How would you like to wake up to this in the morning this winter? We’re making it easy for you to do with our fantastic Winter Escape package. Check it out:
ANY 2 nights (including weekends) in a Premium room
A few months back I decided to throw a birthday party for Anna Marie’s upcoming birthday. To make it more fun I also offered a discount to everybody staying that weekend based on the age they guessed she would be. As it turns out, since we extended the Winter Escape through March, we’re offering a better discount for that special package than the birthday promotion could have yielded. Anna Marie is way too young to match that discount (don’t worry, if you were already booked, we automatically extended you the better discount). SO … I decided to change things up a bit.
Since several couple’s joining us that weekend are also celebrating March birthdays, we’ve decided to make Saturday, March 9th a March Birthday Party for all of our guests who are celebrating March birthdays along with Anna Marie. I LOVE this idea. I mean, seriously, it IS the Celebration Season.
Do you have a March birthday coming up? What better way to celebrate than a weekend at The Queen Victoria? Sure, we’ll have cake & goodies. We’ll even have a champagne toast.
Make sure you ask for the “Winter Escape” package when you call.
Saturday March 9th
Cape May Wine Tasting
This picture was taken last weekend at our annual Wine Lover’s Weekend wine blending event at Cape May Winery. As always, a wonderful time was had by all.
Of course, you don’t need to wait until next February to enjoy wine tasting while you’re in Cape May. If fact, wine tasting is one of the most popular activities for our guests during the cooler months.
It is hard to believe, but there are now 6 wineries located in Cape May county, all within 15 miles. Our newest winery opened up earlier this year and is actually close enough to walk to (though it is a pretty long walk).
As someone who truly appreciates wine, I can tell you that some of these wines are very good. No matter if you like reds or whites, you’re sure to find something that you’ll appreciate. Beyond that, the charm and ambiance of the wineries is sure to please. You may just want to make a day of it.
Doug’s Tip: order a cheese tray from us and take it with you to the winery.
The Big Cheesy Returns (Mar 1-2)
I’ve been teased by friends and guests about making such a fuss over our cheese tasting weekend. I am unrepentant, however. The Big Cheesy (I think it was mostly the name I was teased about, to be honest) is certainly one of the most enjoyable events at The Queen Victoria each year. It deserves a mention here.
The name of this weekend pretty much says it all. Each year we gather fine cheeses from all over the world (we don’t actually travel around the world to find them, of course). You might be surprised to discover just how many different cheeses there are. If you know cheese, you know just how different they can be. If you haven’t explored the nuances of the myriad of different cheeses, then you haven’t really lived yet, and you definitely need to call us and make a reservation.
We’ll have 15-20 cheese platters arranged around our very large dining room table, each labeled and described for your exploration and enjoyment. There will also be plenty of wine glasses and ice buckets for you to use with your favorite bottle of wine that you can bring to the event. (yep, it is BYO). Bring something you want to share, as it tends to become a little communal at the wine buffet.
They say the best things in life are free. Personally, I prefer the saying “The best things in life happen at The Queen Victoria”. This event just proves my point. I know you’ll agree. Bring yourself and your favorite beverage and enjoy a wonderful afternoon.
This event is only open to guests actually staying with us that weekend, of course.
Absolutely Free
St. Patty’s Day Whiskey vs Scotch Challenge
Though no excuse for celebration is ever required at The Queen Victoria, I couldn’t resist the temptation of using St. Patty’s Day for a celebration event this year.
A few months ago I came up with the concept of having an Irish Whiskey Challenge event on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The idea was that everyone interested in participating brings a bottle of their favorite Irish Whiskey and we’ll all taste and compare. A blind taste test would establish the best whiskey.
Since announcing this event, I’ve heard from MANY Scotch drinkers out there demanding equal time. So to make it even more interesting, I’ve decided to open it up to Scotch enthusiasts as well. So… if you love a good Scotch and want to prove once and for all which is better, bring it on. Bring down your favorite Scotch and we’ll see how it ends up. I’m anxious to see (and taste) the results.
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekend
So, St. Patty’s Day holds no special place in your heart. You’re not Irish, you don’t drink whiskey or Scotch, and you’re not interested.
Obviously, you’re looking for some other way to cut the winter blues and have some fun. Here it is!
One of Cape May’s most enjoyable events every year (2 times a year, actually) is the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Weekend. This is an engaging event combining theater, tours, and a little sleuthing on your part that is guaranteed to create an unforgettable experience. This really is a wonderful, fun excuse to treat yourself to a weekend in Cape May. There is even the potential of winning the $250 1st prize.
This time join Holmes and Watson as they race into yet another maze of deceptions while they attempt to solve this intriguing case. The pair confront a secret society whose members believe they can capture the soul upon death. The potential for evil is enormous. How can they circumvent these diabolical plans? You’ll help figure it out!
Lessons From Lincoln (Oct. 13)
Anna Marie and I are very excited about the 2nd Annual “Lessons of History” Lecture returning to Cape May this October 13th. This year MAC (Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities) is bringing the preeminent Lincoln Scholar and speaker in the country to Cape May to present a lecture entitled “Lessons from Lincoln:The Poetry and Prose of Freedom“.
Harold Holzer is the author of 43 books on Lincoln and the Civil War era, and the historical advisor for Steven Spielberg in the making of his recent film “Lincoln”. He will be examining how Lincoln balanced the prose and poetry of his Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation as he recounts the year that Lincoln so deftly balanced the political, military, and historic to preserve government of, by, and for the people.
This is sure to be a fascinating and entertaining lecture. It is being held at the Presbyterian church, right next door to The Queen Victoria. Immediately following the lecture we will be hosting an optional Meet the Speaker reception at The Queen Victoria.
Tickets are $20 before Sep. 2 and $30 after Sep. 2. The additional charge to attend the reception is $20.
Upcoming Cape May Events
· Big Cheesy Weekend Mar 1-2
· March Birthday Celebration Mar 8-9
· St Patty’s Irish Whiskey Challenge Mar 15-16, 2013
· Mick Moloney Irish Concert Mar 17
· John Ford Coley Concert Jul 8
· Chad & Jeremy Concert Jul 15
· Helen Reddy Concert Jul 22
· Ronnie Spector Concert Jul 29
· Christopher Cross Concert Aug 5
· Herman’s Hermits Concert Aug 12
· Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend Mar 15-17
· Singer Songwriter Cape May Mar 22-23
· Spring Festival Apr 26 through May 5
·· Cape May Restaurant week Jun 2-9
· Cape May Music Festival May 26-Jun 13
· Cape May Designer Show House Jun 28 through Oct 31
· 2nd Annual Craft Beer & Crab Fest Aug 10
· Food & Wine Festival Sep 14-22
· Victorian Weekend Oct 11-14
· Lessons from Lincoln Lecture Oct 13
· Halloween Happenings Oct 15-31
· Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend Nov 1-3
· Channeling with Craig McManus Nov 16
· Christmas in Cape May Nov 22 – Jan 1
There are lots of reasons to visit Cape May any time of the year. Lots of folks choose to come to The Queen Victoria to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. That is why I think of the winter as the “Celebration Season”.
Face it, it is winter all over. Wouldn’t you really rather be in Cape May, even in the winter?
What are you going to celebrate?
Featured “Room of the Month” … Queen Victoria
The Queen Victoria room is our signature room. It is a beautiful room located on the 1st floor of the Queen Victoria building.
As you can see in this photo, this is a dramatic room. With high ceilings, beautifully painted plaster crown moldings, elegant wallpaper and frieze (that is the wide border below the crown molding), this room is very visually stimulating. You can’t help feeling special when you are staying in it!
The Queen Victoria room also has a few other things going for it that make it one of our most popular rooms. First is its location on the 1st floor, saving a few trips up the stairs every day. It also is one of the handful of rooms at the inn that have a king sized bed. Finally, it has a wonderful 2-person, 2-head step in shower that will make you feel like you ARE the queen (or king, as the case may be).
The only thing you’ll need to keep in mind if you want to give this room a try on your next visit is to book it early! This room is very popular with a lot of our frequently returning guests, who often book it a year in advance.
Here is a photo I took this morning of the new Designer Show House that is currently under construction on Washington Street, right across the street from the Emlen Physick Estate.
Anna Marie and I are very excited to have a Show House in town again. I think that this one is going to be really special. Though new, it is a Neo-Victorian home reminiscent of the Southern Mansion or the Mainstay Inn, on a more intimate scale. The 2800-square foot home features a 900-square foot wrap-around porch, as well as a cupola gracing the low-pitched roof. In the Italianate style popular in the 1850s-‘70s, the house features overhanging eaves with oversized brackets and a gracefully columned veranda, perfect for sitting and watching the world go by.
The house, which has been named the Cavalier Cottage, will be open for tours and your pleasure between June 21st and October 31. There will be lots of package offerings with restaurants, as usual. The Tour & Lunch (or Tea) specials at the Carriage House Cafe & Tearoom located right across the street will be particularly compelling this year.
6th Annual Singer Song Writer Cape May (Mar 22,23)
If you love music, then stop what you are doing, click on the link below and book a visit to The Queen Victoria for the weekend of March 22-23.
This year’s Singer Song Writer Cape May is featuring 96 artists and over 150 performances in 18 venues all over Cape May from artists all around the world. This is definitely going to be their biggest and best festival ever. I was literally stunned when I started perusing the lineup of entertainers. The list just kept going and going and going.
Now admittedly, I haven’t heard of many of these folks. That is the whole point, though. These musicians are coming to Cape May to be discovered. Music producers will be in town scouting for the next big act. One of them might become a huge superstar.
One of the greatest things about this event is that most of these acts are free of charge. Picture yourself strolling from venue to venue all over Cape May for a couple of days of great entertainment and not spending a dime (on the music, anyway … the food & drink you consume is on you).
I came across this photo and was inspired to share it with you. Even though we’ve had a fairly mild winter, I’m anxious to see the backside of it. I can hardly wait until I see this view again at The Queen Victoria.
This was taken by one of our guests last Spring as the Daffodils took over our Prince Albert Hall garden. There are signs that the daffodils are ready to make their leap out of the ground soon, so hopefully we’ll be enjoying this explosion of color in the near future.
Cape May Stage First Production of 2013
Cape May is very fortunate to have a few theater groups. Our favorite has always been Cape May Stage, which is located in the beautifully restored and comfortable “Robert Shackleton Playhouse” opposite of Rotary park.
The first production of 2013 at Cape May Stage is “How to Make a Rope Swing”, which is definitely not an instructional performance relating to recreational rope swings. I’ll be honest, I prefer a lighter performance, with comedy and music, but I know that some of our guests are into serious drama. I think that this show is probably for them. This show opens May 17th and will be a “World Premier”. Here is how they describe the show on their website:
The South Jersey town of Oakbranch is replacing the old schoolhouse. Two local elders have been selected to decide on a person after whom the new building should be named. As they come together, they rediscover the circumstances of their first meeting- a time when the school was first integrated and the region earned its nickname, “The Mississippi of the North”. Within the brick walls of the century-old building, a long-suppressed moment in the town’s history surfaces and threatens to change the memory of the town and these people, forever.
Doug & Anna Marie’s Restaurant Pick Of The Month … Fredas Cafe
I routinely tell guests that Freda’s is our favorite restaurant in Cape May. With all the great restaurants in town, how did we come up with Freda’s as our favorite? Simple … we love the food.
Freda’s consistently serves some of the best food in town. They are not a “fine dining” restaurant, but the food is every bit as good and creative as any that you’ll find anywhere in Cape May. Freda’s is a small neighborhood bistro, just steps from the inn. It is SO convenient. It is also a BYOB restaurant, so you can bring a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy it with your meal.
So what are our favorite dishes at Freda’s? For a long time my favorite dish was their crab cakes (pictured here), which I truly believe are the best on the planet (I hope that my friends from Maryland will forgive me for that opinion). Lately, though, I’ve moved onto their Organic Salmon stuffed with crab meat and spinach on a bed of rice with a lemon herb sauce. My mouth is watering just writing about it!
Anna Marie’s favorite dish is the “Shrimp & Scallops Pesto”. Imagine succulent shrimps & scallops in a bed of pasta simmering in an amazing, rich pesto. It really is delicious.
Are you hungry yet? Be sure to make reservations early for Freda’s, as it is a small place and it is often hard to get a table. We’ll be pleased to assist.
Make your reservations today for a romantic getaway at The Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast. We are looking forward to helping you plan your next visit!
