Cape May has an interesting story behind it. It's a quaint old victorian town that was rescued a few years back. It's main livelihood is tourism, which had really fallen off when Wildwood became popular. The town was in danger of being completely bought out by hotel operators, who were going to knock down the Victorian homes, dilapidated and in sore need of repair, to build new hotels. A group of people got together to save the town, fixing up the old homes beautifully and making Cape May a real showplace. Even if you're not staying here, a daytrip just to sightsee is highly recommended.
Activities Cape May Point Light House A real light house you can climb up into. It's on the very southern tip of New Jersey.
The Beach
Not a free beach-you need to have a beach tag with you to use it. If you are a guest at a hotel, you get one to use free during your stay, but if you are here for the day, you'll have to pay $4 a person. It's really worth it-this is one of the cleanest beaches around.
The Boardwalk
There isn't one. Instead, there's a tall cement breaker, which was built because of the many bad storms they get here that ruin the victorian homes. You can walk along the top of the breaker(it's flat and there are steps leading to it)-you have to in order to get to the beach anyway. There are a few shops, but the shopping is better on the opposite side of the street and on Washington Street, paralleling the beach a couple of streets away.
Hotels we Recommend
One thing you could do is check out all of the beautiful bed and breakfasts located here. The reason it's called Victorian Cape May is because of all the beautifully decorated Victorian homes, which have been here for ages. The bed and breakfasts are really expensive, some don't have air conditioning, and none have pools, but all the rooms are beautiful, so these are places best stayed at off season, when it's cooler and you'll enjoy them more. These listed below are regular hotels: The Sandpiper Beach Inn Two kinds of rooms here-the standard room for 2 with a queen size bed, or an efficiency for up to 6 with a kitchen. This place is even nicer than Summer Station. Summer Station This is really a condotel-the rooms are all decorated the same, but some people actually own them and allow them to be rented out. All efficiencies, there is a pool and maid service.
Hotels we DON'T Recommend The Victorian Hotel Kind of old, the rooms need remodeling badly.
Restaurants The Lobster House The Merion Inn Another great place to eat. If you are seated between 4:30 and 6 p.m., you can take advantage of their $14.95 early bird special, which includes salad or soup, entree w/ 2 veggies, and dessert. Even if you don't want to eat that early, come here anyway, because the food is fantastic. The Washington Inn The nicest restaurant in the area. You don't need to wear a jacket, but you must look presentable when you dine here, so no shorts, jeans, or sloppy t-shirts, ok? The food here costs a little more than the other places we've mentioned, but it tastes fantastic, so it's well worth it. Whatever you do, DON'T bring children here. They do nothing whatsoever to acommodate them. There are no high chairs or booster seats available and there isn't a children's menu (and the cheapest thing on the menu is $17.95!). You can't get away with just bringing them and not ordering for them, either, because you'll get charged their non-ordering guest fee, which is $10. Be sure to make reservations, because they're always busy here. We recommend the Filet Mignon Washington, a moist, tender filet topped with jumbo lump crab imperial.
Shopping Beach Drive The street that parallels the beach has a few shops and restaurants on it. Congress Hall Across the street from the beach, this big old (recently remodeled) hotel has a bunch of shops on the first floor. Washington Street Mall Loaded with shops and pubs, this open air mall (really a street that's been closed to traffic) has something for everyone.
If you think any of this info has changed, or have any questions, feel free to Email / knighton@cablespeed.com
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