Major city · United States
Cape May
Go for 2–3 days in late spring or early fall: walk the Victorian streets, climb the lighthouse, and eat seafood. Skip if you want a boardwalk and nightlife — that's Wildwood.
Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the US, at the southern tip of New Jersey. It is a quiet, walkable town of Victorian houses, a small beach, and a working fishing harbor. Most visitors come for a weekend or a few days, not a week. The town is compact — you can see the core on foot or by bike in a day, but the pace rewards two or three nights. Summer is crowded and hot; the best months are May–June and September–October, when the weather is mild and the crowds thin.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airports
- ACY · PHL · EWR · BWI
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cape May911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cape May, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCape May is a safe, family-oriented town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / fire / ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportACY Atlantic City International (About 45 min drive; NJ Transit bus 552 connects.).
- Getting aroundThe town is flat and compact — walk or rent a bike.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ACY Atlantic City International (About 45 min drive; NJ Transit bus 552 connects.) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 2 h drive; no direct transit.) · EWR Newark Liberty International (About 3 h drive; no direct transit.) · BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 3 h drive; no direct transit.)
Weather and climate
Cape May: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is flat and compact — walk or rent a bike. Cars are allowed but parking is tight in summer. NJ Transit bus 552 connects to Atlantic City; the Cape May–Lewes Ferry crosses to Delaware (about 85 min).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wildwood
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive about 10 miles north on NJ 109; NJ Transit bus 552
Boardwalk, amusement piers, and big surf — a different vibe from Cape May.
Ocean City, New Jersey
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive about 45 min north on the Garden State Parkway
Family boardwalk and beaches; worth it if you want a longer boardwalk.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beach Avenue
Oceanfront hotels and motels, steps from the beach and the mall. Best for first-timers.
Washington Street Mall area
Heart of town, walk to shops and restaurants. Quieter at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and shops close in the off-season (Nov–Apr); call ahead.
- Beach tags are required in summer — buy at the beach or nearby shops.
- The Cape May–Lewes Ferry needs advance booking in summer.
- Parking fills by mid-morning on summer weekends.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Cape MayCape May
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
The US is your home country; no embassy needed. For consular help, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate abroad.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NJ Transit bus 552 (Atlantic City → Cape May): about $5–10 (check)
- Cape May–Lewes Ferry: about $30–40 for car + driver (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HELL-oh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (HOW much is it)
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach? (WHERE is the beach)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (Can I pay by CARD)
- Help! — Help! (HELP)
English is the local language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cape May. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 4 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add pages for the Cape May–Lewes Ferry and NJ Transit bus 552 schedules.
- Create a dedicated 'Cape May in winter' page for off-season visitors.
- Add a page for Cape May Point State Park and the lighthouse.
Sources
Ask about Cape May
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