Top Fall Activities In & Around Cape May, NJ

This blog was last updated on October 27th, 2020.

Fall breeze and autumn leaves! Fall in Cape May is here! If you’ve only been to Cape May during the summer, then you’re missing out. Falls in Cape May are unbe-leaf-able (even with social distancing precautions in place)! With beautiful temperatures for beach walks, bike rides, and fire pit nights, yummy pumpkin spice treats, and so many Halloween happenings,  we promise you, you’ll never want to leaf this beautiful place! 

Check out all the top Fall activities and around Cape May.

1. Cape May Restaurant Week

We know a lot of you were probably wondering whether Cape May’s renowned Restaurant Week would even take place this year. Unfortunately, restaurant week is officially canceled for 2020 because of the limited space for indoor dining because of the virus. However, we do have some good news! Some of the city’s restaurant are still offering their Restaurant Week menu from October 27th to November 1st. For $38 per person, you will get an appetizer, entree, and dessert from the restaurants listed below. Make sure you make a reservation!

• 410 Bank Street

2. LeGates Farm

Do you love Fall activities? Then LeGates Farm in Cape May is a must! LeGates Farm offers apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, scarecrow making, outdoor movies, fire pit & S'mores, and more. LeGates Farm is open from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays, and from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends. Make sure you check out the Amish Chicken BBQ from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm and check out Family Fun Nights from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm every Saturday in October. To learn more about all the Fall activities LeGates Farm offers and pricing, click here.

Photo Credit: LeGates Farm Facebook

3. Beach Yoga

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for October, Cape May Recreation is offering beach yoga with Karen Bosna from 8:00 am to 9:00 am for $5. All levels of yoga will be practiced and social distancing requirements will be met. Please arrive at the Cape May Convention Hall 10 minutes before the start of class. 

Photo Credit: Yoga Cape May

4. Guided Cape May Bike Tour

If you’re looking for a fun, outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy, then this one's for you. Curious Cape May is offering guided bike tours through the historic district of Cape May. The tour makes stops along the historic district so you can learn about Cape May’s past and iconic buildings, like the Abbey. Curious Cape May’s bike tours begin on Saturdays at 10:00 am from ad Sundays at 10:00 am. To learn more or book your tour call 833-386-7433. 

Photo Credit: Curious Cape May Instagram

5. Exit Zero Jazz Festival 

Are you a music lover? Then you can’t miss the Exit Zero Jazz Festival in Cape May from October 1st to October 4th. Enjoy Jazz music from Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis. Day passes range from $59 to $199, which includes lawn entry to the event. The event also features a $58 Cape May Brewing Company Hops Pass, which allows you to gain first-come, first-served entrance into the Hawk Haven Vineyard, Nauti Spirit Distillery, and Cape May Brewing Company States from October 2nd to the 4th. To purchase tickets, click here. For the full lineup and schedule, click here.

Photo Credit: Exit Zero Jazz Festival Facebook

6. Zumba at Rotary Park 

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:30 am at Rotary Park, Cape May is offering a Zumba class for $5 held by Angie Buccella. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of class at Rotary Park and follow all social distancing requirements. For more information, call 609-884-9565. 

Photo Credit: Cape May NJ

7. Annual Lima Bean Festival

Are you a Lima Bean lover? Then this festival is for you! On Saturday, October 10th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the Annual Lima Bean Festival will celebrate farming heritage in Borough's Backyard Park. Recipes, crafts, and products will be available. If you are interested in apply to be a vendor for this event, you can download the application here. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the WCM Shade Tree Commission to help maintain Wilbraham Park. The rain date for this event is October 11th. To learn more about this event, click here.

8. Fire Pit Fridays at Willow Creek Winery

Every Friday night from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Willow Creek Winery will be hosting Fire Pit Fridays. You can un-wine with local, live music, sample unique, locally-grown wines, and eat farm-fresh small plate and tapas. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 609-770-8782. 

Photo Credit: Willow Creek Winery

9. Cape May Bike Tour 

With cooler temperatures and changing leaves, October is the perfect time to explore Cape May by bike. Cape May offers a variety of bike rentals and biking paths. Some trails even have historic landmarks and features. You can download the free Cape May Bike Tour guide here or view the map below.

Photo Credit: Cape May City

10. Smokin Pig Roasts at the Rusty Nail 

Chef Jimmy’s Smokin Pig Roasts at the Rust Nail every Monday night at 4:00 pm. You’ll enjoy a Berkshire of that was locally raised at Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May, with sides of cornbread, and more. To make a reservation, click here.

Photo Credit: Rusty Nail Facebook

11.  Beach Walks

Even if the water may be a bit too chilly to swim in, beach walks are a great October activity to do in Cape May. Two of our favorite beach walks are:

• The Cape May Beach Promenade

  • The Cape May Beach Promenade is 1.4 miles long and runs parallel to the beach and Beach Ave. The Promenade features unparalleled ocean views, candy and ice cream stores, arcades, and more. 

• Beach Walk 

  • If you’re looking for a slightly longer beach walk, then the walk from the Cove Pavilion to the Cape May Lighthouse (CM State Park) is perfect for you. This beach walk is approximately 2.5 miles long. 

• Higbee Beach Loop Trail

  • The Higbee Beach Loop Trail is a 2.9 mile trail that is primarily used for walking, hiking, bird watching, and nature trips. You can also walk your dog on this trail, but they must be kept on a leash. This trail features a beautiful lake and is a great place to watch the sunset.

12. Harvest Fest at Brewing Co.

On October 9th and 10th, Brewing Co. of Cape May is hosting a Harvest Fest! On Friday, October 9th at 6:00 pm Brewing Co. is releasing its autumnal brown ale that is made with pumpkin, vanilla bean, brown sugar, and other seasonal flavors. On Saturday, October 10th from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm the festivities continue at the Brewing Co. with a Kids Pumpkin Painting.

13. Cape May Virtual Stage

COVID can’t stop the theater! This fall, Cape May is giving you something to remember with its virtual broadway series. For $25.00 you can get a one-week rental on these virtual concerts: Adam Pascal- The Journey; Jarrod & Kelli: I Got You Babe; Anna Bergman: You’re All the World To Me.

14. Beach Plum Fall Dinners

Celebrate the Fall harvest by dining at Beach Plum. Beach Plum Farm is offering fall harvest dinners. For $98 per person, you will enjoy a selection of fresh produce, farm-raised meats, and more. BYOB. Make sure to make your reservation at beachplumfarmcapemay.com/dinners.

Photo Credit: Beach Plum Farm Facebook

Top 2020 Summer Activities In & Around Cape May, NJ

Top 2020 Summer Activities In & Around Cape May, NJ

Last Updated June 2, 2020

As summer quickly approaches, many families are looking to book safe getaways to beach towns like Cape May. But is it safe? 

Cape May residents and visitors are encouraged by the local government and CDC to get outside, social distance, and take in a deep breath of the ocean air. For the latest on the CDC’s current guidelines for visiting your favorite outdoor area, click here.

So what is there to do in Cape May? To help you, we’ve compiled some of the top 2020 summer activities in and around Cape May and we will be updating the list all summer long, so be sure to check back to stay up to date.  

1. Hit the Beach 

Obviously, Cape May is all about the beaches! Now that the weather is getting warmer and the beaches are open, visiting the beach it a great way to enjoy the outdoors.  

Please be advised of the status of these beach activities:   

• Sitting and sunbathing are permitted on the beach. 

• Walking, jogging, and running are permitted on the beach.

• Fishing is permitted on the beach.

• Surfing is permitted at Poverty Beach (Wilmington Avenue), The Cove, Surfing Beach (Gurney Street), and South Queen (Queen Street).

• Swimming at the beach is currently allowed at certain beaches when a lifeguard is on duty. Guarded Beaches include Poverty, Hughes, Philadelphia, Queen, Jefferson/Howard, Stockton, Steger, Windsor, Mogck (Grant Ave), 1st Ave, and The Cove. For more information, click here.

2. Play Some Tennis 

The Cape May Tennis Center fully opened its doors again and is welcoming all who enjoy the game of tennis. Open from 8:00 am to dusk, the Tennis Center offers members and visitors 16 courts to play on with family or friends. To make a reservation at the Tennis Center, you can call the Clubhouse at 609-884-8986. for a reservation or come visit us to play at our beautiful 16 court facility at 1020 Washington Street in Cape May. We look forward to seeing you!"

Photo Credit: Cape May Tennis Club  

3. Go for a Cape May Bike Tour

Did you know that Cape May is known to be a very bike-friendly town? It’s flat, wide streets make it ideal for leisurely riding around town, to the beach, or riding on one of the popular self-guided coastal bike tours. 

Here are some of our favorite biking tours for you to download and follow: 

• As part of the Cape May Strong movement, Cape May MAC donated a digital copy of their bike tour booklet. You can download it for free and use it to bike around town and learn about more than 50 historic landmarks along the way. Click here to download the PDF. 

• Are you looking for a longer bike tour? Maybe one that visits Cape May’s historic and iconic lighthouse? This biking trail, the Cape May Shoreline Ride starts and ends at the Cape May Lighthouse and in total is 42 miles! Click here to see the map. 

• If you’re looking for a safe, local bike trail, then this one is for you. The Bike Cape May Map features key landmarks, safe biking streets, so you and your family can bike around and explore Cape May. Explore Cape May and explore key landmarks Click here to download the PDF.

• Starting at Seashore Road (Erma, NJ) and ending at the Cape May Courthouse for a 9-mile ride, the Cold Cold Spring Bike Path is a nice tree-lined path for bikers. You’ll also pass by the Cape May Winery where you can stop by and pick up some wine between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. 

4. Go for a Walk or Run

If you’re looking to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, consider going for a walk or a run around town. Cape May’s streets are filled with historic landmarks, breathtaking views, and beautiful gardens. So you can really walk down any street for a beautiful sight.  

But if you’re looking for something a little more structured, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite walking and running tours in Cape May. 

• The Cape May Promenade offers 1.3 miles of ocean-front walking and running trails. The Promenade asks that you please use a face covering, practice social distancing, and leave your pet at home.  

• If you’re looking for a guided walking tour, then this one is for you. Curious Cape May is offering a free, guided walking tour through your smartphone. By downloading their free app, you can take their walking tour around downtown Cape May while learning about the town’s history. Click here to download the free app.

• Did you know that Cape May has a state park? The Cape May State Park offers visitors three different walking or running trails. The park asks that you practice social distancing. Click here for more info about the three trails.

• Part of the 200+ protected acres of critical habitat and freshwater wetland of Cape May, the Nature Conservancy also features a two-mile walking trail, the South Cape May Meadows Walking trail. Click here for more information. 

• Calling all runners. The Cape May Running Company has outlined a variety of running routes in Cape May that range from four to twelve miles. Click here the running routes out. 

5. Whale and Dolphin Watching

Who doesn’t love dolphins and whales? Cape May is filled with great fishing and boat charters for whale and dolphin watching.

• Regarded as the original whale watching tour operation in Cape May, founded in 1987, the Cape May Whale Watch will help you explore the Cape May waters. They offer many different tours, like the two and a half-hour “Around Cape May Whale, Dolphin, & Bird Watch” cruise, the three-hour Whale, Bird, & Dolphin Watch, the Offshore Marine Life & Pelagic Bird Trip, and the Sunset Dolphin Cruise. The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center asks that all passengers wear face coverings and sanitizer their hands before boarding the ship. To help passengers social distance, the Cape May Whale Watch has set up social distancing “pods” on board. Food services are temporarily suspended.   

• If you’re looking for a family-friendly dolphin watching tour to take your kids to, then the Starlight Fleet Dolphin Watch daytime cruise is for you. This cruise lasts two-hour and sails around the island of Cape May. For the adults, the Starlight Fleet is offering visitors a “Sail & Sip” Cruise, which features appetizers, tasty treats, and freshly brewed beer from Mudhen Brewery. 

6. Go Shopping

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local. And that’s kind of the same thing.” - Unknown

Although local retail shops in Cape May are not 100 percent open yet, many store are offering customers their services and goods through their website, self-serve, curbside pick-up, and window shopping. Once retail stores are able to fully open again, we will update you here. In the meantime, here are some of our favorite local retail stores to shop now:

• Cash and Clive

• Cape May Running Co

• Victorious

7. Go Out to Eat

Restaurants in Cape May are open for outdoor dining!

Here are a few of our favorite local restaurants to eat out at while in Cape May: 

• Harry’s

• Harpoons on the Bay

• The Mad Batter

• Big Wave Burritos

• Secondo

• Prawn

• Panicos Bistro

• Central Park Farm

• Mayers Tavern

• Rusty Nail

• Mud Hen Brew
  

For a complete list of the local eateries that are open for takeout click here. 

8. Go to a Winery

There are a variety of top-rated wineries and vineyards in Cape May that offer great wine, good food, and relaxing views. Some of our favorite local wineries and vineyards include:

• Willow Creek Winery

• Turdo Winery

• Cape May Winery

• Hawk Haven

In addition to offering curbside and contactless wine pickup, starting June 15th some Cape May wineries and vineyards, like Willow Creek Winery, will be open for outdoor dining. We will update you here when other Cape May wineries and vineyards announce their reopening dates.