Cape May is a Victorian seaside town at the southern tip of New Jersey, reached from Lewes by a ferry ride across the mouth of Delaware Bay that is itself part of the day's appeal. The town's draw is its preserved 19th-century architecture - wide porches and gingerbread trim along tree-lined streets - plus a walkable beach and lighthouse, so the pace here is slower than a typical city day trip. Because the ferry schedule structures the day, this trip works best if you plan around a specific outbound and return crossing rather than trying to maximize time on the ground.
| Distance | 85 minutes by ferry from Lewes; 180 miles by road |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 85 minutes by ferry from Lewes |
| Getting there | Cape May-Lewes Ferry: departs from 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE; 85-minute crossing; $10 passenger, $55+ per car; book at capelevyferry.com or call 1-800-643-3779; departs multiple times daily |
| Address | Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal: 1200 Lincoln Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204 |
How to get there
- Cape May-Lewes Ferry (recommended)
- Car via I-95 then Garden State Pkwy (3+ hours)
Location
Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal: 1200 Lincoln Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204
38.9351, -74.9060 View on map
Highlights
- Cape May Lighthouse - a climbable lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park with views back over the point
- Washington Street Mall - the town's pedestrian shopping street lined with Victorian storefronts
- Cape May Point State Park - beach and birdwatching trails right by the lighthouse
- The Victorian B&B district - blocks of preserved 19th-century houses best seen on a walking loop