Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Cape May

Travel today takes you to beautiful Cape May, NJ located on the Jersey Shore.  Check into your oceanfront hotel three-nights of oceanfront lodging.  Enjoy some beach time before and dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 – Morning Cruise – Emlen Physick Estate Tour & Lunch – Trolley Tour – Free Evening at Washington Street Mall

This morning, enjoy a narrated, eco-cruise in the beautiful back bays of Cape May County. Discover the amazing nature of the pristine and protected salt marshes that are part of the Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area. On these eco-cruises, you will be amazed by the amount of wildlife that a salt marsh can support. Over 400 species of birds, more than 300 species of fish, and even more marine invertebrates inhabit New Jersey and many of them call the salt marsh their home. Binoculars are provided for an up-close look at the many birds in our salt marsh.

Next, tour the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum.  Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for an in-depth look at Victorian architecture and the period, reflecting one Victorian family’s lifestyle, and detailing the way the Physick family and their household lived, worked and spent their leisure time. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural wonder built by famed American architect Frank Furness and is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. Lunch is included here today at the Estate.

The afternoon features a Trolley Tour of Cape May.  Known as the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts” for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing one of the country’s largest collections of 19th century seaside wood framed buildings, the historic district features a variety of styles of Victorian architecture. It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Wonderful tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day. This narrated tour travels through portions of Cape May’s historic district. Guides discuss the architecture and history of the area.

Enjoy a free evening and dinner on own at the picturesque Washington Street Mall which serves as Cape May’s town square. Enjoy a variety of unique boutiques, shops, fine dining restaurants, bars, activities, and services located along a three-block stretch of Washington Street, which is closed to vehicular traffic. (B,L)

Day 3 – Cape May Lighthouse – Natali Vineyards Tour & Tasting – Free Afternoon – Dinner & Evening Program

This morning, visit the Cape May Lighthouse.  Built in 1859, the Cape May Lighthouse is still an aid to navigation. Visitors who climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse are rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.

For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible visitors’ orientation center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and memorabilia. A little further down Sunset Boulevard is the World War II Lookout Tower, which was part of the immense Delaware Bay harbor defense system known as Fort Miles. Features include a Wall of Honor recognizing area veterans.

Next, enjoy a tour and tasting at Natali Vineyards (open Thurs-Sun).  Tour this 22-acre working vineyard featuring many different Vinifera grapes including some unique Spanish and French varieties. Following the tour, enjoy a tasting of their world class wines.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy some beach time, shopping or exploring Cape May on your own.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at The Lobster House Restaurant serving the freshest seafood available, often from their fleet of commercial boats. Dine in one of their five unique and picturesque dining rooms overlooking Cape May Harbor.

Also included this evening is an interactive history program.  During the late Victorian Period, the issues of temperance and prohibition were as much “hot topics’ in Cape May as they were in the rest of the country. This interactive living history program presents a debate between a local saloonkeeper and a representative of the Women’s Rights Movement and other reform efforts. (B,D)

Day 4 – Free Morning – Depart for Home

Enjoy some free time this morning for one last stroll on the beach before departing for home. (B)

Tour Map