| Getting
to Cape May See our transportation section |
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| Parking In high season, finding parking places in Cape May can be exasperating. The center of town collects much of the traffic and has few available free parking spaces. Metered spaces are everywhere in Cape May; but be aware if you park at a meter, it will cost you a quarter for 20 minutes. The penalty for overtime parking is a $32.00 parking ticket. The meters around the Washington Street Mall are now "rino" meters featuring a posted meter box into which you put quarters that coincide with your numbered space. Meters are in effect from May 1 through October, between 10AM and 10PM. During the summer months, free parking is offered in the Cape May Elementary School lot on Lafayette Street. Shuttle trolleys run from the lot to locations in town on a regular basis. The good news is that no matter where you park in Cape May, you're probably no more than a 20-minute walk to the center of town. |
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| Visitors' Center If you're coming to Cape May for the first time, make a stop at the Welcome area of the Transportation Center (where the buses go) off Lafayette Street across from the Acme shopping center. Volunteers from the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce are ready, willing and able to familiarize you with your new surroundings and let you know what’s going on in town during your stay. Be sure to pick up a map and examine the helpful printed materials too. TIP: There's a small parking lot adjacent to the Welcome Center where you may park your car for a half hour. |
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| Staying
in Cape May If you are planning a vacation, you can click our listings of Places to Stay and call to reserve your accommodations ahead of time. Specify if you will be a late arrival. You may surprised how many people neglect this process and end up disappointed. If your stay in Cape May is more spontaneous than planned, we advise being flexible (which if you're being spontaneous, you're probably flexible). Even in summer, you can often find a great place to stay at the last minute if you call around. The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May has a hot line to call for last minute vacancies. The largest motor inns are along Beach Avenue (where the Atlantic Ocean touches the sand of Cape May). The other main streets that are parallel with the beach include Lafayette, Washington and Columbia. The higher numbers are nearest to the Coast Guard Training Center. The lower numbers are in the historic district. If you’re spending a few days or weeks in Cape May, getting around town is easier and more fun on a bicycle. You don’t need to bring your own. There are several bike rental companies that offer daily or weekly rental periods and can even deliver the bikes to your hotel, motel or B&B. Riders need to follow traditional traffic rules and children under 13 must wear helmets (free with rentals). TIP: The best time and place to ride? On the promenade before 10AM and along Sunset Blvd. to Sunset Beach at sunset. |
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| Pets There are accommodations that will allow you to bring your pets. There are also pet-friendly rental houses available. View pet-friendly accommodations. Most places you may walk a dog freely, but you must clean up after them! You may not walk your dogs on the Washington Street Mall. Dogs are not allowed on Cape May beaches. TIP: Higbee beach is pet friendly, but you can't go swimming. Sunset Beach at Cape May Point does not allow dogs on the beach between April 15 through September 15, but you can go in the off season. Proper clean-up is a MUST! |
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| On
the Beach In season, you must have a beach tag to use Cape May's beaches. Beach tags are required for all beach goers over age 12. Beach tags are non-transferrable and will not be supplied by your accommodations. They may be purchased in advance OR at the beach. 2008 Beach Tag Rates
Beach tags can be purchased at City Hall, Convention Hall or from any of the beach patrol crews (posted at beach entryways). A maximum of five (5) seasonal tags, per individual, can be purchased. For information on ordering beach tags by mail, call (609)-884-9525. Tags are required, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., from Memorial Day in May through Labor Day in September. Beach
chair, boogie boards, umbrellas, and other beach amenities Lifeguards protect swimmers and surfers until 5:30 PM daily. Don’t tread on the dune grass; it’s a central reason that Cape May has been saved from a great deal more beach erosion and flooding. Alcohol & Pets are not permitted on Cape May's beaches |
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| Walking around Town The best way to see Cape May is to walk through town. Cape May is a small island with so much to see that walking is the best way to explore the town. Newly placed in key locations are pedestrian crossing signs at traffic lights. Be sure to walk when the sign indicates it is safe; don't cross when the hand indicating stop is showing. Drivers at the traffic lights are not paying attention to the walk or don't walk signals; they are waiting for the lights to turn green. |
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| Rainy Days Rainy days are often more crowded in Cape May due to an influx of people from nearby shore communities that have less to do when the sun is hidden. If you're in the need for a movie, checkout out Cape May's Beach Theatre on Beach Avenue or the brand-new Rio Stadium in Rio Grande, just four miles up the road. There's also a Blockbuster on Texas Ave. |
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| Biking and Roller-Blading Biking in Cape May is a favorite pass time among visitors and locals. You may bike on the promenade until 10 a.m. After 10 a.m. biking and other wheeled activities are restricted to the streets. No roller blades are permitted on the promenade. Be sure to pay close attention to the cars around you since some people may not know where they are going and could turn without notice. |
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| Getting What You Need Banks and ATMs: There are ATM machines at Atlantic Books on the Washington Street Mall, Wawa, Cabanas Beach Bar & Grill, Cape Savings Bank on Jackson, and Sturdy Savings on Washington. Beer & Wine: Going to a BYOB? Stop by Collier's Liquor Store on Jackson Street before dinner. There's also a Joe Canal's in Rio Grande. You can also buy bottles of wine and beer to go from many of the local bars (like the Pilot House, Cabanas & the Ugly Mug). Convenience Stores: Cape May has two convenience stores that are open early and late all year: Wawa on Pittsburgh Avenue and a 7-11 on Sunset at Broadway. They offer sandwiches & drinks, newspapers, coffee, film, and necessities nearly 'round the clock. Dellas 5 & 10 on the Washington Street Mall also has these essentials. Exercise: Besides swimming in the surf, the promenade offers beachfront jogging and bike riding until 10AM each day. Or hike down the beach to Cape May Point State Park and walk along the nature trails. Groceries: If you're buying your own food, be sure to go to West Cape May for fresh produce stands and the best cuts of meat from West Side Market. Acme Market is a full grocery store located on the island. You can also buy food at CVS Pharmacy. If you're dining out, make your reservations early for superb meals at any of Cape May's fine restaurants. Health & Beauty: From sunscreen to prescription medication, visit CVS Pharmacy in West Cape May. Health and beauty aids are available in the Acme Market, Dellas 5&10, and elsewhere. Internet Access: Many accommodations offer internet access. If yours doesn't, visit online at Magic Brain Internet Cafe on Perry Street across from Congress Hall. Public Restrooms: "Comfort Stations" may be found on the Washington St. Mall and Washington Commons, as well as along the beach and promenade. |