Cape May Can Make Your Worries Melt Away

The southern tip of the eastern state of New Jersey is characterized by a small peninsula. It looks like a finger pointing into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. This little finger of land is called Cape May Peninsula, and if you make your way all the way to the bottom - the southernmost tip - you will find yourself in the city of Cape May, one of the longest-standing resort destinations in the United States. Any place that has earned the designation of the Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort certainly has a lot to offer, or people wouldn't have been coming here year after year for so long.
As far back as the 1700s, Cape May saw visitors who came from Philadelphia at first. But as word spread about the lovely town, people from far and wide began making the trip to New Jersey's most southern spot. Take a trip to Cape May City to discover for yourself what all the tourists are attracted to. This popular place grows in population from just under 4,000 residents who live there all year round, to more than 40,000 people in the summer. What are they so excited about? Well, for starters, there is a lovely historic district that will have you harking back to the Victorian Age. The Cape May Historic District is not just one part of the city - it's the whole city. Anywhere you wander in this lovely place, you are in a National Historic Landmark, and anywhere you turn you can see beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and buildings.

Checking out architecture is fun, but there are also some great beaches in Cape May City. Actually, they are some of the best in the country. Pick up a beach tag - a requirement - and hit the sand. The beach tags have a small fee associated with them, but you'll appreciate the clean sand and lifeguard protection that the fees help pay for.

Lying on the beautiful beaches of Cape May and splashing in the surf can certainly fill your days. But there are plenty of other activities to put on your itinerary in Cape May. Eco-tourism pursuits such as bird watching and seeking out marine life are popular, as well as sport fishing. You can take a fishing excursion into Delaware Bay for some deep sea fishing. Go for half a day, a whole day, or even spend the night on board a chartered boat.

Kids will enjoy the Cape May County Park and Zoo, which is open in the summer and winter, or try the Nature Center of Cape May or Harbor Safari to find out about the local flora and fauna found in the marsh habitats and beach areas. Cape May is also home to a significant military presence and has been throughout the years. The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located at the Cape May County Airport and offers educational programs and camps for kids.

Whale watching will create some great summer memories for your whole family. You can head out for a dolphin or whale cruise leaving from Miss Chris Marina on two and three-hour tours. The majestic mammals will leave you speechless, especially if they come right up to the boat or call to one another with their distinct song. The Cape May Winery provides the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure before you head to your rental property or bed and breakfast. Historic hotels and guest houses also offer quaint rooms and lovely views, or go for modern conveniences at one of the many hotels, motels and condos. Get back to nature at one of the campsites if you prefer a fireside meal instead.