Winding along the southwestern coast of New Jersey, the Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway stretches approximately 122 miles from the Delaware Bay in Mannington Township to Cape May at New Jersey’s southernmost tip. Along the way, discover a charming mix of historic sites, maritime attractions and breathtaking natural beauty. Here are a few stops to see along the way.
1. Greenwich Tea Burning Monument
In a prelude to the Boston Tea Party, this monument in Greenwich (Market Ln. & Ye Greate St.) honors the locals who burned East India tea to protest the British tax on the dried leaves. This is just one of the many historic sites maintained by the Cumberland County Historic Society in Greenwich.
2. Cohanzick Zoo
Dating back to 1934, Cohanzick Zoo is New Jersey’s first zoo. Today, it’s home to nearby 100 animals from around the world, from an Asiatic black bear to a white-handed gibbon. Visit this historic zoo in Bridgeton, where admission is FREE.
3. Bayshore Center at Bivalve
Learn about oysters and environmental history of the bayshore region at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, a working waterfront museum in Port Norris, complete with the schooner AJ Meerwald, a sailing classroom.
4. East Point Lighthouse (Temporarily Closed)
With its spectacular views of the southern bay shore, the restored 1849 Cape Cod-style East Point Lighthouse in Heislerville, is open year-round for tours and special events, serving as both an active navigational aid and museum.
5. Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
Explore the nature trails and observation platforms at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in Cape May County. The marshes, swamps and bayshore beaches provide natural habitats for 317 bird species, 42 mammal species, 55 reptile and amphibian species, and more. The visitor center in Cape May Court House has FREE family nature walks from May to October.
6. Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point State Park, at the southernmost point of New Jersey, is best known for being the site of the historic Cape May Lighthouse, but its sand dunes, coastal marshes and forested swaths also make it a well-known destination for migrating birds—and birders looking to get a glimpse.
Discover even more incredible sites in New Jersey’s Delaware River Region and the Southern Shore Region.
