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| Cape May Lifeboat |
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| Cape May Lighthouse - built 1859 |
If I ask you to think of New Jersey, or ask you to find some adjectives to describe it, probably "pretty"; "ornate" and "quaint" would be the last on the list. Most likely you'd think of "loud"; "brash"; "tough"- I know I did too...
I bet you'd picture the fictional pop cult characters of the hit TV drama "The Sopranos" - Tony perhaps, cruising in his oversized SUV on the NJ Turnpike, hairy, bear like hand gripping the wheel, large gold pinky ring, smoke rising from his enormous cigar gripped between chubby fingers.
I bet you'd picture the fictional pop cult characters of the hit TV drama "The Sopranos" - Tony perhaps, cruising in his oversized SUV on the NJ Turnpike, hairy, bear like hand gripping the wheel, large gold pinky ring, smoke rising from his enormous cigar gripped between chubby fingers.
Or maybe you'd think of the bombastic and literally, as well as figuratively, larger than life NJ Governor Chris Christie.
Maybe the iconic, New Jersey born, blue collar musicians like Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi, come to mind, and their anthems about working class heroes, industrial landscapes and their hard knock lives.
Or perhaps more likely the infamous "reality" shows like "Jersey Shore" or "Jersey-licious" - with their over the top, loutish characters, all tattoos and greased back hair.
Then, like me, you'll be surprised to find, there is also a quiet and genteel side to New Jersey too. In fact, there are attractive and historic little towns dotted about the state.
Then, like me, you'll be surprised to find, there is also a quiet and genteel side to New Jersey too. In fact, there are attractive and historic little towns dotted about the state.
One of the best of these is Cape May, NJ, situated at the most southern tip. Located at Exit Zero on the Garden State Parkway, it is a Victorian beauty on the NJ coast.
Established in 1857, it is America's oldest sea side resort. The whole town is designated a National Trust protected historic district. There are over 600 Victorian buildings there - stunning, fanciful, gingerbread houses painted in pastel shades with intricately carved porticos and balustrades. Today a large number of the residences have been transformed into Bed & Breakfast places; of course many Victorian buildings were constructed as hotels in the first place. Invariably they have imposing and elegant wraparound porches, and are furnished with wicker sofas and porch swings, perfect to lay upon and take the sea air.
Established in 1857, it is America's oldest sea side resort. The whole town is designated a National Trust protected historic district. There are over 600 Victorian buildings there - stunning, fanciful, gingerbread houses painted in pastel shades with intricately carved porticos and balustrades. Today a large number of the residences have been transformed into Bed & Breakfast places; of course many Victorian buildings were constructed as hotels in the first place. Invariably they have imposing and elegant wraparound porches, and are furnished with wicker sofas and porch swings, perfect to lay upon and take the sea air.
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| Ornate Victorian balcony |
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| The Congress Hall Hotel |
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| Victorian beauty with mansard roof |
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| Reception at Congress Hall Hotel |
In the summer season, you can take street tours of the best historic houses, either in horse drawn carriages or vintage style trolley buses.
There is a small pedestrian shopping area in the center of town lined with little boutiques selling jewelry and knick knacks and antique white lace; a classic traditional fudge shop; a 1950's style soda shop too.
The expansive, award winning, white sandy beaches are gorgeous, and you can watch dolphins from the shore. If you feel energetic, climb to the top of the Cape May lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park and admire the view for miles of the ocean and the bay.
The expansive, award winning, white sandy beaches are gorgeous, and you can watch dolphins from the shore. If you feel energetic, climb to the top of the Cape May lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park and admire the view for miles of the ocean and the bay.
In other words, if you want a little break from the speed and craziness of every day life, this is the perfect place in which to decompress. It's a journey back in time, and an unexpectedly beautiful side of New Jersey, that plays against the stereotype.
