Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cape May Lighthouse

    4.5 (126 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Cape May Lighthouse Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Cape May Lighthouse

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Raj S.

    A must visit location when visiting Cape May . We were staying in wildwood and it took us 20-25 mins to drive to the lighthouse . We went after it closed .. so , couldn't go up and view from the top . Huge parking lot in the front . Good restroom facilities and the whole place looked serene . The views from hawk view is good . Good photo ops . Lots of birds flying around . Nice place to walk with family and there is also a big playground opposite to the light house .. good experience overalll.

    Elizabeth S.

    I visited with a friend on a Thursday afternoon in the end of September. There was plenty of free parking, beach access and trails. This time of the year can be tricky for the weather. Great time of the year for birders as the fall migration brings lots of cool birds by here. We went up to the top of the lighthouse, climbed 199 steps up and then down. Views are fantastic and there is a friendly guide to answer questions. A great stop if you're in the area!

    Mel M.

    CAPE MAY POINT: Built in 1859, the Cape May Lighthouse is stunning and has views of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Inside Cape May Point State Park, it is a beautiful area to walk around, do some birding, learn history at informational displays, check out the Word War II gun battery on the beach, have a picnic, and take in all that nature has to offer. "Pets must always be on a leash no longer than six feet in length and under the control of the owner. Please clean up after your pets. No pets are permitted on the beach from April 1st to September 15th. There are no pets allowed on our trails." Dogs are not allowed in the lighthouse.

    Cape May Lighthouse
    Bruce K.

    Located at the tip of Cape May at the very southern tip of New Jersey, the Cape May lighthouse was built in 1859. It is the third lighthouse at the location, the first two have been taken by the erosion of the land. This is a beautiful spot surrounded by a huge park. The lighthouse is open for climbing but not at 6pm when I arrived. Still, great to look at and try to photograph as clearly as possible. Bring a picnic, bring a kite, just bring a camera. [Review 18219 overall - 96 in New Jersey - 1741 of 2022.]

    Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure - port hole window near the top
    James P.

    'Full moon walk the stairs' awesome event!! Thank you for having this event!! We got there late and the staff was still great. I forgot how big west Cape May is. Thank you again!!

    Rafael A.

    This is a must see attraction in the Cape May region. I have been here with my family here many times over the years. It costs 12 dollars to go up the lighthouse and the stairs up are very tight. But the views from the top are spectacular! You can see nearby Cape May and in the distance you can see the Wildwood amusement park and Delaware beaches. The lighthouse is also by a beach- don't think you can swim in it but you can certainly relax by it. There is also a park with a pond and the pond even has swans swimming in it. If you are in town, checkout the lighthouse!

    Lighthouse
    Meghann A.

    Beautiful! Did not realize it was 199 steps and did them in my heeled boots lol. John was very informative & gave us a lot of information about the lighthouse. It was great to hear the history especially during World War 2. Very, very windy at the top during this time of year.

    Ryan C.

    Climb is not for everybody, but for the people it is for won't regret the climb (and the price of admission). Great view of the gorgeous Cape May and of the Atlantic Ocean.

    Lighthouse of course
    Marcus S.

    Easily one of my favorite parts of visiting Cape May, was visiting this Lighthouse. Tall and still fully functional, it is great to see it this way and cared for. Built in 1859 and sporting almost 200 stairs to the deck, it is quite a historic work out should you choose the make the climb. Along the way the stairway landings have all kinds of facts and information about the Lighthouse and events related to it as well as other Lighthouses in NJ. Once you reach the top you overlook the land and sea at 360 degrees with an excellent view. Try to pick a clear day to maximize your view. The staff on hand are knowledgeable about the Lighthouse and eager to answer questions and share fast facts with you should you show interest. There is a gift shop near the entrance if you want to grab Cape May souvenirs that instead reference the Lighthouse instead of Cape May itself. The Lighthouse has a nice lawn for picnicking and has the beach and nature trails both nearby as well as benches, pond lookout points and restrooms that help extend the amount of potential time you could spend here, but the lighthouse alone is a great attraction, especially for those into history and Lighthouses which I know there to be fans of out there.

    View from light house
    Kristen C.

    We did the the Cape May Lighthouse with our 5 year old and 2 year old. My 5 year old was able to handle the stairs but my 2 year old had to be carried the whole time. Make sure you wear sneakers when you are here!

    Cape May Lighthouse
    Cynthia L.

    I get that this is a historical place, but maybe it just wasn't the right activity for my family because we literally stopped, took a picture and left. There isn't much else to do except for the beach area right behind the back parking lot. You must pay to go inside the lighthouse and we were not about to walk up how many feet with a 3-year old and just starting to walk 1-year old. *No bathrooms that we could see

    Cape May Lighthouse
    Anton K.

    The present day lighthouse in Cape May was opened in 1859 but it is not the first lighthouse built on the shores of Cape May. Previous lighthouses were built in 1823 and 1847. Both of these are now under water off shore. In 1859 the light keeper carried oil from the oil house to the top of the lighthouse to provide fuel to ignite the lamp. In 1988 the lighthouse was open to the public. Today, the United States Coast Guard is responsible for maintaining the lighthouse and it's lens. The light can be seen 24 miles out to sea and flashes every 15 seconds. The cost to climb the 199 step iron cast spiral staircase is $10 for adults and $5 for kids (3-12). The remaining 18 steps are not accessible to the public. From ground to the top is 157' and 6". There are six landing areas were you can pause and appreciate the view and read information boards. At the top there are views of the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and Cape May. There is a 360 degree view from the platform. At ground level there is a gift shop, visitor center and small reptile house. Pick-up some historical literature outside the gift shop. From the lighthouse there is a trail which will take you to the beach. The trail takes you past marsh areas, sand dunes and grasses. I saw only birds. Other visitors have reported dolphin sightings. Once you arrive at the beach, you will see a WWII bunker/gunner nest. There is also a sign that says "No Swimming" a real disappointment on a hot day. The area is patrolled by park rangers. Cape May Lighthouse is part of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge which may take place between October 18th-20th.

    View from the top
    Jocelyn N.

    This was a fun morning activity-- admission is $10 per adult and you can take your time walking up to the top. After each of the 6 flights, there's a small landing where you can read information about the history of the lighthouse and lighthouses in general. At the top, you can walk out and take in the views, take photos and see how the light works up close. The lighthouse and gift shop are open at 9am.

    See all

    Photo of J F.
    10
    297
    907

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bea G.
    0
    36
    80

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom R.
    34
    7
    1

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Went early spring and it was a nice setting! Just walked on the sand and it was a great view

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of V R.
    25
    48
    95

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Suzanne F.
    36
    342
    37

    19 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andreu N.
    29
    10
    11

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Irene T.
    57
    103
    47

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Iris S.
    211
    491
    1652

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 4

    Ask the Community - Cape May Lighthouse

    Review Highlights - Cape May Lighthouse

    Climb is not for everybody, but for the people it is for won't regret the climb (and the price of admission).

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

    Read more highlights

    World War II Lookout Tower - Sculpture

    World War II Lookout Tower

    5.0(4 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    LOWER TOWNSHIP/CAPE MAY: Cape May has a lot of military history and the World War II Lookout Tower…read moreplayed a key role in keeping New Jersey and Delware safe. Fire Control Tower No. 23 is one of a series of towers with observation decks that was used to triangulate the position of enemy ships and direct the artillery fire from nearby coastal batteries. This tower is all that remains in NJ and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Leashed dogs are allowed to explore the property and you can learn about the history through signage dotted along the path. There is also a Veterans Memorial eternal flame sculpture. Dogs are not allowed inside the building, but it is still an impressive stop on your visit.

    I've been curious about these strange concrete cylinders that dot the skyline of Cape May and…read moreRehobeth/ Dewey/Bethany Beach DE (directly across the bay from Cape May). This was the first opportunity to learn about them, and I of course took it! These were built during WW II as part of the Fort Myers Delaware Bay defense system. They were observation posts used to report enemy ship activity, directing nearby artillery. They were not in service for long as advances in technology made them obsolete. This is one of two that have been restored & are open to the public- the other is at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. I had an interesting chat with a volunteer, who told me that people often think these were used for spotting fires, which was never their purpose. He told me you can go inside and climb stairs to the 6th level & look out the slotted view. I elected not to as I've recently fractured my ankle & I didn't think my physical therapist would be happy with me climbing all those stairs just yet. I'm looking forward to a return visit once my rehab is complete. Note: They have reduced hours in the off season (October to April).

    Photos
    World War II Lookout Tower
    World War II Lookout Tower
    World War II Lookout Tower

    See all

    Emlen Physick Estate

    Emlen Physick Estate

    4.0(35 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $

    I absolutely lose my mind over historical gems such as the Physick Estate that have the entire…read morehouse to peruse! The tour guide was fantastic & really went through every possible detail on the family & the history. Came with my friends on the first day of our CM vacation on a weekend. Pretty easy enough to purchase tickets ahead of time at the gift store. All in all a perfect way to spend a few hours learning about the local history! Highly recommend!!!!

    Whenever I'm traveling I do my best to look up if there are any museums or historical points of…read moreinterest I can check out. Even though Cape May is known mostly as a Jersey Shore resort community, there's a lot of eye candy in the form of Victorian architecture - including some historic estates. One of these is the Emlen Physick Estate, and since they offer tours of the house I thought it would be a great way to spend part of my afternoon. Located on Washington St slightly away from the main hustle and bustle of CM, the Emlen Physick Estate sits on a sizeable piece of land somewhat inward from the street. The property contains the main house, a carriage house which now holds the gift shop and a restaurant, and another building used for administration. The estate is run by Cape May MAC, who worked to restore the house back in the 70s. In addition to the standard estate tour, they also offer trolley tours and evening "haunted" tours on the property. The Estate was built for Dr. Emlen Physick, who came from a prominent family. I won't give away the details of the tour, but they did a really good job discussing the history of the property, Physick and his family, as well as all of the architecture and decor of the estate. Our tour guide did a great job with every aspect of the tour, including answering our questions. One thing I noticed was that the promo pictures here on Yelp show historical interpreters guiding the tour, but we didn't have that. Our guide was great, but a historical interpreter would have been a funner touch. The tour took about 45 minutes to an hour, and afterwards we were given free-reigns to explore the carriage house which had merch and a small self-guided tour area. Overall, I enjoyed my time at the Emlen Physick Estate; it's definitely worth taking the time to explore and a welcome contrast to the typical beach things to do in the area.

    Photos
    Emlen Physick Estate - Exterior of the main house

    Exterior of the main house

    Emlen Physick Estate
    Emlen Physick Estate

    See all

    Cape May Point Science Center

    Cape May Point Science Center

    5.0(1 review)
    0.1 mi

    Considering they've only bern open for one month at the time of this review (July 2023), they've…read moredone a nice job creating this public tour. The Cape May Point Science Center is located in the former St. Mary's Retreat, run for a century by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters are a quiet Roman Catholic group, and they reject any display of material wealth. As a result, the 38,000 square foot building is largely as it was at the turn of the 20th century, with modest improvements and careful maintenance. I admit half the reason I signed up for a tour was to get a look inside. The Sisters did not give tours, run layperson retreats or welcome outside visitors. The Science Center is now working to use the space for environmental study and education. Cape May is a key area for migratory bird traffic as well as being in a location that has both bay and ocean marine environments. During the tour they talked about how these are connected- for example, each spring, horseshoe crabs come ashore to lay eggs, which migrating birds stop and eat. The tour consists first of the history of the building, (before it was a retreat it was a home for aged and I'll former slaves, and, before that a hotel) then to the ecological and scientific studies ongoing. They host different community events from yoga and nature journaling to night sky viewing. I'm looking forward to their adding curation as they grow. It was an interesting tour where I learned a good bit, seeing part of the interior and the tranquil courtyard was also quite cool.

    From the owner: The Cape May Point Science Center is dedicated to providing unique opportunities and funding for…read moreenvironmental advocacy, education, and research.

    Photos
    Cape May Point Science Center - The Cape May Point Science Center is located at a historic hotel and landmark.

    The Cape May Point Science Center is located at a historic hotel and landmark.

    Cape May Point Science Center
    Cape May Point Science Center - Staircase detail

    See all

    Staircase detail

    Cape May Historic District

    Cape May Historic District

    5.0(2 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Hey bro, that sexy lingerie you're wearing won't make you look like a superhero. But this Cape May…read more The Cape May historical district is one of the prettiest areas of the entire United States to wander around. It's walkable for most of the year except in the bitter winter months, in which case you'd have to wrap up very warm and keep the walk to a minimum. The summer sunlight and the gentle colours of Spring and Autumn are the best complement to these gorgeous coloured houses anyway. You might describe this as paradise, especially if you like history and the kind of buildings that you associate with Postcard Row in San Francisco. The whole center of town is filled with them, and many number of streets are lined with perfect gorgeous multicolored old Victorian style houses. It gives the town such a wonderful charm and makes it such a wonderful destination to visit on the East Coast. While you are in town make sure you try the ice cream delights at Fine Fellows.

    We visited Cape May the weekend before New Year's Eve since we had heard that it was nicely…read moredecorated for the holidays. This quaint little beach town with its Victorian houses and little local stores along cobblestone streets was so pleasant to walk and enjoy. The entire town was decorated in holiday lights, snowmen, reindeer and even the grinch! The center of town had a large lighted Christmas tree in a gazebo in a small park. Everything is walking distance and the local bars, restaurants and bed n breakfast inns are all In close proximity. Congress hall is a great breakfast place as well as Uncle Bills pancake house where we had an amazing breakfast at a great price. The Virginia hotel is a great place to stay and the dining experience is 5 star! Everyone was friendly and the town was clean and just overall pretty. For a beach town it was pretty busy and full for the holidays! There were tour buses which sounded like people were having a great time on with music and laughter! I guess I'll check it out again during the next 3 seasons! A nice, quick and relaxing weekend getaway!

    Photos
    Cape May Historic District
    Cape May Historic District
    Cape May Historic District - Uncle Bill's breakfast place

    See all

    Uncle Bill's breakfast place

    Revolution Rail

    Revolution Rail

    4.5(41 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Revolution Rail is featured on the Cape May Ferry's TVs, and it's such a fun thing to do when you…read morevisit Cape May. The location is convenient right at the Cape May Welcome Center, and the ferry provides a shuttle to this location which makes it perfect for day trippers. My daughter and I pedaled a 2-seater, but there are quads too. To start, we were given some easy instructions on how to operate the rail-bike which glides on a track no longer in use. Once we pedaled to the end of the line, we learned about the history of the line and the canal there, particularly its importance during World War II. When we pedaled back, we stopped at The Nature Conservancy's Garrett Family Preserve and learned about its history along with all the wildlife in Cape May. At both stops, we learned so many fascinating facts from our knowledgeable guides! Plus, I was told the guides don't always say the same thing, so it's different if you decide to go multiple times. They even take a photo of you on your rail-bike. In total, it was about 90 minutes and an easy ride depending on how fast you pedal. It was such a fun experience that we know we want to do it again.

    It was 'cute' but should be 1/4 of the price. Even though…read morecape May is notoriously expensive for $100 you could go on the dolphin watching boat, rent kayaks or bikes, get a birding boat tour - just about anything here . And I've done those and they are worth the money. This was a well run activity, professional. I knew it was an hour and a half "trip" but it is actually just 20 minutes riding the bike rails in One Direction and then you turn around and do the same thing back for 20 minutes. There's a few stops where teenagers give a very memorized explanation about one of the parks you stop at (which you can drive to and walk around for free). If $100 is a drop in the bucket for you then you should do this.

    Photos
    Revolution Rail - Sights on the bike trail

    Sights on the bike trail

    Revolution Rail
    Revolution Rail

    See all

    Cape May Lighthouse - museums - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...