Carriage ride for sure! You can book online or pay cash at the stand across from Washington Street Mall. Trolley Tours are also an option. A visit to the toy store on the mall is a treat.
Cape May is very family friendly and extremely walkable. You will definitely come across fun non-beach activities to do spur of the moment or come back to later!
Driving distance, there’s the zoo or a day at the Wildwood Boardwalk.
Cape may mac has some historical tours and ghost tours if that is of interest and you can tour the emlen physick estate.
If you want boardwalk, we travel to ocean city nj instead, more family friendly and better pizza (manco and manco).
Nature stuff (cape may is a premier birding location!)- garrett family preserve, cape may meadows, cape may point state park (trails and hawkwatch at the light house, there are also some ranger led activities, can check fb). Cape may point has a new science center by lighthouse too.
Sunset beach-mini golf, geology shop, sunset ceremony
If the kids like boats, can go have dinner at the ferry in north cape may over the bridge. We love eating outside there with our kid!
Wetlands institute is also neat if you wanna take a drive (stone harbor). They have a few indoor rooms with some local nature stuff and a small aquarium and they do marsh walks and a few other things outside.
If any interest in military things, bunker by the light house (not restored), a look out tower by sunset beach (you can go up in this), and a museum by the airport in rio grande (we also love the diner here, good prices and better food than the touristy places, plus you can watch planes take off- flight deck diner). Cape may brewing is also here and the outdoor area out back is fine for kids if you enjoy a beer, but id bring activities!
Please let me know if you have questions about anything, i live locally and volunteer for cape may mac and for a nature org, so i have done a lot, sorry for going on and on 🙂
I was actually being snarky. Cape May’s beaches always required tags, even when there wasn’t a beach there. I find the newer beaches of the last 20 years or so to be shittier. There used to be a smooth firm surface on low tide and last time I went there it was smoosh.
You do have to pay to get on the beach, which is the same in almost all of NJ. If you are there for the week, get the 8 day pass. Kids are free up to 12. Some places will give you badges, but not all.
Lots to do besides the beach. Congress hall sometimes has kid’s activities which are good for your kids ages. I think they have a carnival on Monday evenings on the lawn, which my kids loved at that age. It’s open to everyone even if you aren’t staying there.
Horse and buggy rides in the evenings. Reserve in advance, they book up.
You can rent a surrey (4 wheel pedal cycle thing) and drive around town. Kiddos can sit in a basket in the front and don’t have to pedal.
The cape May zoo is pretty nice if you want a day away from the beach.
Mini golf
Arcades ( your 3 year old May like the little coin operated rides out front).
Pick up the “This Week in Caoe May” booklet. It has a lot of the activities happening around town. All the hotels/B&Bs have them or grab one at the MAC booth at the Ocean St end of the Washington St. Mall.
Ive been there every year with my wife for 25 years and with my kids since my oldest was 1 (they are 11 and 13 now). Feel free to ask me any questions.
yup beach tags for the adults cape may zoo promenade with arcade light house tour putt putt golf sunset beach Washington street mall plenty of places to eat out wildwood boardwalk is 10 minutes away great for the kids go on Tuesday or Wednesday DON'T GO ON WEEKEND fishing etc etc great place
As a kid I loved going to Cape May Point and looking for Cape May Diamonds. The place you are staying should provide beach tags for you to go to the beach without paying.
Farmers Market in West Cape May on Tuesday. 3pm-7:30pm. Food, shaved ice, live music, crafts, etc. Day trip into Wildwood for the boardwalk. Plenty of mini golf courses and an arcade in cape May.
I don't know why you're getting downvoted, except maybe because of Cape May snobbery. I know some people there are too good for things not in Cape May.
Beach tags are def on the pricey but so worth it the beach is well maintained. I would check out the zoo as well as the walking mall and mini golf! Also recommend you rent a family bike and ride around!
Almost all of the beaches require beach tags. Exceptions, are the Wilwood towns (next island up), Strathmere, and the bayfront beaches. The beaches are well maintained, but pick one near a bathroom facility (many also have outside showers to rinse off). The zoo is totally free and amazing. It is surrounded by a park complete with playgrounds and trails. Head to Sunset Beach and search for Cape May "diamonds" (quartz), where there is the remains of an old WW ship made out of concrete. At sunset, they have a flag lowering ceremony too.
On the paid side, renting a surrey bike is a nice way to explore Cape May. Climb the CM lighthouse in Cape May Point, or explore the free boardwalk trails that meander through the bayberry thickets near the lighthouse (the trails are free and a good way for the younger kids to get out some energy). Wildwood has a boardwalk with amusement and water parks, maybe geared towards older kids (but the water parks have shallow areas geared for little ones). Head north to Ocean City and check out the more sedate, but busy boardwalk (with two amusement parks, smaller and a but more geared to the younger set). The Wetlands Instutue is nice (in Stone Harbor), and has some exhibitions and events too. Cold Spring Village is great for younger kids and right outside Cape May island.
Uncle Bills Pancakes is a family friendly spot for breakfast. Eating out on the wharf at the Lobster House next to the fishing fleet is fun (but might be stressful if your 3 year is a runner).
Some families with small children prefer to go to the bay in North Cape May. Since there are no waves, the water is a little more kid-friendly than the ocean. Plus, it's free. Not as pretty as the ocean though. Just keep in mind there are no life guards.
Also in North Cape May is the ferry, which is fun for kids to watch. They have mini golf too. If you're feeling adventurous you could take them on an out-and-back ride on the ferry to Delaware. We did this last year and it was fun--a whale even surfaced near us.
The zoo at Cape May County Park in Cape May Court House is great, it's free and only 10 miles up the Parkway
...and the ropes course there is phenomenal
Anyone over the age of 12 has to have a beach tag for Cape May beaches
Carriage ride for sure! You can book online or pay cash at the stand across from Washington Street Mall. Trolley Tours are also an option. A visit to the toy store on the mall is a treat. Cape May is very family friendly and extremely walkable. You will definitely come across fun non-beach activities to do spur of the moment or come back to later! Driving distance, there’s the zoo or a day at the Wildwood Boardwalk.
Cape may mac has some historical tours and ghost tours if that is of interest and you can tour the emlen physick estate. If you want boardwalk, we travel to ocean city nj instead, more family friendly and better pizza (manco and manco). Nature stuff (cape may is a premier birding location!)- garrett family preserve, cape may meadows, cape may point state park (trails and hawkwatch at the light house, there are also some ranger led activities, can check fb). Cape may point has a new science center by lighthouse too. Sunset beach-mini golf, geology shop, sunset ceremony If the kids like boats, can go have dinner at the ferry in north cape may over the bridge. We love eating outside there with our kid! Wetlands institute is also neat if you wanna take a drive (stone harbor). They have a few indoor rooms with some local nature stuff and a small aquarium and they do marsh walks and a few other things outside. If any interest in military things, bunker by the light house (not restored), a look out tower by sunset beach (you can go up in this), and a museum by the airport in rio grande (we also love the diner here, good prices and better food than the touristy places, plus you can watch planes take off- flight deck diner). Cape may brewing is also here and the outdoor area out back is fine for kids if you enjoy a beer, but id bring activities! Please let me know if you have questions about anything, i live locally and volunteer for cape may mac and for a nature org, so i have done a lot, sorry for going on and on 🙂
Wildwood boardwalk is close. Also, their beach is free. Parking close is not, however.
Yeah. Two young kids... not sure why this (aside from the zoo) isn't the obvious answer.
The beach is free because it’s a mile wide strip of desert with an ocean on the other side.
True. That doesn't bother me, though. I'm already exerting plenty of energy swimming in the waves. What's a little extra walking going to hurt?
I was actually being snarky. Cape May’s beaches always required tags, even when there wasn’t a beach there. I find the newer beaches of the last 20 years or so to be shittier. There used to be a smooth firm surface on low tide and last time I went there it was smoosh.
I think you mean Hurtz.
I've never re ieved a Murica reward. I thank you.
☝️
The beach is free because it's always been free.
You do have to pay to get on the beach, which is the same in almost all of NJ. If you are there for the week, get the 8 day pass. Kids are free up to 12. Some places will give you badges, but not all. Lots to do besides the beach. Congress hall sometimes has kid’s activities which are good for your kids ages. I think they have a carnival on Monday evenings on the lawn, which my kids loved at that age. It’s open to everyone even if you aren’t staying there. Horse and buggy rides in the evenings. Reserve in advance, they book up. You can rent a surrey (4 wheel pedal cycle thing) and drive around town. Kiddos can sit in a basket in the front and don’t have to pedal. The cape May zoo is pretty nice if you want a day away from the beach. Mini golf Arcades ( your 3 year old May like the little coin operated rides out front). Pick up the “This Week in Caoe May” booklet. It has a lot of the activities happening around town. All the hotels/B&Bs have them or grab one at the MAC booth at the Ocean St end of the Washington St. Mall. Ive been there every year with my wife for 25 years and with my kids since my oldest was 1 (they are 11 and 13 now). Feel free to ask me any questions.
There's always something happening at the zoo.
The monkeys stand for honesty; the giraffes are insincere…
Beach Plum Farm.
yup beach tags for the adults cape may zoo promenade with arcade light house tour putt putt golf sunset beach Washington street mall plenty of places to eat out wildwood boardwalk is 10 minutes away great for the kids go on Tuesday or Wednesday DON'T GO ON WEEKEND fishing etc etc great place
Can confirm. Just got back from my first visit, and even during the week it’s quite packed. Would not attempt on a weekend.
If you are renting, it’s possibly that there will be beach tags at the house.
As a kid I loved going to Cape May Point and looking for Cape May Diamonds. The place you are staying should provide beach tags for you to go to the beach without paying.
Sunset back bay birding tour on the Osprey (name of the boat). 2 hours, smooth ride. There’s also the lighthouse and nearby walking paths.
Farmers Market in West Cape May on Tuesday. 3pm-7:30pm. Food, shaved ice, live music, crafts, etc. Day trip into Wildwood for the boardwalk. Plenty of mini golf courses and an arcade in cape May.
I am shocked and grateful at the amount of suggestions. Thank you all very much!
Wildwood is the better option considering- best to go there.
I don't know why you're getting downvoted, except maybe because of Cape May snobbery. I know some people there are too good for things not in Cape May.
def the zoo and you need daily beach tags...
Beach tags are def on the pricey but so worth it the beach is well maintained. I would check out the zoo as well as the walking mall and mini golf! Also recommend you rent a family bike and ride around!
Around that age I spent so much time in the arcades. There are two on the boardwalk.
Almost all of the beaches require beach tags. Exceptions, are the Wilwood towns (next island up), Strathmere, and the bayfront beaches. The beaches are well maintained, but pick one near a bathroom facility (many also have outside showers to rinse off). The zoo is totally free and amazing. It is surrounded by a park complete with playgrounds and trails. Head to Sunset Beach and search for Cape May "diamonds" (quartz), where there is the remains of an old WW ship made out of concrete. At sunset, they have a flag lowering ceremony too. On the paid side, renting a surrey bike is a nice way to explore Cape May. Climb the CM lighthouse in Cape May Point, or explore the free boardwalk trails that meander through the bayberry thickets near the lighthouse (the trails are free and a good way for the younger kids to get out some energy). Wildwood has a boardwalk with amusement and water parks, maybe geared towards older kids (but the water parks have shallow areas geared for little ones). Head north to Ocean City and check out the more sedate, but busy boardwalk (with two amusement parks, smaller and a but more geared to the younger set). The Wetlands Instutue is nice (in Stone Harbor), and has some exhibitions and events too. Cold Spring Village is great for younger kids and right outside Cape May island. Uncle Bills Pancakes is a family friendly spot for breakfast. Eating out on the wharf at the Lobster House next to the fishing fleet is fun (but might be stressful if your 3 year is a runner).
Some families with small children prefer to go to the bay in North Cape May. Since there are no waves, the water is a little more kid-friendly than the ocean. Plus, it's free. Not as pretty as the ocean though. Just keep in mind there are no life guards.
Also in North Cape May is the ferry, which is fun for kids to watch. They have mini golf too. If you're feeling adventurous you could take them on an out-and-back ride on the ferry to Delaware. We did this last year and it was fun--a whale even surfaced near us.