The Cape May area is sprawling, much befitting an area that shares a name with a County.
Cape May County·South Shore·Verified May 15, 2026·Official site ↗
What people who actually go to Cape May know. Tips are moderated.
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The Cape May area is sprawling, much befitting an area that shares a name with a County. While most tourists will flock to the town called just Cape May, there are a lot of opportunity to go off the beaten path and explore why the whole area is so beloved.
This small town sits on the West Side of Cape May County, with a vibrant resident community that gets amplified when tourism season hits. It's a great destination for those who want a slower pace than other parts of Cape May, especially tourists who enjoy fermented beverages.
Gusto Brewing is a family-run taproom. Beer drinkers descend to sit a stool and have one of the multiple beers on draft or to take a four pack on the road (the taproom is the only place to purchase cans).
Turdo Vineyards, the only winery in Cape May County, sits nearby, offering wine tastings, wine by the glass, and purchases for a dinner at home.
And, finally, nestled between North Cape May and Cape May is Nauti Spirits, where you can sample a variety of distilled spirits or take a tour while sampling food from any of the food trucks that happen to set up operations on premise.
For food, Gusto Brewery co-owner Zachary Pashley swears by El Pueblo Taqueria, (locations in both North Cape May and Cape May) which he says serves some of the best Mexican food he's had and has a family-run approach like his brewery.
Those looking to get out on the ocean can take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which is a 85-minute ride from Cape May to the nearby beaches in Delaware.
Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the tale end of New Jersey, Cape May is a proper destination for food, drinks, beach, and activities.
The beaches in Cape May run for about 2.5 miles, with many access points named after the avenue you enter from.
If you're arriving via the airport, you can immediately enjoy a beer at the Cape May Brewery Tap Room.
For food, locals recommend The Cricket Club, Peter Shields, and The Ebbet Room at the Virginia Hotel for fancier options. If you want something more low-key, Lucky Bones and Ugly Mug.
Pashley also recommends The Mad Batter - which is the only other place to get Gusto Brewery beers on draft - for its beer selection and excellent food. It's teeming during the off-season which means it's even more packed when the tourists arrive.
Cape May is golf country as well. For those who want a fun and lighthearded game, Cape May Par 3 in Lower Township hits the spot. For more serious golfers, Pashley recommends Cape May National - if you can get a tee time.
Other Cape May Breweries include:
Cold Spring Brewery (New Jersey's first nonprofit brewery)
Behr Brewing
Valuable Links
Route 317 bus terminus; Cape May–Lewes Ferry nearby
Very walkable Victorian downtown; bus and ferry connections
NJ Transit 317 — Cape May
dogs
No dogs on city beaches (except service animals). Dogs allowed at Higbee Beach and Delaware Bay
Beach Ave Beaches
Beach Ave meters
Virtual parking meters along Beach Ave
Washington St Mall
Washington Street Mall area meters
tents
Shade structures under 10×10ft allowed. Larger structures banned
fires
No camping or fires on beach
surfing
Broadway Beach — no surfing during daytime guarded hours. Bodyboarding with fins OK. Off-hours surfing allowed
fishing
Fishing allowed at Brooklyn Ave storm pipe area only (quarter-mile stretch)
smoking
Smoking banned on all NJ public beaches (state law since 2019). Fines $250–$1,000
glass
Glass containers prohibited on beach
alcohol
Alcohol prohibited on beach (local ordinance)
67°
Sunny
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued May 18 at 2:52AM EDT until May 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
✈Rip current risk HIGH along entire NJ coast
Avoid swimming beyond waist-depth. Swim near lifeguards only.
Today
80°
Sunny
Tonight
65°
Mostly Clear
Tuesday
83°
Sunny
Tuesday Night
66°
Mostly Clear
Wednesday
84°
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wednesday Night
58°
Showers And Thunderstorms