We have an 18 year New Year’s tradition at our Cape May B&B.

Chip leads us in Old Lang Syne

On this special day, T-time is more like a cocktail party, after which guests go their separate ways for dinner. We all gather back around 11:30, bundle up in our warm winter clothes, and head down to the beach to welcome in the New Year.

Generally at least one person (Chip) dips their toes in the ocean. It’s fun. It’s invigorating. It’s crazy.

Once back at the inn, we sing Auld Lang Syne and totter off to bed when we want.

We thank all of you who spent time with us in 2009, and look forward to seeing you all again in 2010. Without you, as they say, we’re nothing.

Happy New Year!

Queen Christine Crooke

Past and present guests of our Cape May Inn know that we have an on-going waffle eating contest. You never know when the reigning Waffle King will be usurped. Peter Burkhart became our current King in October 2008 when he polished off 30 waffles; how long can his reign endure?

We are thrilled to announce that for the first time in 18 years we have a Queen! December 13, a tiny lady – fresh in from her morning run – looked at our buffet waffle platter and said, “no problem!” Lo and behold, she ate 12, was crowned Queen to great applause, and proceeded to eat 4 more!

Our reigning Waffle Queen at 16 waffles is Christine Crooke! Long live Queen Christine!

Watch the sun set on 2009 in Cape May

Okay, we all know it isn’t possible to truly stop the passage of time, much as some of us may wish we could. The next best thing is DENIAL. Instead of looking towards the future this year, look to the past: spend New Year’s Eve in Historic Cape May NJ.

There are many advantages of welcoming 2010 in this Victorian Seaport: it’s safe, well lit, and easily walkable. You can travel by trolley. There are numerous excellent restaurants where you may savor your last meal of 2009. You can attend the theater, or listen to music.

Those of you who enjoy dressing to the nine’s will want to attend the New Year’s Eve Glitter Ball in the Congress Hall Ballroom, with five course meal, live entertainment, dancing and of course a champagne toast. For a less formal (and less pricey) evening, consider New Years Eve Boiler Room Fiesta, also at Congress Hall, or head to Carney’s New Year’s Eve Party. (more…)

There is still plenty of time to partake in Christmastime festivities in Cape May NJ. The first thing you need to do is put everything else on hold in your life, pack a bag and head to our Cape May bed and breakfast.

Chip's pre-WWII standard gage Lionel train and train garden

Once you’re settled in your room, come down for afternoon tea in the parlor, where you can inspect our plethora of Christmas decorations and decide how to spend your evening. Be sure not to miss Chip’s Lionel train and train garden under the tree!

After you’ve enjoyed a hearty breakfast in the morning, you’ll be ready to hit the shops; and Washington Street Mall is just a few minutes from our bed and breakfast Cape May. This outdoor pedestrian mall is decked out for the holidays, making the charming, historic shops all the prettier. (more…)

Make yourself at home here as you prepare for the holidays

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we’d rather be no place but home for the holidays at our Cape May bed and breakfast. One of our favorite parts of this time of year is swapping holiday stories with our guests. Conversations by the Christmas tree can get pretty hilarious when folks bring out holidays gone awry in one way or another. It’s good to be reminded that sometimes the best moments are the ones we don’t plan – or the ones that don’t go as planned – and that we ought not take ourselves too seriously. (more…)

Cape May is THE place to be over the holidays. We just love to throw ourselves into making our homes and businesses look festive for Christmas and New Years. Though the nights are long this time of year, it doesn’t feel dark and dreary in Cape May. Quite the contrary, in fact. You can’t help but smile when you see home after historic home ablaze in cheerful lights.

The next time you stay at our bed and breakfast Cape May, consider a night at the theater.The East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May specializes in productions that deal with uniquely American experiences. Their upcoming show, Christmas in Black and White, looks at Christmas from the perspective of newly arrived immigrants and newly-freed slaves.

Gayle Stahlhuth and Stephanie Garrett adapted stories from Edward Everett Hale and Louisa May Alcott, among others. Excellent story tellers themselves, Stahlhuth’s and Garrett’s performances breathe life into these tales. They explore the lives of little-recognized 19th century Middle-class African Americans, who share the same hopes and dreams as their white counterparts. They delve into the struggles of immigrants trying to communicate in a strange language and succeed in a foreign land.

The stories are shaped around Christmas: what it means to different people and how they celebrate it. It is sure to put yourself in a holiday mood. The play runs November 27, 28, and December 6, 11, and 12. All performances begin at 8:30pm.

Warm, cozy, and well lit...just where you want to be on cold winter nights

Before you head out for dinner and a show, enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine at our Cape May b&b. We’d be happy to recommend a restaurant, and provide directions to the East Lynn Theater. As always, we look forward to hearing your reviews!

Part of what makes the holidays such a fun time is that folks step out of their routines and try new things. Cape May is beginning to tingle with excitement – lights are going up all over town, dressing many fine old Victorians for the occasion. People dress up, too, and not just for the cold. The holidays are a great excuse to get all decked out and go someplace special with someone special.

We hope you’ll consider a night at the theater while you are staying with us at our Cape May bed and breakfast. Between now and the new year, there are two excellent productions in store for folks who attend the Cape May Stage.

If you make it here before November 28, you’ll be in time to see Athol Fugards ‘Master Henry’… and the Boys. Set in 1950s South Africa, this award winning play delves into the lifelong friendship between a white man and a black man. Considered Mr. Fugard’s masterpiece, ‘Master Henry’ …and the Boys is “searing, haunting, often funny, and ultimately redemptive” (Cape May Stage website).

December 3 – 31, the Cape May Stage will present “An O. Henry Christmas”. You ‘ll be transported back to turn of the century New York City for two Christmas tales of love, generosity, and hope. The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf are two classic tales that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

See one play, or come to Cape May twice and see both. This is a marvelous town to be in during the holidays. Shopping opportunities abound, as does good cheer. Treat yourself to something special this year and spend a few days at our bed and breakfast Cape May.

Join us at the inn for the holidays

It’s true. While we love Thanksgiving – and what’s not to love about sharing great food with great people? – we also welcome it because for us, it is the opening of the Christmas season. The lights go up, the boxes of decorations come down, and away we go!

Yes, we love the Christmas season. Our Cape May Inn feels so festive during the holidays that it is hard not to smile and feel happy. We think that might be why folks like being here at this time of year. (more…)

Sherlock Holmes to be in Cape May this weekend

This weekend, November 6 through 8, 2009, Cape May will be stomping its feet to a jazzy beat and trying to solve mysteries with Sherlock Holmes. Those of us here at our Cape May NJ bed and breakfast can’t wait!

The 32nd Annual Cape May Jazz Festival presents a tribute to the incomparable Count Basie. The current incarnation of the Count Basie Orchestra will bring it’s nineteen members to Cape May NJ and swing the night away in true Kansas City style.

Richie Cole on the sax, Barbara King with her dusky voice, and Edgardo Cintron and Inca Band are just a few of the other performers who will be on hand to make Cape May THE place to be this weekend if you appreciate jazz. (more…)

Osprey Nest, sited during a Cape May Birdwatching Cruise

Bird enthusiasts up and down the east coast recognize the name of Cape May, NJ. The land and waters around Cape May are home to many species of birds, and serve as a popular rest-stop for migrating birds. We always enjoy hosting bird watchers at our Cape May lodging – they are an interesting lot.

Throughout the year there are many birding events in and around Cape May. Just this past weekend, birders flew in from around the country for the Cape May Autumn Weekend, THE Bird Show. It may be too late for you to attend that event, but perhaps you can make it to the upcoming Waterbird Society Meeting, November 4 – 8. Consider staying at least part of that time at our Cape May bed and breakfast.