Cape May Girls Getaway Guide
Cape May, New Jersey is a fantastic destination for a girls’ weekend (or in our case, a much-needed mother’s 24-hour getaway). My friend C and I did a one night stay in Cape May and saw so much of this picturesque beach town with an itinerary that had me thinking she had an undercover superpower as a secret travel agent. She whipped up the best itinerary for us, including sightseeing and wining and dining and even a trip to the spa. As someone who has been to Cape May a handful of times, I was amazed by how much felt new to me.
With its rich Victorian history and architecture surrounding the peninsula, Cape May feels like a smaller-scale version of Newport, Rhode Island. The dollhouse-style homes with manicured lawns and striped awnings are reminders of centuries-old wealth, but there seems to be a universal appeal to the sea and coastal living here. I am so excited to share a few photos I took along with this amazing itinerary. We felt as though it captured the entire essence of Cape May, with the kind of leisurely pace that made it feel like we had spent 3 days there, not one. If you want to do a similar girls weekend (or day), I highly recommend this agenda.
Cape May Trolley Tour
Our first stop was a trolley tour of Cape May (1 hr) through the Cape May MAC. It was a perfect day to drive slowly through the quiet, shaded neighborhoods of cottages and mansions while listening to a guide share stories about the early days of the Cape’s first homeowners and visitors. We felt like we got a great lay of the land and did a lot of sightseeing through the convenience of a breezy, open-windowed trolley. With a pickup and drop-off point at the beginning of Washington Street, it makes for a great opportunity to explore the heart of Cape May’s shopping, cafe, and restaurant scene.
Willow Creek Winery
Following our tour, we drove a quick 10 minutes or so into West Cape May for a visit to Willow Creek Winery. We enjoyed crisp wine flights and delicious charcuterie among the vines. It was so relaxing to sit outdoors on the main patio under the umbrellas.
Willow Creek Winery in West Cape May
Happy Hour at Congress Hall
After checking into our hotel, we spent some time poolside before heading over to the famous Congress Hall for spritzes on the main lawn. The laid-back atmosphere on the veranda overlooking the sea makes this an absolute must-see. This scene makes for great people watching, as well as an opportunity to appreciate the rich history and grandiosity of this architectural marvel.
Dinner Walk
An alfresco dinner at one of Cape May’s hundreds of restaurants is the best way to end the night. We opted for a later reservation at Sapore’s, which was a fantastic Italian BYOB with an inviting, warm and festive atmosphere. The walkability from the town center was perfect, as it gave us an opportunity to walk off a bit of our meals and see some of the town’s night life.
Morning Coffee & Breakfast
There are dozens of coffee shops, B&Bs and restaurants with fantastic breakfast options. Luckily, our hotel had one of the town’s top rated cafes! We enjoyed our morning coffee and juices on the Inn of Cape May’s sprawling Victorian porch, which oversaw the main boulevard, Beach Avenue. The cafe, which is called The Porch, offers a full coffee menu and light pastries and snacks to get you through the day.
Massages at Congress Hall’s Sea Spa
We had reservations at Sea Spa, which is a full-service spa located at Congress Hall. With its signature yellow cabanas, top-tier spa products, steam shower and relaxation rooms, this experience was a trip highlight and quite relaxing. It was nice to have a massage to look forward to in the morning.
A Visit to Beach Plum Farm
After freshening up after a massage, a trip to Beach Plum Farm was in order. The farm has established quite a presence in Cape May, with its products, produce and fresh farm goods available in many restaurants, shops, and menus. Even our spa experience used artisan soaps, skin and hair products from Beach Plum. While we didn’t stay to eat, it was great to see a variety of offerings on their menu. The lovely gardens and shop are beautiful to explore, and we even paid a visit to the chickens, too. (PS: See more of this amazing farm from my earlier blog post!)
Fish House
Our last stop before our departure was a lunch at Fish House, which is located on Sunset Beach in West Cape May. We somehow ended up with the most perfect seat in the house, overlooking the Atlantus shipwreck and a direct view of the Cape May-Lewes ferry line, which crossed over quite a few times during our leisurely meal. The menu offered so many fresh snack-sized portions as well as entrees of seafood, snacks, sandwiches, and craft cocktails.
Fish House in West Cape May
Are you summering in London? Here is a quick run down of how we spent 3 August days in one of the world’s greatest cities. Complete with my must-sees, skips, and favorite eats!