It’s Summer! Let’s go down the shore! In fact, let’s spend the whole summer down the shore, whaddya say?!
We’re going to bounce from beach to beach…until Labor Day. Two weeks per beach: a little fun, a little learning, and a whole lot of Cape May magic.
Why Cape May? Because it’s at the bottom. The bottom of the state. And we absolutely LOVE the song.
Driving into the point feels like entering a tiny world all by itself… and yes… there are dolphins. Whales. Sharks. And an absolute plethora of fish and birds. Did I mention more dolphins?
But Cape May isn’t all dolphins. Even if there weren’t dolphins, this little beach – and town – would still be captivating. Picture Victorian homes with gingerbread trim. Picture quiet streets where bicycles hum along the promenade. Picture the sun setting over Delaware Bay after a day beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Unlike bustling shore towns, Cape May lets smaller moments shine: spotting someone hunting for Cape May Diamonds, hearing the ocean mix with bird calls, or simply stopping to say, “Look at that.”
There’s Cape May Point and its lighthouse. Sunset Beach and the partially submerged SS Atlantus. Higbee and Poverty Beaches for those who prefer a quieter day. Pods of dolphins often cruise offshore as if they bought front-row tickets. Migrating birds fill the skies. Monarchs drift along. Sand, water, sunsets, porches, ice cream, and the occasional seagull trying grand theft french fry… perfection.
For the next two weeks here at Down the Shore Field Guide, we’ll explore Cape May one beach chair at a time: local history, quirky traditions, landmarks, hidden spots, and surprises even longtime visitors might not know.