Charming and Historic Cape May, New Jersey

By: Matthew Keegan
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:52
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Located at the southern most tip of the state of New Jersey, Cape May is a historic seashore town, a bird lover's dream come true, and a fisherman's paradise all wrapped up into a popular vacation destination. Let's take a look at this noted community located at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay.

Named for the Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey [spelling later changed to May}, the town became America's first seashore resort in 1761. During the 1800s the community rose to fame as it quickly became one of the country's top vacation destinations. Indeed, hundreds of "Victorian style" homes were built in the town and most of these homes still stand today. In fact, no other locale in the USA boasts as many Victorian homes as does Cape May.

To appreciate the history of the area, visitors are encouraged to stop by the Greater Cape May Historical Society, which is located at the Colonial House Museum on Washington Street, right behind City Hall. The historical society features varying exhibits of local historical interest; a visit to the society will rouse your appetite to explore the resort in detail.

The resort is best traversed on foot, which will allow you to take in all the bed and breakfast establishments [which consist of some of the most charming of the Victorian homes], inns, shops and restaurants, as well as taking a stroll on the boardwalk and beaches. In the height of the summer tourist season, foot traffic oftentimes goes faster than automobile traffic so go ahead and get into your walking shoes and prepare to take in the sites and the salty air on foot.

Birders flock to the cape at all times of the year as the area boasts a phenomenal and varied bird population. During the Spring and again in the Fall, members of the National Audubon Society gather together for workshops, boat trips, field trips, bird viewing, and more. Because of its unique position on the east coast, Cape May attracts a stunning variety of migratory birds including hawks, owls, and peregrine falcons. Without a doubt there are few places on earth as popular for bird enthusiasts. When not viewing birds you can take in Cape May's Lighthouse which still features an operating beacon!

Fishermen are attracted to the area because of the variety of species you can catch. Striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish are all in abundance while white perch, sea trout, herring, croakers, and sea bass are plentiful too. There are ample amounts of tidal creeks and rivers offering access to avid fishermen as well as jetties, inlets, docks and bridges, back bays, sod banks, the ocean, and the Delaware Bay. You can charter a boat for some good quality deep sea fishing as well.

Nearby attractions to Cape May include historic Cold Spring Village, a remake of communities that existed in the area during the 1800s; Cape May County Park and Zoo, featuring over one hundred species of wildlife; the Wildwoods, a thriving resort community just four miles north of the cape; and Avalon and Stone Harbor, fine resort communities between the Wildwoods and Ocean City.

Cape May, New Jersey is located just south of where the Garden State Parkway begins. Visit the Cape May Times' website for up to the moment resort information and links: http://www.capemaytimes.com/.

Article source: Expert Articles