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.
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!
Hi Donna, can you or anyone else give me information on how to enter these Muckers tournaments or any info on Mucker tournaments through out Canada and The States. Thanks.
My cousin says she feels closest to her mom here too.All our parents have since gone ,but we keep our family traditions alive in Cape May.Kim
My name is Melissa and im fourteen years old. My family and I have been going to Cape May longer than i could remember. For English class we had to write a descriptive essay on our favorite place, so i chose Cape May ..
The Victorian houses have elegant colors and shapes that make the environment lively. Colors of orange, purple and blues brighten up the gray streets where the pointy black fences lie old and rusted. Different triangle and octagon shaped roof tops are fascinating to look at, and take you back to Victorian times. The sound of the clanking trolleys going up and down the cracked brick road reminds me of sweet joy rides when I was little. I could almost remember how much I anticipated on getting a window seat. The sensation of eating freshly made fudge always fulfills my chocolate craving whenever I come for free samples in town. Near the beach the sand is dry and hot as I walk with caution trying not to burn my feet. The salty ocean air reminds me of warm summer days by the water. Delicate seashells that surround the seashore are spread out into tiny pieces; each having an exquisite shape. The sun glazed ocean always ties my favorite features together into one great trip.
I love Cape May!
I’ve been to Cape May for about 10 years. I absolutely love everything about it! We always stay at the Tides condo located on beautiful Jackson st. That way shopping is always at our finger tips! =) There sure somthing very,very, special about Cape May.
I love the wonderful light house tour, going to the beach, and as always the rare shopping experience you don’t usually have. Also, great restruants! 5 thumbs up for all i’ve been too. I also like how there is always somthing great going such as the kite festival or antique show!
Our family likes to go in June beacuse its not to cold and not TO hot!
We will always,forever, make Cape May a tradition every year!
I live in North Wildwood and love it…but Cape May and especially Cape May Point….now that’s where my heart is…..whenever I’m feeling the need for relaxation I just pop on over to Cape May and the stress is gone!!
And on this special Mom’s day my memories of Mom and I shopping, eating and just hanging there give me comfort. Actually spent last Sunday there with my grown daughter; so the tradition continues………
Cape May is my second home! My parents have been going ever since they were little. Not one year have we skipped a Cape May vacation. even though we for a week, I know every block in Cape May (I’m only 13). So many memories I’ve had from our car ride to the awesome beach and stores! I can’t wait to go again this summer, maybe we can stay just a little longer than one week!
The story goes our grandparents came here before we were born to enjoy the ocean in the summertime.My father his sister and brother then brought us. We now bring our children and childrens children.We haved shared many vacations together in one of these big and beautiful historic homes,every other year a different place to rent for as long as I can remember.Some years there are as many as 50 of us,of course we now need several homes to host our annual fun.Never has a family had more laughs than us.We plan our annual antics.Events that include Holiday Day(yes we did them all in a day Easter egg hunts til New Years Eve),Everybodies Birthday parties, family group picture day,Red Neck Tues,Hawiian brunches,Extreme Desiree Nights,Toga parties,fishing trips,Salt water marsh boat trip,Cape May Zoo,Cap May Point Sunsets w/taps,many large themed dinner parties (yes we like our costumes & decorations)Oh sorry but yes we have pool hopped,shined our moons,porch parties daily and dancing macarenna on our lawn and have even asked passerbyrs to join in!! We are the Smalls,from young to old our stories are told,Cape May will always be in our hearts ! Some we can’t even tell you..Aha…
also the quiet morning beach walks,higbees beach,shell collecting,dolfin watching,all the shopping,pleasnt people,great music,art,food,the list is endless as it is timeless for us..we hate to go home!! Me
We have been coming to Cape May for over 20 yrs We vacationed with our three 3 boys when they were pretty young. We asked our families to come and since then we have vacationed with them as well. We have shared big houses and rented two houses. But we have had special and memorable times. Our parents are 91yrs young – they can’t travel – but we will remember the years they were in Cape May with us. Mass just about every morning at Our Lady Star of the Sea. Then breakfast at the Mad Batter or Pancake House. What we love most is the long sunny days at the beach. Our dinner at the LobsterHouse. Horse & Buggy Rides. Letting the kids go to boardwalk at night for games & ice cream. Kareoke at Carneys! Family dinners at each others houses. Thanks for the memories Cape May – for staying the same – not changing-being safe for our kids &us. Keep on keeping on! Love Ya!!!
Also our trips to the Light House – Sunset Beach- Higbee Beach – horse shoe crabs -
I was very fortunate to have my dear friend Deb Fraser take me to Cape May a few years back. I flew to JFK, stayed a few days at her home then we drove (well she did) to Cape May. We stayed at a beautiful Inn, all I can say is it is one trip I never forget, and Cape May is truely a wonderful town. I extol the virtues of CM whenever anyone here in the UK asks me about the USA and where to visit, although NYC is full of interest, Florida is the Sunshine State, Cape May is the one place I know I will return to one day in the not too distant future. Whether it is in the summer, autumn, spring or winter it is a magical town.
On our first annual trip to Cape May 25 yrs ago my children had been playing blissfully on the beach and in the water for 2 days. On day 3 it was my 6 yr. old son’s turn to have breakfast with Grandma by himself at the Cove. As they walked along the boardwalk my mom saw a group of men fishing and said “look Brett, that guy’s catching a fish!” My son turned to her with an appalling look and said, “You mean there’s LIVE FISH in that water?!! He didn’t go back in the water for about 10 years!!
On the Way to Cape May
In the year of 1990, my husband and I had the good fortune of buying a small summer home in the City of Cape May, New Jersey. We were in our middle to late forties and chose a community that would one day be our retirement home. Cape May has been the vacation place of my husband’s family for their love of fishing for well over fifty years. It is nestled at the southernmost point of the State of New Jersey. I truly love the beach and was satisfied along any distant shore.
We looked forward to our week-ends of nestling our way in and the pleasurable journey with getting there. This began with the two hour drive on the busy highways of the Atlantic City Expressway and Garden State Parkway that eventually led us to the beautiful stretch of wetlands along our view. You could smell the salt in the air before pointing our sight in the way that we were already here. We were less than one block away from the Cape May Harbor and only a half of a mile away from the Atlantic Ocean and sandy beach. Our home was close enough that we could walk or ride our bikes to the center of town and enjoy the view of the magnificent historic Victorian mansions that were lined up one right after another. We had the same routine to look forward to every week-end.
The first things that we would do when we arrived were; we‘d drop off the suitcases in our house and head straight for the famous Lobster House Restaurant. We would sit on the schooner, sipping cocktails, and watch the boats go by while waiting to be seated in the dining room for the freshest seafood ever! Even though the dress code was casual, I always managed to over dress to set the romantic (date) night with my husband which usually ended up setting the whole evening just right! The following morning my husband would leave for his usual full day of fishing with his family. They also owned a summer home just a short mile away. I was usually left alone with my books to enjoy the beach and the ocean for most part of the day, until early evening when I prepared my husband’s fresh catch of the day for our dinner. My senses were well pleased, except, I began to take more notice of the young children at the beach playing along the shore, digging in the sand, making sandcastles, and riding the waves. As much as I was filled to the brim with joy in owning a summer home in one of the cities most beautiful and historical vacation places, something was beginning to show up more and more; as missing?
The beautiful home that I envisioned as a retirement home of romance and leisure, continued to show me another picture every week-end? It followed me back home and to work and wouldn’t leave me alone! How could this be? My husband never felt the desire to have children, due to his constant traveling, and especially at our age. What had Cape May stirred up in me that lie deep within my soul?
For quite a few years I kept those feelings buried, while my senses continued to be filled with euphoria of the magical settings of Cape May and the excitement of one day retiring here. I would even envision just the two of us enjoying the week days, (without as many tourist) as my husband fishing, and with me reading on the beach, and with the two of us taking in breaths of fresh salt air while bike riding on the promenade along the Atlantic Ocean.
There was always something to look forward to that was happening throughout the whole year. Even in the wintertime. The holiday season is truly a blessed sight to see in the City of Cape May. The historic Victorian mansions and sidewalks are fully decorated and picturesque as the Christmas Carole by Charles Dickens – while in reality we were riding in a horse and carriage trotting along the narrow streets lighted with gaslight lanterns; which is truly a wondrous experience and a vision that is never forgotten. And not to mention the romantic Cape May Dinner Theatres’ on Valentine week-end that sparked romance and enthusiasm for the upcoming summers of sun, beach, reading, and fishing that would spring the season forward all over again. Nothing was left out to fill our senses or imaginations, except for one; there was something more that was longing to be here…
Glowing, a little over three years of living in this dream, I become pregnant in Cape May. I can only conceive in my heart and mind that I conceived through the wondrous love of the city that mysteriously brought forth every sense to its peak in me and my husband. Which miraculously (at our age) a child was born!
Even though the romantic dinners and leisure has radically changed from the retirement dream – to a house filled with much more activity and joy from laughing children , sand filled bathing suits, sno-cones with sticky hands, amusement parks and arcades. Not only from the son that was conceived here, but brought forth sooner the grandchildren from my daughter as well. I love the city so much more because I feel its spirit made way for the soul of a child that wanted to come that we had his Baptism in the beautiful Our Lady Star of the Sea Church on Washington Street.
The blessed reminiscence is hearing the voice cheering from the backseat of our car on the way to Cape May with, Mom, we’re here!
Yes, you are.
A company I was doing work for reserved a room for me at the Grand Hotel. There was a change in personnel and my reservation was cancelled and another made for the person who replaced me. The Grand Hotel charged me a 25% cancellation fee even though the room was booked for another person. I have never heard of any hotel charging a fee for a cancellation. I have called them numerous times and have never gotten a response.
A majority of the hotels in Cape May charge cancellation fees, especially if your cancellation is within 2 weeks of arrival. The Grand does list its cancellation policy on its website: http://grandhotelcapemay.com/policies.htm
I love Cape May. I actually long for Cape May when I am not there. I hope to be able to retire there someday. I come to visit from Pennsylvania once or twice a year, and it is my most favorite place on earth!
53 years ago on August 1st I spend my very first birthday during our summer vacation in Cape May. I then celebrated 11 more birthdays in Cape May. For the first two weeks of August, my family rented the first floor of a three story house right across from the beach, I think it was on the corner of Beach and S. Broadway.
I remember getting my leg caught in the railing of the pavillion which was across the street from our house and the lifeguards had to cut one of the spindles! We were allowed to buy an ice cream from the little shop located at the pavillion each day. One night each year we went to the little amusement park (if you could call it that) and ride the rides. We would go to the Boardwalk a couple of times and you had to get dressed up to go there! Playing skeeball was a true favorite. Then one evening we would go to see the sunken ship at Sunset Beach. I remember my dad digging “a house” for us in the sand on the first day of our stay and we played in it for days-no one filled it in or disturbed it. I remember how scared I was to walk out on the jetties and my big sister teasing me. I remember the whistles and lifeguards running from stand to stand whenever there was an emergency. The same family always rented the third floor every year and we would spend evenings with them, the older famly members playing the card game Tripoly. We would collect clam shells and bring them home and paint them while waiting for Mom to cook dinner.
The annual two weeks in Cape May are some of my fondest memories and I am so excited to be able to return this fall. I am in the process of planning a five day visit back to Cape May in September and I hope some of the things I remember are still there, especially our house.