Cape May County Select

Cape May, New Jersey offers a unique blend of relaxed coastal living, preserved history, and cultural attractions. As the only city in the United States to be designated as a historic landmark in its entirety, the beautiful Victorian architecture throughout Cape May makes it a beautiful town to call home—whether it’s year-round or just for the summer. Beautifully and conveniently located at the end of a peninsula at the southernmost tip of the state, residents of Cape May can enjoy a coastal lifestyle in America's oldest seaside resort town or take a daytrip to larger cities. D.R. Horton offers a range of Cape May homes for sale that are suitable for every stage in life. All of our new construction homes in Cape May offer spacious open floorplans and smart home technology.

Why choose Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May, located in Cape May County, combines the laid-back coastal living culture with a friendly small-town atmosphere. Originally a whaling and fishing village, Cape May is known today for its pristine beaches, birdwatching opportunities, and the largest collection of preserved Victorian architecture in the country. The entirety of Cape May is a National Historic Landmark, making the town a beautiful site by itself. The variety of fun events and the charming community make it a great place to call home.

Cape May provides an appealing place for families, retirees, and beachgoers seeking a home that balances small-town charm with seaside amenities and entertainment. The nearby Delaware Bay, just a short walk from most areas of town, is perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, and birdwatching, and provides transportation to Delaware via ferry. Residents can also head into Atlantic City, a 45-mile drive, or Philadelphia, PA, about 90 miles away, for a change in scenery or entertainment.

Community life in Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is a friendly small-town with lots to do and enjoy. The town’s laid back, coastal lifestyle makes it easy to make friends with similar interests and enjoy events in town and the surrounding areas.

There are always community events and festivals to participate in, especially seasonal celebrations. The Gardens of Cape May Tour celebrates spring and features both public and private gardens around town, including gardens at some of the many historic Victorian homes in Cape May. As the season turns, residents gather together for the Harvest Brew Fest, an event that showcases local craft breweries and bands. The day’s festivities include family-friendly activities like lawn games and magic shows, along with food available from local food trucks. October also features Halloween Happenings, tours of the Cape May historic district that feature ghost stories and Halloween decor. The holiday season ushers in several great events for all ages as the town transforms itself into a charming winter Dickens village. The town prepares for this winter tradition by decking the halls throughout the town, with the gaslit streets featuring decorations, carolers, and all the merriment of the season. Children will not want to miss Cape May’s annual Breakfast with Santa, when the big man himself comes by to grab a bite to eat and hear Christmas wishes. Families also enjoy gathering for a number of tree lighting ceremonies in the area. Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall, a historic inn, features a traditional Christmas village, a carousel, shopping, and children’s activities. The town also offers holiday-themed trolley rides. The most popular event of the season, however, is the Christmas Candlelight House Tours. The Victorian homes, inns, and churches included on the tour are beautifully decorated for the holidays, and many of the historic properties open their doors and feature their interior decor as well. The tradition is the pinnacle of all the seasonal splendor in Cape May around the holidays.

The town has celebrations and events throughout the year apart from the holidays as well. Cape May's Victorian Weekend, typically held in October, honors the approximately 600 preserved Victorian homes, inns, and guesthouses. The event features house tours, craft shows, presentations, trolley rides, and a vintage baseball game in which the teams dress in vintage uniforms and play the game by traditional 1860s rules. There are also several music festivals featuring different genres. The Cape May Music Festival features symphony and classical music, and the Exit Zero Jazz Festival each fall and spring features international touring artists, bringing a variety of musical styles to Cape May. The Exit Zero Jazz Festival also brings thousands of tourists to town, with performances on the stage in Cape May Convention Hall and a full weekend schedule in Cape May’s bars and restaurants.

The town also hosts multiple crafts fairs throughout the year, all containing plenty of booths with artists and artisans from throughout the Northeast showcasing a wide range of interesting and unique wares and collectibles. Residents can also participate in two annual Sherlock Holmes weekends in the fall. The interactive play begins on Saturday morning, and you have the weekend to find the clues throughout the town before the mystery is revealed on Sunday. Those looking for a different kind of intellectual adventure can participate in the Cape May Annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture series, which brings renowned scholars and lecturers to town to discuss their research and insights.

Cape May also dedicates time to gather together and honor the Coast Guard. The town is home to one of the largest Coast Guard training centers in the United States, and Cape May County is considered the Coast Guard’s Hometown. The USCG Training Center offers Sunset Parades throughout the summer months, which are free and open to the public. The parades feature recruits marching in formation, the recruit band, the Recruit Precision Drill Team, and cannon fire. For a closer look at the Coast Guard Base, residents can attend the annual Coast Guard Community Festival, which features an inside look at Cape May vessels, a Coast Guard helicopter, and explore the facility. There are Coast Guard demonstrations, live music, local food and brews, and a Kids’ Zone. The event is free to attend, though funds generated during the festival go to USCG Training Center Cape May’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation branch, which provides programs and services to improve the quality of life of service members and their families.

Home to many historical and cultural sites as well, there is no need to wait for an event or festival to plan something fun. The Cape May Lighthouse is a prominent local landmark open to the public. Residents can climb the 199 original steps to the top for a stunning view of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Though the lighthouse still serves as an active aid to navigation, its history and background are displayed through interpretive panels on the climb and throughout the grounds. Another important historic site in the area is the World War II Lookout Tower, which is now part of Cape May Point State Park and the last remaining World War II Lookout Tower in New Jersey. The site includes information about the Harbor Defense of the Delaware system and a Wall of Honor that pays tribute to local residents who served during World War II. It’s easy to journey back in time at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum. The historic home, built in the late 1800s, is considered one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. The home offers guided tours for an in-depth look at a Victorian family’s life and lifestyle, and the grounds are frequently used for the many festivals and fairs that are such an important part of Cape May.

It’s easy to plan a fun foodie outing in Cape May as well. The Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian shopping area, is perfect for leisurely strolling before grabbing dinner at one of the local restaurants. If you’d rather focus on the beverage with the meal, you can enjoy the Cape May Wine Trails or the Cape May Beer Trails, which feature the area’s excellent vineyards and craft breweries. West Cape May also features additional foodie events, with both the popular Lima Bean Festival and the annual West Cape May Strawberry Festival. Both of which feature a variety of great foods, arts, crafts, and baked goods. For fresh produce beyond the festivals, the West Cape May Farmers’ Market runs June through August and offers fresh produce from nearby farms. The event is more than an opportunity to purchase groceries, however. With live music and vendors selling dinner options as well, it is also a fun family outing.

With its combination of historical charm, proximity to beach attractions, and events, Cape May provides a well-rounded living experience for those seeking a balance between coastal comfort and recreational opportunities in southern New Jersey.

Outdoor adventures in Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May provides residents with year-round outdoor enjoyment. The city's parks and preserves allow locals to experience nature through various activities such as picnicking, hiking, birdwatching, beach walks, fishing, swimming, surfing, and kayaking.

Beach Avenue is perfect for strolls and cycling. While strolling the two-mile promenade, it’s easy to enjoy the pristine shores and beautiful vistas. Sunset Beach is another great beach perfect for fun activities. While it is popular for its evening flag-lowering ceremony, it is best known for “Cape May Diamonds,” the clear quartz pebbles that can be cut and polished to resemble diamonds. If you are looking to get into the water and enjoy the ocean wildlife, the Cape May Nature center offers harbor safaris and guided kayaking.

Cape May is a great place for wildlife observation whether on the beach, in the harbor, or on the trails. Widely considered North America’s greatest bird watching location, the town has become the Birding Capital of North America. The fall migration brings more than 400 species to the area, though there are beautiful birds taking flight year-round. The Cape May Bird Observatory regularly hosts the World Series of Birding, during which birders endeavor to count as many species as possible in a single day. The observatory also provides guided walks and educational programs about the area's diverse bird population. Cape May Point, where the observatory is located, also has marked trails for self-guided hikes through the area to help facilitate spotting and observing various birds. Another flying spectacular sight in the area is Monarch butterflies, which migrate through the area in the fall. There are many ideal locations to view the Monarchs in Cape May, but Cape May Point State Park is considered one of the best observation spots because of its ideal landscape conditions.

The Cape May Point State Park is just a few minutes away, and it encompasses a 244-acre preserve that serves as the natural habitat for many of the birds and wildlife in the area. Admission to the park is free, and there are many hiking trails suitable for different fitness levels. Though some of the trails travel through wooded areas, the shortest trail, the Red Trail, is on a footpath that is wheelchair accessible. Residents can explore coastal dunes, marshes, and forest habitats while observing local wildlife.

Those looking to catch fish rather than observe them have plenty of options too. Cape May Point is popular for its jetties, which provide good spots for catching flounder, weakfish, kingfish, croakers, and snapper bluefish. Surf fishing is available along the Atlantic Ocean side of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge from October 1 to March 31 and year-round along the Cape May Inlet. Boat charters are available through several companies, whose captains provide guidance on catching striped bass, fluke, sea bass, and other fish, and those looking for a little competition can participate in the Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club fishing tournaments held throughout the summer.

Of course, hiking and boating are not the only way to enjoy the area’s beauty; cycling is a popular outdoor activity in Cape May and throughout New Jersey. The Cape May Shoreline Ride offers a scenic coastal 46.4-mile loop starting and ending at the Cape May Lighthouse, taking cyclists past various attractions, including the Cape May Bird Observatory and Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. There are options for biking in town too. The Cape May County Trail Network, which includes the Cold Spring Bike Path and Middle Township Bike Path, provides a combined 11.6-mile paved route from Historic Cold Spring Village to the Cape May County Park and Zoo.

It’s easy to plan an outing in the area too. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is free and convenient. Just 14 miles up the Garden State Parkway, the zoo houses hundreds of animals, including zebras and giraffes, in a natural savanna setting. They also have an adventure with zip lines and tree-top obstacle courses with a range of difficulty levels. Those looking for an outing on the ground and on the green will find great options in and around Cape May as well. Located in town, Cape May National Golf Club is a nine-hole course known for its natural setting and pristine conditions. Just 15 miles away, Avalon Golf Club offers an 18-hole public golf course that caters to all skill levels.

With its combination of beaches, parks, nearby natural areas, and easy access to diverse recreational activities, Cape May offers residents numerous opportunities to engage in outdoor recreation throughout the year. The city's commitment to preserving nature and providing varied outdoor experiences ensures that residents can easily find ways to stay active and enjoy the outdoors.

Businesses and economics in Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is home to one of the largest U.S. Coast Guard training facilities in the country, and the site is one of the area’s major employers. Many residents also work in the healthcare industry, and the area’s hospitals, especially Cape Regional Medical Center and Cooper University Hospital, provide plenty of job opportunities.

Cape May’s primary industry, however, is tourism. There are many seasonal and year-round positions in hospitality and nature-based tourism services. Many locals start their own businesses, capitalizing on the tourist interest in the area’s Victorian architecture, beautiful beaches, and unique wildlife features. The Washington Street Mall is home to many local businesses ranging from cool shops to excellent restaurants.

The area’s ecosystem also contributes to the area’s economy. The nearby Wetlands Institute provides employment opportunities in environmental research and education, and the local fishing industry provides jobs on boats and in seafood processing.

For residents looking to expand their employment options, Atlantic City is less than an hour away on the Garden State Parkway.

What makes Cape May a great place to live

Cape May offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with access to beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and a welcoming community atmosphere. The beauty of the area and local events have made it popular for tourists, and those same qualities make it a great place to call home—whether it’s a year-round residence or a seasonal escape.

With regular events and seasonal attractions, there is always something to enjoy in town. The small-town atmosphere and friendly culture make the area even more appealing. Families, professionals, retirees, and seasonal residents love the area’s beauty, both in natural landscapes and the local community.

Cape May’s location makes it easy to get away for a weekend adventure or vacation. Atlantic City and Philadelphia enable Cape May residents to access big-city amenities, and Atlantic City International Airport, about 45 miles away, makes air travel convenient for residents and visitors.

New construction homes Cape May

D.R. Horton's new Cape May homes for sale are great for people at any stage of life. With access to job opportunities, natural beauty, and many activities and conveniences, D.R. Horton single-family homes in Cape May offer something for everyone. Browse our listings of houses for sale Cape May today.