Consider this a campus guide to navigating the full ecosystem: which property suits your travel style, where to eat, what to book ahead, and what is worth building your trip around. Furry companions included!
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May has long been beloved by those who know it: a small Victorian island at the southern tip of New Jersey with landmark Victorian architecture, serious food, and the kind of slower pace that is increasingly hard to find nowadays. An hour from Philadelphia and two from New York, it is close enough to be easy and far enough to feel like a genuine escape.
Where To Stay
Congress Hall
This is a must for everyone to visit. Family, groups, anyone who wants to be at the center of everything and absorb the rich history.
The Virginia Hotel
deal for couples and serious food travelers. This is adults-only, intimate, and home to the Ebbitt Room.
Insider Tip: The complimentary continental breakfast at the Virginia is farm-fresh and can be delivered directly to your room.
The Virginia Cottages
Small groups or families who want Virginia's quality with a bit more space and privacy.
Insider Tip: The four cottages can be rented as full houses or as separate apartments. Good to know if your group wants to be together but not on top of each other.
Sandpiper Beach Club
For families planning a longer stay. They have full kitchens, washer-dryers, ocean-view balconies, heated pool, and game room.
Insider Tip: The full kitchen suites make longer stays genuinely easy. Stock up at the Beach Plum Farm market and breakfast is sorted for the week. We recommend stocking up on honey and meats!
Beach Plum Farm Cottages
Anyone who wants to slow down. Working farm, orchard pool, Michelin Key-recognized. A different kind of trip entirely.
Insider Tip: Book well ahead for summer and fall weekends. The harvest dinners and Tables in the Garden fill up just as fast as the cottages themselves.
The Beach Shack
One of Cape May's only dog-friendly resorts, right next door to the Rusty Nail.
Where To Eat
Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall
Have breakfast and lunch on the ocean-facing veranda. Everything is delicious.
Rusty Nail Located Next to Beach Shack
Enjoy casual all-day dining at Cape May's most beloved surfer bar. There is happy hour Monday through Friday, 11am to 4pm and live music on most days.
The Ebbitt Room Located at The Virginia Hotel
Enjoy oyster hour with a glass of rosé or a house spritz. Reserve ahead and order the scallops.
Boiler Room at Congress Hall
Neapolitan pizza, craft beer, and live music on weekends.
Brown Room at Congress Hall
Cape May's living room. A proper cocktail bar with nightly entertainment.
Beach Plum Farm
Harvest dinners Friday and Saturday evenings. Tables in the Garden for smaller parties.
Tommy's Folly Café at Congress Hall
Coffee, fresh-pressed juices, and wellness shots made with farm ingredients.
Where To Explore
Cape May Lighthouse
A short drive or bike ride from any property is 100% worth the climb.
Washington Street Mall
A must when visiting town. This is the best for a day of shopping, browsing, and people watching.
The Promenade
Walk or bike along the beach. Best in the morning or after dinner.
Cape May Bird Observatory
Particularly special in fall, when the migration corridor here is one of the most active on the Eastern Seaboard.
Kayak and Bike Rentals
Available through the properties and locally in town. Most Cape Resorts hotels provide bikes for guests.
Cape May Point and Sunset Beach
A short drive or bike from Congress Hall. Best at the end of the day.
For Your Furry Friends
The Rusty Nail
Outdoor seating welcomes your furry companion with its own dedicated dog menu.
The Beach Shack
The property provides a variety of dog surprises in the room including food and water bowls, leash, frisbee, and a special treat. There are dog-friendly rooms, plenty of outdoor space, and the Rusty Nail is right next door.
Located on Washington Street
Collar & Bone
This is a dog boutique and cafe on the Washington Street Mall with dog ice cream, bakery treats, and everything your furry companion could need for a Cape May weekend.
The Pridwin, Shelter Island
Shelter Island, tucked between the North and South Forks of Long Island, operates on a similar frequency. Accessible only by ferry, it has managed to remain an idyllic escape from the busier stretches of the East End.
Where To Stay
The Pridwin Main House Rooms
There are 33 well-appointed rooms in the original 1927 building. Cozy rather than spacious, but beautifully detailed and steps from everything on the property.
The Pridwin Cottages
Ideal for groups and larger parties: There are 16 private cottages ranging from studio cabins to two-bedroom duplexes with gas fireplaces, kitchenettes, private decks, and separate living and sleeping areas.
Insider Tip:
The Pridwin has a trolley to local shops and cafes. You do not need a car once you are on the island.
Where To Eat
The Terrace
The Pridwin's signature waterfront restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with views over Crescent Beach. The menu consists of locally sourced Long Island seafood and seasonal ingredients.
The Crescent Bar
Have cocktails and light bites with water views. The bar program is curated in partnership with Dante, named the number one best bar in North America in both 2019 and 2020.
The Osprey Nest
Enjoy the poolside bar for cocktails and light bites between swims.
The Pridwin BBQ
A beloved property tradition features an elevated all-you-can-eat cookout on the lawn with live music. Perfect for families.
Where To Explore
Mashomack Nature Preserve
One of the most beautiful nature preserves on the East End. You can take a Moke or a bike from the property and explore the trails on foot.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
The property's fleet is available seasonally on a first-come, first-served basis. The calm bay current around Shelter Island makes it an easy and beautiful way to spend a morning.
Shelter Island Village
Charming shops, delicious dining, and a slower pace than the Hamptons.
Tennis and Pickleball
Courts on the property, available for guests.
Spa
Three treatment rooms overlooking Crescent Beach. Facials, massages, steam room, dry sauna, and fitness center.
For Your Furry Companion
Shelter Islands go-to destination for furry friends. They make the ferry crossing too. Just factor in the cash-only policy and first-come, first-served boarding when planning your arrival time.
The Terrace Patio
The Terrace al fresco patio welcomes your furry companion for a meal with views over Crescent Beach.
Mashomack Preserve
Shelter Island's quiet roads and the trails through Mashomack Preserve are ideal for long walks with your furry companion.
The Birch Cottage
The Pridwin's dedicated dog-friendly cottage. Spacious, private, and set within the property's ten waterfront acres.
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