If this photo doesn’t say “Summer Bliss” to you, I don’t know what might do it. It is beginning to look a lot like this here in Cape May right now. The leaves are sprouting on the trees, the lawn is greening up nicely, and we’ll soon be planting our annuals so there will be blooms everywhere.
The good news is that The Queen Victoria will soon be reopening. Needless to say, Anna Marie and I are looking forward to that day! We’re currently scheduled to reopen on May 22, 2020, which is the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, just about 3 weeks from now. Until then, our office is open, ready for your calls.
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Cape May originally became America’s first seaside resort because of the healthy fresh air and cool ocean breezes that city dwellers (mostly from Philadelphia at that time) sought as a refuge from the hot, pestilent atmosphere found during the summer months in most major cities of that time. I just did a little research and discovered that the reason sea air is so healthy is that it contains tiny droplets of sea water enriched with salt, iodine, magnesium and trace elements, which are scattered into the air by wind and waves. These surf-generated aerosols stimulate immune reactions by the skin and respiratory organs (lungs, I presume). The crashing waves also create negatively charged ion particles, which have an air cleansing effect. As you start planning your summer, doesn’t Cape May sound like the place to be? Can’t you just imagine breathing that amazing ocean breeze deeply into your lungs and feeling the relaxation flow through your whole body?
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We’re always happy to assist you
find the best possible room for the dates you want to visit, or the best dates for the room you want to stay in. Call us at (609) 884-8702 to get started, or click the link below to reserve your room.
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The Perfect Gift for Mother’s & Father’s Day (and Birthdays!)
A Queen Victoria Gift Certificate (plus a Bonus!)
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With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fast approaching, many of us are challenged to come up with a great gift for those we love most in the world. There are a few reasons that I can think of that make a gift certificate to The Queen Victoria the perfect gift for virtually anyone and any reason:
- After weeks and months of home confinement, most of us are eager to get away to somewhere relaxing, safe, and comfortable. What better way to while away some of this time than dreaming of and planning for your next visit to The Queen Victoria after receiving this gift certificate.
- Shopping is challenging these days, to say the least, and purchasing a gift certificate to The Queen Victoria is as simple and fast as can possibly be, either online or on the phone.
- Queen Victoria Gift Certificates are now the gifts that give twice! Through June 30, 2020, we will be issuing an additional “Queen Victoria Gift Shop Gift Certificate” worth 10% of the value of each gift certificate purchased. Think how fun it will be for the recipient of your generous gift to have a shopping spree in The Queen Victoria gift shop during their visit!
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Room of The Month
Prince Arthur
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Prince Arthur is a bright and airy room located on the ocean facing corner of our House of Royals building. It is one of our standard rooms, meaning it is one of our least expensive rooms. It is also one of the largest of that rate class, and one of my favorites.
The features that I like most about the Prince Arthur room are the large windows, one of which has a nice view of the beach. The other two, behind the bed and in the bathroom have a wonderful view of The Queen Victoria building (certainly one of the prettiest sights in Cape May!). Beyond the views that these windows afford, however, is the opportunity to open them and enjoy Cape May’s wonderful (and healthy!) ocean breezes. This room probably gets the best cross breezes in the inn.
I also love Prince Arthur’s bathroom, which features a marble floor, large marble vanity counter (always appreciated by the ladies), a step-in shower with a built in marble bench seat, and a heated towel bar.
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Upcoming Events & Activities
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Exit Zero Jazz Festival
June 5-7, 2020
More Good News! The Exit Zero Jazz Festival is still scheduled for June, the same week as Cape May Restaurant Week!
The Festival was rescheduled from it’s normal April time frame due to the covid-19 shutdown. When they rescheduled it, they made it even better than before with 4 additional acts, including the amazing Daisy Castro, whose music I’ve enjoyed several times. The lineup really is impressive, including the adventurous Jazz innovator Madeleine Peyroux, who is the headliner for the festival (pictured at top).
In addition to the headliner, there are several outstanding acts such as Gabrielle Cavassa (pictured at bottom), whose video performances completely captivated me as I was researching the artists scheduled thus far.
- Madeleine Peyroux Trio
- Joey Alexander Trio
- Joey Defrancesco’s Philadelphia Reunion Band (Kevin Eubanks, Lil John Roberts & Orin Evans)
- Eddie Palmieri Jazz Sextet
- Laurin Talese
- Liv Warfield
- Gabrielle Cavassa
- Chelsea Reed and the Fairweather Five
- Bill Frisell Trio
- Huntertones
- Conjunto Philadelphia
- Daud El-Bakara
- Keyon Harrold
- Phillybloco
- Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East
- Brian Betz-Denis Diblasio Quartet
- High and Mighty Brass Band
- Selwyn Birchwood
- Big Boy Brass Band
- Jon Thompson Trio
- Carol Riddick & Gerald Veasley “I Got Life, the Music of Nina Simone”
- Plaid Salmon
- P.J. Keiter Sextet
- Daisy Castro & Max O’Rourke
- Max Swan
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Summer Concert Series
July 1 through Aug 19, 2020
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As always, Anna Marie and I are looking forward to this wonderful summer celebration of music. It is a gift that keeps giving for much of the summer.
This year’s lineup consists of 9 concerts, including many names that most of us know well. Once again we will be able to enjoy the return of some of Cape May’s favorites that have entertained us annually. There are also several acts making their debut in Cape May this summer. Here is the lineup:
- 7/01/20 The Duprees
- 7/08/20 Lee Greenwood
- 7/15/20 The Platters
- 7/22/20 The Guess Who
- 7/24/20 The British Invasion Years
- 7/29/20 The Manhattans, featuring Gerald Alston
- 8/05/20 Mary Wilson of the Supremes (pictured)
- 8/12/20 The Hitmen, Legendary Rock Supergroup
- 8/19/20 The Modern Gentlemen, the Voices Behind Frankie Valli over the last decade
This looks like a great schedule to me. We’ll certainly be attending most of these concerts. Maybe we’ll see you there!
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Cape May Music Festival
A Completely New Format
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Cape May MAC (Museums+Art+Culture), formerly called the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities, was forced to restructure their traditional elongated May music festival due to the covid-19 closure. Rather than cancel it, they’ve postponed it and stretched it out over the course of several months. This means that it will be possible for you to enjoy one of these concerts during this year’s peak season!
Here is the schedule:
- 7/20 Backtrack Vocals (free!)
- 9/1 NJ Symphony Orchestra
- 9/8 NY Chamber Ensemble
- 9/9 Bach’s Lunch*
- 9/16 Paula Johns*
- 9/17 Bay Atlantic Symphony
- 9/20 Champagne Jazz Brunch*
- 9/22 NY Chamber Ensemble
- 9/23 Bach’s Lunch*
- 9/29 NY Chamber Ensemble
- 9/30 Bach’s Lunch*
- 10/25 George Mesterhazy Tribute Concert
- 11/21 Atlantic Brass Band (free!)
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As always, Anna Marie and I will be pleased to present our guests who wish to attend with complimentary tickets to most of the concerts, with a few exceptions, as indicated with a ” *” (these are events that involve food, for which the tickets we have to share with you are not valid)
Pictured above is Paula Johns, a frequent performer at the Cape May Music Festival. Paula is a Jazz singer of amazing talent, who Anna Marie and I have loved for a long time. She’ll be performing at the Willow Creek Winery on Wednesday, September 16, which is the concert we are sponsoring once again this year.
If you love great music, I highly recommend you plan your next visit to The Queen Victoria to include one or more of these wonderful performances. Give us a call or book your room online using the button below. Be sure to request complimentary tickets!
* complimentary tickets are not available for Bach’s Lunches, Champagne Jazz Brunch, Musical Desserts, or Paula Johns at Willow Creek Winery
Learn More
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Cape May Restaurant Week
May 31 through June 7 2020
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Anna Marie and I love Restaurant Week. We look forward to it every year. In fact, my mouth is watering right now, just thinking about it and writing this article.
Cape May Restaurant Week is a wonderful chance for you to enjoy a great meal at one of our incredible restaurants for a really reasonable price. Each June many of our finest restaurants participate in the program, each featuring a 3-course fixed-price menu (Sapore Italiano has always offered 4 courses) for $38. Each menu allows you to choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Portions and ingredients will be on par with what the restaurant usually serves. Beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included (except where noted).
There are now several restaurants signed up for this great event, and I’m pretty sure that there will be more as the weeks roll on. Here are the ones that are participating so far:
- Black Duck
- Carney’s on the Beach
- Godmothers
- Iccara Italian Bistro
- Lobster House
- Mad Batter
- Mayer’s Tavern
- Sea Salt
- Tisha’s
- Washington Inn
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More New Stuff!
Touchless Hand Sanitizers
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This handsome, though admittedly NOT vintage or antique, device is one of the many “Touchless” hand sanitizers that we are installing throughout the inn. I’m sure that they’ll be a huge hit with our guests!
New (additional) Cleaning Procedures
Back in early March we added an extensive sterilization protocol to our already topflight housekeeping process. When you check-in, you can be confident that everything you touch, from your room keys to the light switches and remotes in your room, has been sterilized before your arrival. This process will be repeated every morning when your room is serviced.
In addition, we’re also exploring various air sterilization and purification systems which we intend to implement for every guest room.
Truly, your safety and peace of mind are foremost in our thoughts every day as we prepare to reopen the inn for the 2020 summer season.
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Favorite Photo
Our Stunning Tree Peony … Blooming Now!
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Every May we are treated to an explosion of color and fragrance from the two tree peonies on either side of our front steps. This year is no different.
The tree peonies bloom a little earlier than the perennial bushes that are far more common. They also have larger blooms, and a different fragrance.
The blooms don’t last long, but they make up for it with their brilliance.
View Photo Gallery >>
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Featured Gift Shop Item
The Queen Victoria Jigsaw Puzzle
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I’m under the impression that there has recently been a surge of interest in jigsaw puzzles. Imagine that! I’ve always loved jigsaw puzzles, but I’ll admit that I seldom have the spare time to indulge my interest in them. I’m guessing that is true for many of you as well, but now a lot of you have time on your hands that you’ve never had before.
One of my requirements for a great jigsaw puzzle is a beautiful picture. I also like puzzles that have several different colors and patterns, which make it at least manageable to complete them. I also like puzzles which have enough pieces to be challenging, but not so many that it becomes a life long project. The Queen Victoria puzzle meets all of those criteria.
We’ve been selling and shipping out a lot of our jigsaw puzzles in the last week or two, ever since we posted the idea on our Facebook page. If you’d like to spend some of the next few weeks of your unplanned downtime connecting with The Queen Victoria in a virtual way, then we’ll be happy to send one to you. They’ll also be available for you in our gift shop during your next visit to The Queen Victoria.
$19.95 each (plus shipping)
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Fun Things to Do in Cape May
Enjoy a Walk Along the Beach
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In my mind, there are few things in life that match the joy and pleasure that I feel walking hand-in-hand with Anna Marie along Cape May’s beach, listening to the waves crash into the sand, and breathing the cool, fresh ocean breezes.
Anna Marie and I were overjoyed when Cape May’s beaches and promenade reopened safely on May 2 for walking, jogging, surfing, etc. (no blankets or chairs allowed yet) with little fanfare. We simply couldn’t resist our own stroll along the beach on such a glorious afternoon. There was no crowding, everybody respected social distancing guidelines, and there were absolutely no problems. It was such a wonderful start to the reawakening of our beautiful city!
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Restaurant Pick of the Month
Vintage (BYOB)
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There are several new restaurants that are opening up in Cape May this summer, which we are very excited about. One of them is called Vintage, located in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate. Vintage will be operated by the KARA Restaurant Group, which also owns George’s Place, Scola, YB, and Shamone.
I honestly don’t know much about Vintage yet, as they are still in the menu planning stages. I do know that their
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normal operating hours will be from 12:00 noon to 4:00 daily. They’ll also be open in the evening for several special events, which have not yet been announced. What I’m assuming, however, is that like all of the other restaurants operated by the Kara group, Vintage will be a wonderful, fun, and probably quite affordable dining experience that Anna Marie and I are looking forward to experiencing.
For those of you who have always enjoyed George’s Place, you’ll be pleased to know that Nikos, who has long been the main personality there, will be leading this new restaurant. He’s everybody’s best friend, and he’ll welcome you as such, I’m sure.
Yes, Vintage will be a BYOB restaurant, but Cape May MAC, whose gift shop is also located in the Carriage House, has a license to sell Cape May Winery Wines, which will be available to you if you forget to bring your own bottle.
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Great Reasons to Visit The Queen Victoria
Upcoming Queen Victoria & Cape May Events
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Cape May Beaches & Promenade Reopens
May 2, 2020
The Queen Victoria Reopens!
May 22, 2020
Cape May Restaurant Week
May 31 through June 7, 2020
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
June 5-7, 2020
West Cape May Strawberry Festival
Jun 27, 2020
Backtrack Vocals Concert (CM Music Festival)
July 20, 2020
Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival (2 days this year!)
August 1 & 2, 2020
NJ Symphony Orchestra (CM Music Festival)
Sep 1, 2020
NY Chamber Ensemble (CM Music Festival)
Sep 8, 2020
Bach’s Lunch Concert (CM Music Festival)
Sep 9, 2020
24th Annual Food & Wine Festival
Sep 11-20, 2020
Harvest Brew Fest
Sep 12, 2020
Paula Johns Concert (CM Music Festival)
Sep 16, 2020
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Bay Atlantic Symphony (CM Music Festival)
Harvest Dinner (at Vintage restaurant)
Champagne Jazz Brunch (CM Music Festival)
NY Chamber Ensemble (CM Music Festival)
Bach’s Lunch Concert (CM Music Festival)
NY Chamber Ensemble (CM Music Festival)
Bach’s Lunch Concert (CM Music Festival)
George Masterhezy Tribute Concert (CM Music Festival)
Atlantic Brass Band Concert (CM Music Festival)
Queen Victoria Chocolate Lover’s Weekend
Nov 20-21 2020
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Make your reservations today for a fun, romantic getaway at The Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast. We are looking forward to helping you plan your next visit!
Sincerely,
Doug & Anna Marie McMain, Owners/Innkeepers
The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast
www.queenvictoria.com
(609) 884-8702
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