Spend a Relaxing Weekend at the Jersey Shore: A Guide to Cape May, NJ

• Head to the beach: Cape May has 2.5 miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy. Grab your beach chairs, pack a picnic and head to the beach for a relaxing day by the water!

• Visit Washington Street Mall: Washington Street Mall covers a few blocks and is a beautiful outdoor shopping plaza. There are great shops for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry and great restaurant options. We love Uncle Charley’s Ice Cream, which offers 48 flavors of homemade ice cream!

• Play Mini Golf: Cape May has a multitude of options for a game of Mini Golf! Our favorite is Cape May Mini Golf for the beautifully designed course and waterfall, but check out a few different courses and pick your favorite!

• Climb the Cape May Lighthouse: Climb the Cape May Lighthouse steps for amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and Cape May! The Lighthouse is surrounded by walking trails through a nature conservatory, so after you climb back down, visit the trails to see if you can spot some native New Jersey birds!

• Visit Sunset Beach for great views of the sunset: Sunset Beach has spectacular views of the Sunset and beachgoers love heading here at the end of the day to enjoy the summer nights and watch the sun set.

• Try local beer and wine: We generally think of Europe when we think of great wine and beer, but NJ will surprise you! There are great options like Cape May Brewery, Willow Creek Winery & Farm and Cape May Winery that offer delicious and refreshing beers and wines. Willow Creek Winery & Farm is dog friendly too!

• Walk the Boardwalk: Along Beach Ave is a great boardwalk for your morning run, afternoon stroll or post-dinner walk to enjoy the many arcade and mini-golf options in Cape May!

• Cape May Zoo: This small but fun zoo is an easy way to spend an afternoon! Arrange a private tour and see impressive animals like Cheetahs and Giraffes!

Day Trips

Cape May Lewes Ferry: Take the ferry over to Lewes, Delaware and enjoy a day on the Delaware beaches before heading back to Cape May for dinner!

• Beach Plum Bakery & Cafe: Beach Plum Bakery is a cute coffee shop tucked away in West End Garage. If you’re looking for great coffee and some of the best pastries and quiches in town, head to Beach Plum! Pro-tip: Get the Blueberry muffins. We went two days in a row specifically for the muffins!

• Blue Pig Tavern: If you’re looking for an upscale dining option in Cape May, head to Blue Pig Tavern in Congress Hall! Blue Pig Tavern has everything from burgers to Scallops and Surf N Turf! Plus, after dinner, you can stop at Congress Hall’s bar for after-dinner drinks.

• Washington Inn & Wine Bar: Check out Washington Inn & Wine Bar for my favorite Happy Hour in Cape May! The wine list and the oysters will have you canceling your dinner plans and staying at the bar all night!

• Iccara Italian Bistro: In the mood for Pasta after a day on the beach? Head to Iccara and make sure to grab some cannoli for dessert!

• Bella Vida Garden Cafe: At first glance, the menu will overwhelm you. Breakfast alone has five pages worth of options. But, no matter what you order, it will be delicious!

• Taco Caballito Tequileria: One of the newer restaurants on Beach Ave, Taco Caballito offers live music, great Mexican food and a long list of margaritas to choose from!

• Carney’s: If you’re looking for a night out, Carney’s is a great option! With two bars and a dance floor, you can sit and chat with friends over drinks or head to the dance floor until you’re ready to head home or last call.

• Uncle Bill’s Pancake House: Uncle Bill’s a staple at the Jersey Shore, and if you don’t mind waiting for a table, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best pancakes you’ve ever had.