweries

Cape May is home to quite a few breweries and wineries. Stop by the Cold Spring Brewery for an ice-cold beer. Or you can take a vineyard tour at the Willow Creek Winery & Farm and relax with a glass of wine. 

Don’t Miss Out on the Whales

Whale-watching is one of the most popular things to do in Cape May. The whale-watching season depends on their migration, so they’re only visible at certain times. Between Spring and mid-summer are the best times to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.

Go Bird Watching

Cape May is home to some beautiful birds. One of these is the local Cape May warbler. These and other birds can be seen throughout Cape May, or at places like the Nature Center of Cape May. Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory at Cape May Point for even more views and to learn about bird conservation.

Pay a visit to Wildwood Crest

While Wildwood Crest isn’t technically part of Cape May, it is part of Cape May County. This is the livelier side of Cape May County. It features activities that appeal to a younger, more energetic crowd. There you can enjoy the famous Morey’s Piers. Bring some beach chairs and relax on the pristine Diamond Beach. 

Venture Further Out

There are great Cape May attractions and activities close to the Beachfront and Historic district. But Cape May has even more to explore. Pay a visit to Lower Township where you can find the Historic Cold Spring Village. This village, almost frozen in time, gives you a glimpse of how life was like back in Victorian times.

Stroll Cape May’s Promenade

The promenade along Beach Avenue is a great place for a stroll. This peaceful 2-mile stretch of paved walkway offers amazing ocean views. It’s lined with a variety of stores and small restaurants you can stop into along your way. Enjoy a sunset on Beach Avenue or even a sunrise along the lovely promenade.

Hop on a Ferry

Want to see more of Cape May’s coastal views? Hop on a ferry to get a different perspective of this gorgeous town. Take a ride across the Delaware Bay for great views of North Cape May, as well as some of the wildlife that lives there. Some have even been able to spot turtles. 

👉 Read Next: Best Areas and Towns to Stay in New Jersey

FAQs About Where to Stay in Cape May

What part of Cape May is the best?

The Beachfront is the best part of Cape May. There are great ocean views along Beach Avenue. Along with great restaurants, this area is popular for first-time and seasoned visitors alike.

Are Cape May Beaches Free?

Cape May beaches are not free during beach season, which runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day. From 10 am – 5 pm during beach season, you will need to purchase beach tags for any beach-goers that are 12 years old and over. After beach season is over, you can access the beach for free, but there will be no lifeguards on duty. As a result, certain activities like swimming may be restricted. 

Why is Cape May Popular?

Cape May is a beautiful seaside resort town. It features great restaurants, fresh seafood, and beautiful Victorian architecture. Its relaxed pace and ocean views draw many visitors in every year.

Is Cape May a dry town?

Cape May is not a dry town, although other parts of Cape May County are such as Cape May Point, Wildwood Crest, and Ocean City.

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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Cape May! Check out these other great places to visit in New Jersey for more great destination ideas. Have fun deciding where to stay in Cape May!