Last month we visited the Cape May Lighthouse and Gardens at Cape May Point State Park in New Jersey. The lighthouse is free to visit and offers free parking. You can visit their website to obtain their hours of operation which varies according to the season. The only admission fee is if you want to enter and go inside the lighthouse. You can climb to the top using the stairs to get a scenic few of the Cape May area, Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay.
Every couple of years we stop in to see what’s new. This year we took the time to walk all around the lighthouse property and gardens. It’s a really nice area and is handicap accessible. There are information boards that you can read to learn about the light keepers over the decades, learn about some of the women who have worked at the lighthouse, about the lifesaving boat, the on-site oil storage house and so forth.
On the property is a little FREE museum you can visit. It only takes 10 to go inside and look around. It’s very small. Inside you’ll see a turtle, snake, fish, etc. along with a big display of seashells that can be found along the Jersey Coast and some specimens that were found around the world. It’s air conditioned and inside…a nice little rainy day activity for the family to enjoy.
There’s a little on-site gift shop where you can purchase some souvenirs – thimbles, books, t-shirts, hats, refrigerator magnets, holiday ornaments, etc. They have bottled water, canned beverages and snacks you can buy too. Very small gift shop with your typical “tourist” style prices.
Toward’s the back of the park you’ll find parking spaces that you can use if you plan on visiting the natural trails. We enjoy walking them to see some of the local wildlife. You’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring along your sunscreen, bug spray and a water bottle. They’re easy trails to walk.
Visiting the park is time well-spent on any afternoon that your down in the Cape May area.