CAPE MAY COUNTY
County Offices
Four Moore Road
Cape May 609-465-1065
http://capemaycountynj.gov
Chamber of Commerce
13 Crest Haven Road
Cape May Court House 609-465-7181
www.capemaycountychamber.com
Major Highways
Garden State Parkway, U.S. Route 9
Situated on the southern peninsula of New Jersey, Cape May County clusters its population around the Atlantic Ocean shoreline where tourism is a major industry. The county offers a unique blend of ocean breezes, heavily forested land, marshy wetlands, and wide-open spaces. A natural paradise, the county is a chosen stopover on the path of more than 120 species of migratory birds. Facilities like the Cape May Bird Observatory conduct nature walks, birding seminars, and hawk watches. At the same time, progressive facilities like the Wetlands Institute in Middle Township conduct research on coastal and marine resources.
This historic region claims founding roots that go back to New England whaler yeomen in the 1600s. Some of the families who have called Cape May County their home for generations can trace their lineage to the pilgrims who stepped off the Mayflower. In fact, the Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery near the famous Historic Cold Spring Village is the final resting place of many Mayflower descendents. Today, important preservation activity is carried on by local historical societies and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. The Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Museum in Cape May Court House preserves hundreds of years of county history in fascinating displays.
This area at the southern-most tip of New Jersey is ideally located less than a day’s drive from the major metropolitan cities in the Northeast Corridor. New York City is approximately 120 miles; Washington, DC, is 80 miles; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is 80 miles. The county is easily accessible from points north by the Garden State Parkway or Route 9. From the west, the Atlantic City Expressway links with the Garden State Parkway. One of the most unique transportation amenities serving the county is the delightful Cape May-Lewes Ferry, linking Lewes in Delaware with Jersey Shore communities.
Cape May County is very attractive to outdoor enthusiasts, with abundant opportunities for hunting and fishing as well as golf, swimming, kayaking, sailing, camping, tennis, biking, and hiking. Sandy beaches edged with warm ocean waters contrast with cultural attractions and historic sites to entertain residents of all ages. Barrier islands stretching along the eastern edge form distinctive resort towns like Cape May Point, Cape May, the Wildwoods, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle City, and Ocean City. Each community boasts a distinctive flavor, while rolling townships and Woodbine Borough excel in golf courses and tennis courts as well as unspoiled natural beauty from marshes to meadows.
The beach resort communities that dot the shoreline of this beautiful region offer a tranquil and relaxing permanent home to year-round residents — at least during the autumn, winter, and spring. When the temperatures rise, these resort towns welcome throngs of seasonal residents, swelling in population as formerly empty beach cottages, condominiums, and vacation homes are filled. The summer months also bring a steady stream of visitors from across the nation to hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other hospitality accommodations.
Services
Cape May County shares the proud New Jersey legacy of outstanding institutions of education, from respected elementary and secondary schools to major colleges and universities throughout the region. The Cape May County Technical School District in Cape May Courthouse serves the needs of the entire community by offering a variety of vocational, career, and technical programs. Areas of study include arts and crafts, dance, writing, computer operation, cooking, baking, foreign language, health and fitness, office and career, specialized training, state license, general interest, and technical programs for employment and business. Evening and continuing education programs are designed to serve students of all ages who are seeking affordable avenues toward personal improvement and career advancement close to home.
Nearby Atlantic County is home to the private liberal arts institution of Richard Stockton College, an award-winning institution nestled on 1,600 acres of pristine pinelands. The two counties also share a community college system, renamed in 1999 as Atlantic Cape Community College. This comprehensive two-year public institution enrolls nearly 6,000 students in diverse programs that include specialties in the culinary arts and casino management. Located on 537 acres in the picturesque New Jersey Pinelands, the main campus for ACCC in Mays Landing is only 15 miles west of Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk.
The Burdette Tomlin Health System, anchored by the Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital in Cape May Court House, ensures state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and services. This 242-bed acute-care medical center of the South Jersey Cape represents the southern-most hub of advanced care in New Jersey, serving a widely variable local population that includes more than one million seasonal visitors with a variety of inpatient and outpatient services. Cancer care, cardiac specialties, maternal and newborn care, rehabilitation, a regional joint center of excellence, 24-hour emergency service, same-day surgery, and a host of other services are available just around the corner from home in Cape May County. The hospital recognizes the value of prevention through its Center for Lifestyle Management, offering the tools to maintain everyday health and well being. Support groups, health literature, educational classes, wellness programs, and information about local healthcare services are just a few of the advantages the center provides.
Also in Cape May County, the Hope Community Cancer Center maintains affiliations with the Atlantic City Medical Center and Shore Memorial Hospital, offering the finest in personalized and compassionate care. Throughout the county, skilled physicians in every major specialty combine with dentists, rehabilitation and therapeutic practitioners, chiropractors, skilled nurses, and other professionals to meet nearly every need. Should the need arise for advanced care beyond the scope of local providers, the surrounding communities in New Jersey and nearby Philadelphia offer some of the world’s finest research and teaching institutions, highly regarded for their revolutionary work in a wide variety of specialties.
Lifestyle
With tourism playing such a dominant role in the economy over the decades, Cape May County offers an idyllic setting of natural beauty with amenities that are usually reserved for urban environments. Some attractions are delightfully unique, such as Historic Cold Spring Village, which serves as an outdoor living museum of the 1850s. The Cape May County Park & Zoo offers a myriad of sports facilities and multi-purpose trails in addition to 100 species of wildlife in a truly beautiful setting.
Leaming’s Run Garden and Colonial Farm creates an enchanting atmosphere of spectacular colors and fragrances in one garden after another. The stunning visual appeal of Leaming’s Run has long been regarded as one of New Jersey’s most priceless natural treasures. These gardens have been features in Architectural Digest and distinguished as one of the top 20 gardens in the East by Great Gardens of America. The complex includes a small replica farm with exhibits that explore whaling life in New Jersey through the late 18th century. Farm animals and growing crops of cotton and tobacco add picturesque scenes of farm life.
Residents of Cape May County enjoy an unrivaled quality of life, balanced between the water sports and outdoor adventures of the warmer months and the quiet beauty that follows. Biking, hiking, camping, kayaking, boating, personal watercraft, tennis, golf, horseback riding, tennis, sun bathing, swimming, and family amusements are some of the popular pastimes. Anglers who look forward to deep-sea fishing will discover nearly 40 species of fish in the local waters, where fishermen and charter boats share the bounty. In the summer season, the average temperatures along the Jersey Cape remain in the low 70s to the mid 80s, an ideal environment for relaxing on the beach or enjoying one of the heavily wooded campgrounds.
The southern sections of the county along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay are well-known among bird-watchers as major stops on the migration path of several rare species. Adding to the glory of autumn with its brilliant colors and crisp, cool days, Cape May Point welcomes thousands of migrating Monarch butterflies. Among the cultural attractions, the Cape May Musical Festival is a regional favorite. This six-week musical extravaganza has earned a reputation as a premier entertainment event. Ocean City entertains visitors and residents with concerts at the music pier. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts is an outstanding organization that has managed to preserve and restore such timeless treasures as the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, and the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse.
The Victorian seaside resort of Cape May excels in charm, serving as the summer White House for a number of U.S. presidents. Elegant homes reflected in the glow of antique gaslight lamps showcase intricate gingerbread trim and sweeping verandas. Particularly during the holiday season, the entire community becomes a “Currier and Ives” postcard with horse-drawn carriages and festive inns. Wildwood is well known for its Doo Wop architecture, embellishing hotels and other buildings with kitschy flair created by ’50s and ’60s themes from Hawaiian to space age and rock and roll.
Quaint shops and restaurants that serve seafood at its finest are tucked away in charming resort towns dotted with antique dealers and one-of-a-kind boutiques that display treasures from yesterday or unusual artwork and crafts. From early spring through late fall, residents enjoy the bounty displayed by farmers markets. Through the region, single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes mingle with luxurious oceanfront hotels, quaint bed and breakfast inns, and beach houses. With its wide selection of attractive homes, and unparalleled quality of life, the natural paradise and national playground of Cape May County will undoubtedly continue to grow in year-round residents.
Avalon, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor
Municipal Offices
Avalon 609-967-8200
http://avalonboro.net
Sea Isle 609-263-4461
www.sea-isle-city.nj.us
Stone Harbor 609-368-5102
http://stoneharbornj.org
Chamber of Commerce
Sea Isle City 609-263-9090
www.seaislechamber.com
The small resort towns of Avalon, Sea Isle City, and Stone Harbor offer beach cottages and distinctive homes set against a backdrop of sailboats and yachts. Beach activities and water sports prevail, from swimming to boating and fishing. These resort towns offer exquisite restaurants, exciting nightlife, and well developed retail amenities. Although the year-round population in these communities would rank them in the “small town” category, thousands of seasonal residents and visitors create a bustling scene in the warmer months. Sea Isle City is the largest of the three, billing itself as the “Sea and Sand Family Vacation Land” and welcoming many of the same families year after year. Five miles of white-sand beaches combine with a popular promenade for leisurely walks, concerts, special events, shopping, biking, or just enjoying cool breezes. Stone Harbor is especially proud of its fine beach, garnering Blue Wave Certification for environmental quality. Recreational activities combine oceanfront water sports with lush parks, golf courses, and other sports facilities.
Cape May, West Cape May
Municipal Offices
Cape May 609-884-9525
www.capemaycity.org
West Cape May 609-884-1005
www.westcapemay.us
Chamber of Commerce
Cape May 609-884-5508
www.capemaychamber.com
Distinguished as the nation’s oldest seaside resort and a National Historic Monument, the charmingly Victorian Cape May is known for its exceptional style and elegance as well as the hospitality of yesterday. Cape May claims more than 600 authentically restored and preserved Victorian structures, each one a showcase of master craftsmanship and exquisitely fine architectural elements. Cape May is also established as one of the nation’s finest bed-and-breakfast inn resorts. The result is a blend of rocking chairs and stained glass with contemporary condominiums, fine dining, and wonderful shops. This community is nestled at the southern tip of the peninsula that shelters Delaware Bay, ensuring a temperate climate with mild winters and cooling summer breezes. Cape May is also the site of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center. Recreational opportunities such as whale watching, fishing, boating, and sailing harmonize with cultural events and festivals to offer an active and vibrant lifestyle. The historic borough of West Cape May proudly celebrates its agricultural heritage each year with a summer farmers market and festivals celebrating strawberries, tomatoes, and lima beans. The borough was once known as the “Lima Bean Capital East of the Rockies.”
Dennis, Upper Township, Woodbine
Municipal Offices
Dennis 609-861-9700
www.dennistwp.org
Upper 609-628-2011
www.uppertownship.com
Woodbine 609-861-2153
www.boroughofwoodbine.net
Chamber of Commerce
Cape May Court House 609-465-7181
www.capemaycountychamber.com
Primarily rural and covering more than 60 square miles, the northern portion of the county is known as Upper Township. Today, the township encompasses a number of charming villages and towns including Beesleys Point, Marmora, Palermo, Seaville, Tuckahoe, Greenfield, Marshallville, Steelmantown, Petersburg, and Strathmere. Employment opportunities have expanded slowly over the years, spurred in part by the thriving casino industry in nearby Atlantic City. Recreational opportunities include miles of beaches in Strathmere, Tuckahoe, and Beesleys Point as well as campgrounds, parks, golf courses, and areas for boating and canoeing. Dennis Township has developed many recreational facilities including Dennis Township Recreation Park. However, Belleplain State Forest is the crown jewel of outdoor attractions, where thousands of wooded acres invite birding, fishing, camping, hiking, and biking. Antique shops and a selection of charming, historic homes as well as newer construction add to the residential appeal of these townships. Woodbine Borough, once known as the first self-governing Jewish community since the fall of Jerusalem,” has evolved into a cultural diverse community that includes Cape May County’s largest employer. The state-operated Woodbine Development Center serves as a training facility for the mentally handicapped.
Lower Township
Municipal Offices
Villas 609-886-2005
www.townshipoflower.org
Chamber of Commerce
Lower Twp 609-886-5281
www.lowertownship.org
Proud of its unique towns and village, Lower Township excels in diversity. The picturesque fishing community of Villas along the Delaware Bay sprung up in the mid 20th century as a summer vacation spot for blue-collar Philadelphians. North Cape May serves as the business district and most heavily populated community, while Erma offers a family-oriented setting between Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway. Historic Cold Spring is the undisputed tourist attraction, and Diamond Beach is the township’s only Atlantic Ocean resort community. The famous Cape May lighthouse, Cape May State Park, Higbees Beach Wildlife Refuge, Cape May Bird Observatory, Sunset Beach with its sunken treasure, and the bustling Port of Cape May are all with the township boundaries. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry crosses Delaware Bay from its terminal in Lower Township to Lewes, Delaware. Abundant species of birds and fish make this area ideal for nature students and anglers. From historic sites and lovely older homes to contemporary construction, Lower Township is an ideal place to call home.
Middle Township
Municipal Offices
Cape May Courthouse 609-465-8732
www.middletownship.com
Chamber of Commerce
Cape May Courthouse 609-463-1655
http://mtcc4u.com/
Middle Township and the community of Cape May Courthouse are home to the Cape May County Zoo, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors each year. Nearly 130 wooded acres create a habitat for 170 animal species and offer a children’s playground. Throughout the township are outstanding opportunities for outdoor adventure including camping, hiking, biking, golfing, and bird-watching. Rich in natural beauty and historic significance, this area also boasts an active cultural community. The Performing Arts Center of Middle Township in Cape May Courthouse presents regional and national talent in a wide range of productions and special events. Although Middle Township is surrounded by popular resorts like Avalon, Stone Harbor, North Wildwood, and Wildwood that were once within its boundaries, this area has developed as an idyllic residential community.
Ocean City
Municipal Offices
Ocean City 609-399-6111
www.ocnj.us
Chamber of Commerce
Ocean City 800-BEACH-NJ
www.oceancitychamber.com
Known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” Ocean City has been regarded as a family oriented seaside resort for more than a century. Situated in the northern part of the Jersey Cape, Ocean City is less than 20 minutes from the entertainment center of Atlantic City. Fine restaurants, wonderful shops, eight miles of well-maintained beaches, an exciting boardwalk, and attractions for all ages create an idyllic environment. Popular activities include boating, fishing, jet skiing, and other water sports as well as golfing, biking, tennis, and sports play. The local Arts Center and Historic Museum add richness to the community, while the refurbished 1928 Ocean City Music Pier serve as a focal point of entertainment that includes concerts. The Bayside Center on Bay Avenue features a calendar of special events including theatrical productions. Corson’s Inset State Park adds to the long list of regional attractions.
Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood
Municipal Offices
Wildwood 609-522-2444
www.wildwoodnj.org
North Wildwood 609-522-2030
www.northwildwood.com
Wildwood Crest 609-522-5176
www.wildwoodcrest.org
West Wildwood 609-522-4845
http://westwildwood.org
Chamber of Commerce
Wildwood 609-729-4000
www.gwcoc.com
Anchoring the Wildwoods’ Five Mile Island, the city of Wildwood is home to a world-famous boardwalk, restaurants, live entertainment, and street festivals. Recent restoration of “Doo Wop” architectural styled hotels creates a Disneyland effect in the commercial district, while the area’s inland waterways are ideal for boating, fishing, whale watching, and excursions. Boasting the state’s first street-to-beach tram service, North Wildwood is home to two destinations on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail: The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and Marine Police Station. The more relaxed and picturesque community of Wildwood Crest is nestled at the tip of the island. On the western side is Sunset Lake, a water-sports playground. Crest Harbor draws anglers to a shoreline filled with excursion and party boats. Diamond Beach shares the barrier island with the Wildwoods but is governed by Lower Township. While these towns resemble other small New Jersey communities most of the year, they spring to life during the peak vacation season, welcoming as many as 250,000 visitors.
