(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May MAC (Museums + Arts + Culture) has announced a packed schedule of events and activities for the month of April. From guided tours of the area's most historic sites to incredible food events to special arts and cultural programs, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
April is a time of renewal, and in Cape May, everything is coming to life. Whether you're a local resident or visiting the area, these events offer a unique opportunity to explore Cape May's history and vibrant views in this Victorian town. Don’t miss out on your chance to experience all that Cape May MAC has to offer this spring!
Here are some highlights:
Emlen Physick Estate Guided Tours - Daily in April (except April 29) Varied times. New! The new Physick Estate Guided Tour, The Art of Home, begins April 11 and explores the rich artistry of Victorian life. Designed by architect Frank Furness, the home showcases Stick Style architecture with intricate moldings, custom furniture, and vibrant wallpapers. Beyond décor, the era’s artistic traditions shine through unexpected details like mourning jewelry made from hair and whimsical “rogue taxidermy” in parlor shades. Even functional elements, from pocket shutters to ceiling medallions, were crafted with elegance. Each room tells a story of beauty, memory, and creativity, making the Physick Estate a living masterpiece of 19th-century design and expression.
Cape May Lighthouse - Daily in April, 10:00am to 5:00pm (except April 29). Climb the 199 steps up the original, cast-iron spiral stairway to the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and see a staggering view of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding nature trails of Cape May Point State Park, and Cape May Point Borough. Interpretive panels on the grounds, at the base and on the climb tell stories of Lighthouse Keepers, the surrounding area, and how the lighthouse functioned historically and today. The Cape May Lighthouse is the third beacon at this location. Still an active aid to navigation, it was restored and is maintained by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). Since Cape May MAC opened it to the public in 1988, more than 2.5 million visitors have climbed to the top. The Cape May Lighthouse is listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
World War II Lookout Tower - Opens Friday, April 4, 11:00am to 3:00pm; Open weekends in April, daily beginning May 1. Opening day of the World War II Lookout Tower is Friday April 4, and the tower will be open weekends in April and will daily beginning in May. Fear of German attack in 1942 was real when this tower was built, now the last freestanding World War II Lookout Tower in New Jersey. It was part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles, and now helps tell the story of Cape May’s role during World War II. Inside, a staircase takes you to the sixth-floor spotting gallery where Observers will answer your questions. Visit the Wall of Honor that pays tribute to local residents who served during World War II. Over 160 veterans’ photos are on display there. Changing exhibits highlight varying topics of history related to the tower. Stop at the eternal flame sculpture outside on the boardwalk for quiet contemplation. The tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Backstreets & Byways City Tour - April 5, 12, & 26, 11:30am to 1:00pm. This 90-minute breezy guided tour by electric cart begins and ends at Ocean Street Trolley Stop and takes you off the beaten track along routes not usually traveled — Cape May’s “back streets and byways.” Discover the fascinating history of Cape Island, from its maritime and agricultural roots to its designation as a National Historic Landmark City, and more, from experienced guides with a professional driver. The cart will make two planned stops for photo opportunities. A minimum of 2 are required to run the tour.
Lighthouse Full Moon Climb - Saturday, April 12, 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Follow the light of the full moon on these rare nighttime climbs up the 199 cast-iron spiral staircase steps to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse. Enjoy a nighttime view nearly 156 feet above the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse is a state historic site and the third beacon on this site. Since it opened to the public in 1988, more than 2.5 million visitors have climbed to the top, but far fewer have climbed at nighttime.
Classical Cape May Series: Piano Quintets by Main Street Chamber Players of Fairfax, Va. - Sunday, April 13, 4:00pm. The final concert of the 2025 Classical Cape May series features the Main Street Chamber Players of Fairfax, Va. Cellist Kenneth Law teaches at the Main Street Music Studios in Fairfax, teaching and mentoring excellent young cellists from the Washington, D.C. area, including one who was recently featured on NPR’s national program “From the Top.” The Main Street Chamber Players include violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano. The musicians will play as a quintet and as various smaller ensembles. On the program is the rarely heard Vaughn-Williams Piano Quintet, as well as works by three women composers: the early 20th century composer Rebecca Clarke, Belize-born composer Errolyn Waller, and one of Argentina’s most celebrated young composers, Adriana Figueroa Manas. Admission is free! Attendees are invited to a reception after each program to meet the artists.
Classical Cape May is co-founded and co-directed by Brenda Leonard and Robert Bullington. The mission is to bring a variety of free classical performances to Cape May during the winter season, and to celebrate local and regional classical music talent. The series is open to all ages and interests, and donations are appreciated. The Classical Cape May series is in partnership with the annual Cape May Music Festival, now in its 36th year, presented by Cape May MAC and supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Brunch & Bingo at the Marquis de Lafayette Ocean Room - Saturday, April 19, 9:00am to 11:00am. Laugh along with your friends as you play a little bingo, compete for prizes and enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton Company. It’s all over a scrumptious breakfast buffet in the Ocean Room at the Marquis de Lafayette, 501 Beach Ave., Cape May.
Grand Lighthouse Cruise - Saturday, April 26, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Coastal and off-shore lighthouses have helped mariners navigate the Delaware Bay for years, but the off-shore lighthouses are best seen by boat. To aid ships sailing the treacherous mid-channel of Delaware Bay, a series of lighthouses was constructed in the 19th and early 20th century. Most of these are still operating and all are automated. They stand on pedestals surrounded by water out of sight of land. Visit nine of these off-shore lighthouses aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher and learn the unique history of each on this six-hour cruise that includes breakfast and lunch buffets. The lives saved by these lighthouses are countless, even today.
Spring Crafts & Collectibles Show - Saturday, April 26, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Cape May MAC presents high quality crafts and collectibles shows featuring the wares of vendors and crafters from throughout the Northeast. Enjoy the grounds during this outdoor show at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.
Stairway to the Stars Lighthouse Climb - Sunday, April 27, 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Without the light of the moon, you see the stars shine! Climb the 199 steps to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse on evenings of the new moon and the start of a new 29.5-day lunar cycle, when the moon is so dark it blends in with the night sky and is invisible to the naked eye. Stars and constellations are more visible on clear nights during the New Moon! Binoculars are permitted if securely worn.
To purchase tickets online visit capemaymac.org or for more information call 609-884-5404. Cape May County residents may use a Museum Pass for free admission to some tours, activities and events, available through the Cape May County library. For more information, ask at your local library branch.
Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. We operate and manage the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and the 1942 World War II Lookout Tower, and are the leading organization to offer visitors tours, activities and events year-round in America’s National Historic Landmark City. Cape May MAC is the organization that saved the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate from demolition, helping secure the City of Cape May as a nationally recognized historic destination. For information about our year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
