Avalon Campground

Unsurprisingly, a trip to the shore will undoubtedly involve quite a bit of beach time. There are several beaches to choose from, and the most convenient, Cape May City Beach, has tons of activities, shops, and eateries to enjoy when you’re not lounging on the sand or taking a dip in the Atlantic. City Beach’s sand is regularly cleaned and powdery soft, so it’s the perfect place for a family outing. At the southern end of the beach is the Cape May Lighthouse, which has a small museum to explore at its base, and you can climb the 200 or so steps to the top for excellent views of the beachfront.

Birdwatchers should stop by the Nature Center a short walk up from the north end of the beach. It’s a great place to spot seabirds, and there’s a small aquarium where you can check out fish, crustaceans, and other sea life native to Cape May. The center regularly hosts events like bike tours and beach hikes where the staff will help you spot the wildlife and tell you more about them.

Cape May isn’t just about the beach, though; there are also some great hiking trails farther inland. Maurice River Bluff Preserve is a short distance up Highway 347 and has some well-marked and very easy trails to explore. The preserve envelopes the ruins of a couple of houses that are a favorite with urban explorers and photographers, as are the rusted out cars nearby.

Cape May has a wealth of great attractions to explore when you rent an RV in the area. Start your tour of the cute oceanside town at the Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only outdoor mall that is lined with Victorian houses and dozens of quaint shops selling locally-made products, gourmet eateries, and interesting art galleries. Towards the end of Washington Street is the Cape May Fire Department Museum, a small but well-curated space packed with vintage fire trucks, carriages, and water delivery systems. The exhibits tell a fascinating story of how the resort town has fought the flames over the past century and how it has evolved into the efficient department that it is today.

To delve even further into the town’s history, stop by the Historic Cold Spring Village, just a few miles north of Cape May. The living history museum takes visitors on a tour of pre-industrial New Jersey with exhibits demonstrating activities like blacksmithing, carpentry, and wool-spinning. There’s also a brewery on-site and several shops to peruse; if you bring your own lunch (or order one from a restaurant on the grounds), this is also a great spot for a family picnic.

Fans of military history should check out Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, located up the Garden State Parkway from Cape May. The historic wooden hanger is home to several aircraft, including the World War II-era Corsairs, along with Red Cross helicopters, and some more modern fighter jets used by the Blue Angels squadron. There are several interactive exhibits explaining the science and engineering side of flight mechanics too. However, the museum’s primary mission is to honor the men who died here during training exercises before they were to be shipped out for World War II.