If you’re reading this, you probably like birds. And while there are many reasons to visit Cape May, New Jersey—it’s a charming coastal town described by a friend as “a mix between the towns in Practical Magic and the Gilmore Girls” while we were there—it’s also beloved by birders for special for one very specific reason: its location.
Cape May is geographically positioned as the perfect rest stop for birds that are either heading south for the winter or north for the summer. There, you can see thousands of rare birds as they migrate—I was able to identify 25 different species during a two-hour stroll, and that was during a major rainstorm.
So if the city is on your birder bucket list, consider this your sign to visit while the Atlanta Flyway is hot (i.e., between the months of September and November for the fall migration and May for the spring migration). This fall, the bird is the word—just ask Matthieu Blazy, whose spring 2027 collection for Chanel, presented at Paris Fashion Week on October 5, featured light-up avian sculptures hanging from the ceiling of the Grand Palais.
Below is our guide to where to stay, what to eat, and other non-bird things to do when you visit Cape May (just in case you visit during a major storm, as I did).
Where to Stay
Beach Plum Farm
140 Stevens Street
Every detail at this hotel—situated on a 62-acre regenerative farm—is carefully considered. Guests stay inside individual cottages or the reclaimed bar and get their own golf carts to explore the property. On top of both pool and beach access, guests can help harvest the ingredients that will later be turned into their own food, visit the Beach Plum chickens, and go searching for Cape May Diamonds, and much more.
Bedford Inn
805 Stockton Avenue
This historic bed and breakfast only has 10 rooms. A stay here is all about peace and tranquility—it’s on the quieter side, in the greatest way possible. Sip your morning coffee in the garden (a Certified Wildlife Habitat) under a veranda and end the day next to the fireplace in the parlor. Each is named after a historical figure from Cape May and is filled with gorgeous period-appropriate antique furniture.
Congress Hall
200 Congress Place
Opened in 1816, Congress Hall is the oldest seaside resort in America. Five presidents have stayed inside the hallowed halls, along with other musicians, writers, and more.
It’s filled with old-world charm (overstuffed couches, moody lighting) but also turns into a lively scene in the evenings. The Blue Pig Tavern is a great spot to grab a cozy meal, while The Brown Room’s jazz age ambiance and live music will keep you up—and partying—late into the night.
The Mason Cottage
623 Columbia Avenue
This quaint bed and breakfast in downtown Cape May is housed in one of the city’s resplendent Victorian homes. The rooms maintain much of the 1800s charm (working fireplaces framed with gorgeous tiles, antique claw-foot tubs, and a parlor perfect for dining) while feeling like you’re not stepping back in time.
Where to Eat
Blue Pig Tavern
200 Congress Place
This restaurant may be located inside a hotel, but you shouldn’t consider it a hotel restaurant. It’s located on the spot where the first whalers’ tavern was located in the 1700s, though it’s named after the casino it was turned into during the 1800s.
Dark wood, gingham fabric, red lacquered chairs, and a roaring fire (when weather appropriate) are what make this spot the perfect cozy end to a day with some classic American fare.
Olive Branch
1891 Bayshore Road
A Greek restaurant beloved by locals, the Olive Branch is BYOB (many of the restaurants in Cape May are) and no-fuss. The kabobs and baklava shouldn’t be missed.
The Ugly Mug
426 Washington Street
Formerly the town’s watering hole for fishermen, these days The Ugly Mug is more of a local haunt. The menu is bar-food heavy in the best way possible (Philadelphia cheesesteak egg rolls or chili, for example). The ceiling is covered with signed mugs that represent an old fisherman’s tradition—if the mug is facing the ocean, it means the owner of the mug has moved on to the great beyond.
Louisa Cafe
104 Jackson Street
This farm-to-table cafe of the Washington Street Mall has a few persnickety rules (no kids’ menus being one of them), but the light and delicious lunch is worth it. The menu is mostly rotating to use whatever is in season, along with some popular mainstays like crab cakes.
The Original Fudge Kitchen
513 Washington Street Mall
A friend who summered at Cape May told us the fudge—and their salt water taffy—is not to be missed. The story behind the shop (two enterprising teenagers opened it in the hopes of paying for their college) is just as sweet as the products inside. And the fudge texture is melt-in-your-mouth perfect, with more of a whipped consistency.
Beach Plum Bakery and Cafe
484 West Perry Street
It’s hard to resist having shortbread cookies for breakfast at this satellite outpost for Beach Plum Farm—the perfect spot to stop for a pre-birding breakfast (get the crustless quiche!) or a pastry. There are vegan and gluten-free options, too, along with fresh eggs, pies, and more, making it a great place to pick up gifts for family and friends.
Where to Bird Watch
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
800 Great Creek Road
About an hour outside of Cape May (and perfectly situated along the way if you’re driving to or from New York City) lies this 48,000-acre haven for waterfowl. Take the Wildlife Drive (yes, birds by car!) to wind through the marshlands and easily hit lifers from the seat of your car. There’s also about half a dozen osprey nests on the property, some of which have bird cams on alert.
Higbee Beach
1 Higbees Beach Road
This former nude beach has more than two miles of trails (across 1,100 acres) to be explored. The nature preserve brings together multiple habitats on easy-going trails, including the ocean, grassy beaches, fields, and forests, along with two observation decks.
Cape May Meadow
692 Sunset Boulevard
This protected nature preserve is widely considered the best place to go bird watching in Cape May because it’s the first land stop on the Atlantic Flyway. There are almost two miles of natural terrain trails, along with an ADA-compliant bird watching boardwalk so everybody can enjoy the experience.
Birding by Boat on The Osprey
Join Captain Bob on a four-hour tour around the Cape May waterways (which include saltwater, brackish, and freshwater areas) and you can expect to see kingfishers, herons, Forster’s Terns, and more. His boat, The Osprey, has both outdoor and indoor seating options, so even chilly days have a good view.
Garrett Family Preserve
801 Wilson Street
This 180-acre nature preserve was built to cater to songbirds, raptors, and bumblebees. Each of the trails leads to a new ending point (with new creatures to see), like a bird blind that overlooks a salt marsh and access to an inlet. The dirt and sand paths are mostly flat and have benches along the way, making it a more accessible nature preserve for those who are unsteady on their feet.
Other Things to Enjoy
Let’s say, totally hypothetically, that you visit Cape May the weekend of a major Northern storm and it rains every single moment of every single day. What then? Try below.
Rea’s Farm
400 Stevens Street
An adorable farm and event space that’s known for its award-winning lima beans. Mallory the duck will likely greet you at the front door, and inside you’ll find a walk-up window with delicious food, locally made ceramics and beauty products, and bushels of fresh produce.
West End Garage
484 West Perry Street
Attached to Beach Plum Cafe, West End Garage is filled with flea-market style booths that are carefully curated with vintage fashion, antique furniture, and locally made clothing.
Harriet Tubman Museum
632 Lafayette Street, pre-booking recommended due to timed entry
Abolitionist Harriet Tubman lived in Cape May between working the Underground Railroad and ushering enslaved people to Canada for their freedom. Located in a wood-frame home built in 1850, the museum covers Tubman’s life and impact on the end of slavery, along with the history of that very block, which was an important location within the anti-slavery movement.
Victorian Home Tour
1048 Washington Street
Stepping into the 18-room Emlen Physick Estate, designed by architect Frank Furness, is part time machine, part history lesson. The guides, who are dressed to fit in with the historical period, will discuss the hallmarks of Victorian Stick Style, along with what daily life was like for the Physick family.