Come to Cape May this holiday season for holiday shopping and to get it a festive mood.

Online shopping is convenient. However, it lacks a certain “je ne sais quoi.” Rarely do those wonderful “Eureka!” moments happen while browsing the Amazon.com catalogue. Rarely do we find something we wouldn’t have thought to seek.

At the same time, it’s true that large shopping malls can be grim, and shopping outings at large malls can be dispiriting. But there are alternatives to crowded malls and the internet.

Shopping in and around Cape May is wonderful. Many guests of our Cape May Bed and Breakfasts have discovered the joys of holiday shopping at the nearby Washington Street Mall. This charming street lined with shops and closed to traffic is a delightful place to shop. A tiresome task is suddenly convenient and fun.

Favorite shops in the Washington Street Pedestrian Mall:

•  Whale’s Tail. Unique jewelry and gifts inspired by the sea.

• Bath Time. The best place in town to find sumptuous body care products.

• Madame’s Port. Fantastic home accents, as well as furniture and fashion items.

• Kaleidescope and Just for Laughs. You really will smile while browsing through this store.

Several blocks beyond the Washington Street Pedestrian Mall is another Cape May treasure–The West End Garage. Its cool market stalls are filled with locally made art and jewelry, clothing, antiques, collectibles, and, at this time of year, holiday gifts and decorations. You can even find  fresh, locally made food at the West End Garage.

Even the most bah-humbug mood can be cheered by a few days at our festively decorated Cape May Bed and Breakfast. Leave your car parked, and allow Cape May to work its magic.

The Cape May Pedestrian Mall.

Indeed, it is difficult to imagine a more aesthetically pleasing place to shop than the Washington Street Mall, a three-block long pedestrian area lined with shops and cafes. Many of the shops have been owned and operated by the same family for generations. It’s a good place to find unique gifts, and it feels good to shop there.

The Washington Street Mall is just a a few blocks from our Cape May Bed and Breakfast. One of the best things about a shopping trip here is that you can leave your car parked at the inn while you shop. It’s easy to return to the John F. Craig House to drop off packages if your bundles become too cumbersome, or to rest for a spell between shopping excursions.

Favorite Cape May Shops:

• American West: an eclectic assortment of clothing, collectibles, home and garden decor.
• Dellas 5 & 10: find stocking stuffers for grandchildren and have lunch at the soda fountain.
• Whales Tale: beach gifts and shell art – a fun little seaside store.
• Love the Cook: shop here if you love the cook in your life, even if that cook is you.
• Morrow’s Nut House: give the gift of yumminess – candy, nuts, and fudge.

We know we’re home when the tension is gone from our necks and shoulders. The buzz of cities and freeways recedes, replaced by the lulling rhythm of the surf. This happens every time we return to our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, no matter the season.

The beauty of Cape May.

Yet autumn has always been a favorite time for us. Cape May doesn’t have the most spectacular fall colors (though the leaves do exchange green for muted shades of red, orange, and yellow), and it doesn’t always have glorious fall weather. Sometimes days are blustery, sometimes they’re grey, and sometimes they are warm and clear. It doesn’t matter.

Autumn beach walks in Cape May are a panacea – they make everything better. We bundle up to the nose on cold days and unzip our jackets on warm days. We sit on driftwood in the sun, and lean against each other when it’s windy. We return to the inn refreshed, ready to greet guests, make another pot of coffee, and serve glasses of Barbara’s special punch.

Spend a few days at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast this autumn. Come here to celebrate a special occasion, or simply for a little R&R. Take advantage of our Midweek Special if you can, or come for a weekend. It doesn’t matter when you come, so long as you walk on the beach while you’re here.

Barbara's fruit punch will cool you after a round a golf in Cape May.

Cape May is best known for the beautiful beaches and charming Victorian downtown, but there is great golf here, too. Read what some golf experts have said about Cape May National Golf Club:

• “Cape May National is like going back to see an old girl friend, perhaps the one you should have married. It might be the most beautiful golf course in the state.” PUB LINKS GOLF MAGAZINE
• “South Jersey’s jewel is Cape May National Golf Club. The course flows through the superb mix of wetlands, natural grasses, mounding and ponds.” THE WASHINGTON GOLF MONTHLY
• “Voted, Top 50 Best Places to Play in America.” Golf Digest for Women

Cape May National Golf Club surrounds a 50-acre private bird sanctuary. It bears the moniker “The Natural” for good reasons – you’ll see no houses here, just green trees, rolling greens, and reflective ponds. Spend a few hours or a whole day at The Natural, basking in beauty as you tackle this challenging, Par 71 course.

Cape May Par 3 is a great course for everyone, but perhaps most of all for novices or folks who are returning to the game after an absence. It’s a short course, requiring no more than a couple of hours to play, and it has a good driving range.

Break your fast at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, so you’ll have plenty of energy once you hit the greens. In the evening, we welcome you to relax with a glass of Barbara’s Fresh Fruit Punch, Chateau Blanc, or a combination of the two.

Relax on the porch of our Cape May Bed and Breakfast after a day at Higbee Beach.

Since it sits on Delaware Bay rather than the Atlantic Ocean, Higbee Beach does not have large waves. The water laps rather than crashes to shore, although the Cape May – Lewes Ferry does create a few good waves as it passes this thin strip of sand. Higbee is a perfect beach for walking and it’s ideal for swimming, especially if you prefer calm waters.

If you like to stretch out on blankets and warm yourself in the sun, it’s best to get to Higbee Beach early in the day. Higbee is a haven for folks who don’t like to listen to other people’s music while at the beach, and who might care to enjoy a sip of wine or beer as evening approaches. Alcohol is allowed at Higbee, as are leashed dogs.

You’ll have to walk a bit to get to Higbee Beach, through woods and over dunes, but it’s worth it. Ask us how to find it once you arrive at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast.

From time to time, guests will sit down at our afternoon tea time and announce they’ve just spent a lovely afternoon touring Cape May by horse drawn carriage. We hear this from folks who have been coming here for years – for some reason, a horse drawn carriage ride is not at the top of many “must do” lists. We also frequently hear “I wish we had done this years ago!”

Cape May Carriage Company has been around for almost 30 years. Rides are offered daily during the summer and at Christmas time, and on weekends in the spring and fall. There are shaded carriages for hot, sunny days, and warm blankets for the lap on cool days (take a moment to imagine what cool weather feels like).

You can have a private carriage or ride in a group carriage with other people. The drivers / guides know a great many interesting facts which they’ll happily share with you. If you prefer to ride in silence, simply tell them. Rides last 30 minutes.

Thirty minute carriage rides are $40 for 2. For additional information, please visit Cape May Carriage Company.

We look forward to hearing all about it during tea time here at the John F. Craig Cape May Bed and Breakfast.

The Cape May Winery.

New Jersey may not leap to mind like Napa Valley or Bordeaux when one thinks of great wine producing areas. Nonetheless, the wineries near our Cape May NJ Bed and Breakfast deserve a look. When next you visit our pretty Victorian seacoast town, allow time for wine tasting at Cape May Winery and Hawk Haven Vineyard. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed by what you find.

Cape May Winery and Vineyard recently won three silver medals and four bronze medals at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. On a hot day, try their Barrel Fermented Chardonnay or Riesling. Tours of the facility and vineyard are available; they last under two hours and include a wine tasting and a souvenir wine glass. The tour also includes cheese and fruit, so your palate will be cleansed between tastes. If you’ve always been curious to see how wine is made, this tour is for you.

Hawk Haven Vineyard is also worth a visit. Their 2008 Quill New (a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend) was awarded a gold medal by The World Wine Championship. Tastings.com called it “distinctive, dynamic and exotic”. So much for New Jersey wines being pedestrian!

Stop by Hawk Haven Vineyard on any Sunday afternoon between now and September 11, 2011, for their Sangria Sundays. Wine and sangria are offered by the glass, and live music plays all day. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics.

We offer our own special wine tasting every evening at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast. Try our house wine, affectionately known as Chateau Blanc, or dip a glass into Barbara’s Sangria, a tantalizing blend of Chateau Blanc and our homemade fresh fruit punch. A votre santé!

Please visit Cape May Winery and Hawk Haven Vineyard for more information about wine tastings and tours.

Dad would admire this great old car at the Emlen Physick Estate.

It’s true – dads love Cape May, NJ. If you’re looking for a good way to express your love for your dad this Father’s Day, consider spending a few days with him at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast.

History buff dads will find Cape May full of beautifully preserved and restored historic buildings. Tour The Colonial House, which dates from the 1700s and is the oldest house in Cape May, and Emlen Physick Estate (1878). Spend a few hours at the Cape May County Historical Museum. Visit nearby Historic Cold Spring Village to see a historic reenactment of a mid-19th century rural community.

Mariner fathers will enjoy that fact that Cape May, NJ, is a seacoast town with scenic cruises , dinner cruises, and whale watching excursions. There are nature safaris through the salt marshes and back bay birding and history tours. The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is another way to enjoy water views of historic harbors, marine life, and historic lighthouses; the journey between New Jersey and Delaware lasts 85 minutes.

Angling dads will love the superlative fishing waters of Cape May. Numerous fishing charters lead anglers off shore and in shore. Dads can try saltwater fly fishing or head out to deep waters.

Dads who like outdoor recreation may want to tour the area on one of the bikes we have for guests of our Bed and Breakfast Cape May, NJ. They may want to go for a hike through Maurice River Bluffs Preserve, or try parasailing. Of course, the beaches of Cape May always beckon.

There is little doubt that your father will most enjoy spending time with you, even if all you do is sit together on the porch of our historic Cape May Bed and Breakfast, sipping cool drinks.

Plan a trip to our Cape May Bed and Breakfast and see why our beaches have received so many kudos. Sunset Beach is an aptly named, favorite place to watch the sunset. Each evening during the summer there is a flag lowering ceremony, which is worth experiencing at least once. When not admiring the view, be sure to scan the beach for quartz pebbles – these Cape May diamonds should grace every mantle.

Cape May Lighthouse, at dusk.

Not far from our Cape May Bed and Breakfast is Seven Mile Beach – a barrier island with beautiful sand dunes and the small towns of Avalon and Stone Harbor. Certain areas of the beach permit surfing and rafting, and surf chairs are available free of charge. Closer to the inn you’ll find the expansive beaches of the Wildwoods.

Another great spot is Cape May Point State Park, home to the Cape May Lighthouse. Climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a great view, then walk down one of the trails that lead to fabulous coastal dunes. Cape May Point State Park is a favorite spot for birdwatchers.

Guests of our Bed and Breakfast Cape May NJ start each day with a tasty and filling breakfast. Our goal is to help you have plenty of energy to expend on the wonderful beaches of Cape May.

Try yoga in Cape May.

Balance Pilates and Yoga Studio is less than a mile from our Bed and Breakfast Cape May; complement your yoga workout with a relaxing walk through town. You may also decide to book a massage at Balance. They offer Thai Yoga Massage, Integrative/Therapeutic Massage, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Reiki Energy Healing.

For more information about yoga and Pilates classes in Cape May, please see Balance Pilates and Yoga Studio.