It’s a boat ride! It’s a wildlife tour! It’s a visit to another beach town! The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has something for everyone.
For starters, the trip is fun. Ferries are large, so the voyage is generally smooth. On board, you’ll find restrooms, a snack bar, and plenty of seating. Some indoor seats have tables, while outdoor seating offers great views. Keep an eye out for ospreys and dolphins.
Rates vary by age and whether you’re taking a vehicle (there are also discounts for AAA, military, and others). If you’re just going for the day and are willing to walk a bit, you probably won’t need a car – plus, parking in Cape May can be tricky. A shuttle provides transportation from the ferry terminal to the center of town, just a few blocks from the Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only street filled with shops and restaurants. You might also consider bringing a bike (download a bike map at capemaycity.com).
Cape May offers charming shops and restaurants, excellent birding, and grand Victorian homes like the Emlen Physick Estate, now a museum.
Start with a trolley tour (capemaymac.org). The Welcome to Cape May tour is great for first-timers, or choose a special-interest tour – Historic District, Natural Habitats, Black Legacy, or Spirits and Oddities, to name a few. Maybe even tour local wineries and craft breweries.
If you take a vehicle, you can venture farther afield to places like the Cape May County Zoo, Cold Spring Village, Wildwood, or the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum.
You will need to make a reservation (booking.cmlf.com). And no matter what anyone tells you, singing “On the Way to Cape May” is purely optional.
