Points of Interest - Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information

Cape May County Points of Interest Events & Activities

			Aviation Museum - Naval Air Station Wildwood now boasts over 26 aircraft displays as well as exhibits of military memorabilia, engines, photographs and more. Additionally, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has provided NAS Wildwood with a wealth of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to discover the science of flight. The museum also features a library, food vending and gift shop. In its role as a community resource, NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum regularly hosts activities including fly-ins, aviation festivals, big band concerts, swing dances, veterans’ ceremonies, historical lectures, school field trips and senior tours. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm during the spring, summer and fall. For winter hours, please call (609) 886-8787. Located: 500 Forrestal Rd. Cape May Airport, NJ 08242.



			Belleplain State Forest was established in 1928 by the State of New Jersey for recreation, wildlife management, timber production, and water conservation. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Reforestation Relief Act, supplying labor to the forest for over an eight-year period, set up three camps. A full range of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and boating are available within this 13,000+ acre area. Please call 609-861-2404 for further information.



			Famous Boardwalks Wildwood and Ocean City offer miles of boardwalk entertainment, food and fun. Take a casual stroll or morning bike ride. Enjoy games of chance, unique shopping, mini-golf, water parks, and awesome amusement piers. The amusement piers, generally open from early spring through September, cater to families with children from tots to teens; thrill seeking adults, groups and company picnics. In Ocean City call Gillian’s Wonderland Pier at 609-399-7082 and in Wildwood call Morey’s Piers at 609-729-3700. Don’t forget Sea Isle City’s and Cape May’s oceanfront promenade’s which are packed with food & fun!



			Cape May Bird Observatory The Cape peninsula is the most famous bird watching location in North America and one of the world’s most celebrated migratory junctions. An array of habitat types and a wealth of protected natural areas make Cape May a birding spot for all seasons. Located at 707 East Lake Drive, Cape May Point. Call 609-884-2736 for more information.



			Cape May County Historical Museum The John Holmes House, built in 1755, is one of the oldest structures in Cape May County. It’s listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Museum contains extensive and varied exhibits including furnishings, costumes, tools and decorative and practical objects from the 17th to 20th centuries. Please visit the museum’s website to find out more about Cape May History.



			The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is the most relaxing way to cross the Delaware Bay. The Ferry runs daily between North Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware as a means of transportation or just a leisurely trip. There are five-handicap accessible vessels owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authorities. Each of the Ferries has an over 100 car and 800 passenger capacity. For departure schedules, passenger fare, special packages, information about the Twin Capes Value Card, or any other questions, please call 1-800-643-3779.



			Cape May Lighthouse and Museum The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse is a renowned maritime museum offering a breath-taking panoramic view of the Jersey Cape, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Oil House contains a fully accessible Visitor’s Orientation Center and Museum Shop. Located on Lighthouse Avenue at Cape May Point State Park. For fees and hours, call 609-884-5404.


			The Cape May Maritime Museum and Education Center is envisioned to be a World Class Regional Educational Institution and a Resource for Community Educators, Members and Visitors, as the only institution in Cape May dedicated exclusively to the study of the regions maritime history and culture. The Center is planning to make its research, collections, and library accessible to scholars and learners of all ages.



			The Cape May County Park & Zoo is a 128-acre park offering picnicking facilities, a playground, a pond for fishing, as well as walking and biking nature trails. Rent a pavilion for large groups and reunions. The world-class zoo contains over 500 types of animals including lions, tigers, bears, giraffes and a reptile house. Call 609-465-5271 for information on hours, group trips, and times of operation.



			Cape May National Wildlife Refuge The Refuge was established in January 1989 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquired the Refuge's first 90-acre parcel from The Nature Conservancy in June of that year. Since then the Refuge has grown to more than 11,000 acres as the Service continues to buy land. Ultimately the Refuge will protect over 21,200 acres of precious wildlife habitat in New Jersey's Cape May Peninsula. Cape May National Wildlife Refuge's key location in the Atlantic Flyway makes it an important link in the vast nationwide network of National Wildlife Refuges administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. It will ensure availability of important habitat to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each year as this long- distance flyers travel along the New Jersey coast. Located at 24 Kimbles Beach Road, Cape May Point; call 609-463-0994 for further information.



			Corson’s Inlet is a New Jersey State park located at the southernmost end of Ocean City and covers 341 acres between Ocean City and Strathmere. It’s a free park open every day with nature trails and a 24-hour access boat ramp, with additional accessibility for disabled people and plenty of space for parking. Corson’s inlet is popular for hiking, fishing, crabbing and sunbathing.



			Doo Wop Museum Brimming with cool artifacts, fun memories, fascinating history and bright neon lights, the all-new Doo Wop Experience and Neon Sign Garden is a celebration of architecture, design, music, pop culture and everything else that made Wildwood famous in its heyday of the 1950s and 1960s. The experience is a work in progress, so keep checking back in the coming weeks and months to learn more about what's happening at the Wildwoods' new cultural centerpiece! New in 2008: The Jitterbug Cafe and Malt Shop, inside the Doo Wop Experience. 609-729-4000.



			Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Historic and picturesque, a beacon of safety and assurance to the 19th century mariner; Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has become a focal point for visitors and locals. Overlooking the wide Hereford Inlet, the lighthouse once served as a life saving service. Today, prize-winning paintings hang in the lighthouse and plans are underway for converting a large portion of it into a nautical museum. Located at First and Central Avenues in North Wildwood. Call 609-522-4520 or 609-522-2030.



			Historic Cold Spring Village Stroll the shaded lanes on 22 acres as you step back in time to a South Jersey rural community of the mid-nineteenth century. Visit the crafters, tradesman, housewives and farmers of 150 years ago. Authentically garbed village craftspeople make history come alive as they demonstrate age-old crafts using traditional tools, methods and materials. Many of the craftspeople will invite you to become involved in their trade. Located three miles north of Cape May at 720 Route 9, Cold Spring. Call 609-898-2300 for further information.



			The Middle Township Performing Arts Center offers a year round schedule of plays, concerts, and performances. The PAC is a popular 1000-seat arts center which is a part of the Middle Township High School; located in Cape May Court House on One Penkenthman Way, just off of the Garden State Parkway at Exit 10 East. The ticket office is open Monday-Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm. Please call 609-463-1927 for information.



			The Nature Center of Cape May was founded in 1992, with the twin goals of creating a responsible stewardship program for open space surrounding Cape May Harbor and providing environmental education for people of all ages. Adopted by the New Jersey Audubon Society in 1995, the Nature Center is one of nine staffed nature centers throughout the state. This unique area is located on the shore of Cape May Harbor, near the United States Coast Guard Training Center, on Delaware Avenue in Cape May. The hours of operation are as follows, Winter Hours (Jan. Feb. March): Tues. - Sat. 10a.m. to 1p.m. Spring Hours (April, May): Tues. - Sat. 10a.m. to 3p.m. Summer Hours (June, July, Aug. Sept.): Daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Autumn Hours (Oct. Nov. Dec.): Tues. - Sat. 10a.m. to 3p.m. Please call 609-898-8848 for additional information about programs, special events, and membership.



			The Ocean City Music Pier is far from being just for music events. Located on Moorlyn Terrace on the Ocean City Boardwalk, not only is it home to the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, but it also hosts an array of other events throughout the year. It's the site for the annual Miss New Jersey Pageant, as well as train shows, doll shows, contests and festivals. And it is also the starting point for most holiday parades. For information on events taking place year round please call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.



			Ocean City Tabernacle September 10, 1879, brothers Ezra B. Lake, S. Wesley Lake, James E. Lake, and an associate, William H. Burrell, all Methodist clergymen, sailed to "Peck's Beach." With Rev. William B. Wood and Simon Lake (the brothers' father, who mortgaged the farm for the initial purchase), they established a "Christian Seashore Resort," the island city that would become Ocean City, New Jersey. At first the Association was responsible for all the transactions of real estate, and at the outset, did everything--mapped out the town, cleared away the underbrush, built the avenues, built the water and sewer companies, lighted the streets, gave police protection, supplied a place for public schooling, built two railroads and a trolley line. They also provided the place for Christian worship. Today the Ocean City Tabernacle offers to all people summer worship services with the finest inspirational speakers and music dedicated to the glory of God. (609) 399-1915, 550 Wesley Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226.



			The Shoemaker Holly Tree is located at mile marker 23 on the Garden State Parkway. This 300-year-old tree is over 60 feet tall and has a trunk width of some 30 inches. According to the Holly Society of America, Inc., this is the oldest holly tree in New Jersey, and among the oldest in the United States. Discovered during construction of the Garden State Parkway, the tree was saved from being cut down as it was in the original path of the highway. The name Shoemaker comes from the former owner of the property. Today, a picnic and rest area is located at the site of the tree. Each year, holiday lights are strung on the tree during the Christmas Season.



			The Sunken Concrete Ship of Atlantus is located at the very tip of New Jersey, just off of Sunset Beach at Cape May Point. Due to a lack of available steel during WW1, the Atlantus was one of 12 ships constructed out of concrete and steel rods. The Atlantus weighed 3000 tons and was 250 feet in length. Although the Atlantus floated, it was a very slow vessel and was put out of service; the Atlantus was wrecked in a storm, June 8, 1926. Over time, the Atlantus has gradually been sinking into the Atlantic Ocean and today only a small portion remains about water level. Visitors enjoy seeing the amazing site of the Concrete Ship and many return year after year to see how much is left about the surface.



			Theatre & Music Many live performances are given throughout the county all year long, ranging from Dinner theater and professional equity theatre to local ‘players’. Musical entertainment offers everything from individual concerts to weekend festivals and full concert series. Call Cape May Jazz Festival at 609-884-7200, Cape May Stage at 609-884-1344, East Lynne Theater Company at 609-884-5898, Elaine’s Dinner Theater at 609-884-4358, Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts at 609-844-5404, or South Jersey Cultural Alliance at 609-926-1639.



			The USCG Training Center Cape May was established May 31, 1948 as a training facility for all recruits from the East Coast. In the early 1980s, the West Coast training facility in Alameda, California was closed, making Training Center Cape May the only basic training center in the entire United States Coast Guard. Every recruit entering the United Stated Coast Guard begins his or her enlistment in Cape May, New Jersey. Visitors may tour the Training Center by car or foot traffic; however, the center may be closed to the public at any time, without advances notice.



			Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Wall A 250-foot half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. This permanent wall lists the names of all 58,913 fallen heroes from the Vietnam War etched in its granite. Located on Columbus Park at Ocean & Burk Avenues in Wildwood directly across from the Convention Center.



			Wetlands Institute Founded in 1969 by Herbert Mills, Executive Director of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wetlands Institute is a not-for-profit organization promoting appreciation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems. Located in Middle Township near Stone Harbor and historic Cape May, the Wetlands Institute is uniquely housed in a cedar shake building designed to resemble a turn-of-the-century coast guard station. Situated overlooking 6,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands, the Institute hosts over 40,000 visitors each year. Here, visitors can learn the exciting facts about life in the salt marsh environment. Throughout the year, many species of birds can be seen from it’s viewing areas. For hours of operation and any other questions please call 609-368-3871.



			The World War II Lookout Tower Museum and Memorial Built in 1942, Fire Control Tower No. 23 was part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware System known as Fort Miles, and the only New Jersey Tower to survive intact. The Tower was used for spotting enemy ships during WWII and aiming guns to fire on them. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and restored in 2009. Climb the spiral staircase to the top to be part of history. Interpretive panels and photos explain the Tower’s function. For more information, call (800) 275-4278. Located on Sunset Blvd. in Cape May Point.