Our First Family Trip to Cape May: A New Tradition Begins
For years, our family has been loyal to Ocean City, New Jersey. But this year, seeking a new weekend adventure, we decided to give Cape May a try. The best part? The drive was less than two hours from home, making it the perfect overnight escape as we squeezed in one last family trip before the kids head back to school.
Day 1: Animals, Beach Bars, and Brewery Tours
Our adventure began with a visit to the incredible Cape May County Park & Zoo. The kids were thrilled to see everything from cheetahs and kangaroos to fascinating lizards and snakes. But the real highlight was the barnyard animal section, where Crew and I, the brave ones of the bunch, got to feed the cows. With hand-washing stations and a well-stocked bag of wipes, it was a messy but unforgettable experience! The kids also loved the many photo stand-ins, capturing perfect family portraits that will undoubtedly become cherished memories.
After the zoo, we worked up a serious appetite and headed to The Rusty Nail, a classic, laid-back beach bar and restaurant located at the Beach Shack hotel. We snagged a picnic table on their spacious outdoor patio and instantly fell in love with the vibe. The sun was shining, the live music was fantastic, and the food was exactly what we needed. I devoured a delicious roast pork sandwich, while Matt declared his crab cake sandwich one of the best he has ever had. The kids were equally satisfied—Crew with his much-anticipated hot dog and the others sharing a plate of chicken tenders and fries (of course). It was a great first impression of the unique eateries Cape May has to offer.
Next on the agenda was a drive to Cape May Brewing Company. We were warmly welcomed by Mike and Jake, who had a private seating area set up for us. We enjoyed playing some of the board games they had on hand while I embarked on a private tour of the brewery. I loved learning about the unique brewing process and even found a new favorite beer: the “Orange Crushin’ It.”
When I went on a behind-the-scenes tour of Cape May Brewery, Matt took the kids to the nearby Vietnam and Aviation Museums. At the museums, the kids got an up-close look at old aircraft and tanks. They also spent time watching private planes take off and land at the neighboring Cape May Airport. It was a perfect way for them to pass the time while I enjoyed my tour.
Finally, we headed to our home for the night, the stunning Lokal Hotel. This luxury “micro beach resort” offers an intimate, apartment-style hotel experience that was perfect for our family. With our own two-bedroom apartment complete with a full kitchen, living room, and private balcony, it felt like our own stylish beach house. The hotel’s modern, bohemian-beach-house vibe and “invisible service” (we checked in with a code and communicated via text) made everything so seamless. We immediately took advantage of the on-site heated, saltwater pool, which was a huge hit with the kids!
We ended our first day by ordering a pizza and relaxing on our balcony, watching a beautiful sunset over the water. It was the perfect, peaceful end to an action-packed day.
Day 2: Award-Winning Breakfast and Beach Bliss
We started our second day with a highly anticipated breakfast at The Mad Batter, an award-winning restaurant located in the historic Carroll Villa Hotel. This place is a Cape May tradition, and it’s easy to see why. The kids were in heaven with their French toast and chocolate chip pancakes, while I savored the delicious orange zest and almond pancakes. Matt was equally impressed with his crab and lobster omelette. Our meal was briefly interrupted by a fire alarm, leading to an impromptu, free parade of fire trucks and firemen that the kids absolutely adored! We were all safe, and it was a fun, unexpected moment of excitement.
After breakfast, it was time for the main event: the beach! Our stay at the Lokal Hotel included beach tags and passes for chairs and an umbrella, which was an amazing perk. We didn’t have to lug a single thing to the sand! With the beach located just down the street, access was incredibly easy. This was the moment I truly fell in love with Cape May. Watching the kids play in the surf and laugh as the waves splashed was pure bliss.
We wrapped up our trip by heading back to the hotel to rinse off and enjoy one last splash in the heated pool before making our final departure. The trip was a perfect end to the summer, and we are already talking about booking a return trip to Cape May this fall. It’s safe to say we have found our new favorite shore town!