Cape May Activities & Attractions

CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY
Open every day from 9AM to 4:30 PM  Web Site

For excellent birding within minutes of fine dining, luxurious accommodations, and an exquisite coastline, come to Cape May - The Birding Capital of North America.

P.O. Box 3
Cape May Point, New Jersey 08212

Office: (609)884-2736
Birding hotline: (609)898-BIRD (2473)

CHURCH OF THE ADVENT (1867)
Franklin & Washington

Gothic style church features vertical siding over a field stone foundation. Most of the church furnishings have survived including the stained glass windows.

FRANKLIN STREET METHODIST CHURCH (1879)
Franklin & Lafayette

A unique Gothic parish that creates a feeling of mass associated with masonry buildings by the use of massive wood corner buttresses and elaborate frames around the doors and windows.

 

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
1048 Washington Street

MAC is a non-profit organization founded in 1970 to save and restore the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, and operates it as Cape May's only Victorian house museum. The Physick Estate is also home to the Carriage House, with an array of changing exhibits in the Gallery , a museum shop , and the Carriage House Tearoom & Café. In the 1980s, MAC undertook its second major restoration effort: the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse. The tower of this historic structure, which had been closed to the public for almost 50 years, reopened its doors in 1988. MAC has also restored the World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23), located nearby on Sunset Boulevard , which is now open to the public . Experience Cape May's heritage through a year - round schedule of special events and trolley, walking, ghost and historic house tours.

Please call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 for details on MAC's calendar of events or visit www.capemaymac.org.

 

THE CONCRETE SHIP "ATLANTUS"

For over 50 years, just off Sunset Beach, in Historic cape may Point, New Jersey, lies the concrete ship "Atlantus".
 
Due to a critical shortage of steel, during World War I, the federal goverment turned to experimental design concrete ships. An emergency fleet of 38 concrete ships were planned, by the United States Shipping Board. Only 12 of the concrete ships were ever put into service. Two others had construction begun, but were never completed.
 
The "Atlantus" was the second prototype, a 3,000 ton 250 foot long freighter, built with a 5 inch thick hull of special concrete aggregate, to correct shattering and brittleness problems found in the first concrete ship.
 
The "Atlantus" was built by the Liberty Shipbuilding Corporation, of Brunswick, Georgia. She was launched on November 21st, 1918, at Wilmington, North Carolina. Commissioned June 1st, 1919, the "Atlantus" served for a year as a government owned privately-operated commercial coal steamer in New England.
 
With the end of the war, the more efficient steel ships were again available. The "Concrete Fleet" was de-commissioned, and the "Atlantus' was sent to the "Bone Yard" at "Pigs Point", in Norfolk, Virginia in September of 1920. A year later, the "Atlantus" was stripped after being purchased by a salvage company.
 
In 1926, the "Atlantus" was towed to Cape May, New Jersey. A Baltimore firm was attempting to start a ferry service from Cape May, New Jersey to Lewes, Delaware. It was planned to have a channel dredged well into shore. The "Atlantus" would then be forced into the channel. A special drawbridge type of device was to be mounted on the exposed end. Two other bulks would be sunk at angles creating a "Y" shape. The ferry would dock by wedging in and cars and passengers would load and unload by use of the drawridge.
 
While awaiting positioning, the "Atlantus" broke loose of her moorings during a storm June 8th, 1926 and went aground. Several attempts were made to free the "Atlantus" - they were futile.
 
Thousands of visitors come annually to view the cracked weatherbeaten hull and collect beautiful "Cape May Diamonds" that lie in abundance on Sunset Beach in Historic Cape May Point, New Jersey.

Compliments of Sunset Beach Gift Shops
Foot of Sunset Boulevard
Cape May Point, New Jersey 08212
(609) 884-7079

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD GRADUATION

The Coast Guard welcomes tourists to experience a unique Cape May tradition - the recruit graduation ceremony held every Friday at the Training Center, Cape May. All Coast Guard recruits from around the nation are indoctrinated here in South Jersey. The graduation ceremony, kicking off promptly at 11 A.M., represents the culmination of eight weeks of instruction. When attending the ceremony, please be seated 15 minutes prior to the start.

THE CAPE MAY COUNTY ART LEAGUE
P.O. Box 2195
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609)884-8628

The Cape May County Art League, founded in 1929, is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the U.S. In its advocacy of the arts, the League undertakes cultural activities, exhibits, performances, classes and programs in a setting where residents and visitors of all ages may participate in the artistic experience. Membership is open to all who wish to support the fine arts.

CAPE MAY FIREMEN'S MUSEUM
Corner of Washington & Franklin.

Display of fire-fighting artifacts depicting the history of Cape May's Fire Department. Open daily. Admission is free.

HISTORIC COLD SPRING VILLAGE

The Cape May County settlers of nineteenth century lived a life in harmony with the seasons and the environment. The resources of the ocean, bay, meadow and marsh provided their shelter and livelihood. This way of life colored their speech, religious beliefs, and social values. Throughout the season, visitors can share the experience of this bygone era and become directly involved in the daily life of a century and a half ago. Historic Cold Spring Village lets you and your family "live a little history". Chat with the "locals" in the Dennisville Inn or watch the printer produce advertisements for sale of goods and pamphlets for local societies.

Authentically garbed Village craftspeople make history come alive as they demonstrate age old crafts using traditional tools, methods and materials. See iron rod heated and formed at the blacksmith's forge, the speeding weaver's shuttle, the spinner twisting wool into yarn, the the printer's handpress, the milliner's fashionable goods, the potter molding clay into graceful shapes, leather stitched into useful wares, the broom maker's practical art or the village carpenter using a foot powered lathe. Watch a mother prepare dinner for her family over an open fire or bake bread in a brick oven. Attend class in a one room school house. Linger in the tavern room and chat with the innkeeper and patrons. Many of the craftspeople will invite you to become involved in their trade first hand.