Cool Cape May 2021-22

[58] summer year-round events activities
SEE THE ISLAND,
TAKE A LITTLE RED
TROLLEY TOUR!
You’ve no doubt seen those red trolleys meandering through
the island and you’ve likely waited behind one in your car
(be patient, you’re on island time!). Well, if you haven’t tried
one, now’s the time, whatever month of the year. Cape May
MAC operates the trolley rides, most of which depart from
the Washington Street Mall information booth. For details
on when trolley rides run, call MAC at 609-884-5404 or visit
capemaymac.org.
SPIRITS & ODDITIES
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth (except where noted) and travels
through Cape May’s historic district.
How Long It Lasts: Thirty minutes.
What It Is: Headless photography? Electric corsets? Coffin
torpedoes? You won’t believe some of the strange beliefs,
oddities, fads and superstitions of the Victorians. Hear stories
on this from Cape May’s history that bring to life the bizarre,
the unexplained or the just plain weird.
Who It’s For: You’re drawn to the macabre. Philadelphia’s
Mutter Museum is on your fave list.
HISTORIC HAUNTS
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth and Trolley Stop. Travel the historic
district in Cape May then visit the Physick House Museum on
the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate.
How Long It Lasts: An hour.
What Is It: Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic
District and hear stories of haunted Cape May. Step off the
trolley at the Physick House Museum with your guide and see
the first floor of the Physick House Museum, reputed to be
haunted, as you learn about Victorian Spiritualism.
Who It’s For: You are a huge fan of Halloween. You might
have paid for a psychic reading once or twice.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth and travels through Cape May’s historic
district.
How Long It Lasts: Forty-five minutes.
What It Is: Known as the Queen of the Seaside Resorts for
its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May
is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the
entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing
one of the country’s largest collections of 19th century
framed buildings, the historic district features many styles of
Victorian architecture. It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Wonderful
tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture
and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day.
Who It’s For: Anyone and everyone who finds Cape May
delightful.
MANSIONS BY THE SEA
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth and travels along Beach Drive,
through the early 20th century East Cape May development
areas.
How Long It Lasts: Forty-five minutes.
What It Is: Don’t be green with envy on this when you see
how well the rich lived in the early 1900s in the most elegant
part of town. You’ll see the broad streets and massive plots
on Cape May’s east side on this — an area marketed as New
Cape May at the turn of the 20th century. Today, new, beachfront
second homeowners have continued the tradition, running
the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously rich.
Who It’s For: You are curious how the one-quarter of one
percent lives.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth and travels through parts of Cape
May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including
the Mount Zion Cemetery.
How Long It Lasts: Around 90 minutes.
What It Is: Cape May was part of the Underground Railroad
and this tells of those fraught, dangerous days. African-
American slaves fled their chains in Maryland, Delaware
and Virginia and braved strong currents and stormy seas,
guided by the beacon at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear
how legendary anti-slavery fighter Harriet Tubman walked
these streets, as did businessman and former slave, Stephen
Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom.
Co-sponsored by Cape May MAC and the Center for Community
Arts.
Who It’s For: Anyone and everyone who seeks to understand
our nation’s history.
WELCOME TO CAPE MAY
Where It Goes: Throughout Cape May. Tours begin and end
at the Washington Street Mall.
How Long It Lasts: Forty-five minutes.
What It Is: This is the best introduction to Cape May for firsttimers.
Find the hidden gems and the little-known treasures
of this glorious seaside town and learn about natural and cultural
points of interest.