The

John F. Craig House

Each fall, foodies from around the country and across the globe head to Cape May NJ for the annual Food and Wine Festival. In 2010, the festival runs from September 18 through the 26th; we still have a few openings during the week at our Cape May bed and breakfast, so you, too, may participate in the festivities.

Stretch out in a comfortable bed after wining and dining your way through Cape May.

Events range from beer and wine tastings to classes and seminars, and most are open to everyone (excepting children). More than two dozen restaurants are participating, along with dozens of chefs, vintners and and sommeliers. Favorite activities include the Monday through Friday Gourmet Lunches, held at a different restaurant each day, and the Chefs Dine Around – five course dinners, each course is held at a different restaurant.

It’s always fun to attend a class on Victorian Etiquette (puts our manners to shame), and to learn about various teas, cheeses, and how to pair wine and food. Learn about blends (just what is the different between a varietal and a wine blend?) and the complexities of German beer. There is truly something for all tastes.

The trolleys will be out in force, shuttling participants from one event to the next, one restaurant to another. Sidewalks are sure to be full of people trying to stave off the accumulation of extra pounds. We recommend simply bringing loose clothing.

It is indeed a festive time at our bed and breakfast Cape May. We just love to hear about meals our guests loved, wines they enjoyed, and classes they attended. There are some mighty fine restaurants in town – come try a few.

Some couples like long engagements. They enjoy the planning and the suspense. Others don’t feel the need to wait. Once they’ve decided to get married, they figure they may as well do it as soon as possible.

Bill Harleman and Kate Oliveria - newly engaged.

Either option is wonderful, of course.

It is always an honor and a joy for couples to choose to marry in our Cape May bed and breakfast. While we can’t host large events, we can certainly make room for small affairs – even fairly spontaneous ones. We are also happy to host couples before and after the big event. If need be, we may even be called upon to bear witness at a Cape May wedding. Give us a call.

We’ve known it all along here at our Cape May bed and breakfast, but frankly, we didn’t want to say it and appear boastful. Now, someone else has said it for us; Cape May gives out a hearty shout of thanks to Forbes Traveler for listing us as one of the prettiest towns in America.

Our pretty street, early in the morning.

Read on to learn the perfect day for a Cape May Bed and Breakfast innkeeper – Barbara. This was first published in the May/June 2010 edition of Cape May’s Exit Zero Magazine.

My perfect day starts with the beautiful blue Cape May sky. From my bed, I can see it through the transom above the door that leads to our garden. The bright colors of an early dawn set the tone for my day.

Barbara, with a perfect cup of coffee after a perfect morning stroll.

After a while, I stumble out to fix the first pot of coffee. I have the system down to an art. I can just plant my feet in front of the coffee maker and Voila! – four minutes later – Juan Valdez is wafting through the house.

While the coffee is brewing I set off for a walk around town. I love to take in the rhythms of early mornings in Cape May, whether it is folks just sitting on benches gazing at the ocean, people on their early morning power walk, the more energetic line skaters, or my neighbor, Jay Schatz opening his inn and feeding his cats. Often I walk to the ever-changing Cove and then pause for a moment at every opening at the Pavilion – each offers a different and beautiful view of Cape May. (more…)

We are just thrilled. TripAdvisor.com has announced their 2010 Traveler’s Choice Awards, and Cape May, NJ, was listed in the Top 10 Beach and Sun Destination in the United States (#4 to be exact).

Here at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, we’ve always thought Cape May is a special place. TripAdvisor’s recognition is heartwarming.

To learn exactly what www.TripAdvisor.com has to say about Cape May, please visit their website. To find out if what they say is true, visit our Bed and Breakfast Cape May soon. (more…)

The sun. The sky. The sea. It’s me.

If that’s how you feel, you’ll want to cruise the waters around Cape May the next time you come to our NJ bed and breakfast. You’re in luck. There are a few different ways you can do that.

Cruise the Cape May Canal.

The Cape May Whale Watcher offers two hour cruises around Cape May Island. (more…)

The 21st Annual Cape May Music Festival will run from May 20 through June 10, 2010. We’re filling up fast during this event, but there are still openings at our Cape May bed and breakfast. Check out the Music Festival schedule before deciding when you would like to come to town. (more…)

The countdown has begun – Cape May’s 27th Annual World Series of Birding is less than 2 weeks away. We still have a couple of openings at our Cape May bed and breakfast, but don’t delay! Call today!

Look for rare beauties during the Cape May World Series of Birding

Some of you may well be wondering just what is a world series of birding? It’s a fair question. It is primarily a conservation effort, and over the years, millions of dollars have been raised to help preserve and protect critical bird habitats. People of all ages flock from all over the world to participate, forming teams to see who can spot the most birds in a 24 hour period. But these being birders, all folks are encouraged to get out and look for birds, whether you compete or not.

Stay at our Cape May bed and breakfast during the World Series of Birding. Regale us with tales of birding wonders and woes – the bird you could hear but couldn’t see, the rare breeds you saw. Right now, a heavy forecast of birds is expected (yes, birds are truly forecast like weather). It is sure to be a fun day for all.

For more details, please visit the World Series of Birding website.

Spring to our Cape May B&B for the Spring Festival

The Cape May Spring Festival is underway. It began last weekend, and continues through Sunday, May 2, 2010.

We still have a few openings mid-week at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, so if you can be spontaneous and are in the mood to celebrated spring, give us a call and come on over. The best part of traveling mid-week is that you benefit from our NJ Bed and Breakfast mid-week special, available through May 27.

Come enjoy a taste of spring in Cape May during the Spring Festival. Murder Mystery Dinners, Wine tours, Victorian Seminars, Garden Tours…. There is so much to do, you had better hurry and get here!

Walk on Cape May NJ Beaches

The folks at The Travel Channel get around, and they have placed Cape May NJ on the list of best beaches from around the world. This is no small honor, as anyone who has ever traveled to other beaches on the list – such as Mykonos Island, Greece or Pink Sands, Bahamas – must surely realize.

Yes, we take our beaches seriously here, raking them each morning. It is a true pleasure to walk or stretch out on these sands. Historically, Cape May NJ has been the stomping ground of the rich, the famous, and the powerful. Indeed, many a president has walked along these beaches. According to Finn-Olaf Jones of the Travel Channel, “Cape May is the aristocrat of beaches.” Come and let yourself be king or queen for a while.

Our Cape May Bed and Breakfast is close to the beach. Have a sunrise stroll on the beach and return to delicious, home-made breakfast. As you digest, sit on our porch and watch the passerby. Our Cape May Inn is in the heart of the historic town, making it ideal for people watching and exploring the town on foot. We look forward to seeing you.