Cape MayOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Whaling Village to Resort Town

Cape May's history began with the Kechemeche Native Americans, who used the peninsula for hunting. European exploration started in 1609 with Sir Henry Hudson, followed by Cornelius Jacobsen Mey in 1621, who named the cape. English colonists from Connecticut and Massachusetts settled in the late 17th century, establishing whaling and fishing, and introducing farming to what was then Cape Island.

By 1761, Cape Island became America's first seashore resort, drawing visitors from Philadelphia by horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches, sloops, and schooners. The early 19th century saw the town attract people from New York, Baltimore, and Washington, with hotels like the New Atlantic, built in 1842, accommodating hundreds of guests. A two-week stay by Henry Clay in 1847 established Cape Island's reputation as a retreat.

Fires, Rebuilding, and Preservation

The Civil War stopped Southern visitors, but the railroad from Philadelphia, completed in 1863, began the "Cottage Era," as families built summer homes. A fire in 1878 destroyed 35 acres of the city, including many hotels, from Congress Hall to Ocean Street. Cape May rebuilt in the Queen Anne, Gothic, and American bracketed styles of the time. This decision, and later preservation efforts by groups like the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) in the 1970s, helped maintain its Victorian character. The Cape May Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976, recognizing its collection of Victorian architecture.

• —Emlen Physick Estate — This 18-room mansion, built in 1879, is an example of "Stick style" Victorian architecture, designed by Frank Furness. The restored interior shows the life of Dr. Emlen Physick Jr., his mother, and aunt. The estate includes a carriage house with exhibits and a tearoom.
• —Congress Hall — Originally a boarding house built in 1816, this hotel has hosted several U.S. presidents, including Benjamin Harrison, who used it as his "Summer White House." Rebuilt in brick after the 1878 fire, it stands as a record of Cape May's resort history.
• —Washington Street Mall — This pedestrian-only area has shops and restaurants in historic buildings. It is a central point for activity in Cape May.
• —Cape May Lighthouse — The current lighthouse, built in 1859, stands 157 feet tall and offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay from its top.
• —Colonial House Museum (Cape May Historical Society) — This museum, in a house from the 1700s, shows early Cape May life with exhibits on local history and artifacts from the colonial period.
• —Ocean Street Promenade — This boardwalk runs along the beachfront, offering views of the ocean, access to the beach, and a walk past many of Cape May's Victorian hotels.

The best times to visit Cape May are late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October). In May and June, gardens are in bloom, restaurants are active, and the weather is comfortable for sightseeing, with average high temperatures around 72°F (22°C) in May. September is often considered the best month, offering warm weather, fewer crowds after Labor Day, and ocean temperatures still suitable for swimming, typically in the upper 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit.

Avoid July and August if you prefer to avoid the largest crowds and highest demand for accommodations. While these months offer the most activities, they also have the highest temperatures, averaging 83-86°F (28-30°C) in July. Winters (December to February) are quieter, with average highs around 43-46°F (5-8°C), and some businesses may have reduced hours or close.

Cape May is accessible by car. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry offers a route from Delaware. Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) is about 45 minutes north, with rental cars, taxis, and shuttles available. NJ Transit buses connect Cape May to Philadelphia, New York, and other New Jersey locations, arriving at the Cape May Welcome Center, which is near many attractions.

Walking and biking are ways to explore Cape May's historic district. For parking, meters are active from May 1st to October 31st, typically from 10 AM to 10 PM. Rates are generally $1.50 to $2.00 per hour, with some areas requiring the Parkmobile app. Free parking can be found on many side streets, though these fill quickly, and at the Cape May Elementary School lot on Lafayette Street when school is not in session (free until 11 PM, no overnight). A free shuttle service operates seasonally, usually from late May to early October, from 4 PM to 10 PM.