cape may mac tours

Cape May MAC presents high-quality tours in a variety of categories. Whether you are a first time visitor, frequent flier, or local – you can find an experience that interests you.

Custom private tours & city guides.

Cape May MAC offers private trolley tours, Physick House tours, or walking tours for groups that have been quarantined together. Groups must remain together and wear masks. Accepting groups up to 25 people. For smaller groups of 2-4, book your very own Cape May MAC City Guide and receive a private tour aboard a street-legal golf cart.

To book a private tour, visit our Group Tour page and contact us! Click here.

Or call 609-224-6030.

*48 hours advance reservations strongly recommended.

Cape May MAC presents a multitude of house tours throughout the year. Holiday themed house tours, garden tours, kitchen tours, designer house tours and more. Touring Cape May’s Victorian and Designer homes is a great way to learn about Cape May history or make some home renovations plans of your own!

Hop on one of Cape May MAC’s cheery red trolleys and take a guided tour the easy and comfortable way. Knowledgeable guides will tell you everything you want to know about America’s first seaside resort, from our Victorian heritage to our seashore and maritime history and more, with plenty of fun facts sprinkled in.

Cape May is one of the most haunted town’s you’ll ever visit. Dozens of Victorian gems have been investigated and documented to have “spirit” residents. Take a giant step back in Cape May’s past and see if a ghostly encounter is in the cards for you!

Cape May MAC partners with the Cape May Whale Watcher, the Cape May Nature Center, and the Cape May Bird Observatory to bring you nature and nautical themed events and tours.

Cape May MAC has produced a self-guided walking, biking, & golf cart tour book that can be picked up at any of our points of sale and toured at your convenience. The booklet provides descriptions and photos of more than 50 of the Cape May area’s historic properties and landmarks, along with directions and a map.

This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a seemingly endless variety of fun and tasty events. From trolley rides to wine tastings, from house tours to themed dinners, we offer something for everyone!

NEW! Cape May Tours and Workshops from MAC

Aug 1, 2023 | Blog

Introducing new Cape May tours and workshops from MAC.

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in the charming coastal town of Cape May? Look no further than brand-new Cape May MAC tours ! MAC is dedicated to providing visitors with immersive and informative experiences that showcase the rich history, stunning architecture, and natural beauty of Cape May.  

Book your Cape May getaway at The Queen Victoria.

NEW Cape May Tours and Workshops

Clueless at the physick estate: racing the clock.

Clueless at the Physick Estate is an immersive experience where tour-goers travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate as an original mystery dramatically unfolds around them. In 2023, time is the enemy in “Racing the Clock,” written by Jacklyn Fazio. Barrington family dinners are notorious for bad news, but no one expected this one to take such a sinister turn, when the family matriarch drops dead before dessert is served. With every guest potentially poisoned, and not enough antidote to go around, you must identify the killer before it’s too late.  

CAPE MAY’S MARITIME COMBO TOUR 

Whaling, wartime and wild weather. The remarkable maritime history of our seaside town has long defined the Cape May story. Board the trolley and rediscover the important places and natural phenomena that have shaped, literally and figuratively, the Cape May we know today. The trolley then stops at Fisherman’s Wharf for an up-close walking tour about Cape May’s commercial fishing industry on the docks at The Lobster House. Tour begins and ends at Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Tour is not accessible.  

VOICES FROM BEYOND HOUSE TOUR 

Experience an unusual tour in Cape May MAC’s 1879 Emlen Physick House. In the Voices from Beyond Tour, you will hear actual spirit voices captured by Cape May MAC staff over the past 10 years. View historical photos of the Physick family and their staff alongside photos of apparitions seen inside the house. Learn about the equipment and tools used throughout history in paranormal research. Who could these voices belong to and what is keeping them connected to the Physick House Museum? Draw your own conclusions on this new and exciting paranormal tour.  

POETRY WORKSHOPS 

Cape May’s Poet Laureate Sylvia Baer hosts four introductory poetry workshops at Vintage Restaurant on the grounds of the Physick Estate this July that explore the themes of Water, Sand, Sky and Family. These workshops are for anyone interested in poetry at any level of knowledge and experience. Participants will learn about the craft and write their own verse during each workshop. Sharing work is a personal choice and will not be required. After each session there will be time for discussion with light refreshments included.  

Visit The Queen Victoria for these tours and more!  

Cape May Trolley Tours

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Cape May MAC at 50: What Comes Next?

While most of the world huddled indoors, staying far away from their regular lives and even further from anything entertainment related, something pretty enormous happened in Cape May. Without any of the planned fanfare, without an in-person celebration, without the acknowledgement it surely deserved, Cape May MAC marked its 50-year anniversary.

In our last issue, we took a deep dive into the origins of MAC and the coinciding preservation designation of Cape May. And while the origin of MAC is important, and in fact of particular importance for an organization dedicated to preservation, it’s equally important to acknowledge what Cape May MAC does today and how it’s developed over the past 50 years. The Physick Estate, the well-known centerpiece of MAC, is really just the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, Cape May MAC’s reach is pervasive, far more extensive than anyone not intimately involved in the organization may realize. It’s very likely that if you’ve spent any time in Cape May at all, you’ve participated in a MAC event, or visited a MAC property. From field trips to romantic excursions to family friendly outings, MAC has been a go-to organization for Cape May activities, quite possibly without you knowing it, for the past five decades.

The depth and breadth of MAC’s history is on full display in Cape May MAC’s newest exhibit, titled “50 Years of MAC: 1970 to 2020.” The temporary exhibit, located in The Carroll Gallery on the grounds of The Physick Estate, was curated by Janet Coupland and designed by Jean Barraclough, who impressively managed to capture the people, the places, and accomplishments of MAC in a cohesive and visually impactful manner.

Organized around the five major eras in MAC’s history—Pioneer Phase, Adolescent Phase, Growth to Maturity Phase, Golden Age, and Shifting Tectonic Plates—the exhibit is anchored by a comprehensive timeline. In addition to the bulleted lists of significant events, there are corresponding photos and documents, sections on special events, particular places, and of course, the people behind it all.

“We wanted it to be very visual and impactful, and also focus on people,” says Coupland. “Not just Michael Zuckerman, our fearless leader, and the board, but all of the staff and volunteers, the lifeblood of MAC.”

The exhibit highlights MAC’s growth, and its people. From a small, grassroots group of passionate volunteers to an award-winning nonprofit organization with an operating budget in excess of $3 million in 2019, MAC has experienced extensive growth. According to a Cape May MAC fact sheet, the organization now boasts almost 300,000 visitors annually; 3500 members; a 15-member Board of Trustees; 25 full-time and approximately 125 part-time employees; and about 300 volunteers.

A perfect transitional piece, the exhibit also acknowledges the first leadership change it has experienced in 37 years with the retirement of Director Emeritus Michael Zuckerman, to whom the exhibit pays tribute.

Of all the accomplishments Zuckerman had during his tenure—and there are very, very many—a few of his proudest are “spearheading the cycle of changing exhibits in the Carriage House that explore different aspects of Cape May’s history and culture; launching the Cape May Music Festival as one of our region’s premier cultural offerings; and building out a year-round schedule of tours and special events that has significantly stretched the Cape May tourism season and serves nearly 300,000 people a year.”

Fortunately, Jody Alessandrine, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job, is now filling Zuckerman’s almost impossibly big shoes.

Alessandrine, a former executive director of special improvement districts in Toms River and State College, Pennsylvania, took over officially on February 24th, after shadowing Zuckerman on Fridays from November 2019 to January 2020 as well as a full week in February.

As a dues-paying member of MAC for the past 20 years, Alessandrine had a pretty firm grasp on everything related to the organization. However, as we all know now, he was also in the profoundly unique position of coming aboard during a worldwide pandemic.

“It’s very difficult stepping into the shoes of someone who has had such a stellar career,” says Alessandrine, noting that now, due to the Coronavirus, “The terrain is completely changed.”

For Cape May MAC, the Coronavirus and associated shutdowns have resulted in a proliferation of virtual tours and online outreach, as it’s done for many museums and organizations nationwide.

“There are things we may have gotten to, like the virtual tours, but this has fast-tracked us,” says Alessandrine. “The pandemic has forced us to pivot on a daily, even hourly, basis.”

Despite the challenges of managing a multi-faceted historic and entertainment organization at a time when everything remains so uncertain, Alessandrine is happy to be in his position.

“Our development team has done a wonderful job,” says Alessandrine. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of growing our endowment…despite the unique challenges, it’s still my dream job.”

The final wall of the exhibit is dedicated to another transition—a name change for MAC.

“MAC’s founders were ambitious, and its name (“Mid-Atlantic Center”), reflected their uncompromising and lofty goal: to make Cape May into a regional destination for culture, history and the arts, and preserve its historic integrity for generations,” according to Susan Krysiak, Director of Media Relations for MAC.

Coinciding with its 50th anniversary, MAC has changed its name from Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) to Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). It’s a bold move for an organization that manages and preserves the longevity and history of many parts of Cape May, and speaks to the ability of those behind the scenes at Cape May MAC to embrace change and adapt to a changing world.

“It had to do with an injection into the organization of young thinking. Eliza Lotozo started out in marketing. She had this incredible optimism that this could happen. She has a great sense of style and the ability to imagine, to re-imagine the organization and how it looks,” says Krysiak. “And I have to give credit to our board for their vision and for leading the project to completion. If there’s one thing I can say about [this organization], it’s that we’ll try something and see if it works. We have a great team approach and are open-minded when the spark is lit.”

“It allows us to take the whole of what we do and make it cohesive,” says Lotozo, Chief Outreach Officer, about Cape May MAC’s new identity. “There’s so much about MAC that’s important to the community. Since I have started, I’ve been really proud of the inner soul-searching the organization has done. After 50 years, to be able to redefine yourself, I don’t think that happens a lot.”

For those who already know and love MAC, the new name simply highlights what we’ve known: Cape May MAC is home to a bevy of cultural and historical entertainment. But for those who weren’t familiar with MAC, the new name will speak volumes. Clear and concise, it explains exactly what’s at the heart of Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).

Cape May MAC may best be known for The Emlen Physick Estate, but it now manages four distinct properties—the Physick Estate, the Cape May Lighthouse, World War II Lookout Tower Museum and Memorial, and the Batts Lane Cottages. The organization hosts community tour programs that expose visitors to the city of Cape May, which Cape May MAC interprets as a museum without walls. Like the city, the other Cape May MAC properties need to be seen and heard, touched, and smelled.

When MAC started in 1970, it was done so, in many ways, as a passion project.

“The immediate threat of the demolition of the Physick Estate was a wakeup call to a sleepy but certainly beloved community that was ‘somewhere in time,’” says Tom Carroll, who in addition to being involved with Cape May MAC since its inception, is the current Board President, a role he also held from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1998 to 2000. “It signaled a fast approaching storm of redevelopment and modernization, as seen in Wildwood, to make money for some while destroying a quality of life for many others. It was certainly a call to action.”

The Physick Estate was the impetus, but the second Cape May MAC maintained property was the Cape May Lighthouse. Built in 1859, the lighthouse was leased to MAC by the State of New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, Department of Environmental Protection, in 1986 before being renegotiated and extended in 1995 and 2019, respectively. Cape May MAC manages restoration, maintenance, and operation of this working lighthouse and grounds, with over 75,000 annual visitors.

In 2004 , MAC executed another lease with the state—this time, a 20-year lease for the World War II Lookout Tower on Sunset Boulevard. MAC undertook restoration of the tower and opened the World War II Lookout Tower Museum and Memorial in the spring of 2009. With a changing exhibit gallery on the second level, the property receives nearly 10,000 visitors annually.

The most recently property acquired—the only one owned rather than leased by Cape May MAC—are the Batts Lane Cottages, which were donated to MAC in August 2019 by owners Dave and Chris Clemans. This new acquisition has been featured on the Underground Railroad Trolley Tours since 2017, in cooperation with the Center for Community Arts.

Though focused on preservation, the addition of properties is something that is considered very thoughtfully.

“We have to be really thoughtful about what we extend into,” says Krysiak. “We don’t have limitless resources, and we have to be good stewards of what we take on. Maintaining the properties is ongoing.”

Tour programs are varied and range from the general to the highly specific. From a Cape May Trolley Tour of the Historic District and a Grand Lighthouse Cruise in partnership with Cape May Whale Watcher, to a Sherlock Holmes Weekend and Search for Clues and a tour package with the new Harriet Tubman Museum, there is quite literally something for everyone.

Consider the second word in Cape May MAC’s new acronym: Arts. The word is expansive and can include anything from the visual arts—paintings, sculpture, ceramics, architecture, photography and more—to the performing arts—public speech, music, dance, theater, and interpretive performance. And at Cape May MAC, it does all of that.

The ‘Arts’ are integral to much of Cape May MAC’s programming. There are events that are clearly arts inspired, like “Shakespeare on the Estate” in conjunction with REV Theatre Productions, and “Bach’s Lunches” held during the Cape May Music Festival. Then there are events like “The Art of Dining,” a public program at the Physick Estate, and the “Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival,” a Cape May MAC fundraiser for educational outreach, that immerse guests into other art forms.

There’s a case to be made for the artistic value of so many Cape May MAC events, lectures, and tours—even events like the beloved Christmas Candlelight House Tours expose visitors to the architecture and history of Cape May, as well as traditional and vintage holiday décor—that it’s hard to determine where ‘art’ ends and ‘culture,’ the third word in the new Cape May MAC acronym, begins.

“Changing our acronym to be redefined this way gives clear descriptive words for people to understand what we do. On the one hand, some are clear cut things, but many are all three,” says Lotozo. “The overlap is one of our core challenges. So much of what we do is intersectional.”

The cultural programming at Cape May MAC is just as comprehensive and encompassing as the arts and museums.

The word “culture” has multiple definitions, and culture alone could define Cape May MAC. In a region that isn’t known for being a hotbed of culture, Cape May MAC is especially important in Cape May County, where history and the arts often seem to take a backseat to the beach, the boardwalks, and the nightlife so important to a tourism economy.

Cape May MAC programming acquaints visitors to culture as an almost daily occurrence.  With preservation as a backbone to Cape May MAC, history and different cultural periods in our nation are par for the course.  In addition to the tours and museums, many of which speak to a certain period of time, there are specific programs that dig into cultural themes.  Past programs like “A Day in the Life with Dr. Physick” and “The Temperance Debate” at The Physick Estate; “The Keeper’s on Duty” at Cape May Lighthouse; and dozens of educational programs related to Victorian Social History and Culture including American Literature of the Victorian Era; Victorian Love, Courtship and Marriage; and Victorian Medicine all speak to culture as a certain period in time.

But there is also culture as it relates to community and the arts. The inclusion of music programs—both historical dives like “The Big Band Era” or “Music of Olde Cape May” and live music from local artists—exposes those of us tucked away in our limited worlds to things and sounds outside ourselves and our everyday lives.

It’s the same with the gourmet food and tastings, the craft shows, the lectures, the ghost tours, the champagne jazz brunches—these are experiences that elevate, educate, and entertain visitors and locals alike.

This is what Cape May MAC does. It transports us. And it’s all in keeping with its mission of “promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors.”

Cape May MAC literally feeds us, both in mind, and in body. New at The Physick Estate this year—it’s quite the year for the organization—is the addition of Vintage, an eclectic, modern, and delicious dining experience.

Located in the space previously occupied by the Carriage House Café & Tearoom, Vintage is a partnership between Cape May MAC and the KARA Restaurant Group (George’s Place, Shamone, Scola) and features a stunning outdoor tented patio that overlooks the gardens, as well as a menu that includes things like a cheesecake waffle for brunch, and Duck Confit and Wild Boar Bolognaise as entrees.

This dog-friendly addition to The Physick Estate is just one more example of the experiences offered by Cape May MAC. With a first 50 years like this, we can’t wait to see what’s next. 

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Cape May MAC Spring Summer 2021 Major Tours and Events

Posted by luxebeat | May 12, 2021 | Featured , Promoted , Travel |

Cape May MAC offers admission to the Emlen Physick Estate, the Cape May Lighthouse and the World War II Lookout Tower, as well as trolley, walking, house and boat tours throughout the year. Dates and times vary seasonally. Visit capemaymac.org for schedules and to purchase tickets online. Schedules are being updated regularly. Tickets may also be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth during open hours, and at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Call 609-884-5404 for visitor services information and to purchase tickets by  phone.

Social distancing will be maintained and/or masks required both indoors and outdoors at all Cape May MAC tours, events and historic sites; prevailing limits on crowds will be managed to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Schedules subject to change and capacities may be limited.

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multifaceted, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. Cape May MAC membership is open to all. Visit capemaymac.org/support/membership to learn more. For information about Cape May MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, visit capemaymac.org . For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at capemaylodging.com . For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508. For information on the city’s COVID-19 response, please visit capemaystrong.org .

5 LUXURY HOTESL IN CAPE MAY

House Tours

Emlen Physick Estate Guided Tour : (45 min.)  (Daytime) Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for an in-depth look at Victorian architecture and the period, reflecting one Victorian family’s lifestyle, and detailing the way the Physick family and their household lived, worked and spent their leisure time. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural wonder built by famed American architect Frank Furness and is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Magic & Mystery House Tour (& Dinner at Vintage): (30 min.) (Evening) Take a step back in time to the Victorian Era in the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate mansion during the Magic & Mystery House Tour and learn about the Victorian fascination with magic, illusion, the mysterious and the odd. Hear about the Great Lafayette, Houdini, Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and much more! Tour can be combined with optional dinner at Vintage prior to the tour. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Trolley Tours

Historic District Trolley Tour: (45 min.) (Daytime) Known as the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts” for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing one of the country’s largest collections of 19th century seaside wood-framed buildings, the historic district features a variety of styles of Victorian architecture. It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Wonderful tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day. This narrated tour travels through portions of Cape May’s historic district.  Guides discuss the architecture and history of the area.  Offered all year either separately or as combination tours. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Mansions By the Sea Trolley Tour:   (45 min.)  (Daytime) You’ll hear the lifestyles of the rich and famous who lived in the early 1900s in the most elegant part of town on this trolley tour that includes the eastern beachfront. You’ll see the broad streets and massive plots on Cape May’s east side – an area marketed as “New Cape May” at the turn of the 20th century. Today, new, beachfront second homeowners have continued the tradition, running the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously rich. This narrated tour travels along Beach Drive through the early 20th century East Cape May Development areas. Guides discuss history and architecture. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour:   (45 min.)  (Daytime) This is the best introduction to Cape May for first timers. Find the hidden gems and the little-known treasures of this glorious seaside town and learn about natural and cultural points of interest. This narrated tour highlights the many cultural, historical and natural attractions on the island. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org. 

Spirits & Oddities Trolley Tour: (30 min)  (Evening) Headless photography? Electric corsets?  Coffin torpedoes? You won’t believe some of the strange beliefs, oddities, fads and superstitions of the Victorians. Hear stories on this trolley tour from Cape May’s history that bring to life the bizarre, the unexplained or the just plain weird. This tour explores some of the strange beliefs, superstitions, oddities,  fads, curiosities and mysteries from the end of the 19th century.  Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour: (30 min.)  (Evening) What was that shadow? Was it the undead of Cape May’s past wandering their beloved haunts? You might scoff, you might shudder, but rest assured: on board a trolley with an experienced guide you will begin to wonder what’s beyond when you hear the tales of hauntings unearthed in Cape May by famous psychic medium and author Craig McManus. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Underground Railroad Trolley Tour: (1.5 hours) (Daytime) Cape May was part of the Underground Railroad and this trolley tour tells of those dangerous days. Black slaves fled their chains in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia and braved strong currents and stormy seas, guided by the beacon at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked these streets, as did businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. Co-sponsored by the Center for Community Arts. Begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Combination House and Trolley Tours

Combination Historic District Trolley Tour/Physick Estate Guided Tour: 

(1.5 hours) (Daytime) This immersive, 1.5-hour tour experience combines a guided tour by trolley of Cape May’s Historic District with a guided tour of the Physick House Museum, providing an in-depth look into Cape May history and architecture. Learn why Cape May is the only National Historic Landmark City in the nation as you appreciate the details of Cape May’s unique Victorian streetscapes via trolley. Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for a detailed look at Victorian architecture and the period. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural masterpiece built by famed American architect Frank Furness and one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. The tour includes a visit to the Carriage House Carroll Gallery Exhibit and begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Historic Haunts Combo Tour :  (1 hr.) (Evening) Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic District and hear stories of haunted Cape May. Step off the trolley at the Physick House Museum with your guide and see the first floor of the Physick House Museum, reputed to be haunted, as you learn about Victorian Spiritualism. This tour combines a Ghosts of Cape May trolley tour with a visit to the Physick House. In the museum, guides will compare the methods of spirit contact used by the Victorians with those of today’s paranormal investigators. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Walking Tours

Painted Ladies, Porches & More Walking Tour (& Brunch at Vintage): (45 min.)  (Daytime) Take a walk from the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., to the Washington Street Mall with a knowledgeable guide and experience charming Cape May, a National Historic Landmark city, up close. Delight in beautiful gardens as you learn about Victorian architecture and Cape May’s colorful history along the way. Discover the interesting features of various Victorian styles and learn why front porches were so important to Victorian social customs. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Tour can be combined with optional brunch afterwards on select tour dates, at Vintage, on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.    

Dr. Physick’s Neighborhood Walking Tour & Brunch at Vintage: (1 hr. 15 min. tour, lunch at Vintage afterwards)  (Daytime – Morning) What was Cape May’s Washington Street like during the late 1800s, when Dr. Emlen Physick was a fixture in the neighborhood? As the owner of the grand Emlen Physick Estate at 1048 Washington St., he was the talk of the town, with his startling, stately home designed by American architect Frank Furness, built in 1879. Take a walking tour of his neighborhood and learn about his life, and the architecture and the neighbors who lived there. Enjoy a delicious brunch afterwards at Vintage, on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Comfortable shoes recommended. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Golf Cart Tours

Custom City Guide Golf Cart Tours

Cape May MAC now offers customized golf cart tours of Cape Island for small groups of family or friends year-round to experience Cape May together. City Guide Golf Cart Tours include a dedicated driver and guide and can accommodate groups of up to four or six passengers on a golf cart, navigating Cape May in comfort and convenience. A skilled driver and guide lead guests on a personalized tour of Cape Island with door-to-door service. Learn about Cape May history, architecture and legends, and visit historic sites, such as the Cape May Lighthouse, the Emlen Physick Estate and the World War II Lookout Tower, with lots of fresh air along the way. Tours can be customized based on interests and time. Tours require two business days advance notice.  Call Susan Gibson directly at 609-224-6030 to make your reservation. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Weekends beginning Friday, April 23 

Daily beginning Friday, May 28

10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 

Experience Vintage, one of Cape May’s newest destination restaurants with delicious outdoor brunch and dinner dining on the Carriage House patio under the tent, on the grounds of the beautiful Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Visit capemaymac.org for schedule and menu, and OpenTable.com to make reservations. Pet-friendly, take-out available. Free off-street and on-site parking. Cape May MAC members receive a 15% discount (discount not applicable to entire party). capemaymac.org.

Through Oct. 24

Carroll Gallery Exhibit: “MAC’s 50th Anniversary Exhibit”

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), now Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), was born in 1970 when a small band of passionate volunteers committed themselves to save the Emlen Physick Estate from demolition. In more than 50 years since, the organization has grown to become a leading interpreter of Cape May history, culture and the arts. This landmark exhibit highlights the organization’s history and its contribution to the preservation of historic Cape May, telling the story of an organization that has helped Cape May not only survive, but thrive. In the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Free admission. Open daily through Oct. 24; times vary. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org.

Calendar of Events

Crafts & collectibles shows in 2021.

Shop and browse outdoors on the grounds of the beautiful Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., among crafters and collectibles dealers from the tri-state region. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org. Admission is free:

• Spring Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Summer Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• National Lighthouse Day Crafts Show at the Lighthouse, Saturday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 5K Craft Beer & Crab Crawl Sunday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Harvest Brew Fest Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles Show, Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Halloween Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Shop and browse inside Cape May Convention Hall among crafters and collectibles dealers from the tri-state region this fall. capemaymac.org. Admission is $2:

• Crafts & Collectibles By the Sea Show, Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Fall Crafts & Collectibles Show, Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show, Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Free Admission for Dads on Father’s Day

Sunday, June 20

Dads are admitted free at two of Cape May’s historic sites, the Cape May Lighthouse and the World War II Lookout Tower on Father’s Day, June 20. Thanks, Dad! Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org.

Virtual Armed Forces Day & Peace Officers Memorial Day Ceremony

Saturday, May 15: 11 a.m.

In 2021, Armed Forces Day and Peace Officers Memorial Day fall on the same day, Saturday, May 15. Join us online for a pre-recorded virtual ceremony honoring veterans and the military and fallen peace officers, led by Cape May County Commissioner Jeffrey Pierson. The virtual ceremony can be viewed at 11 a.m. via the capemaymac.org website. Sponsored by the Friends of the World War II Lookout Tower, an affinity group of Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For more information, visit capemaymac.org.

Murder Mystery Dinners

Saturdays, May 22 & May 29: 7 p.m.

Enjoy a four-course dinner and watch the mystery and drama unfold around you during “All Bets Are Off,” this spring’s Murder Mystery Dinner at Aleathea’s Restaurant, at the historic Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. Admission is limited. $65 includes a four-course dinner. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

32nd Annual Cape May Music Festival 2021 Series 

May 13-June 27

Launching this year’s music festival is a free classical music concert presented virtually for viewing and listening at home via capemaymac.org, on Thursday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. The virtual concert is pre-recorded and presented by a collaboration between Cape May MAC, the New York Chamber Ensemble and the Bay Atlantic Symphony. Viewers and listeners can further enjoy these concerts any time after the concert. A live Q&A session immediately after each concert encourages viewers to engage with the artists. Viewers register in advance via the website to participate. Visit https://capemaymac.org/experience/special-events/cape-may-music-festival/ to find out more, to watch virtual concerts and to register in advance for the Q&A sessions. Live concerts continue the 32-year festival tradition of bringing outstanding classical, brass band and jazz music to Cape May. This year, the live concerts kick off on Memorial Day Weekend, with the exciting return of the award-winning Atlantic Brass Band in a free concert at Rotary Park Bandstand, 400 Lafayette St., on Sunday, May 30 at 7 p.m.  Cape May MAC, the New York Chamber Ensemble and the Bay Atlantic Symphony also collaborate to bring live classical music concerts to the stage on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., on Thursday, June 3 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m., with rain dates the following evenings. $25 adults, $20 seniors and $15 students. The New York Chamber Ensemble will host the traditional benefit Friends of the Cape May Music Festival Present “A Musical Intermezzo” on Wednesday, June 16: 4 p.m. at Vintage at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Enjoy an intimate performance and light refreshments in the lovely setting of Vintage, under the Carriage House Tent on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. This event raises funds to share outstanding classical music with the community throughout the year. Reservations necessary. $25 for adults; $20 seniors and $15 for students. $3 off for members. capemaymac.org. Paula Johns returns in 2021 for a jazz concert titled “The Real Me” presented on the outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., on Sunday, June 27 at 7 p.m. Rain date is June 28 at 7 p.m. $25 adults, $20 seniors and $15 students. Bring blankets and chairs for outdoor concerts. Social distancing will be maintained and masks are required at this time at all Cape May MAC locations both indoors and outdoors. For ticket information, program updates and details visit capemaymac.org or call 609-884-5404. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lighthouse Full Moon Climbs

Wednesday, May 26, Thursday, June 24, Friday, July 23 and Sunday, Aug. 22: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Don’t miss the romance of a nighttime climb to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse. These special opportunities are only offered a handful of times each year, during a full moon. Regardless of a clear or cloudy night sky, you will join a select group who have experienced stepping out onto the Watch Gallery at nighttime. Revel in the view of the Delaware Bay and the southern tip of New Jersey from the highest vantage point on the peninsula. The Cape May Lighthouse is located at Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township (next to Cape May Point Borough Hall in Cape May Point), at 215 Lighthouse Ave., and normally closes at dusk. $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-12). Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Clueless at the Physick Estate: “Hook, Line & Sinker”

Saturdays, June 5-26: 6:45 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 1-Aug. 31: 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

“Clueless at the Physick Estate” returns this summer with an engaging new mystery based on the popular board game. “Hook, Line & Sinker” is this season’s “whodunit” mystery that dramatically unfolds as you travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Can you solve this mystery before someone else vanishes? $25 for adults; $20 for children (ages 3-12). Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Gardens of Cape May Tour

Saturday, June 12, 2021 (Rain date June 13): 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Join in the celebration of spring, beauty and hope! Here is your invitation to step past the frontage and explore the private plants and blooms of some of the Cape May area’s most dedicated gardeners. See their private landscape designs and take home ideas for your own gardens. Smell and see what’s blooming and flourishing in several different seashore locations dominated by sunlight, ocean breezes, sand and salt, but each uniquely situated. Physick Estate gardens are included! Maps and activities will be available the day of the tour outside on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., with Cape May Winery wine tastings, and vendors on the grounds! $20. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Brunch & Bingo At the Beach

Saturday, June 19: 9:30 a.m.

Laugh along with your girlfriends and guy friends as you play a little bingo, enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton Company and compete for prizes. Admission includes a delicious brunch at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. Sunday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m. $25. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org. 

Dinners With Vintage: Dinner & Fireworks

Saturday, July 3 & Sunday, July 4: 6:30 p.m. 

Here’s an exclusive chance to see the area’s Independence Day fireworks from the ideal vantage point: atop the Cape May Lighthouse. Enjoy a four-course dinner at Vintage then board the trolley at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. for a short ride to Cape May Lighthouse. Climb to the top to watch the fireworks from the Watch Gallery. Reservations necessary. Capacity limited. Subject to cancellation if fireworks are cancelled. $125. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

Family Fun Days at the Cape May Lighthouse

Wednesdays, July 7-Aug. 18: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township, is a beacon for fun! Join us this summer and enjoy kid-friendly activities, performers, entertainment and crafts vendors at the base of the lighthouse. Free admission to the grounds. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org.

Lessons of History Breakfast Lecture & Book Signing at Vintage

Richard Striner presents “The Audacity of Abraham Lincoln”

Wednesday, July 28: 9 a.m. 

Richard Striner will present a 45-minute talk “The Audacity of Abraham Lincoln” at Vintage, Emlen Physick Estate. The event is sponsored by the Cape May MAC Lessons of History Team. A spell-binding public speaker, Striner taught history for more than 30 years at Washington College, Chestertown, Md. He is author of more than a dozen books, an acclaimed Lincoln scholar, and his books and articles have covered political history, presidential history, literature, economics, film, architecture, and historic preservation. His most recent book is “Summoned to Glory: The Audacious Life of Abraham Lincoln” (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020), which will be available for purchase at the Carriage House Museum Shop. Event is limited. Light breakfast is included, with book signing to follow. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). For information and to purchase tickets visit capemaymac.org.

REV Theater presents: “Honky Tonkin’ – A Country Music Show” at the Emlen Physick Estate

Tuesdays, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, Thursdays, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12, Fridays, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13, Saturday, Aug. 7 and Sunday Aug. 8. (outdoor stage at 7 p.m.)

Wednesdays, Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 (gazebo at 4 p.m.)

Yee-haw!  This lil’ ol’ shindig puts the hoot in hootenanny with retro hits from Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams and many more in August on the outdoor stage or gazebo at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Don’t miss this hoedown, pardner, for a rootin’, tootin’ good time! Adults, $25, seniors (62+), $20, children over 12, $20, children 12 and under, free. Groups of 20, $15 per person. Social distancing will be maintained and/or masks are required; prevailing limits on crowds will be managed to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Presented by REV Theater in association with Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org.  

Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival and 5K Run

Saturday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Festival)

Sunday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (5K Run)

It’s back! Cape May MAC’s most popular outdoor festival returns in 2021, this time for two days! Join us with friends and family all day on Saturday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for crabs, beer, music and more, and then on Sunday, Aug. 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., join us for a 5K run and a bit of fun on the grounds. Experience what CBSNY dubbed one of the top 5 outdoor festivals in New Jersey! Families are welcome. Social distancing will be maintained and/or masks are required; prevailing limits on crowds will be managed to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). capemaymac.org. 

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Activities in Cape May

Ghosts & mysteries tours from cape may mac.

• Ghost Tours
• Tours of Cape May

Tickets can be purchased online or in advance at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth or at the Carriage House Visitors Center at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street.

Please call to confirm information.

• Kid friendly

Cape May is one of the most haunted towns you’ll ever visit. Is it any wonder? It’s such a marvelous place, even the spirits don’t want to leave Cape May! Dozens of Victorian gems have been investigated and documented to have “spirit” residents, all of whom are quite friendly, we assure you. Take a giant step back in Cape May’s past and see if a ghostly encounter is in the cards for you!

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Historic District Trolley Tour

Wonderful tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day.

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(45 min.) (Daytime)

Known as the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts” for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing one of the country's largest collections of 19th century seaside wood framed buildings, the historic district features a variety of styles of Victorian architecture. It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Wonderful tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day. This narrated tour travels through portions of Cape May’s historic district.  Guides discuss the architecture and history of the area.  Offered year-round either separately or as combo tours.

Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop. Allow ample time to find parking. 

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