Sure the holidays are supposed to be joyful, but when you’re bogged down with to-do lists, gift buying, and decorating on top of all your everyday stuff, that’s a recipe for dampening your holiday spirits. So here’s an idea— why not slow down and recapture that joy during a weekend away that celebrates a classic small-town Christmas like those Hallmark movies? Create a new holiday tradition by heading to Christmas in Cape May, where this Victorian-era village lights up with jolly decor, holiday-filled happenings, Santa sightings, and of course, lots of old-fashioned charm. And with off-season rates at hotels, this is that family escape you’ve been dreaming of—without blowing your holiday budget. Read on to make this the merriest time for your family this season. If summer in Cape May is more your cup of cocoa, check out NJMOM’s guide to kid-friendly things to do in Cape May.
Featured Photo Credit: Congress Hall Cape May
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Things to do to celebrate Christmas in Cape May
MAC Center for Santa Breakfast and all family-friendly events
Before you plan your Christmas in Cape May, check out this listing of events that is the Little Black Book of Christmas in Cape May—you’ll find everything you need to know in their interactive calendar, including kid-centric activities, tours of Victorian decorated inns, local gift ideas and the inside scoop for where to see the big guy in the red suit. Want to book breakfast with Santa? Althea’s at the Inn at Cape May is hosting Mr. Claus this year on weekends, but reservations and tickets must be made in advance. Buy your tickets through MAC here.
Cape May Convention Hall
This event space has incredible views (it’s located on the beach) and hosts a ton of holiday festivities, including their Holiday Crafts Fair, which features pottery, jewelry, home accessories, and more from local artists and makers (perfect for picking up gifts or decor). There’s also a roster of holiday concerts and a free family fun day featuring Santa and many kid-friendly activities, like games, bouncy houses, and face painting. (Please make sure to check ahead of time due to the ever-changing events during this time).
Physick Estate Christmas House Tour
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit
All That Glitters Trolley Tour
What better way to see Cape May in its holiday best than on an old-fashioned trolley ride? Kids will be in awe of the twinkling lights and festive decor on homes and inns in the historic district. Expect it to feel like 1899 as the Victorians ring in the new year during the trolley tour.
Cape May Carriage Tours
No Christmas movie experience would be complete with a historic horse and carriage ride—and with the lights on the candy-colored houses twinkling, it captures the magic of the holidays perfectly. You can take a ride in a decorated wagon, classic coach, or for a storybook feel, book the Cinderella Pumpkin ride, which is a beautiful lit-up carriage fit for a princess or prince.
Winter Wonderland At Congress Hall
Cape May County Zoo
Willow Creek Farm and Winery
Hotels to stay in for Christmas in Cape May
Lokal Hotel
This boutique beach hotel is a fresh twist of modern design in a sea of Victorian-style bed and breakfast inns. The fam will feel right at home here— each room features a cozy living room, a full-service, stocked kitchen with plenty of dining space (so you can have meals in with littles), marble bathrooms, and comfy beds, including some with kid-friendly bunks. Feeling like you need to unwind? Schedule a massage while kids play board games provided by the hotel. Local Hotels’ smaller size and attention to detail give you a sense of calm as soon as you step through the doors—a welcome relief to all the holiday hustle and bustle happening outside.
5 Stockton Place, Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 536-9157
ICONA Cape May
This beachside, newly-renovated boutique hotel is awash in white and blues with a fresh contemporary feel that puts you in vacation mode as soon as you walk through the doors. The ample nautical-style rooms can accommodate any size family (book an ocean-view suite for separate living and sleeping areas if you want more space) and bathrooms are super luxe with marble finishes. And the hotel is in a great location for exploring—with a prime spot on Ocean Ave, it’s a short walk (or trolley ride) to all the festivities in the center of town.
1101 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 551-0100
The Grand Hotel
You can’t beat the beachfront location, huge-sized rooms and suites with kitchenettes, the onsite family-friendly restaurant Hemingway’s, and an indoor pool at this full-service resort. Kids will have a ball splashing around in the pool and playing arcade games in the game room while you sweat it out in the fitness center. Each morning, Hemingway’s offers a huge breakfast menu filled with Belgium waffle and omelets, and since both their lunch and dinner menu feature locally-sourced seafood and mouthwatering steaks, there’s no need to leave the hotel (which is so key when you’ve got littles that go to bed early). If you can carve out adult time (and swing a sitter), check out the Hemingway’s Bar.
1045 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
(800) 257-8550
Congress Hall
This picture-perfect, historic hotel is what Christmas in Cape May dreams are made of— the seaside resort transforms into a winter wonderland complete with a carousel, train, an enchanted shopping village, and Santa’s Workshop, where kids can get personalized elf hats, listen to Mrs.Claus read stories, make crafts and write letters to the big guy. If that’s not enough, the entire resort is decorated with a traditional yuletide touch from top to bottom with fresh greens, giant nutcrackers, and a magnificent lit tree that makes you feel like you’ve landed in a classic Christmas movie. Opt for one of their holiday packages that include a family bingo and dinner, breakfast with Santa, or a festive feast complete with all the trimmings on Christmas Day.
200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204
(888) 944-1816
The Virginia Hotel
Ok, this one is not kid-friendly, but it’s worth a mention if you can sneak away for a romantic weekend to this beautiful manor, which has privileges with Congress Hall (hello fitness room and spa). The gorgeous, charming decor makes you feel like you’re in a friend’s fantastic country house—each room boasts luxe Belgium linens and plush furnishings done up in crisp whites and soft blues, while the cozy living room downstairs has a roaring fireplace and comfy leather chairs. A continental breakfast is included with each room, and for dinner, you won’t want to go any further than the famed Ebbitt Room— they source the cuisine from their very own Beach Plum Farm, and there’s a jazzy piano player on weekends. Guests with children are invited to stay in their private Virginia Cottages.
25 Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
(800) 732-4236
Where do you love to celebrate Christmas in Cape May?
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1 Comment
Good afternoon,
Hello – my name is Terry Harris and I am the author of the Amazon Kindle book…
A Christmas Kiss in Cape May.
My warm touching story celebrates Christmas, family, romance and Cape May. This unique book is perfect for the Christmas Holidays.
I am also the author of such books as … America The Magnificent, Cape May, My Love, Ollie Smudgenose Cat Tales Across The Milky Way and several other books.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Terry Harris
MA, BA, BS in Education
Villanova University
MFA graduate studies
Florida State University
MS in gifted education
Nova Southeastern University