LOWER TOWNSHIP. Settled in the 1600s by whalers, boasts many families descended from the Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower. That history is preserved at Historic Cold Spring Village, a living museum of the 1850s, and the Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery where many Mayflower descendants are buried. Tours of Cold Spring Church and Cemetery are held annually and visitors can stroll through the Village, stepping back to the 19th century as authentically-garbed craftspeople make history come alive.

Naval Air Station Wildwood, located at the Cape May County airport, has exhibits of vintage planes and military memorabilia. The hangar is listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places. Dr. Joesph and Anne Salvatore, founders of both Historic Cold Spring Village and Naval Air Station Wildwood are the 2003 recipients of the Smithsonian Magazine Sustainable Toursim Award for Historic Preservation.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry, a major link for north and south bound traffic, docks in Lower Township. The Ferry offers year round service for travelers as well as pleasurable cruises across the Delaware Bay.
Lower Township is also home to the Cape May Lighthouse. Its 199-step spiral staircase offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Jersey Cape. Visitors also enjoy the Museum Gift Shop located adjacent to the Lighthouse.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP. Near Cape May Court House, the John Holmes House c. 1755, houses the Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Museum, a wonderful stop for a fascinating journey through hundreds of years of county history.

The Cape May County Park and Zoo offers more than 200 wooded acres with tree-lined paths, natural and seasonal gardens, picnic areas, playgrounds, bike trails and a fishing pond. Nearly 400 animals representing 135 species inhabit the zoo, accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. The park and zoo are open seven days a week and admission is free.

The Wetlands Institute on Stone Harbor Blvd., is a hands-on ecology classroom with recently refurbished exhibits that focus on turtles, horseshoe crabs and fish. Walk through the salt marsh or enjoy an extraordinary view of the vast wetlands from the observation tower.

Every July the annual 4-H Fair recreates a slice of Americana at the County Fairgrounds. In December, the town celebrates Christmas in Court House with old fashioned hospitality. For a touch of culture and entertainment, the Performing Arts Center just off the Garden State Parkway offers a variety of musical, theatrical and dance productions all year long.

Cape May Court House is the county seat, home to most county government offices and Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, as well as a wide variety of retail shopping and local restaurants. The new Cape May County campus of Atlantic Cape Community College is currently under construction in Cape May County House next to the 4-H Fair grounds.

DENNIS TOWNSHIP. Founded as a shipbuilding and cedar mining community over 200 years ago, Dennis Township is one of the most popular communities in Cape May County today for its’ well preserved, natural surroundings and protected environmental areas. The Great Cedar Swamp, which runs through Dennis Township is now a popular location for nature enthusiasts.

Belleplain State Forest in the northwest corner of Cape May County offers picturesque surroundings for camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming and canoeing on Lake Nummy. The park offers canoe rentals, picnic facilities and horseback riding trails. In the winter, there’s ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing for the avid outdoor person.

Many of the county’s largest campgrounds are located in Dennis Township and are just a few minutes from the beach resorts of Sea Isle and Ocean City. Plenty of antique and gift shops are located throughout the Township, making this it a very popular place to visit.

UPPER TOWNSHIP. The northernmost portion of Cape May County is Upper Township, a large municipality that is representative of the many diverse attractions throughout the County. Sprawling with thousands of unspoiled acres of land, Upper Township is home to many camping resorts and other outdoor activities.

Portions of the Lester G. MacNamara Fish and Wildlife Management Area, Belleplain State Forest, and the Marmora Coastal Wetlands Fish and Wildlife Management Area are all located in Upper Township. Strathmere, Upper Township’s seashore community, is nestled between Ocean City and Sea Isle City and boasts a pristine beach, homes and fabulous restaurants.

Woodbine Once named to immortalize the abundant fields of wildflowers natural to the area, Woodbine quickly became a thriving business district. Today, the Woodbine Airport, Golf Course, and the newly established Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage located in the restored Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue, bring Woodbine into the fold of the Cape May County tourism community.

For more information about Cape May County call the Cape May County Department of Tourism at 609-463-6415 or 800-227-2297 or visit their website at www.thejerseycape.com.•







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