Suggestions For Planning Your Vacation

The innkeepers of The Queen Victoria® have the knowledge, experience and expertise to help you plan your stay. The following are suggested itineraries as you plan one of your Cape May getaways. Cape May is a four-season seaside resort and activities change with the time of year. The Calendar of Events has a listing of special events for the entire year for you. With so much to see and do, we recommend a stay of several nights. Here are suggested itineraries for the cooler times of the year and for the warmer months. Please check daily schedules and verify details before making your plans to stay.

Cooler Times

Day 1

Your Cape May getaways begin here!

1. Check in at The Queen Victoria® is after 3 p.m. If you arrive in Cape May earlier, we suggest lunch at the Lobster House overlooking the Cape May Harbor or at one of the cafés on the Washington Street Mall.
2. After being welcomed and shown your room or suite at The Queen Victoria®, have a cup of hot chocolate or a cold soda, they are complimentary for you. This is a good time to make your dinner reservations if you have not already done so. Menus from all the area restaurants are on hand for you. We suggest that you make your reservations as far in advance as possible, even before you arrive, to dine in the finer restaurants during the weekends. The breakfast host suggest many fine restaurants in Cape May throughout the town, most within a easy, short walk of the inn.
3. Stroll along the beachfront promenade or the Washington Street Mall to stretch your legs before afternoon tea. The Queen Victoria® is located one block from the ocean and two blocks from the mall.
4. Enjoy afternoon tea from 3 to 4:30 P.M. in front of the parlor fireplace while conversing with fellow guests. They are a wonderful source of “inside tips” for those of you who are experiencing Cape May for the first time!
5. Leisurely dine at your chosen restaurant, perhaps one specializing in seafood.
6. Take a few moments to sit, put your feet up on one of our many footstools and relax in front of the fireplace with a late night cup of herbal tea.

Day 2

Enjoying the beauty and history of Cape May.

1. Rise early and enjoy a cup of coffee or premium tea before taking a walk or bicycle ride, the complimentary bikes are ready and waiting for you, through the historic streets of Cape May. Don’t worry about getting lost, we have given you a map.
2. Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast and gather tips on the activities for the day from guests and the innkeepers. For an idea of what you can look forward to at breakfast, see the Breakfast and Afternoon Tea page on our site. It’s guaranteed to make you hungry!
3. Take the Combination Trolley Tour offered by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. This outstanding tour of the town is a wonderful introduction into Cape May landmarks and history and is combined with a tour of the Emlen Physick Estate and Carriage House Gallery. Take a few moments to browse in the fine museum shops.
4. Have lunch at one of the local eateries on the Washington Street Mall during one of your Cape May getaways.
5. Return to the inn for a well-deserved nap or enjoy the luxury of an in-room massage. We request advanced notice so we can schedule your massage at a time convenient for you.
6. Time for afternoon tea! We know you have been wondering all day what flavor we would brew today and what wonderful goodies we will be serving. Relax a bit in the parlor, put your feet up on a footstool and perhaps read one of our many magazines.
7. Enjoy dinner at your chosen restaurant. Is tonight the night for Italian cuisine?
8. Stroll through the gas-lit streets of historic Cape May.

Day 3

You could become accustomed to this lifestyle!

1. Plan an early morning walk along the beach or promenade, or just relax, prop your feet up on a footstool and enjoy your coffee or tea with the morning paper.
2. Enjoy another memorable buffet breakfast during your Cape May getaways. Make a note to purchase The Queen Victoria® Cookbook so you can enjoy all these wonderful breakfast dishes at home. The cookbook can also be ordered on-line by using the cape may cookbook page of this web site if you would like to whet your appetite with some of the delicious recipes prior to your visit.
3. Ride or bicycle to Cape May Point and Sunset Beach to search for Cape May diamonds and view the Cape May Lighthouse. Be sure to ride through the picturesque town of Cape May Point to see Lake Lily and visit the Cape May Bird Observatory. The Atlantic Ocean tends to moderate our winter temperatures so bicycling is many times possible even in January!
4. Stop at The Washington Street Mall Street Mall for a light lunch.
5. This is a great time to relax and swing on the porch swing and read a book or catch a quick nap.
6. Time for afternoon tea. What a wonderful tradition and what a wonderful way to relax – on a comfy settee with your feet propped on a footstool after a busy day!
7. Watch the spectacular sunset before enjoying an evening meal at one of Cape May’s fine restaurants.

Day 4

So enjoyable and relaxing!

1. Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast in either The Queen Victoria®, Prince Albert Hall, or House of Royals dining rooms.
2. Take a short ride to the Cape May Zoo for a whimsical day with the animals.
3. Lunch at the Bellevue Tavern in Cape May Court House.
4. Spend the afternoon relaxing with your feet on a footstool and a good book in your hands or shop at the unique stores on the Washington Street Mall and surrounding area. This could be a great time to go antique shopping.
5. Enjoy afternoon tea with yet another flavored blend of tea and incredible sweets and treats. Yes, we sell the flavored tea in our gift shop.
6. Leisurely dine at your chosen restaurant, perhaps traditional fare.

Day 5

A day of adventure?

1. Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast in either The Queen Victoria®, Prince Albert Hall, or House of Royals dining rooms.
2. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast. Now you can give some “inside tips” to new guests.
3. Be sure to visit our gift area for a memento of your stay. We have the Queen’s wonderful homemade strawberry jam for you to purchase!
4. Make reservations for your return visit.

Warmer Months

Day 1

Your much anticipated Cape May getaway finally begins!

1. Check in at The Queen Victoria® is after 3 p.m. If you arrive in Cape May earlier, we suggest lunch at the McGlade’s on the beach overlooking the Cape May Harbor or at one of the many cafés on the Washington Street Mall.
2. After being welcomed and shown your room or suite at The Queen Victoria®, relax with a cold soda or juice, they are complimentary for you. This is a good time to make your dinner reservations if you have not already done so. Menus from all the area restaurants are on hand for you. We suggest that you make your reservations as far in advance as possible, even before you arrive, for the finer restaurants. The staff suggest many fine dining establishments throughout the town, most within a easy, short walk of the inn.
3. Stroll along the beachfront promenade or the Washington Street Mall to stretch your legs before afternoon tea. The Queen Victoria® is located one block from the ocean and two blocks from the mall.
4. Enjoy afternoon tea from 3 to 4:30 P.M. while rocking on the porch and conversing with fellow guests. They are a wonderful source of “inside tips” for those of you who are experiencing Cape May for the first time!
5. Stroll to your chosen restaurant. Isn’t it wonderful not to have to drive?
6. Enjoy an evening concert at the Cape May Convention Hall, Victorian Bandstand or an evening of theater at Cape May Stage.
7. Take a few moments to relax rocking on the porch and listen to the sound of the ocean waves.

Day 2

A day to enjoy the beauty and history of Cape May.

1. Rise early and have a cup of coffee or premium tea before taking a walk or bicycle ride, the complimentary bikes are ready and waiting for you, through the historic streets of Cape May. Don’t worry about getting lost, we have given you a map.
2. Enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast in either Queen Victoria® or Prince Albert Hall dining room and gather tips on the many possible activities for the day from guests and the innkeepers. For an idea of what you can look forward to at breakfast, see the Breakfast and Afternoon Tea page on this web site. It’s guaranteed to make you hungry!
3. Take the Combination Trolley Tour offered by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. This outstanding tour of the town is a wonderful introduction into Cape May landmarks and history and is combined with a tour of the Emlen Physick Estate and Carriage House Gallery. Take a few moments to browse in the fine museum shops.
4. Have lunch at Vintage or a nice brunch.
5. Spend an afternoon at the beach, we supply the beach towels and chairs for you or shop at the unique stores on Washington Street Mall and surrounding area. This could be a great time to go antique shopping.
6. Time for afternoon tea! We know you have been wondering all day what flavor we would brew today and what wonderful goodies we will be serving. Rock a bit on the porch.
7. Leisurely walk to dinner at your chosen restaurant, perhaps one specializing in seafood. On your way make reservations for an evening horse and carriage tour.
8. Enjoy the beauty of the gas-lit streets and learn some of the history of Cape May on your horse-drawn carriage ride.
9. Take a few moments to relax and rock on the porch or on our rooftop deck and listen to the ocean.

Day 3

You could become accustomed to this lifestyle!

1. Take an early morning walk along the beach or promenade or just relax and enjoy your coffee or tea on the porch with the morning paper.
2. Enjoy another memorable buffet breakfast. Make a note to purchase The Queen Victoria ® Cookbook so you can enjoy all these wonderful breakfast dishes at home.
3. Enjoy the bicycles on the premises to explore Cape May Point and Sunset Beach.
4. Return to the inn for a well-deserved nap or take time to relax rocking on the porch.
5. Time for afternoon tea. What a wonderful tradition!
6. Watch the spectacular sunset before enjoying another evening meal in one of Cape May’s fine restaurants. Is tonight Italian cuisine?
7. Check the evening offerings at Convention Hall or at the historic Chalfonte Hotel for music and drama.

Day 4

You could become accustomed to this lifestyle!

1. Try to rise early enough to view a Cape May sunrise! The incredible view of the sun rising over the ocean is worth the effort. Have a cup of coffee or tea while rocking on the porch.
2. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast. Now you can give some “inside tips” to new guests!
3. Take an informational cruise on the Whale Watcher to watch dolphins as they frolic, learn about waterfowl and perhaps sight a whale.
4. Lunch at one of the cafes on the Washington Street walking mall and do a bit of shopping.
5. Rent a surrey-topped bicycle for two and explore parts of town not seen on the trolley tour.
6. Afternoon tea with yet another flavored blend of tea and incredible sweets and treats. Yes, we sell the flavored tea in our gift shop. Rest a bit while rocking on the porch.
7. Enjoy an early dinner at one of Cape May’s wonderful restaurants and enjoy a show at Cape May Stage theatre.
8. Tonight, instead of rocking on the porch, try the wicker swing as you relax on the porch.

Day 5

A day of adventure?

1. Sleep in a bit and perhaps have a continental breakfast delivered to your room for breakfast in bed!
2. Take the Cape May Revolution Railway ride the tracks in this fun and exciting way or the Cape May County Zoo for a whimsical day with the animals.
3. Have lunch at the Old Grange Restaurant at Cold Spring Village.
4. Do a bit of shopping on the unique Washington Street Mall.
5. Afternoon tea has become a delightful habit and one you want to continue! The many different flavors of fresh mint you have been enjoying are from our herb garden on the side of Prince Albert Hall.
6. Dine overlooking the ocean while viewing a beautiful Cape May sunset!
7. Stroll the promenade in the moonlight before returning to the inn to rock and relax on the porch.

Day 6

Is this the day to return to reality?

1. One more chance to walk the beautiful Cape May beach, smell the clean salt air and hear the peaceful sound of the breaking waves.
2. Enjoy a final breakfast before leaving. Be sure to visit our gift area for a memento of your stay. We have the Queen’s wonderful homemade strawberry jam for you to purchase!
3. Make reservations for your return visit.

There are so many other recreational opportunities and activities in Cape May that we have not mentioned in the suggested itineraries. In addition, please check the Calendar of Events page on this web site for special events.

Golf – The Cape May National Golf Course for your convenience. Sail aboard the historic Schooner AJ Meerwald Fish on the many charter boats from the Cape May Harbor Kayak either in the ocean or the back bays. Tennis at the Cape May Tennis Club. Guided bird and butterfly walks sponsored by the Cape May Bird Observatory. Day excursions to explore the back roads of Southern New Jersey, view the Doo Wop architecture of Wildwood, visit “Lucy” the Elephant museum in Margate, enjoy Leamings Botanical Gardens or take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to historic Lewes, Delaware and the Rehobeth outlets. We hope this information has been helpful for you.