Printfresh Travel Guide: Cape May, NJ

Givens: Located in the Washington Street Mall, Givens is a hip, design-focused store that carries a lot of indie and local makers. I love the wide range of merchandise from home decor to beauty products. 

Galvanic: Galvanic has great pieces for men and women. I always find new brands I haven’t seen before here. From dresses and rompers to a new bathing suit, Galvanic has you covered if you forgot to pack something.

Bath Time: You’ll find a beautiful selection of soft sleepwear, bath products, and gorgeous soaps at Bath Time. Pick up something special to add to your nighttime beauty routine so you are frequently reminded of your vacation. 

Tommy's Folly: Tommy’s Folly is a stylish boutique that carries a wide variety of sophisticated resort wear. I loved their gorgeous block print dresses by Oliphant, Pink City Prints, and more.

Queen May: Queen May is an amazing shop full of gorgeous vintage jewelry and vintage designer handbags. Don’t let the vintage part scare you off, they also carry contemporary designs and have many pieces available for under $1,000. 

Whale’s Tale: Great for gifts and souvenirs. Whale’s Tale has a wide selection of jewelry, stationery, and items you’d need to have a great day at the beach including beach bags and tumblers. 

Cash & Clive: A good mix of sophisticated contemporary clothing and a great denim selection is what you will find at Cash & Clive. 

Congress Hall: I can’t wait to stay at Congress Hall sometime to have a night away from the kids. A historic, stately old hotel with a pool, a great cocktail bar, easy access to the beach, and it’s right in the middle of everything. 

Beach Plum Farm Cottages: A big splurge, but the cottages are really gorgeous. While not on the beach, the farm is so fun to walk around and see all of the animals. There are bike rentals, seasonal dinners featuring everything from the farm, and an amazing farm market and gift shop. Plus, the most amazing tree swing! It’s the perfect spot for some Instagram-worthy photos. 

Lokal Cape May: A small boutique “contactless” hotel (really more like an Airbnb), Lokal Cape May offers a unique design experience. The rooms are impeccably designed and the location is great. There’s no restaurant or bar on-site, but you’re within walking distance to many places.  You can also enjoy the heated, salt water pool.

Exit 0 Filling Station: Enjoy Thai Indian fusion at Exit 0 Filling Station. This restaurant was recommended by a friend of mine, and it did not disappoint. There' a lot of outside dining space at this old renovated gas station, and the lobster curry was delicious. They have live music everyday from 5-9 pm and offer dinning experiences in one of their little air streams or canned ham trailers.

Peace Pie: If you want the very best ice cream sandwiches, head over to Peace Pie. 

The Red Store: Run by James Beard Award nominee, Lucas Manteca, The Red Store offers breakfast and lunch as well as a large selection of pantry items. 

The King Edward Bar at The Chalfonte: The King Edward Bar at The Chalfonte is A lively place to grab a drink. The bar and the porch feature live entertainment. Check the website for an up-to-date schedule.   

Quincy's Original Lobster Rolls: Stop here for an amazing lobster roll before you hit the beach (make sure to make it a jumbo!)

La Doña Restaurante Mexicano: Enjoy delicious Mexican and Oxacan cuisine at La Doña Restaurante Mexicano. The restaurant is seasonal so before you go, check their opening and closing dates! 

Visit the beaches: This one is fairly obvious since Cape May is on the beach. Cape May Point is my favorite low-key beach. 

Tour wineries, breweries, and distilleries: Many of the local wineries have fun bands play and some will allow you to bring your own snacks to enjoy while you sample the wines. There is also a great brewery, Cape May Brewing Co. that you can visit if beer is more your thing. If you prefer distilled spirits head to Nauti Spirits Distillery to try their rum, vodka, and gin.  

Support Local Musicians: Check out Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery’s Rootstock concert series for a fun night out and really great musical performances. Despite low expectations, the wine was surprisingly good and they had many food options from food trucks to DIY cheese plates. Their concert series sells out quickly - so be sure to book online, you can choose the lawn seating and bring your own beach chairs, private picnic tables, or a more formal table under the tent.

See Victorian Homes: You can wander around and check out all the incredible Victorian homes. As a child, I was OBSESSED with Victorian decor so I love seeing all the fancy trim work and colorful paint jobs. 

I hope you liked this guide and that you’re ready to pack your bags for Cape May! Don’t forget to throw in a luxurious pair of PJs for your getaway - you’ll be happy you did.

Last updated: 09/24/2021