Visit Cape May

The Greater Cape May Historical Society (GCMHS) serves as the steward of the Colonial House, also known as the Memucan Hughes House, a historic structure dating back to circa 1730. Originally a tavern and the family home of Revolutionary War patriot Memucan Hughes, the Colonial House is considered one of the oldest surviving houses on Cape Island. Generated from the website

The William J Moore Tennis Center in Cape May, NJ offers a range of tennis-related services and facilities for players of all skill levels. With a focus on promoting the sport of tennis, the center provides opportunities for both recreational play and competitive matches. Generated from their business information

Nestled on the tip of New Jersey sits the Cape May Lighthouse. The beacon of light has been guiding sailors since 1859. Each year over 100,000 visitors climb the 199-steps to the top to take in the picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding areas. Just two-miles from the Victorian town of Cape May, the lighthouse remains a popular year-round destination for travelers from all over the world.How to get to the Cape May LighthouseCape May, New Jersey is the last exit on the Garden State Parkway, earning the nickname 'Exit 0.' The Cape May Lighthouse stands at Cape May Point State Park, two-miles outside of the city of Cape May. Visitors can easily drive to the lighthouse and park in the adjacent lot. During the summer months and other peak tourist times, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities runs trolleys from the Washington Street Mall that include tours of Cape May and climbs of the lighthouse. However, the most popular way to arrive at the Cape May Lighthouse is by bicycle. A well-traveled bike path leads riders from downtown Cape May out to Lighthouse Road where the lighthouse is located. Several bike rentals are available in town and the park provides ample racks once riders arrive to secure their bicycles.Best and worst time to go to the Cape May LighthouseThe Jersey Shore is a popular summertime destination between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Peak months along the shores of Cape May are typically July and August with weekends being the most popular. Crowds tend to be smaller during the week in the summer. The early bird catches the worm with the best time to climb being first thing in the morning. However, with a steady stream of people going up and down all day, the lines move quickly with people lingering on the top to enjoy the view and work up the energy for the walk down. Keep in mind late September and early fall are ideal times to visit the lighthouse. The weather is still warm and the crowds are considerably lighter.Admission to the Cape May LighthouseAdmission is free to Cape May Point Park and the Cape May Lighthouse is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m during the week and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. However, to climb the lighthouse, the charge is $8 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. Children under the age of three are free. Tickets may be purchased at the lighthouse from the lighthouse keeper. For visitors that may not be up to the 199-steps, there is a Visitor's Orientation Center inside the base of the Cape May Lighthouse along with a separate gift shop outside as well as benches to enjoy the majestic structure from the bottom.Must see/do at the Cape May LighthouseA climb to the top is a must do at the Cape May Lighthouse without a doubt. The views from the tower are fabulous and well worth the effort. Full moon climbs are offered once a month from April through September. However, another great option is the Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour. The tour begins at the Washington Street Mall in Cape May and takes riders out to the lighthouse in the evening where participants listen to ghost tales unearthed by psychic Craig McManus who has written several books on the spirits that inhabit Cape May.Other Places to visit near the Cape May LighthouseA short bike or car ride from the Cape May Lighthouse stands the World War II Lookout Tower. The structure was built in 1942 and placed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 2003. It was restored and opened to visitors in 2008. Climb to the top and listen to WWII stories as you peek out at the surrounding areas. When you are finished continue down Sunset Boulevard to Sunset Beach to see the remains of the concrete ship, the USS Atlantus, poking out of the surf and search for Cape May diamonds along the rock-rich sand at Cape May Point.Insider tip for visitors to Cape May LighthouseGhost stories abound in Cape May and they come from people of all walks of life and in different professions and the Cape May Lighthouse is no exception to haunted tales. Many visitors have reported encountering the ghost of a woman in a flowing white dress standing on the steps of the first landing clutching a young child in one hand and a lantern in the other. However, a more modern spirit comes in the form of a man who actually managed to work his way through the guard rails at the top and plunged to his death 157-feet below in 1995.Author's bio: Dawn Miller is a freelance writer and mystery author. She lives in New Jersey.