Fall is the best time to come to the beach in my opinion. The crowds are gone but most of the restaurants and stores are still open. The ocean water is warm and the pools at Seapointe are heated to a palmy 80 degrees so while it may be 75 out, it's warm in the pool! So if you are considering a trip in the fall, here are a few things to consider -
Pools and Hot Tubs are Open
The pools and hot tubs at Seapointe do not close until the end of September and the Ibis pool (indoor) is open year round so it never closes except for one week in May for deep cleaning. The hot tubs outside are also open through September but the one in Ibis is open all year.
Beach are Open
The lifeguards may have all gone home but the beaches are open and the water is warm! We were swimming in the ocean last year on October 26th! It's was an unusually warm day and the water was still so warm that it was refreshing. There was no one on the beach and we played all day in the sand and the water as if it was any other summer day!
Boardwalk and Restaurants
Most of the restaurants and stores on the boardwalk didn't close until the end of September last year. By the first weekend of October, most of the boardwalk was closed up but there were still plenty of restaurants to visit in the off season. Especially if you are willing to go over the bridge into Cape May. With all of the holiday events and festivities, many of the Cape May restaurants and stores remain open year round.
Camp fires and smores
The firepits at Seapointe are on all year so whether it's a 80 degree summer night or a 60 degree fall night, the fire pits are on and a perfect spot to relax with a glass of wine while the kids roast their smores!
Activities
When the boardwalk and other activities are shut down, there is still plenty do to at the shore for the family. Here are a few of our favorites -
Touring the local wineries
Walking on the beach at the Bird Sanctuary
Indoor swimming at Ibis
Roasting smores
Visiting the Cape May Zoo
Grabbing lunch and a movie at the movie theater in Stone Harbor
Walking around the Washington Street Mall in Cape May and finding some local treasures
Enjoying a nice meal out without the crowds
For a complete list of off season activities, check out our recommendations under guest services on our website.
Fall Events
There are also lots of planned events for the season coming up this fall. Stay tuned to our Facebook group for the latest updates on times and locations.
Cape May Food and Wine Celebration, 2021 Date TBD
Cape May Harbor Brew Fest, Saturday, September 18th 2021
Mutt Strut on the Promenade, 2021 Date TBD
Don't miss the Full Moon Climb at the Lighthouse, starting at 8 PM on Monday, September 20th 2021
Cape May Oktoberfest, Held on the Historic Jackson Street, you'll see the transformation from a seaside resort to a German promenade complete with food, beer, and music - September 2021 Dates TBD
Cape May 49th Annual Victorian Weekend, Celebrate Cape May's Victorian architecture and history with a holiday weekend of Victorian themed tours and events - October 7th - 11th 2021
Taste of Cape May Kitchen Tour, See elaborately designed kitchens with delicious tastings at each - 2021 Dates TBD
4th Annual BluesFest of Cape May, features premiere Blues acts, craft beers, and smokin’ barbecue - October 2021 Dates TBD,
Full Moon Climb at the Cape May Lighthouse, Wednesday, October 20th 2021 (this is the last climb of the year).
Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Physick Estate, Sunday, October 10th 2021 (10 AM - 4 PM)
39th Annual Halloween Parade - The Parade route begins at Perry Street and Carpenter Lane, proceeds down Carpenter Lane to Ocean Street, travels down Washington Street and ends at the Emlen Physick Estate located at 1048 Washington Street - October 2021 Dates TBD
Crafts & Collectibles by the Sea, Cape May Convention Hall, Saturday, October 23rd 2021
Sherlock Holmes Weekend - October 29th - 31st 2021
Halloween Crafts & Collectible Show at the Emlyn Physick Estate - Saturday, October 30th 2021 (10 AM - 3 PM)
Hawk Haven Vineyards presents 'Saturdays on the Crushpad', enjoy an afternoon of wine, food pairings and a variety of musical performances by local singer-songwriters. Saturdays 11 AM to 6 PM (Live music 1 - 4 PM)
Fire Pit Fridays at Willow Creek Winery - Enjoy locally grown, produced, and bottled wines while listening to live music from local musicians around the winery's fire pit. The winery also offers a lovely selection of tapas and small plates. Friday nights from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (live music from 6-9 PM)
Halloween Happenings in Cape May, Historic Haunts Tour, Scarecrow Alley at the Physick Estate, Murder Mystery Dinners, Private Homes Tours - just a few of the events happening during Victorian Week in Cape May, October 15th - 31st 2021
Sherlock Holmes Weekend, Holmes returns to Cape May with an all new mystery. Three days of intrigue, suspense, clue searches, and live performances. November 5th - 7th 2021
Crafts & Collectibles Show, Cape May Convention Hall - Saturday, November 13th 2021
Exit Zero's Jazz Festival, 2021 Dates TBD
Cape May Holiday Preview Weekend, November 19th -21st 2021
Cape May Hospitality Nights - Thursday & Friday, December 2021 Dates TBD
Lamplighters Christmas Tour - a self-guided evening tour of four of Cape May’s finest B&B's or private homes, specially decorated for the holidays. Owners and Innkeepers will share their holiday spirit at each location. 2021 Dates TBD
West Cape May Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 4th 2021
48th Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours in Cape May, Saturdays, December 4th, 11th & 18th 2021
If this has convinced you that a weekend getaway this fall is something that you are interested in, please reach out for rates and availability. Fall is a great time to get away for a quick weekend with your spouse, your girlfriends or the entire family. Depending on what you want to do, there is something here for everyone!