Cape May

Congress Hall Beach

Congress Hall- Literally !

Even during the pandemic menu research & development must go on! So we decided upon Cape May, New Jersey for a couple short trips during late summer/ early fall. We decided to stay at Congress Hall, our nation’s oldest seaside hotel ! It is located right off the square in town center so the location is perfect. And the hotel is very grand, indeed. There is a dignified grass courtyard and pool overlooking the Atlantic ocean. And if you walk to the beach, they provide complimentary pink umbrellas, towels and chaise lounges!

In town, there are tons of gift shops, bars and restaurants. Unfortunately the two times we went, indoor dining was not allowed, but we could eat outside and the town square was basically a street party! Here are our recommendations of things to do, eat and drink…

  1. Cracking Some Crabs

    Elaine’s Restaurant- live music most nights, good food and very good martinis!

    Congress Hall- Literally !

  2. Cape May Brewery- located outside of town so you have to drive a couple miles but they have very nice beers and an outdoor drinkery.
  3. The Lobster House- a tourist trap that has a beautiful long deck that overlooks a canal that heads out to the Atlantic. Great Lobsters and raw bar and big caesar salads. The food is always fresh because the place is so darn busy!
  4. Horse Drawn Buggy Through Town- what more can I say?
  5. Cape May Point- visit the lighthouse then head to the quaint General Store for a bight to eat. Rent a bike to get there.
  6. Willow Creek Winery & Farm- nice tasting samples of their wine. The foods is solid and they even do yoga classes out in the vineyard.
  7. Sunset Beach- at the very end of the cape it is a fisherman’s fave. Have lunch at The Grill.
  8. Port Norris (rare find)- we visited this throwback in time on the way home (it’s only about 20 minutes from Philly and you’ve probably never heard of this place). Located on the river, it feels like it is about 1950. I discovered Port Norris is the oyster capital of the east coast and the oysters were fresh and succulent indeed.

Can’t wait to back!