House (and Inn!) Tours Aplenty
The festive highlight of the holiday season and one of the most wondrous things to do in Cape May in December is the Christmas Candlelight House Tours. These self-guided Saturday evening walking tours are being offered on December 7, 14 and 21, 2024.
The spectacular 1879 Emlen Physick Estate – fully decked out in splendorous Christmas decorations – can be explored during an Evening Yuletide House Tour on select nights throughout the season (beginning November 29, 2024). You’ll feel like a special house guest as a 1900s “Physick family member” guides you through the grand estate.
Want to be part of the “inn crowd?” You have your choice of daytime or evening experiences. Get a gander of garlands and more lush Christmas décor at Cape May’s famous Painted Ladies during the self-guided Holiday Inns Tour on select December weekday afternoons. Rather stroll under the glow of old-fashioned gas lanterns? Join the Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour on your choice of Friday evenings throughout December or Monday, December 30, 2024.
Top Tip: Be sure to purchase your preferred house or inn tour tickets in advance from Cape May MAC!
Hop Aboard A Jolly Trolley
A festive (and cozier!) way to see the sights is aboard one of Cape May’s holiday trolley tours. You’ll have your choice throughout the season: Holiday Lights, Santa’s Trolley Ride and All That Glitters. Or try the Spirited Cape May Trolley Ride, where you’ll hear about ghostly appearances, shadows and spirits that just might spook the Scrooge out of you. Check out the Cape May MAC official website for details about tour availability and ticket prices.
Eat, Drink And Be Merry
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to one of the many restaurants that make Cape May a foodie-favorite culinary destination. Some acclaimed options for festive seasonal dining include Elaine’s Cape May, Cold Spring Grange Restaurant, Mad Batter, Union Park Dining Room, Washington Inn and Tisha’s.
All of these dining possibilities pair nicely with tastings in Cape May Wine Country at Cape May Winery & Vineyard, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, Turdo Vineyards & Winery and Willow Creek Winery & Farm. You can also see what’s on tap at the Cape May Brewing Company (a participant on our Jersey Brews Trail), Cold Spring Brewery (one of our dog-friendly go-tos!) and Gusto Brewing Company. Or make your “spirits” bright at Nauti Spirits.
On The Holiday Stage
Cape May Stage will host performances of a modern take on The Gift of the Magi November 20 – December 29, 2024 as well as Abigail Rockwell: A Norman Rockwell Bedford Falls Christmas Concert on December 15, 2024. Catch some cabaret tunes with Lennie’s Christmas Extravaganza hosted by East Lynne Theater Company on December 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2024. Or insert yourself into the story with The Christmas Caper at the Emlen Physick Estate on Wednesdays and Fridays, December 4 – 20, 2024.
A Natural Holiday
Enhance your season with an outdoor adventure or two. Coastal Cape May is a natural for beach walks, bird watching and wild encounters. Work up an appetite for that lavish B&B afternoon tea by climbing the 199 steps of the historic Cape May Lighthouse, open weekends throughout the holiday season. Explore Cape May Bird Observatory and learn why birding enthusiasts always include Cape May on their bucket list. Or treat the family to a day at Cape May County Park & Zoo. While it’s closed on Christmas, it’s open every other day.
That’s A Wrap
Take a stroll and pick up holiday gifts at downtown Cape May’s Washington Street Mall, where you can shop for art, toys, books, apparel and more at quaint, one-of-a-kind retailers. If you can't decide, surprise those hard-to-buy-for types on your list with a gift certificate redeemable at one of their favorite merchants.
Of course, Cape May is known for its gracious bed & breakfasts, offering a peaceful respite from the holiday rush. Why don’t you give yourself an early Christmas present with a long weekend at one of Cape May’s charming inns or B&Bs? A few to check out: Angel of the Sea, The Queen Victoria, Beauclaire's Bed & Breakfast, Wilbraham Mansion and The Mason Cottage.
Or extend your stay with a reservation at the famed Congress Hall, America’s oldest seaside resort. This time of year, the property is transformed from a summer coastal escape into a full-blown Winter Wonderland featuring a host of holiday festivities and events.
Before dashing off in the ol’ family sleigh to experience Cape May during Christmas, be sure to check out the official websites or social media channels for the places you plan to see for up-to-the-minute visitation details. To discover even more things to do in New Jersey, download our Official Travel Guide – it’s free – and sign up for our information-packed e-newsletter.
