Historic Sites & Museums
215 Lighthouse Ave, Cape May Point State Park
The iconic 1859 lighthouse, fully restored; climb 199 steps on the original cast iron spiral stairway for sweeping views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay; informative docents at the top and bottom; park trails, bird observation areas, and a WWII bunker on the beach also on-site
⭐ 4.8/5 (TripAdvisor)
10 min drive from your Airbnb; free parking in Cape May Point State Park lot
No reservation needed; buy tickets on-site; ~$10/adult to climb
Hours: Daily; roughly 9am–5pm in summer; verify at capemaymac.org
1048 Washington St, Cape May
Cape May's only Victorian house museum, designed in 1879 by renowned architect Frank Furness; guided tours take you through period furnishings, architectural details, and stories of Victorian life; 2026's tour theme is the 1876 Centennial Exposition and its influence on everyday Victorian life
⭐ 4.6/5 (TripAdvisor)
20 min walk from your Airbnb; small lot on-site plus street parking
Advance tickets recommended via capemaymac.org; ~$15/adult
Hours: Seasonal; multiple tour times daily; verify at capemaymac.org
720 Route 9, Cape May (Lower Township)
Open-air museum bringing to life mid-19th century South Jersey village life; restored historic buildings with demonstrations of early American trades and crafts; bakery, ice cream parlor, restaurant, and general store all on-site; also hosts July 1–2 Independence Day festivities
⭐ 4.5/5 (TripAdvisor)
10 min drive from your Airbnb; free parking lot
Walk-in; no reservation; ~$12/adult
Hours: Open daily in summer; verify current hours at hcsv.org
Good for groups; spacious outdoor setting
500 Forrestal Rd, Rio Grande (Cape May Airport, Hangar #1)
A 92,000 sq ft WWII training hangar restored into a museum; 20+ propeller aircraft, military jets, medevac helicopters, and 1940s artifacts including retro soda machines; you can climb inside several of the planes; one of the most consistently praised rainy day options in the area
⭐ 4.7/5 (TripAdvisor)
15 min drive from your Airbnb; free parking lot
Walk-in; ~$14/adult; verify 2026 pricing at naswildwood.com
Hours: Daily in summer; roughly 9am–4pm; verify current hours
WWII Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23)
Sunset Blvd, Cape May Point
New Jersey's last freestanding WWII tower, built in 1942 as part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware; a fascinating and often-overlooked piece of history right next to Sunset Beach; combine it with a diamond hunt and the sunset flag ceremony for a full afternoon
⭐ 4.5/5 (TripAdvisor)
10 min drive from your Airbnb; park at Sunset Beach lot
Walk-in; ~$8/adult to climb; verify at capemaymac.org
Hours: Seasonal; verify current hours
Departs Ocean Street Trolley Stop, Cape May
Guided trolley tours through Cape May's Victorian historic district; covers architecture, social history, and the recently documented history of Cape May's Black community now listed in the National Register of Historic Places; newly updated and expanded to 60 minutes
⭐ 4.7/5 (TripAdvisor)
15 min walk from your Airbnb to departure point
Advance tickets recommended in peak season via capemaymac.org; ~$16/adult
Hours: Multiple times daily; verify at capemaymac.org
Good for groups; book the same time slot for all 12
Beach Tag Info (2026) *NOTE: OUR AIRBNB PROVIDES 8 BADGES
Cape May City beaches: $10 daily, $25 weekly, $40 seasonal; required ages 12+ from 10am–5pm
Cape May Point beaches: $10 daily, $25 weekly, $50 seasonal
Sunset Beach: FREE, no badge ever required
Wildwood beaches: FREE, no badge ever required
Buy digitally via the MyBeachMobile app or at any beach entrance
For your group of 12: weekly badges at $25/person = $300 total; worth it for the week
Chair/umbrella rentals: multiple vendors along Beach Ave; roughly $20–35/chair, $30–50/umbrella per day
Cape May City Beaches ⭐ MAIN BEACH
Along Beach Ave; entrances at Howard, Gurney, Madison, and Broadway
Soft golden sand, clean water, promenade, restrooms every half-mile, open showers at some entrances; free surf chairs for mobility-limited guests (ask a lifeguard); coolers and food welcome; no alcohol
Your rental on Wilson Drive is a 10–15 min walk; park at home and walk, parking on Beach Ave is brutal in peak season
Lifeguards on duty until 5:30pm daily
Sunset Beach ⭐ MUST-VISIT
End of Sunset Ave, Cape May Point
Pebbly, unique shoreline famous for Cape May Diamonds (quartz crystals you can hunt and keep); not ideal for swimming due to underwater hazards but incredible for the atmosphere; nightly veterans flag ceremony at sunset is genuinely moving, especially during 4th of July week; gift shops, food, and mini golf on-site
Free; no badge; free parking lot (arrives fill by 9am in summer)
10 min drive from your Airbnb
Good for groups; go for sunset and stay for the flag ceremony
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area
End of New England Road, Cape May (Lower Township)
Nearly two miles of trails through dunes, forests, and fields along the Delaware Bay; renowned for birdwatching; calmer bay water; peaceful and uncrowded compared to city beaches; a nature experience more than a typical beach day
Free; no badge; small free lot (fills early)
10 min drive from your Airbnb
Better for a smaller sub-group wanting a quieter nature day
Cape May Point State Park Beach
Lighthouse Ave, Cape May Point
Guarded beach right next to the lighthouse; typically less crowded than Cape May City beaches; beautiful backdrop; CMP tags only (not interchangeable with Cape May City tags)
$10 daily, $25 weekly, $50 seasonal; free state park lot
10 min drive from your Airbnb
Outdoor Activities & Excursions
609 Lafayette St, Cape May (literally around the corner from your rental)
4-mile out-and-back trip on decommissioned rail tracks through The Nature Conservancy's Garrett Family Preserve; wildflower meadows, migratory birds, monarchs, and bumblebees; about 1.5 hours; accessible for nearly all ages and ability levels
⭐ 4.8/5 (TripAdvisor)
3 min walk from your Airbnb; street parking on Lafayette St
Reservation required; book now at revrail.com; sells out weeks in advance in peak season
Cost: Double railbike $90, quad railbike $160; 3 quads = $480 for your group of 12
Hours: Daily 9:30am–4pm
1218 Wilson Drive (Miss Chris Marina — 3 min walk from your rental)
Fourth-generation family operation since 1993; largest and fastest marine mammal watching boats in New Jersey; Marine Mammal Sighting Guarantee that never expires; 10am Dolphin Watch, 1pm Whale and Dolphin Watch, 6:30pm Sunset Dolphin Watch; also offers Fireworks Cruises July 3 and 4; full snack bar and bar on-board; ADA accessible
⭐ 4.4/5 (TripAdvisor)
3 min walk from your Airbnb; free 600+ car lot at marina
Book online now at capemaywhalewatcher.com; July 4th week fills fast
Cost: Adults roughly $30–$45 depending on tour; kids under 6 free
Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center
113 Willow Dr, Cape May
The original Cape May eco-tour operation since 1987; research-focused with onboard marine biologists and research interns; passengers actively participate in data collection; also offers deep-sea birding and offshore trips for the more adventurous
⭐ 4.5/5 (TripAdvisor)
5 min drive from your Airbnb; parking on-site
Book online at capemaywhalewatch.com
Cost: Adults roughly $35–$50 depending on tour
Cape May County Park & Zoo ⭐ FREE
707 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House
Completely free admission; 85+ acres with 550+ animals representing 250+ species including lions, giraffes, zebras, bald eagles, and ring-tail lemurs; stroller and wheelchair rentals available on-site; arrive early as it gets packed by mid-morning
⭐ 4.7/5 (Yelp)
20 min drive from your Airbnb; free parking
Walk-in; no reservation
Hours: Daily 10am–4:30pm (through October 2026); closed Christmas only
Great group value at $0 admission
215 Lighthouse Ave, Cape May Point
244-acre park with freshwater meadows, ponds, forests, dunes, and beach; famous for the lighthouse, fall bird migrations, monarch butterflies, and Cape May Diamonds; hiking trails, beach walking, and birdwatching; free park entry
⭐ 4.8/5 (TripAdvisor)
10 min drive; free lot
Walk-in; combine with the lighthouse climb for a full half-day
Hours: Dawn to dusk; free
One of TripAdvisor's most beloved Cape May activities; up-close and personal alpaca encounters; a surprisingly delightful group outing that everyone ends up raving about
⭐ 4.8/5 (TripAdvisor)
Short drive from your Airbnb
Check for reservation requirements; verify current hours
Cost: ~$10–$20/person
Departs downtown Cape May
Guided food tour savoring local cuisine at iconic Cape May eateries while learning about the city's food history; a great way to orient your guests on day one; private group tours available for 12
⭐ 4.7/5 (TripAdvisor)
Downtown departure; ~15 min walk from your Airbnb
Book in advance at capemayfoodtours.com; ~$70–$90/person
Call ahead to arrange a private group tour
Cape May–Lewes Ferry (Day Trip to Delaware)
North Cape May Terminal, ~10 min drive from your Airbnb
17-mile, 85-minute scenic ferry crossing to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; a great day trip to a different shore town; the ferry experience itself is part of the fun; also offers a special Independence Day Fireworks Cruise on July 4th departing from the North Cape May terminal
⭐ 4.4/5 (TripAdvisor)
Book in advance at cmlf.com; especially important for July 4th week
Cost: ~$25–$42/person; car rates extra
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, Stone Harbor, NJ (25 min drive north of your Airbnb)
A nonprofit research and conservation center overlooking 6,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands; features a live aquarium with horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and marsh animals; an elevated boardwalk through the salt marsh; an observation tower with panoramic views; naturalist-led programs including back-bay boat rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, and guided dune and beach walks; Tuesday visits are especially worthwhile as you can watch a diamondback terrapin get released back into the wild
⭐ 4.7/5 (TripAdvisor); ranked #1 attraction in Stone Harbor
25 min drive from your Airbnb; free parking on-site
Walk-in; no reservation needed for general admission; book add-on programs like kayaking in advance at wetlandsinstitute.org
Cost: $12/adult, $10 ages 4–12; free under 3
Hours: Open daily 9:30am–4:30pm (beginning May 18); verify current summer hours at wetlandsinstitute.org as Yelp shows weekend-only hours which may be outdated
Downtown & Shopping
Washington St, downtown Cape May (pedestrian mall)
The heart of downtown Cape May; Victorian-era pedestrian shopping district with ice cream shops, coffee, boutiques, restaurants, gift shops, and galleries; perfect for a group afternoon of splitting up and wandering; also home to the Ugly Mug, Kohr Brothers, and the Cape May Peanut Butter Co.
Free to browse; shops generally open 10am–10pm in summer
12 min walk from your Airbnb; street parking nearby
West End Ave, West Cape May
Eclectic artisan and boutique shopping space; also where Beach Plum Bakery & Cafe is located; a nice half-morning combo of shopping and coffee
Free to browse; daily in summer
8 min drive; free on-site parking
Washington Street Mall area
A quirky, beloved local shop selling creative handmade peanut butter flavors including cookie butter, cinnamon raisin, and cookie dough; the kind of place you bring stuff home from
⭐ 4.6/5 (Google)
12 min walk from your Airbnb