Hey everyone! Happy New Year! 🥳🎆 Welcome to my first blog post here on Capturing Life’s Moments of 2019. I hoped that all of you enjoyed this past holiday season with family, friends, and loved ones! Now that the holiday season has come to a close and most are back to work and school, I wanted to start off this new year right with a post of my first travel trip of the year, my happy place in New Jersey; beautiful historic Cape May!
The Cape May sign on the Washington Street Mall
While many begin the new year with their own resolutions, I decided to begin 2019 by traveling to one of my favorite places which just so happens to be Cape May, the nation’s oldest seaside resort on the southernmost tip of New Jersey, nestled between the mighty Atlantic and the calm Delaware River. I’ve been going to this legendary destination probably since the age of 3, maybe even younger since my mother has always had the fascination and admiration of this quaint seaside community. Over the years, no matter what season we visited or how long we stayed, I have grown a deep attachment and love for Cape May and how every time you visit, there’s always something new to explore! Things have come and gone and I’ve seen the Washington Street Mall (the pinnacle of shopping and dining in Cape May, also a pedestrian friendly promenade) change from its older look to what it is now, the magnificent splendor of old meets the 21st century while still clinging on to its true heritage of a Victorian Era destination. This time, I decided to visit in the off-season since I wanted to experience what Cape May has to offer after the summer crowds have long gone, after the leaves have changed, and after the business of the joyous holiday season. This is probably the best time to swing a deal on a hotel or bed & breakfast. Be sure to look online at the official Cape May website at www.capemay.com or other affiliates to make sure what’s open and whose closed for the season and reopening in the spring or early summer. I stayed at the Victorian Motel, a true gem, located in the heart of Cape May itself next the Washington Street Mall and Congress Hall (a very classy resort hotel). The Victorian Motel offers modest accommodations to those looking for a place to stay in the heart of the action. The property comprises of three floors, an outdoor pool, a garden deck, and non-smoking rooms. You can choose from a standard room to a full efficiency suite. Depending on what you’re looking for, I can recommend some other places I’ve stayed at and other accommodations that I know of based on the time of your stay. The Victorian’s across the street neighbor is Congress Hall, a high-end upscale hotel & resort if you’re looking to splurge, I’ve never stayed there but I’ve been there many times for dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern, a heavenly delight for breakfast, lunch & dinner the Boiler Room for delicious brick oven pizza in a bar atmosphere, & Tommy’s Folly Coffee Shop for exquisite coffee and pastries. Others include the Dormer House, a quaint b&b located on Columbia Avenue that offers simple accommodations for a quiet retreat from it all & The Virginia Hotel, an upscale boutique hotel that offers tastefully decorated rooms and in-room breakfast every morning.
This if the view of Congress Hall, the yellow building with the white columns from the third floor of the Victorian Motel.
Sweeping views of the Washington Street Mall
Congress Hall
The quaint Washington Street Mall during the first day I arrived, blessed with warm sunshine.
I absolutely adore this store! Lots of goodies!! (Across the Way)
Holiday decorations still adorn the trees and bushes of the Washington Street Mall!
Shimmering and full of natural spring water in-season, tastefully decorated with holiday aesthetic in the off-season.
Magestic Church
Loved the abundance of holly trees!!
Love love love!
A different perspective
Washington Commons, another shopping promenade adjacent to the Washington Street Mall across the street.
Aesthetic is key 😄
The bandstand at Rotary Park, a small pedestrian park next to the Washington Street Mall, always decorated for the holidays!
The Virginia Hotel, a true delight! When the warmer is warmer, you can enjoy simple bliss on their guest complimentary porches!
Victorian Era architecture
I caught the sun just in time for golden hour and a spectacular sunset on the beach and trying not to let my hands freeze while capturing this natural beauty!! ☀️☀️☀️
Simply breathtaking and unforgettable, the perfect way to end the day!
Sea gulls made an appearance! 😁
Wandering past twinkling on a frigid January night.
A new day awaits more adventures!
Views of the beach in Cape May Point
Not a soul, silence, and pure bliss
View of the Cape May Lighthouse
Another place to visit is the Cape May Lighouse locates in Cape May Point.
The vibe
Overcast hues of gray and sparks of color on the horizon.
The thing I love most of visiting Cape May in the winter is that it’s quiet and there’s pretty much no one around except the friendly locals and hospitality of the businesses of hotels and restaurants! And you don’t have to crop anyone or anything out of your photo! It’s just right!
Ending off the trip right with another experience at the beach!
Also, if you’re looking for other restaurant suggestions that are open in the off-season, George’s Place is excellent & Lucky Bones is aweosme! (All of which are open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner for the exception of George’s Place only open for breakfast and dinner).
Thank you for coming along on my journey!
Until next time! 😉
