April is the most exciting month of the year in Cape May. We go from a sleepy, quiet town where one is hard-pressed to find a cup of coffee let alone a place to eat to a bustling community with not enough hours in the day to keep up with the changes and the events. Of course, nature helps enormously in inspiring this awakening. Longer days mean more time for walks along the promenade. Bicycles come out of the garages and we see neighbors tooling around town looking for more signs of spring. We can almost hear the excited outbursts when the first daffodils and crocuses pop their heads up. And when daffodils appear, can tulips be far behind?

 One thing about Cape May – we know how to celebrate all of these happenings and forget about Memorial Day weekend; April is the official beginning of our tourist season. Starting with the Easter Egg Hunt (April 7), ending with Cape May’s Spring Festival (April 27-May 6) and the Jazz Festival (April 20-22) in between, April gives you a first hand look at a seaside resort eagerly awakening from a winter’s sleep.

 The Easter Egg Hunt takes place at 10 a.m. (don’t be late) at the Cape May Elementary School on Lafayette Street. For you garden lovers don’t miss a rare chance, beginning April 7, to see the gardens of Dr. Frank West. Dr. West has a garden collection of rare specimen plants from around the world. The first week of April highlights daffodils and camellias in bloom, and in May many azaleas and rhododendrons are in flower. Join Dr. West for this popular tour of his amazing gardens during these visits. Participation is limited, and early registration is recommended. Cost: $10 each day. Please call the Nature Center of Cape May for more information 609-898-8848 or visit the Nature Center's website

 Whether you travel with children or not, Easter weekend has much to offer, not the least of which is Easter dinner. Take your pick when it comes to ambience - trés elégante as in The Ebbitt Room, Union Park Dining Room or The Washington Inn or comfortably cozy like Godmother’s, The Merion Inn or The Mad Batter – you won’t be disappointed. And don’t forget, The Mad Batter on Jackson Street and The Blue Pig Tavern in Congress Hall. Both are noted for their Sunday brunch. For more details, visit our Restaurant Scene in Cape May page.

 If you decide to pay us a visit the second weekend in April (13-15), be sure to check out the 14^th Annual Spring Craft Show at Convention Hall Saturday from 10-5 p.m.. Also, Sunday, April 13, the Nature Center of Cape May offers a Family Habitat Hike at Cape May Point State Park. Starting at 11 a.m., the group will hike one of the trails and search for rabbits, birds, muskrats, and other cool critters. A sense of adventure is required for this fun-filled morning. Meet at the center to carpool. Cost: members, $8 adults, $5 children ages 3 to 12; nonmembers, $10 adults, $7 children ages 3 to 12; children under 3 free. Please call the Nature Center of Cape May for more information 609-898-8848.

 Remember – this is Cape May, so there’s always something for you food lovers. Now imagine this, food plus beer. Who’d a thunk? The Mad Batter Restaurant, in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), is sponsoring a British Beer Tasting Dinner on Friday 13 at 7:30 p.m. Celebrate spring with a four-course dinner featuring a different beer from the British Isles with each course. Seating is limited to 60. Admission $55. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 April 20-22 ushers in the finest jazz musicians in the country for this spring’s 27^th Cape May Jazz Festival which pays tribute to legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Guitar virtuoso and four-time Grammy nominee Pat Martino headlines Friday night at Convention Hall. Also on the program Friday night are Teddy Royal and Jesse Andrus with Across the Globe playing at Congress Hall’s Boiler Room. As Fats Domino’s guitarist for 30 years, Teddy Royal has had a life-long affair with jazz guitar; beginning with a childhood listening to, and absorbing, the music of Wes Montgomery. For tickets and more information visit www.capemayjazz.com.

 Great music and great spirits are both available April 20-22. Spirited Cape May Weekend celebrates the art of food and wine. Triple your enjoyment by combining a Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour, and Wine Tasting Class for a weekend of total indulgence. The weekend begins 6 p.m., Friday, April 20 with a four-course dinner at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., with wines themed to the Sunday Wine School Class (Fantastic Wines from the Western Coast of South America). Guests will be treated to individual attention from the wine steward. At 3 p.m., Saturday, April 21, visit the award-winning Cape May Winery for a tour of the vineyard, an introduction to the winemaker’s art, and a barrel-tasting with cheese and fruit. At 1 p.m., Sunday, April 22, attend the Wine School Class at the Washington Inn. The complete package is $125 per person. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 Don’t forget – Earth Day is April 21. The Nature Center of Cape May has planned an Earth Day Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn about wildlife gardening and other basic maintenance chores while you assist center staff and volunteers to spruce up the center’s gardens and grounds for spring. This is a great community service project for your civic organization or scout group. The center asks that you bring along your own tools (their supply is limited). Pre-registration is not required, but if you plan to bring a large group we would appreciate a call ahead of time so we can prepare. Contact Gretchen at (609) 898-8848 x-1. Cost: free (refreshments will be offered).

 The Washington Inn’s Cape May Wine School will be held April 22 from 1-3 p.m. The theme, Cold Yesterday, Chile Today – Fantastic Wines from the Western Coast of South America, will teach wine wannbe connoisseurs to discern and appreciate fine wines. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), those interested in more information should call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org. These classes fill-up quickly so make your reservations early.

 Another Washington Inn-MAC event which sells out quickly is the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet (Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m.). We can tell you from personal experience that this is an event well worth the time, money and effort. Pastry chefs Kathleen Pastiu and Paul Dicken will be on hand to divulge their sweet secrets. $35 per person at this adults-only buffet. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 And what better way to say, “Hello Spring,” than with a Spring Festival (April 27-May 6)? Celebrate the arrival of springtime in America’s first seaside resort with house tours, food and wine events, outdoor crafts and collectibles shows, a Chef’s Dine-Around, Murder Mystery Dinners, living history programs and much more. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 In other Spring Festival related events: the Cape May Home & Garden Show is at Convention Hall April 28-29; and the Children’s Garden Dedication is April 28 at the Nature Center on Delaware Avenue. Refreshments will be offered and the cost is free, although donations will be accepted to fund children’s gardening activities at the center. Please call the Nature Center of Cape May for more information 609-898-8848. A Spring Festival Craft Show will be held on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 28. And you can kick up your Victorian heels at the Vintage Dance Weekend April 28-29. Instructors will teach traditional dances of the 19th century at a Vintage Dance Workshop, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 28. Then, put your new dance steps to good use at a costumed Vintage Ball with live music of the period, 8 p.m., Saturday night. Enjoy a Tea Dance with live music, 1 p.m., Sunday, April 29. Victorian dress encouraged but not required. All events take place at the Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 And please, please do not forget the Secret Garden Tours (April 29-30). The is a rare opportunity to see the gardens of some of the B&Bs, as well as private gardens in Cape May. You can take it from us, it’s an activity which should go to the top of your list. But, shhh. Don’t tell anyone, it’ll be our little secret. Please call 609-884-5508 for more information.

 Well that doesn’t inspire you to pay us a visit in April, we just don’t know what will. And don’t forget, you could come down just ‘cause we have such a beautiful place to visit all year around. April is basically crowd-free. The restaurants are just starting up to full hours. The shops of bulging with new merchandise and there’s always the beach. So, come on down.