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CAPE MAY
Historic Cold
Spring Village
Tucked into a 22 acre plot of land near the
seashore resorts of Cape May and Wildwood, Historic Cold Spring Village
takes visitors on a trip back in time to a simpler, quieter era. More
than two dozen historic homes from Cape May and Cumberland Counties are
clustered together much the way the houses in the original Cold Spring
Village were grouped together back in the 1800's.
What to See:
The village not only preserves historic
homes, it also recreates life in the 19th Century. In the Finley Blacksmith
Shop, a blacksmith is hard at work forging iron hardware. A school teacher
lectures visitors about how things used to be in the old school house.
A weaver spins yarn from village sheep in the Phillip Hand House. You'll
also find many other Village "residents" demonstrating what life used to be
like in early America. Wander from house to house along the peaceful,
tree shaded walkways. No cars are allowed inside the village - you'll hear
only the clip clop of the horse drawn carriages. Special events
throughout the season focus on various aspects of 19th Century life, whether
it's the corn festival celebrating the corn harvest, the quilt weekend or
the Revolutionary and Civil War weekends - when dozens of "soldiers"
recreate battle camps.
Facilities:
The Visitor's Center, near the Route 9 entrance,
showcases the history of Cold Spring and the Cape May area with a nice
exhibit, complete with old photos and maps. There are bathrooms in that
building. At lunchtime, you can buy a hamburger and soft drink from
the food stand or stop for a longer meal at the restaurant on site. There's
also an old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and a Bakery. You can shop at
the Country Store and the Museum Shop.
Access, Parking, and Hours:
Historic Cold Spring Village is a 5
minute drive from Cape May. There's ample free parking. There are two
entrances - one on Seashore Road,
near the old Cold Spring church
and one on Route 9. The nice thing about Historic Cold Spring Village is
that you don't have to drive there. Take the train from Cape May - the Cold
Spring Train Station is at the Village's Route 9 entrance. The park is open
from 10AM to 4:30PM, Tuesday through Sunday during the summer, weekends in
June and September. The Village closes for the season in late September.
Entrance fee is $7 for adults , $6 for seniors.
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Emlyn Physick Estate
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Take a guided tour of Cape May's only Victorian house
museum. A visit to the Physick Estate today offers a look back at our
Victorian past as evidenced by its architecture, decorative arts, customs,
and the lives of one particular Cape May family, the Physicks. The mansion was built in 1879 under the direction
of renowned Victorian architect Frank Furness. Tours of this 18 room
house are 45 minutes, and are offered daily at various times throughout the
day (call 609-884-5404 for detailed schedule.) |
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Historic District Trolley Tours
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Get acquainted with
Cape May on a Trolley Tour as knowledgeable guides present entertaining and
educational stories about the nation's oldest seashore resort. Trolley
tours are offered daily at various times (call 609-884-5404 for detailed
schedule.) Begin at the Washington St. Mall Information Booth at
Ocean Street.
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Leaming's Run Gardens
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Enjoy an 18th Century
colonial farm and garden on twenty acres, with twenty-five historically
designed gardens along sandy winding paths. At the end is the Cooperage, a
charming gift shop in an antique barn. Open daily May 15th - October 20th,
9:30 am - 5:00 pm. For additional
information, please call (609) 465-5871. |
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Whale Watching -
The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center (CMWW & RC) presents an
unparalleled seafaring safari to the oceanic wonders of the Atlantic. Thrill
to breathtaking sights of the world's largest mammals surfacing and
breaching. Enjoy the antics of man's best friends - the dolphins, as they
cavort and frolic right alongside the boat. See pelagic birds soaring
overhead. And stay alert for the sudden photo opportunity, by a seldom seen,
rare and endangered species, for you to capture its essence on film. When we
set sail, you actually become a part of the research team. Careful
instructions are given in the "spotting techniques" for particular species
by our naturalist, Kelley. As a result of this collaboration, you will be
able to share your knowledge to help save the habitat of these intelligent,
friendly, and family oriented creatures. You will never forget the "smile"
from Tippy, a "wink" from Nubby which are two of our favorite bottlenose
dolphins. You will marvel at the enormous size and awesome power of the
behemoth, Slammer, the humpback whale. Call 1-888-531-0055. |
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Cape May's Welcome Inn
Tour
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Cape May's Welcome Inn
Tours provide a special opportunity to see Cape May's famous bed & breakfast
inns and guesthouses. On each tour, visitors are invited to view the public
rooms of four inns. Advance tickets are available by calling (609) 884-5404
or (800)-275-4278. |
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Cape May Point State Park/Lighthouse
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Located
in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township 1859. More than 100 thousand
visitors a year now experience a visit to the top of the lighthouse,
participating in a century old rite of a visit to the Jersey Shore.
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. The present tower, which is the
third documented lighthouse at the southern tip of New Jersey, has always
been an attention-getting landmark as well as an aid-to-navigation for
mariners. Because it is adjacent to the community of Cape May Point
and just two miles from the city of Cape May, it has drawn visitors
throughout its history. In 1882, the Cape May Ocean Wave reported that "the
gentleman superintendent in charge [of the lighthouse], Mr. Samuel
Stillwell, takes pleasure in showing visitors who have the nerve and
strength of limb to the top, the interior of the lantern, and explaining the
interesting operations of the light. A very picturesque view of the sea,
bay, and country may also be obtained from the giddy heights of the
edifice. In 1897, the newspaper made it clear that a visit to the
lighthouse was a requisite part of one's vacation: "One of the interesting
features to Cape May summer visitors is a journey to the top of the light
house." |
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"A Fare to Remember" - Take the Cape May/Lewes Ferry
across the bay to Lewes, Delaware. On the other side, pick up a shuttle to
Rehobeth Beach's 150 outlet stores. Includes round-trip
foot passage on the ferry, shuttle service to the outlets and back, and a book
of discount coupons. |
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Cape
May Stage
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Cape May Stage is a
performance-oriented theatre company that places emphasis on acting,
directing and playwriting excellence. The company performs from May through
Dec. in the Renaissance Revival (c. 1880) Theatre at Bank and Lafayette
Streets, an intimate 75-seat setting in the heart of the National Historic
District of Cape May, New Jersey. Call 609-884-1341 for tickets and
information. |
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Sunset Beach
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Enjoy a visit to one
of the most unique coastal beaches on the entire East Coast of the United
States. Sunset Beach is named for its location
at the foot of Sunset Blvd. at the southern tip of the state of New Jersey.
This view point allows visitors to view the sunset with a 100% unobscured
horizon line. Due to the atmospheric conditions caused by the interaction of
sea breezes across the bay, the sunsets seen here are among the most
brilliant and colorful one could ever imagine. |
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Wheaton Village
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Spend some time in the
1880s enjoying the rich crafts heritage of
Southern New Jersey. There are
many craft specialty/shops. This is a delightful sightseeing/shopping
experience. Lunch/snacks are available on your own, or as a group.
Additional costs will include a guided tour of the Wheaton
Glass Museum. |
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Cape May Nature Center
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The Nature Center of Cape May was founded in 1992,
with the twin goals of creating a responsible stewardship program for open
space surrounding Cape May Harbor and providing environmental education for
people of all ages. The Center's focus on "hands-on" activities reflects a
philosophy of personal responsibility for education. Adopted by the New
Jersey Audubon Society in 1995, the Nature Center is one of nine staffed
nature centers throughout the state. The facility, located on the Harbor in
Cape May City, includes three classrooms, exhibit aquaria, a small gift
shop, and display gardens. The harbor and adjacent area provide natural
areas that are used in the Center's programs. In addition, the Center is
close to a diversity of habitats, which are easily incorporated into its
programs. A variety of educational programs is available, either at the
Nature Center or at alternate sites such as a school or club. The Nature
Center offers a full schedule of natural history programs for the general
public throughout the year. Nature Center programs are modular. Teachers may
choose among the offerings and tailor a program to their curriculum or
interests. (609) 898-8848 |
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Cape May County Park and Zoo
- Located off Exit 11 on the Garden
State Parkway, our zoo is accredited by the American Association of Zoological
Parks and Aquariums, placing it with the finest zoos in the world. There
are over 250 species and many brand new exhibits. Admission is free. |
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Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC)
- Offers step-on guides
for the Cape May Point area. Call
Group Tours at 609-884-5404 for details. They also offer a myriad of tours
of Cape May's historic collection of Victoriana. There are walking tours,
trolley tours and tours of individual Bed & Breakfast establishments, as
well as numerous other activities. |
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"World Famous"
Wildwood Boardwalk
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This 2 mile long boardwalk has a total of five amusement piers plus a myriad
of other carnival games, souvenir shops, food stands, waterparks and world
class roller coasters. The boardwalk stretches from 16th Ave. in North
Wildwood to Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest. |
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Public Golf Courses: |
| Avalon Golf Club -
US9, Swainton |
(609) 465-4653 |
| Cape May National - Rt.9, 2mi. south of Rt.47, Cape May |
(609) 884-1563 |
| Ocean City Golf Course
(open year round)
26th and Bay Ave., Ocean City |
(609) 399-1315 |
| Ponderlodge
(open year round)
Bayshore Rd. & Shawmount Ave.,Villas |
(609) 886-8065 |
| Sand Barrens -
US9, Swainton |
(609) 465-3555 |
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