Cape May County, N.J.

Cape May County is the southern-most county on the New Jersey coast. It begins at Great Egg Harbor Inlet, just north of Ocean City, NJ, and includes the entire Cape May Pennisula, on both the ocean and the Delaware Bay coasts. It also includes the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway at Cape May City, with connection to the Cape May - Lewes Ferry to Delaware.

Cape May Shopping Promenade

There are several towns in Cape May County which swell in the summer, but these are also established year-round towns with continuous activity. As the southern-most county in New Jersey, Cape May County is the mildest and benefits the most from the year-round warmer currents from southern waters.

Cape May is also active as a transportion center due to the connection of the Parkway and the Delaware ferry, which operates almost all year.

The Atlantic Coast of Cape May County is primarily barrier islands, although separated from the mainland by only narrow waterways in some spots. The Intracoastal Waterway passes behind all these islands and into the harbor behind Cape May City. Boaters may continue through the Cape May Canal, exiting in the Delaware Bay. This results in active boat traffic during most of the year as boaters migrate with the seasons.

Ocean City

Ocean City Boardwalk Shops

Ocean City is located on the south side of Great Egg Harbor Inlet. It is a community of about 15,000 permanent residents which increases greatly in the summer. The city was founded in 1879 by Methodist ministers and from that time to the present has prohibited the sale of alcohol. Ocean City presents itself as a family vacation spot. It has a guarded, public ocean beach, a 2 1/2 mile boardwalk, and a developed downtown area. There are several charter fishing boats operating out of Ocean City.


Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City is a unique community on the New Jersey Coast in a number of ways. I has a large Irish population and culture, but also substantial Italian influence as well. One part of the city has been constructed in imitation of the canals of Venice. When the city was rebuilt after a serious hurricane, a larger beach with dunes was constructed to help protect the town. A concrete promenade, rather than a wooden boardwalk, was built along the beach with summer shops and food establishments lining the promenade. A small amusement area is also in town. Sea Isle has a number if Irish, Italian and seafood restaurants and bars.

Avalon

Avalon is located on the southern part of the Cape May County shore, on a barrier island known as Seven Mile Island, which it shares with Stone Harbor. The island extends about a mile farther to sea than most other barrier islands, leading to the Avalon slogan of "Cooler by a Mile." Avalon is a small community of just under five square miles, with a population of about 2000 residents. Stone Harbor is slightly smaller. Both communities expand considerably in the summer. Avalon has a good number of resorts available. A well maintained boardwalk is an active attraction in the summer. Avalon is one of the wealthiest beachfront communities on the New Jersey shore, especially in the south.

Wildwood

The barrier island just north of Cape May Inlet includes four communities each named Wildwood something and generally referred to as "The Wildwoods". These communities are the arch-typical summer resort towns that grow dramatically in warm weather. They feature a boardwalk almost two miles long with ocean-front shops and plenty of neon. The towns protect much of the 1950's architechture and culture and continue to live the Doo-wop trends of the 50s, where some claim Rock 'n Roll began with "Rock Around the Clock". The New Jersey State Fireman's Parade has been held in The Wildwoods with an equipment parade through all communities since being shunned by Atlantic City when it was developed in the 1970s.

Cape May

Cape May City is the namesake of Cape May County and sits at the southern tip of the New Jersey shore. It is home of the national Coast Guard Training Center and a large Coast Guard facility at Cape May Inlet on the Atlantic Coast. Cape May Harbor is protected inside the inlet and behind most of Cape May. The city is further intersected by the Cape May Canal cutting all the way to Delaware Bay. At that connection a passenger and auto ferry across the bay to Delaware, is active almost all year. The city also has a large, year-round commercial fishing industry established in the harbor. Cape May is known as a Victorian town, hosting tours of preserved homes all year long.