Cape May
Cape May is a seaside town at the southern tip of New Jersey, known for restored Victorian inns and fall hawk migration.
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Cape May sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Its historic district has many Victorian houses, a number of them run as guesthouses and inns with deep porches and ornate trim. Most visits center on walking those streets and reaching the nearby beaches, and the compact downtown means you can cover it on foot.
Summer is the busiest season for beach days and waterfront dining. Fall brings the peak of bird migration, when hawks and songbirds pass over the cape, and Cape May Point State Park is the place to watch from. The Cape May Lighthouse, built in 1859, sits in that park. A ferry runs from the town to Lewes, Delaware, so a day trip across the bay is possible. Two to three days covers the town and the beaches. A longer stay suits a birding trip or a slow vacation.
Cape May in five
- Book a room early for summer and fall weekendsInns and guesthouses fill quickly on summer weekends and during the September and October hawk migration. Book as soon as your dates are firm.Where to stay
- Time a fall visit for the Cape May Point hawk flightFrom mid-September into October, large numbers of hawks pass over Cape May Point on migration. Go out early in the morning, and check the Cape May Bird Observatory's daily counts before you pick a spot.
- Check the Cape May-Lewes Ferry before you plan a Delaware dayThe ferry crosses Delaware Bay to Lewes, Delaware, in about 1.5 hours, and its schedule changes by season. Check the operator's timetable and reservation rules before you drive to the terminal.
- Rent a bike for the flat town streetsCape May is flat and compact, and the roads around Cape May Point are easy to ride. Walking the Victorian streets works too, but a bike saves a long walk to the lighthouse.Getting around
- Pack insect repellent for the marsh and dune trailsMosquitoes are common on the marsh trails at Cape May Point and Higbee Beach in warm months. Bring repellent and stay on the marked paths, since dune plants and nesting birds are easy to damage.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver nationals, visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Customary, about 15 to 20 percent at restaurants
- Time
- UTC-5 Eastern; UTC-4 with daylight saving in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, windy
- MarchCool, quiet
- AprilSpring birds
- MayShorebirds, crabs
- JuneWarm, busy
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberHawk migration
- OctoberHawks, monarchs
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Cape May
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Cape May
07:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°6°2%Monday: Fog. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue18°11°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed20°15°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu21°17°46%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Fri20°15°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat16°11°47%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sun16°9°10%Sunday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 02:53 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lewes, Delawareabout 1.5 hours by ferryA historic seaside town across Delaware Bay, reached by ferry.
- Atlantic Cityabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carCasinos and a long boardwalk, a different kind of shore day.
- Wildwoodabout 30 minutes by carA boardwalk and amusement piers, a short drive north.
- Philadelphiaabout 2 to 2.5 hours by carMuseums and historic sites, a long day trip if you return the same night.
Before you go to Cape May
Rules for Cape May, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US; other nationals need a visa. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- New Jersey's legal drinking age is 21, and bars ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or driver's license when you go out.
- Declare cash above the legal limit and any food or plant material at arrival. Check the current rules with US Customs and Border Protection before you travel.
- Federal law protects migratory birds, so keep a distance from nests and shorebirds on the beach and at Cape May Point.
Plan around Cape May
The state guide, with the rules and transport for the shore
Read the guideWhere to stayVictorian inns, guesthouses and rentals, by area
Read the guideGetting aroundDriving in, parking, the ferry and getting around town
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what a day at the shore costs
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, visas and entry rules for a US trip
Read the guideCape May FAQ
How many days do you need in Cape May?
Two nights cover the Victorian district, the beach and one birding morning at Cape May Point. Add a day for a trip to Lewes by ferry or to Wildwood if you want a longer stay.
When is the best time to visit Cape May?
September and October for the fall hawk migration and warm days, and May for shorebirds. Summer is busy and winter is quiet.
How do you get to Cape May?
Driving is the simplest option, since the Garden State Parkway runs south to the town. No passenger trains run into Cape May, so a car is the easiest choice.
Do you need a car in Cape May?
Not inside town. The center and the beach are flat and walkable, and a bike helps. A car is useful for Cape May Point, Wildwood or the ferry to Lewes.
Is Cape May worth visiting?
Yes, for a quiet beach town with Victorian houses and good birding. It is a poor pick if you want nightlife or a large boardwalk.
Is Cape May safe for tourists?
Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight when you leave the room or the beach. The center, the beach and the Victorian streets are where most of the town's visitors spend their time.