Take a weekend dive into the charm of the Victorians

Cape May's Annual Victorian Weekend

Friday, Oct. 11 through Monday, Oct. 14 marks the 2024 Victorian Weekend extravaganza. This is an exciting time of year to visit Victorian Cape May and celebrate the unique heritage of America’s first seashore resort. Enjoy a weekend of exciting and entertaining activities focused on history and Victorian Cape May culture. More information.

Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series: “The War Comes Home to America: U-boats off the Mid-Atlantic”

In this 12th year, Cape May MAC welcomes Dr. Craig L. Symonds to Cape May Convention Hall, Sunday, Oct. 13 at 5pm. German U-boats made the mid-Atlantic one of the most dangerous places on earth in the first few months of 1942. The carnage they inflicted was out of proportion to their numbers and ships went down all along the coast from New York to Florida. How the United States dealt with this menace is one of the great stories of naval and U.S. history. Dr. Symonds taught history at the U.S. Naval Academy for 30 years and has earned numerous awards for his teaching and research. He is the author of 17 books translated into six languages and holds the Naval Historical Foundation Dudley Knox medal for lifetime achievement and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library Pritzker Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. Tickets are limited.

Victorian Weekend House Tour

Visitors have the unique opportunity on this self-guided tour to go behind closed doors and see restored private homes, bed and breakfast inns and guesthouses. Tourgoers can meet the homeowners, managers or innkeepers, see unique furnishings and décor, and find inspiration for their own homes and hearths. Saturday, Oct. 12 from 1pm - 4pm. Purchase tickets here.

Victorian Weekend Architectural Walking Tour

See America’s only National Historic Landmark City up close on this one-hour walking tour that explores Cape May’s renowned Historic District by foot. Put on your sturdy shoes and stroll along the sidewalks of streets such as Hughes Street, Ocean Street and Columbia Avenue. See where Victorian gamblers won or lost their shirts, where the Great Fire of 1878 burned and more. Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 12 & 13 from 9:30am - 11:30am Purchase tickets here.

Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles Show

Join us at the Emlen Physick Estate to browse wares of crafters and collectibles dealers from throughout the Cape May region, enjoy a performance from a local musician, C. Lynne Smith. A special appearance by the Wheelmen, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of American cycling, including promoting the restoration and riding of early cycles manufactured in and before 1932. Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10am - 4pm. More information.

For the Love of Hats

Learn about the history, etiquette and fashion of hats during this one-hour talk and show over a three-course luncheon at the Inn of Cape May, presented by Lynne Anne Conchez, hat connoisseur and author of “For the Love of Hats.” Explore her extensive hat collection, featuring pillboxes, cloches, fascinators and more, with nearly 70 women’s and men’s hats from a range of eras. A Q&A session is included. Monday, Oct. 14 from 12 pm- 2:30pm. Advance registration is required. To purchase tickets and for more information call 609-884-5404 ext. 0.

Cape May Wine Trail

Cape May County vineyards are producing delicious wines and here is your chance to enjoy them with round-trip transportation via Cape May MAC trolley. Board the trolley for a lunch at the Bellevue Tavern and enjoy an afternoon of touring and sampling wine selections by vintners at Jessie Creek Winery and Natali Vineyards. Guests will receive a tasting and souvenir glass at Jessie Creek Winery and an educational tasting and tour at Natali Vineyards. This event is for adults ages 21 and over. Friday, Oct. 11 10:45am - 5pm.  Purchase tickets here.

Cape May Beer Trail

New for 2024! Cape May County is home to a selection of fantastic breweries. Hop on a Cape May MAC trolley for visits to Cape May Brewing Co., Behr Brewing, and Gusto Brewing Co., for tasting flights of local beers. Lunch is included at Cape Square Kitchen & Craft. This tour is for adults ages 21 and over. Saturday, Oct. 12 10:45am - 5pm. Purchase tickets here.

Vintage Base Ball Games

Take me out to the ballgame! Come to Cape May's Lafayette Street Park Saturday, Oct. 12 and join the crowd to watch two vintage baseball games, between the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia and the Brandywine Base Ball Club of West Chester, Pa. Club players will be dressed in vintage Victorian baseball uniforms! Games are at 11am and 1pm and classic ball park treats will be for sale. Admission is free! 

Learn More

For more information visit capemaymac.org or call 609-884-5404. For accessibility information regarding our sites and tours, learn more here.