4 FREE Nature Inspired Activities to do in Cape May

Cape May is a nature lover’s paradise! You can find all kinds of different things to see and do that involve the great outdoors. You can go fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, whale & dolphin watching, seashell collecting, bird watching, etc. Plus, it’s one of the nicest places to visit at the Jersey Shore.

Our family loves to spend time outdoors. While visiting Cape May we had the opportunity to enjoy 4 nature inspired activities that are family-friendly and affordable (try FREE).

Sunset Beach – You’ll find Sunset Beach a short drive from the downtown area. The beach is FREE (no beach tags required) and you’ll get gorgeous views of the Delaware Bay. You can sit on the beach and watch the boats go by or sunbathe. There’s a grille where you can pick up a bite to eat, shop in one of the three gift shops or play a round of miniature golf. We think it’s a great beach if you want to go hunting for those famous Cape May Diamonds! Every night at sunset they honor America’s fallen heroes with a nightly flag ceremony.

Audubon’s Nature Center of Cape May – We stumbled upon this center totally by accident. You can go into the center to learn about the area’s wildlife and history. It’s free to visit! They had a few crabs, turtles and fish set up in aquariums (on the second floor), a small play area for kids (first floor) and a nice little gift shop. You can climb the steps in the tower to get some gorgeous views of Cape May Harbor.

The Nature Conservancy South Cape May Meadows – You’ll want an easy-to-walk trail that leads out to the beach and loops around the other side of the nature preserve. As you walk along the trail you’ll see various sea birds, turtles, snakes (yes, we saw a snake), rabbits, squirrels and other critters that call this area home. Halfway around you’ll find a wooden platform deck that you can go up on to get some scenic views of the area. Again, free to visit!!!

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge – The refuge is a short drive from downtown Cape May. You’ll need to head towards Wildwood where you’ll actually find it located on the southern tip of the island. It has a marked walking trail that leads from the parking lot, through some sandy dunes and out to the beach along the Atlantic Ocean. Certain times of the year you can see nesting birds, turtles and other wildlife that lives in the area.

We enjoy visiting Cape May at least once every year. If you want to avoid the crowded tourist season we recommend visiting during the month of May or September/October. Those three months of the year have gorgeous weather which allows you to spend a decent amount of time outdoors. Plus, you avoid the crowds!