Cape May is easy to love on your own, but a guided tour helps you see the town with more depth. Behind the Victorian homes, oceanfront views, gas lamps, and charming streets are stories about architecture, maritime history, local legends, food culture, and coastal wildlife. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or planning a full summer getaway, these Cape May NJ tours are some of the best ways to explore the town.
Start with a Classic Cape May Trolley Tour
A Cape May MAC Trolley Tour is one of the best first tours to take, especially if you want a comfortable overview of the historic district. These guided trolley rides highlight Cape May’s Victorian architecture, seaside history, and beautiful streets without requiring a long walk. It is a smart choice for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants to get oriented before exploring on foot. Cape May MAC also offers a trolley tour calendar for seasonal options and themed rides.
Tour the Emlen Physick Estate
For a closer look at Cape May’s Victorian past, visit the Emlen Physick Estate. This 1879 house museum is one of the town’s most important historic landmarks and gives visitors a more detailed view of Cape May’s architecture, decorative style, and daily life in the Victorian era. A house tour pairs perfectly with a trolley ride if you want a deeper history-focused experience.
Climb the Cape May Lighthouse
No Cape May tour guide would be complete without the Cape May Lighthouse. Located at Cape May Point State Park, the lighthouse was built in 1859 and has 199 steps to the top. The climb rewards you with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, Cape May Point, beaches, marshes, and nature trails.
Taste Your Way Through Town
Food lovers should book Cape May Food Tours, a walking tour that blends local flavor with Cape May history. It is a fun way to try multiple eateries, discover new favorites, and learn about the town while enjoying seafood, sweets, and local bites along the way.
Add a Ghost Tour After Dark
Cape May has a famously spooky side, and a ghost tour is one of the most entertaining ways to experience it. Try Ghost Capers for a lantern-light walking tour focused on haunted history, or browse Cape May MAC Ghosts & Mysteries Tours for trolley and themed ghost experiences.
Get on the Water for Wildlife and Views
For a completely different view of Cape May, book a dolphin, whale, birding, or lighthouse cruise. Cape May Whale Watcher offers whale and dolphin watching cruises, while the Dolphin & Bird Watch is a two-hour cruise focused on bottlenose dolphins and coastal birds. You can also try the Grand Lighthouse Cruise for a scenic Delaware Bay lighthouse experience.
A Stay at Southern Mansion
Our historic mansion, built circa 1860, is set on one-and-a-half acres of award-winning landscapes in Cape
May’s historic district. Our 40,000-sq.ft. Italianate villa-style mansion stands out as an antique home, fitting in perfectly with the other colorful houses of Cape May!
Stay with us and book a cozy room and enjoy decadent furnishings, plush linens, towels, and antique finishings that set the Southern Mansion apart from any other bed and breakfast in the area. Book your stay with us today.
