Four Seasons
Four SeasonsSeasonal Cape May Activities
Deciding which time of year to visit can be difficult for each season is so special and captivating. From summer fun on the beautiful Cape May beaches to the festivities of Victorian week in the spring and fall to the glorious Christmas holiday and all events and activities in-between, this area has so many Cape May activities to offer for all who visit. Cape May’s climate is tempered by the surrounding ocean and bay, making it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Spring
Spring comes early and gardens are abloom for special tours in mid-April. Music lovers favor Cape May during late May and June when the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts presents the Cape May Music Festival. Some of the world’s finest musicians are featured in the incomparable setting of Victorian Cape May. The New York Chamber ensemble is in residence, plus jazz, pops, folk and more. There is also a spring jazz festival. Whale watching and special cruises attract those in search of outdoor adventure from start in May and run through September.
Summer
Peak season is Cape May’s busiest time. Over forty restaurants offer fine to casual dining. Festival weekends celebrate kites, seafood, art, crafts, waterfowl carving, peaches, Captain Kidd, antique autos, and even clamshell tossing. Cape May beaches offer escape from the summer heat with water temperatures that go into the 70s. Fishing, boating, ocean kayaking and cruising are also great ways to enjoy the water. Summer is definitely a great time to experience Cape May!
Fall
Many Cape May visitors find the fall months, September, October and November some of the best times to visit. Reduced rates for mid-week stays attract young families and retired persons. Most restaurants, tours, shops and area attractions maintain their peak season schedules through the end of October. The Cape May Bird Observatory sponsors The Bird Show, A Birding Festival on a weekend in October. Check there website for dates. Victorian Weekend and Lessons of History sponsored by the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts, is usually over Columbus Day weekend. November Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, early in November.
Winter
December finds Cape May decked out in Victorian Yuletide splendor. This most Victorian of holidays is celebrated with special tours, performances, hospitality and one-of-a-kind shopping. Many of the special Christmas tours draw crowds on the weekend. A mid-week visit will permit you avoid the crowds and receive more individual attention. Contact the Chamber of Commerce or the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts for a complete listing of Holiday activities. The Queen Victoria® decorates three traditional Victorian trees.
In the fall and winter, Cape May is at its most relaxing. Days are generally sunny with crisp evening temperatures. Parking meters no longer apply come November and we reduce minimum weekend stays as well as rates. What could compare with a walk along a frosty beach, looking at everything in an antique shop with no crowds, dining by fireside in a romantic restaurant, ghostly tours by candlelight, stunning Victorian architecture in the clear winter light, or cozy afternoon tea? Fall and winter are the best times to experience relaxing Cape May activities.
Cape May Stage, Speakeeezy and Elaine’s Dinner Theater all offer performances during the fall and early winter months. Just imagine yourself under a warm lap robe as you tour Cape May by horse drawn carriage. The Cape May Carriage Company operates through December. While most visitors opt for weekend stays, those in the know will tell you that for serenity, relaxation, and value a few Cape May weekdays in the fall or winter make the perfect choice.