The Cape May Jazz Festival is really quite extraordinary. It brings a great variety of outstanding jazz musicians to a picturesque seacoast town. Jazz fans easily make the drive from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and northern New Jersey to listen to some of their favorite musicians in an idyllic setting; many stay in our welcoming Cape May Bed and Breakfast, the John F. Craig House.

Unlike many music festivals in large cities, the Cape May Jazz Festival is a relaxing and stress-free experience. Given the location of our Bed and Breakfast Cape May, it’s possible for our guests to walk to many of the festival venues. We also promise to feed you a delicious breakfast if you sleep in after a late night.

Kevin Eubanks at the Cape May Jazz Festival, April 8, 2011. Photo by Raj Naik.

Cape May Jazz Festival 2011 Highlights include:

• Kevin Eubanks
• Poncho Sanchez
• Point Blank with Gerald Chavis

Get comfortable at one venue and listen to whomever is on stage, or hop in and out of several venues over the course of an afternoon or evening. The close proximity of the venues makes wandering between them a cinch.

To learn more about the festival or to purchase tickets, please visit Cape May Jazz Festival. To reserve a room in our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, call 877-544-0314.

The reason is that many of the restaurants open in February cater to locals. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys experiencing new places through the eyes of a local, then local joints are perfect. This isn’t to say that restaurants open only during the summer months aren’t good – in fact, many of them are outstanding. It’s just that we have a soft spot in our hearts (and our bellies) for restauranteurs who stay in Cape May with us over the winter, rather than flying south.

If you are planning to vacation at our Bed and Breakfast Cape May this February, consider dining at one of the following establishments.

Heminway’s: tender, juicy steaks in a stylish atmosphere. Where else can you find six different steaks on the menu?

Lucky Bones Backwater Grille: thin crust pizza, hand-cut fries, and fresh, “made from scratch” food with Zero Trans Fat. There is a variety of good, gluten free food (including sandwiches and pizza). Stop by for Happy Hour (Monday – Friday, 4 – 6 p.m.) and share a plate of Baby Back Ribs, or use their curbside service for a meal on the go.

Blue Pig Tavern: stellar seafood. Oyster shooters, steamed NJ little neck clams, crab cakes and seared scallops. There are plenty of other options, too, from big burgers to bbq pork ribs. The cozy atmosphere often includes live music.

C View: the local’s local place. Generous glasses of wine, plentiful plates, and a casual atmosphere.

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.

When I get back to the Craig House Bed and Breakfast Cape May I still have time for coffee and the newspaper before attending to our guests. Our front sun porch offers the most peaceful perfect perspective of other bed and breakfasts running porch by porch down Columbia Avenue.

Although the reality of my work as an innkeeper is repetitive and sometimes trying behind the closed door of “Command Central”, I am energized by our guests’ enthusiasm for their vacation. How wonderful it is to see old friends and meet new guests that become a part of our John F. Craig House family.

At the end of the day I always make my way back to the beach, just to make sure that the ocean is still there. I get ice cream almost every night. Though I’ve been on a Rita’s gelato kick, I still love to go to McGlade’s right next to Convention Hall. Won’t it be great when the New Convention Center is finished….

The perfect day would always have a full moon. I’m a lunatic you know. I’m fascinated by the moon as it lights up the beach and the ocean and our town. On a perfect day, my sweet darlin’, Chip, and I take a few minutes and remember why we are here.

I am a Lucky Lady because I realize that many people work all year to come to Cape May to do what I do – most days – in our wonderful city by the sea.