Cape May Fall Guide: What Locals Say to Do, Eat and Skip
One spot keeps winning every category. Two others never make the cut.
Ask Cape May locals where to have dinner, where to get a cocktail, where to dance and where to find the best Mexican food, and one name keeps coming up. It isn't the one with the biggest sign, and it isn't the one you'd find on every tourist map. Ask what to skip and you'll hear two answers, and one of them might surprise you.
Fall is the best time to take that advice. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is mild, and the town is easier to enjoy. This guide pulls together what Cape May locals recommend most for the season: what to do, what to eat, and what to pass on.
What Locals Say to Do in Cape May This Fall?
Autumn here is rarely too hot or too cold, which makes it ideal for getting outside. Start with the places locals keep naming.
Cape May County Zoo
A top pick for families and a good fit for a cool fall afternoon.
Cape May Lighthouse and Cape May Point State Park
These share the same area, so plan to do both. Fall is also migration season, when thousands of birds and monarch butterflies pass through.
Washington Street Mall
A can't-miss for browsing, strolling and grabbing a snack, and far less crowded after summer.
Beach Plum Farm
A relaxed outdoor stop that suits the season.
Fall Events Worth Planning Around
Rea's Farm Market, Friday nights at the farm: Music, food, vendors and fun. [Confirm season end date and address.]
Ghoul Spring Village at Cold Spring Village: October 16 and 17, and October 23 and 24, at 735 Seashore Rd, Cape May.
Cape May City Annual Halloween Parade: October 25 at 3:00 p.m. The route starts at Carpenters Lane, behind the mall, and ends at the Emlen Physick Estate.
For Rainy day backups.
When the weather turns, locals point to Cape Square, Cape May Stage and East Lynne Theater Company. For something more relaxed, try Cape May Day Spa, The Rise (a spa in West Cape May), or the Cape May Arcades, two of which are on the Beach Avenue promenade.
Credits from Cape May Square and The Rise Websites
What Locals Say to Eat in Cape May?
Cape May's food scene stays open well into fall, though some seasonal spots close early, so it's worth checking hours before you go
Breakfast
Mad Batter is the name locals reach for first. Bella Vida Cafe is another good option for a slow morning before a day of exploring.
Lunch
Mud Hen and 5 West are local favorites for a midday stop, along with Cape Kitchen & Craft. For something casual, Big Wave Burritos is a good pick. Traveling with kids? Mad Viking is great for families and has a playground.
Dinner
This is where the answer to our opening question shows up. Taco Caballito Tequileria is the most-mentioned spot on the list. Locals recommend it for dinner, for cocktails, for Mexican food, and for a night out with live music and dancing. If you only try one place from this guide, make it this one.
Other dinner picks come up often too: Mayer's and Cricket Club, which is also a local favorite for cocktails. For a fine dining night out, locals point to Tisha's.
Quick Bites
Locals also love the simple stuff. Roman's and Mario's are the pizza picks. For hoagies and cheesesteaks, head to Gaiss Market or West Side Market. The C-View, a local bar in Cape May, is another popular spot.
Credits from Mad Batter, Mud Hen, and Mayer's Websites
Coffee and Dessert
Coffee: Magic Brain, Coffee Tyme and Golden Stop
Dessert: Fine Fellows Creamery for ice cream and Madison's Bakery for baked treats
More Cape May Favorites by Craving
Mexican: El Pueblo Taqueria, Taco Caballito Tequileria, Taqueria Casa Mia
Chinese: Dragon House, Chen's Garden and Foo Bao Asian Sliders
Seafood: Oyster Bay
Wine, Beer and Cocktails
Fall is a good time for a tasting. For wine, locals recommend Cape May Winery, Willow Creek and Turdo. For beer, try Gusto, Behr, Slack Tide and Obscura. For cocktails, head to Cricket Club, Nauti Spirits or Taco Caballito. For nightlife with live music or dancing, locals name Ugly Mug is a frequent late-night stop for live music.
Credits from Cape May Winery, Golden Stop, Madison's Bakery, and Taco Caballito Tequileria Websites
What Locals Say to Skip in Cape May
Every town has a few places that don't live up to their reputation. Locals mention two. "Skip" here doesn't mean bad. It means other options may give you more for your time.
Lobster House for dinner. It's a well-known name, but locals suggest other dinner spots for the full experience.
The Cape May Brewing taproom. The beer is good, but it's available at nearly every restaurant and package store in town, so you don't need to make a special trip. Try one of the smaller breweries above instead.
