CAPE MAY VICTORIAN WINTER WONDERLAND

Though Cape May rentals are most often associated with summer vacations, the holidays are a fabulous time to visit the seaside paradise. During the winter months, Cape May, New Jersey, transforms its seaside Victorian setting into a winter wonderland, giving visitors a glimpse of a Dickensian Christmas. The town even hosts a “Dickens Christmas Extravaganza“ at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC).

With the beach crowd gone, Cape May visitors find traffic is greatly reduced and the pace of life slows down. From shopping at the Washington Street Mall, to enjoying Fire Pit Fridays at Willow Creek Winery, and visiting the local historic estates, there is something for everyone. Winter views from the Cape May Lighthouse include frost-covered dunes and icy seascapes.

One experience visitors won’t want to miss in December is the Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour, arguably the main attraction of Cape May’s festive holiday season. The tour features homes, inns, hotels and churches elaborately decorated for the holidays and it’s sure to get any Grinch or Scrooge into the holiday spirit. As the Cape May MAC blog says:

“There’s something about coming back to a simpler time that resonates with everyone, especially those jaded with Christmas commercials and jingles that try to convince you that your friends and family can’t be happy without the latest electronic upgrade.”

Additional events that deserve mentioning are the West Cape May Christmas Parade and Cape May’s tree lighting ceremony and community caroling. During hospitality night on the Washington Street Mall, customers enjoy treats and refreshments as they finish their holiday shopping.

Even Santa Claus makes appearances in Cape May during the holiday! Children can spot him outside the Original Fudge Kitchen and a few local restaurants offer Breakfast with Santa. For a list of all Cape May’s festivities, visit the Cape May MAC website.

To book Cape May rentals for the holiday season, visit Shore Summer Rentals’ Cape May listing page.