Cape May is an all-American seaside resort bursting with yesteryear charm. Its visual splendor includes an architectural tiara of Victorian gingerbread homes in candy-colors. Throw in an adorable trolley, old-fashioned candy stores selling saltwater taffy and the magnificent Atlantic Ocean and you’ve got a beachfront fairy tale. Summer is the quintessential season, but it’s an outdoor haven for much of the year. Here’s the lowdown on planning an off-season getaway.
Get Outdoors
Cape May’s miles of wide, sandy beach is its crown jewel. Swimmers, surfers, kayakers and SUP enthusiasts enjoy its waves well into October. While dolphins frolic close to the shoreline, up your chances of a sighting by hopping on a nature cruise or fishing boat.
When the weather turns too chilly to get in the water, consider open-air yoga. Yoga On the Beach offers classes May-October for a $5 drop-in rate.
Bird observers have been flocking to Cape May for centuries. Its wide variety of habitats, including pine forests, salt marshes and grasslands, act as manna for migrating birds. Bring your binoculars or just enjoy nature’s spectacle as you hike one of the peaceful trails at the Cape May Bird Observatory, open and maintained year-round. On my bright yellow beach cruiser from Congress Hall, I enjoyed miles of flat roads, some with designated lanes, and the occasional company of courteous drivers.
They don’t call New Jersey the Garden State for nothing; South Jersey is rich in agriculture. It’s a relaxed pedal to 62-acre Beach Plum Farm, nestled in protected wetlands. The farm does not rely on synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Take a self-guided or group tour and marvel over the raised beds of produce that supply local eateries. Make sure your bike has a big basket as the farm’s store is loaded with tempting goodies you won’t want to resist.
Stay
Congress Hall is the oldest seaside hotel in America. Its bright yellow exterior, stately white columns, veranda adorned with dozens of teak rocking chairs and scrumptious pool give it an elegant yet cozy air. The manicured grounds are landscaped with flowers that you may gaze at as you are comfortably ensconced in an Adirondack chair—if the Atlantic Ocean view isn’t getting all of your attention. In cooler weather, the convivial lobby is a fine place to enjoy a cocktail by the fire as you listen to live music. Guest rooms offer every soothing amenity, so you’ll feel pampered and relaxed at the same time. Room rates are deeply discounted in the off-season, with mid-week fall rates starting at $129 nightly.
Eats + Drinks
The Blue Pig Tavern serves comfort food with a fresh twist. The produce is supplied by Beach Plum Farm, so seasonal flavors dominate the menu. Stellar salads feature just-picked greens while you can’t go wrong with mac and cheese served in a cast-iron skillet. Ask for a table near the fireplace or on the enclosed patio.
Hot Dog Tommy’s elevates the humble wiener to an epicurean experience. Choose between the Bigger Badder Dog, Leaner Weiner or a mouth-watering vegan version, laced with your choice of house-made toppings. The banana peppers add a zesty crunch and the fortifying mashed potatoes take this casual edible to the next level. Closed all winter.
Insider Tip
Located right near Beach Plum Farm is Willow Creek Winery. This 50-acre estate is producing sustainable wines grown and bottled on site. The microclimate is surprisingly reminiscent of Bordeaux and these young vines are producing some extremely polished pours. They offer daily tours and tastings along with light bites in a dreamy rustic setting.
Get Here
Take the bus to Atlantic City, where you’ll switch to New Jersey Transit bus #552 to Cape May. The entire journey clocks in at 5 hours.
Photo credits: Cape Resorts, Robert Pagano and the author
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram