Things to do in Cape May County, Jersey Shore: The Best Historic Sites

Historic Cold Spring Village (HCSV) is a open-air living history museum that invites all visitors to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration in the exploration of southern New Jersey's past. It is a nonprofit, educational museum that is open during the spring-summer season. The centerpiece of the museum is a re-created rural Southern New Jersey town of the "homespun era" set on more than 30 acres. *(Covid regulations: PLEASE ENTER VIA SEASHORE ROAD/RT. 626 ENTRANCE. 735 Seashore Road, Cape May NJ 08204

The 1879 Emlen Physick Estate is Cape May's only Victorian house museum. Designed by renowned American architect Frank Furness, the home has been fully restored. Its 15 rooms open a window into Victorian times in Cape May. Guided and self-guided tours are offered. Each year, a new theme is interpreted in the museum, which has been restored and is operated by the non-profit Cape May MAC (Museums + Arts + Culture). The organization also offers guided daytime and evening trolley tours of Cape May, as well as the Cape May Lighthouse and the World War II Lookout Tower. Check website for more information.

Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to restore Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport, Cape May County, New Jersey, into an aircraft museum honoring the Navy airmen who died while training during World War II. Hangar # 1 was listed onto the National Register of Historic Places in September of 1997. Naval Air station (NAS) Wildwood was commissioned on April 1, 1943. The site served as an active dive-bomber squadron training facility from 1943 to 1945. Aircraft stationed at NAS Wildwood included TBM Avengers, Douglas Dauntlesses, Vought Corsairs and Curtiss Helldivers. Forty-two airmen perished while training at NAS Wildwood during World War II. In June 1997, NASW Foundation purchased Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport. The 92,000 square-foot all-wooden structure was in a state of disrepair and required extensive renovation. Under the stewardship of NASW Foundation, the hangar was listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places at the National Significance Level. NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum now boasts over 26 aircraft displays as well as exhibits of military memorabilia, engines, photographs and more. Additionally, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has provided NAS Wildwood with a wealth of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to discover the science of flight. The museum also features a library, food vending area as well as a recently expanded gift shop. In its role as a community resource, NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum regularly hosts activities including fly-ins, aviation festivals, big band concerts, swing dances, veterans’ ceremonies, historical lectures, school field trips and senior tours.

Fire Control Tower No. 23 is New Jersey’s last remaining restorable World War II tower, and was part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. It played a major part in the coastal defense of the Delaware River and Bay. Built in 1942, the tower was one of 15 towers that helped aim batteries of coastal artillery. Fire Control Tower No. 23 is on land now part of the Cape May Point State Park. The boardwalk leading up to the Tower is lined with interpretive panels and leads to the All Veterans Memorial on the rear deck at the base of the Tower. The deck and entry level are all fully accessible. The Tower was restored and is operated by the non-profit Cape May MAC (Museums + Arts + Culture).

Sunset Beach is one of the East Coast's most unique beaches. Voted Top 25 beaches by Tripadvisor in 2013, Sunset Beach is located at the very tip of South Jersey and the end of Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Beach offers an unobstructed view of spectacular sunsets over the waters of the Delaware Bay. Atmospheric conditions caused by the of sea breezes across the bay waters create spectacular colors as the sun sinks below the horizon. For over 50 years just off the coast of Sunset Beach lies the concrete ship "Atlantus". Thousands of visitors come annually to view the cracked, weather beaten hull and watch the sunset over the remains of the ship. You'll love shopping their gift shops, playing a round of mini golf, beachcombing for Cape May diamonds or grabbing a bite to eat at The Grille (Grille open April-October.) Be sure to experience the Evening Flag Ceremony Honoring an American Veteran every evening at 7pm Memorial Weekend through August 31. (Saturdays in September at 6pm)