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Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Point, NJ

Photo: Didier Moïse, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFamily Favorite

Cape May Lighthouse

215 Lighthouse Ave · Cape May Point, NJ

Why you should go…

Built in 1859 and still an active aid to navigation, the Cape May Lighthouse stands inside Cape May Point State Park. You climb 199 steps on a cast iron spiral staircase to the watch gallery, where the view takes in Delaware Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the park's nature trails. Cape May MAC maintains the tower and runs the climbs. The lighthouse can close when there is lightning or severe weather in the area.

  • #lighthouse
  • #lighthouse climb
  • #state park
  • #ocean views
  • #cape may point

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Cape May Lighthouse, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Eat & Drink
    Date Night

    Willow Creek Winery

    $25–$50

    An award-winning Cape May County vineyard and tasting room set on 50 acres of farmland.

    1.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Revolution Rail Co.

    $25–$50

    Guided rail bike rides along a scenic four-mile stretch of coastal rail line in Cape May.

    2.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Cape May Historic District

    Free

    Walk or ride a trolley past hundreds of gingerbread-trimmed Victorian houses, inns and hotels in a seaside resort town.

    2.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Cape May Whale Watcher

    $25–$50

    Naturalist-guided whale and dolphin watching cruises departing Cape May Harbor.

    2.9 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    Wildwoods Boardwalk

    Free

    Historic beachfront boardwalk district with amusement piers, tram cars and seasonal entertainment in the Wildwoods.

    8.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    The Wildwoods

    Free

    Classic Jersey Shore boardwalk towns: Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood, on a five-mile barrier island.

    8.8 mi awayMore like this