Whether it’s the people, the beach, the ocean, the birds, the restaurants, the bicycling, the sunsets, the shops, the fishing, the architecture or even the air, a visit to America’s Oldest Seaside Resort often leaves a lasting impression.
Please share your memories of Cape May with us below.
My husband and I first came to Cape May for the day about 10 years ago and have been coming there several times a year ever since. We stayed at different hotels at first, but after discovering the Webster Suites on Washington Street, would never stay any place else…it is such a wonderful place, quiet and with the most exotic gardens in Cape May. The owners, Berney and Harry Gamble, extend the most gracious, attentive care of any place we have ever stayed. There are so many things about Cape May — the awesome restaurants, beautiful Victorian homes/inns, nature activities, craft shows, the jazz festivals, etc. etc. But, what is most special about Cape May are the people, both those that live there and those that visit. Most everyone is friendly and courteous, and are there for the same reason, their love of Cape May.
The first time I went [to Cape May] I was four years old. There I discovered the sea. I returned again when I was 12 years old. [In Cape May], as with music, I discovered a friend whom I will always have. At 25 I met my friend Cape May again and made other friends: the history of Cape May, the magnificent Victorian houses, and the people who live in them. At 30, I returned with my daughter so she would know this magical place, come to know my friends as I had known them. This place is always magnificent. The splendid Victorian homes, its beacon [lighthouse], the people who live there, the side-street boutiques so typical [of Cape May], the Concrete Ship, its calm atmosphere and the sea…
I have only nice memories of this place. I am never bored because there are plenty of small places to discover. Walks, camping on the edge of the sea. The memory of Mr. Hamberger, the Chang Family and Dean Pesante and all the other people who make Cape may so special. Thanks for these sweet memories.
We came down for a small vacation and fell in love with the laid-back atmosphere. Everyone was courteous and gracious, just like they knew us or grew up with us. The carriage ride was relaxing and informative. Had a wonderful time at Sunset Beach with the sun going down. Also really enjoyed the ferry ride. Very relaxing place. Cannot wait to come back again and see the same things and some different ones we missed the last time we were here.
Cape May is going to be a very memorable place in my heart, for as long as I will live. It was July 26, 2008, when my boyfriend, my mother and I left our one-day getaway in Atlantic City, to come to Cape May. I had no idea why we left AC halfway through the day to go to Cape May, but I was all for it!
I’d never been to Cape May and I’ve heard so many nice things about it! When we arrived my mother drove us to a restaurant called Martini Beach, very nice might I add, beachfront, quiet, just amazing.
It was during dinner when I saw an airplane flying across the sky with a banner attached to it, asking me to marry him. I could not believe it! It was a huge surprise, and I would not have wanted it to be anywhere else in the world. Cape May made the day of my engagement so special. I will forever remember July 26, 2008, at Martini Beach, Cape May, NJ.
It was for my fortieth birthday and my husband wanted to plan a perfect “getaway” for our family as my present. I had just given birth six weeks prior to my youngest son and we desperately wanted to find a location where we could spend a quiet, relaxing time with our three boys.
I remember thinking, “Are we crazy?”
First stop was the Cape May Zoo. We thought, wow – no charge (except donations) – what are the chances of it being worth the stop. Turns out – it was the nicest zoo we had ever encountered. Beautiful, serene and down out fun. The grounds are beautiful and not-too smelly as many zoos are. The swing sets, the outdoor grills for picnicking all add to the welcoming of families. After that everything was magical!
We had dinner at the Lobster House where we enjoyed watching the boats come and go. My oldest son (age 9) was very impressed with “yacht watching” and the occasional whimpering of my newborn was barely noticeable. Beaching was perfect with a cross wind that soothed all. September was a perfect choice for our trek to the most beautiful town in America.
We started from that point on looking for a piece of heaven that ultimately ended with us buying a Victorian house on Washington Street some six years later.
Sixteen years later, my husband and I are daydreaming about the day we’ll retire and share this beautiful town with grandchildren.
We have been visiting Cape May for the past 30 years (owned a Cape Roc condo for almost 5 years), and plan to return periodically forever. There are so many memories of places that no longer exists. Peaches, Water’s Edge, The Shire, Keltie News, Tradewinds and so many more. But there is so much to draw us back year after year. The wonderful architecture, breakfast at the Lemon Tree, shows at Cape May Stage, flat terrain for bicycle-riding (much appreciated after the hilly, winding roads in our area), walking on the beach collecting shells, the variety of birds, Cape May Point and Sunset Beach.
We began by coming to Cape May for Easter weekend every year and then gradually tried Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas week. It amazes us to see how the shoreline changes, and how there are now wide beaches where years ago there was no beach on the ocean side of the rocky extension of the Promenade at high tide.
We always feel the same exhilaration as we leave the Parkway, cross the bridges into Cape May and smell the ocean air, and we love that feeling of “coming home”.
I have so many memories of Cape May, it will be difficult to put the best ones in here. I first arrived there in 1996 from Ireland on a J1 visa, allowing me to work for the summer. I returned every year until 1999. I miss it so much. Cape May has an allure that is magical.
I remember my first real American breakfast in a diner near Windsor Beach, can’t remember the name of the diner, but they had lovely muffins. I lived on Windsor, Sewell Ave., Bayshore Rd. and Seagrove Avenue!
I remember sunrises, sunsets, rare birds, the mall and The Lemon Tree. Hale Bop Comet by Moonlight and porridge at 5am. The Shire was there too as well as Vance’s, which became an Irish Bar one summer. I remember Hidden Valley, walking on a summers day, home by the beach, and back to the crazy house on Windsor Ave with the Birders. I remember John from the Lumber Yard, because I worked next door with Sue in Flying Fish Studios! I love Cape May and all the people I met there. It will never leave my Heart!
XXXX to all, and I will see you soon.
Love Sinead Hahessy
I miss the Cape May where I grew up. I remember going to Peg’s Market or the E-Z Market before school at Cape May Elementary, and buying candy! I miss selling the Star and Wave newspaper for a dime on the mall or in front of the Acme each Thursday! I miss jumping from the back of Convention Hall into the ocean! I miss the Liberty Theatre on the mall. I miss flying my kite behind “Harry’s Hut” and riding my bike on the open field behind Coachman’s Motor Inn. We thought there was nothing to do in that town, but wow there was a lot to do now that I think back! Old Cape May was the best!
We visited Cape May a few years ago while staying in a nearby town. We fell in love and have been vacationing in Cape May ever since. It is always very lovely vacation.
We rent a spacious apartment about a block from the beach and never go near the car. If we need to go anywhere, we ride our bikes.
We have enjoyed the theater and the music at the Gazebo. The night-time lighthouse tour has become our favorite activity, which we plan on repeating often.
My mother brought me to Cape May for the first time when I was two years old. I have been bringing my children and now my daughter brings her family every year.
The sights and sounds of the ocean are such a comfort for me. In my teens I even had a job there working for the Lorentz family (Cook’s Villa), now the King’s Cottage.
It was such a great time in my life. Every time I arrive in Cape May I feel like I have just come home. Who knows, maybe I lived there in another life and time.
I use to take the ferry to New Jersey to spend the summer with my grandmother in Wildwood, New Jersey. This was in the late 60’s. I never saw Cape May, New Jersey. Then one summer three years ago, my daughter and I went to Cape May. We fell in love with the atmosphere and people. My daughter saw the advertisement for Oma’s Doll shop and that was the first place that we stopped.
And, now three years later, that is the first place we stop whenever we come. We also learn more of the history of Cape May with each visit. We either take a horse and buggy tour or one of the trolley tours.
We have several favorite restaurants but I have to admit – on a warm summer night Henry’s on the Beach is our favorite.
What is our favorite part of Cape May? The feeling of Cape May is our favorite part. It makes us feel warm, relaxed, friendly, calm, and just wonderful inside and out.
When we leave, we can’t wait to return again. Oh – my daughter says that there is no homemade ice cream anywhere that tastes as good as the ice cream in Cape May.
Your friends from Salisbury, Maryland.
We’ve been coming to Cape May for the past 11 years. We stopped there with some friends while visiting Atlantic City. I remember I was pregnant with our daughter at the time. We’ve been hooked ever since.
Every year since then, we visit Cape May once or twice a year. Our daughter, Melissa, who is now 11 years old, says it is her favorite place and will never get tired of visiting Cape May. There seems to something magical about the town!
We love walking around the neighborhood, admiring all the beautiful architecture, visiting the mall area, going through the shops, and so much more.
Our visit would not be complete without a taste of fudge at the Fudge Kitchen. We still enjoy the trolley tours and the horse & buggy rides.
We love staying at the Inn of Cape May. Aleathea’s Restaurant is wonderful! We love being right across from the beach. We always take our nightly walk on the beach after dinner. Other favorite dining places are the Lobster House and the Mad Batter. We recently ate at the Blue Pig (Congress Hall) and we thought it was great!
Our daughter also loves our yearly climb to the top of the lighthouse! The last time we were at the top, we saw a family of dolphins in the ocean. It was spectacular! We will be returning again this summer for an extended weekend. I love the feeling as you cross over the bridge and drive into the town. As soon as you see the first Victorian House with the candle in the window, it feels like you’re home.
In spring of 2002 I was staying near Cape May. At the time I had a boyfriend in the U.S. Coast Guard. I really liked Cape May, the beach, the nice people and the Lobster House Restaurant. They had lovely lobster.
I’ll always remember it as a really nice town. And part of me is missing Cape May.
I’ll recommend to all my friends that if they ever go over to the states that they have to visit Cape May.
We have a very special story. Allan and had not seen each other since high school. His wife passed away and so did my husband.
I went to the races to watch my son, with family and friends and it started to rain. We were all on our way out and my brother said look there’s Allan. So, as the weeks went on we started talking.
One evening he called me to go out for dinner and from then on we started dating. Then he took his first trip to Cape May with me. He fell in love with it just like I did the first time I saw it. I had no clue what was about to happen. He asked me to marry him as we were watching the sunset on Sunset Beach.
On May 17, 2003 we were married on top of the Cape May Lighthouse at 8:15 AM. We had 17 family members, Malcolm the Mayor of Cape May Point and Rich the lighthouse keeper, present for our special day.
Every year we come back for our anniversary. We are about to celebrate our 3rd anniversary next month, we always look forward to returning to our special place of love and memories.
Cape May is a place where you can take a step back into time. A place where the streets come alive. Where the Victorian homes have many secrets to hide of days gone by.
Ghost tours, shopping, tea for two, horse carriage rides, bird watching, kayaking, walking tours galore, the lighthouse and searching for Cape May diamonds at the Point. Cape May has all that and much, much more.
My family and I have been to Cape May many times over the past few years as it is one of my personal favorite places to go. My husband and I stayed at the Victorian Lace Inn on Stockton Avenue twice and was greeted by friendly inn keepers and a warm, cozy room after a day of adventure. We are going there again in May to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary and are again staying at the Victorian Lace Inn. I cannot wait to get back!
I have been vacationing in Cape May since 1980. Many of the Victorian homes were condemned and scheduled for the wrecking ball back then. I have returned every year, during three of the seasons with friends, my husband, my son, and alone. Over the years I have seen the tremendous, beautiful restoration of Cape May, staying in a number of the hotels and now sampling the B&B’s, since my son is grown
Recently it was my delight to stay at the Gingerbread House. For many years I have wanted to stay in one of the Stockton Row cottages after touring one several years ago. Fortunately, this time, the Gingerbread House was available. I found the information by searching the internet and was excited when the host Joan called me back in response to my e-mail.
Not only was the weather beautiful, the hosts, Joan and Fred were warm and welcoming. The living room, dining room, and porch were open for our enjoyment, filled with beautiful antiques. Whenever we returned to the Gingerbread House, we felt like we were coming to our home, since the hosts were not intrusive, although readily available if needed. The breakfasts were delicious, with a selection that would satisfy anyone’s appetite.
Our room was beautifully decorated in period pieces and I felt that I had gone back in time. I noticed that the Vacancy sign was displayed only for a few hours one morning, so it indicates that the word has spread about the Gingerbread House. Joan and Fred can expect a call from us on our return to Cape May!
I first learned of Cape May in 1999 when I was on business trip with clients with disabilities. Unfortunately, we stayed in Wildwood and did not make it to Cape May. In 2001, I returned to Wildwood with my now husband and visited Cape May. We fell in love with it, especially Sunset Beach.
My husband and I first stayed at Summer Station in Cape May for our honeymoon in October 2002. We could not have had a better time. The zoo is incredible as is everything else that Cape May has to offer.
Although we may be homesick for our kitty and dog, we make friends with the local kitties and dogs. In fact, we know many of them by names and look forward to seeing them each year.
We have been fortunate to return to Cape May at least once a year. This past year, we were down the week before Christmas and what a time we had. The beautiful lights and tours of the inns.
This year we look forward to returning for our 4th anniversary in October. Many say we are “crazy” for vacationing in the cooler and cold months but our reply is “why, there is so much to do year round!”
Neither my husband nor I like the heat so we look forward to a late spring trip after I complete my Master’s degree. Overall, we highly recommend to everyone to go to Cape May anytime of the year because there is so much to do and enjoy. I find myself counting down the days and months till I can return. The memories are too numerous to share all of them. Some of the greatest include falling into the frigid water at Sunset Beach while waiting for the sunset and as I was collecting the great Cape May diamonds. I still laugh about that today and wish I could feel the frigid water now.
Thanks for all the great experiences and memories. I look forward to many more trips, experiences, and memories. We will never tire of Cape May, our true love!
My family have been coming to Cape May since before I was born.
Friends of my parents recommended in the 80s to come to a “nice Victorian seaside town” and they loved it!
We make sure to come back each and every year, otherwise my brother and I get mad at them. We have actually been in the same room at Reagent Beach Condominiums for at least 5 years in a row! Whenever we come to Cape May, we listen a Cape May sing-a-long cassette and sing “On the Way to Cape May”. One of our favorite restaurants is the Mad Batter. They have the best crab cakes!
Cape May is definitely home to me, and it always will be!
COME TO CAPE MAY….YOU’LL LOVE IT!
My family and I come to Cape May every year. We always stay at Cape Roc and we always have a good time. Since my dad is always working, it’s our time to spend alone with him and there is no better place to do it then in Cape May. There are plenty family activities to do. We go to the beach every day that it is nice. We go to Wildwood at least three times out of a week. We go to town and shop and go out to Diner when we are there. Its our family vacation we enjoy every minute of it. There is no other place I would want to go to then Cape May. When it is time to go everyone is upset but we always think about how we will be back next year.
By chance, some 10 plus years ago, we attended a vacation show in the middle of January in Boston and picked up brochures from many different vacation spots. During the following week I was getting ready to trash everything that I had picked up and decided to take a quick look through the materials. I found a Cape May brochure in the pile and was intrigued by how beautiful it was. My husband and I had not made our vacation plans for the next summer so we decided that we would go to Cape May and give it a try. Well, guess what, it has been our only vacation destination since. We now travel down at the very end of the summer when it gets very quiet and the water is at it’s warmest and the weather is just beautiful. We can never get enough of the beaches and the great restaurants and shopping and just sitting on the porch on the rocking chair watching the world go by. We are always so sad when our two weeks have come to an end and we have to travel back home but always have next year to plan and dream about. We are making our trip in 3 weeks and 2 days, but who’s counting. We have never been anyplace in out lives that we enjoy more and we’ll keep going back year after year. Maybe some day soon we’ll be spending the entire summer season.
Our most memorable will be our wedding on the beach at sunset point. Cape May will always be special to us. It turned out so wonderful we couldnt have asked for a better day, the weather, the food at the Mad Batter it was perfect. Cape May has so many nice memories for us but this will always be the best one of all. We have to say also that all the times we have been to Cape May there has not been one time that we can ever say anything was wrong or wasnt nice its just an amazing place and you have such an amazing feeling when you are down there. It is so relaxed and clean and everyone is so nice and pleasant the food is great. We just have to say we absolutely love Cape May and can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives down there right now its just a dream and each time we come down it gets harder and harder to leave.
I agree. We have never had a bad time or a bad experience in Cape May – only wonderful memories. It is a very special place and we look forward to visiting every year. Thank you so much for this great web site where Cape May lovers can feel like we are there year round.
We brought our two daughters to Cape May at two different times in their lives. The first time was when they were 9 and 6. They loved the beach and the Victorian houses because they looked like the ones in their children’s books that we read to them. We came back when they were teenagers and they loved it even more. We brought them up to love and appreciate old homes. How important they were to understand where we came from and where we were going. They learned how a slower pace in life was a good way to unwind and think about things. Places like Cape May, Charleston and Williamsburg are national treasures that deserved to be preserved. They are more than places – they are part of our souls. And now our daughters share an English stone cottage that our oldest daughter bought. They have come full circle.
My memories are numerous! My grandmother purchased one of the first North Cape May homes in the early 60s, so I visited Capy May in my early teens before Cape May was fashionable. I watched the town grow from a plain jane boring area to a hip, popular, gingerbread Victorian beach town of your dreams!
During this time, I was weaned on Cape May Diamonds, the concrete ship, the “ugly mug”, the canal, West Cape May, the Villas, “The Mad Batter” restaurant, The “Lobster House” restaurant, and watched the beginnings of the “Mall”.
My greatest memory would be watching my cousin, Ricky McDonough, sing with his friends in the local bars. Now his son, Adam has followed in his footsteps.
Now, I create jewelry from shells, some adorned with Cape May Diamonds.
I have been coming to Cape May since i was 6 months old. I feel as though I am home as soon as i arrive! .And my family has been coming even longer, My father was in the USCG! And every year for 30 some years now, we have never missed a summer. We have stayed at many of the hotels-motels along Beach Ave, and have rented homes as well. We always get excited as we drive over the bridge in to town and see the Lobster House, Its a tradition to eat thier our first night. We love the beaches, Morrow’s. Washington St, and many other CM landmark places. We return year after year, often a few times a year, I even came dowm last Valentines Day with my boyfriend. Many people say CM has a magic or an allure that draws you in , and keeps u coming back. I couldn’t agree more. The place is Magic, It mystical, and it wll always be my home away from home!
I have been visiting Cape May since I was 6 years old. Now I am 21. Recently I add up all the summer weeks, and fall weekends we spent in Cape May. We were shocked to discover that we have spent more time in Cape may than we have lived in one house. (WOW) Now I refer to Cape May as my hometown. I know the town like the back of my hand, where to eat and what store have great finds. I have too many memories of Cape May to share, but each one hold special places in my heart. Often I visit each one in my memory.
I have wonderful memories of Cape May from my childhood. My great-grandfather lived in Cape May for many years in a magical white house with pink shutters across the water from the Lobster House. To a land locked pre-teen Vermonter there could be no more beautiful place. Of course everything I remember is skewed from a child’s perspective, but I still remember sleeping in the attic under a picture window and waking up to the sun rising and the fishing boats headed out for the day. That alone is an amazing memory, but then we’d pack up and head to the beach to walk the boardwalk and hit the waves. I can still remember buying my first seaman’s bracelet from one of the shops on the boardwalk and wearing it for months after!
It’s been about 25 years since my Grampa sold his house and moved to Florida, but now I take my kids to feel the magic. We just don’t get to go out in the Ga-Ga and see everything from the bow of his boat!
My family and I were invited to join friends of ours in Cape May for 4 days about 3 years ago. The initial drive through Cape May set the mood for the rest of our visit. Cape May itself has a mood all its own, that seems to be set by default, relaxing, laid back, quaint, and family oriented. The shops, restaurants, B&Bs, the entertainment are all extras to an already beautiful beaches and local architecture. We will never forget seeing our first Sunset on Sunset Beach; what a wonderful and relaxing time. After our 4 day excursion, we ventured back to Cape May ever since, I personally make it a point to never miss a sunset while in Cape May. Once you get a taste of Cape May you have to keep coming back for more.
I have been going to Cape May since I was one years old, I am now 42. My whole family goes down which includes my parents, my two daughters, who are 6 and 8 now, my husband, and my three cousins, and there kids which makes for 14 more. All of Cape May is my favorite. There is no other place that I have been like it. My Dad started this tradition years ago before he was even married to my mom with a bunch of buddies that started going down to visit a buddy in the Coast Guard. I have the most wounderfull childhood memories in Cape May and now my children are having them. We go down every year the same week in August. Every year it is just a exciting when we do the last week count down before we leave for wounderful Cape May. Well as they say we will see you in Cape May.
Some of my favorite memories of Cape May are from Christmas time. We have family that live in Cape May year round and we come down for the West Cape May Christmas parade and to shop in all the Washington Street shops. The B & B’s and homes are so beautifully decorated and the horse and carriage rides are cozy and fun. Of course, you must ride the trolley too.
Love Cape May. Cape May is our life. As a family we completed this summer our 38th year in Cape May.
Oh how beautiful. My parents found Cape May in 1971. With many blessing the first family home was purchased. At that time my sister in law and I wondered where in the world my Father was taking us. Babies, lamps, a TV and who know what else were were in the station wagon (remember those) heading south. Summers were spent in Cape May with children being raised. Two of the girls in our family worked for Uncle Bills pancake house for over 10 years. After many years our parents retired to Cape May now affording two family homes. We are so bless.
Memories, memories. Today we as a family are on the fourth generation of children loving the treasure of many years ago. The charm of our town Cape May. The youngest of our 3rd generation will be married in 2010 in Cape May. Dreams do come true!
Thank you for the memories Cape May – Sue C
Heaven on earth!!!
So many life stories of Cape May, but 1 in particular made my wife, Kathy, and I believe in CM spirits. We were staying in the Union Hotel, just across from the Queen Victoria, on the 3rd floor, corner room. We had just arrived to our room and I was sitting in a chair next to the TV by the foot of our bed. Kathy had put her suitcase on the far side of the bed and was walking towards me. All of a sudden the TV clicker flew off the top of the TV and landed on the bed. We both looked at each other and knew neither one of us did it. Later on, we told the desk clerk downstairs what had happened and she said “Oh, that’s just _______ testing you to see if your OK to stay in her room.” The remainder of our stay was uneventful, so I guess we were accepted by the “spirits”
I love cape may infact my grandpop owns three stores down there!
We would always walk down all the roads and have fun!!!
And my favorite memorie was when there was the kite festaval and i met the designer of skydog kites!!!!!
and thats my favorite Cape May memorie!! <3
Cape May is a part of my being. I have been vacationing there since I was a child, every Summer, and now with my own family. I enjoy so much telling my kids stories about my years spent in Cape May. They love it just as much as I do! I look at them sometimes and think about the future and vacationing there with my grandkids. It is a beautiful place, magical, and lovely.
My grandparents moved to North Cape May in the late 1960s and introduced us to beautiful Cape May. So for over forty years our family has been vacationing in Cape May and loving it! Several family members have bought properties over the years. Our family will be forever grateful to my mom and dad, (Jim and Marie Moran) for sacrificing and buying a house in the Villas in 1972. We “own” a spot on Grant Beach and have made many friends over the years. We wouldn’t think of going to another beach! Muckers tournaments have become a tradition that we all look forward to thanks to the Stevens and Remer families and now we have begun an annual Horseshoe tournament! Dolphin watching, long walks to view the Lighthouse; especially at dusk, its beautiful!), Family circles of beach chairs, swimming out to touch the buoy after the lifeguards leave (don’t tell!!) We call it “Touching the Butt” from finding Nemo! and Lobster Bisque Soup on Sundays from the Oceanview Restaurant! Oh and Hot Dogs in a CUP with a frozen Coke! (my mouth is watering!) The kids enjoyed the Mascot races, and I wish they would bring them back! We arrive by 4 and stay til 8?! Parking is easy and its not crowded!!:) Half the time we don’t have to use our Seasonal Tags, but it works for us! I feel so close to my mom and dad when we are there! You know its true “You never really leave a place you love”!! Wishing you all sweet Summer Cape May moments and memories of your own!