Local Cape May Food Shopping Resources
The following local businesses can help if you need to make plans ahead of your arrival. For example, maybe you need to order a birthday cake, or beer and ice for a party. Or how about lobsters for a cook out? Certainly you can find many resources online too, but we put this together as our preferred list, for an easy and simple reference. We hope it helps with your trip planning. (Note: We have some blog posts for some of these establishments, just click on Blog to see the complete article.)
The Acme Supermarket is two blocks away on Ocean Drive and has most staple food supplies. A larger, more well stocked (and quite frankly nicer all around ) Acme supermarket is about a 12 minute drive to North Cape May.
The CVS Drugstore is located in West Cape May at 139 Myrtle Avenue. You can get prescriptions, health and beauty supplies, some groceries and other general goods. (Phone: 609.884.2262)
The Lobster House Fish Market provides a wonderful selection of Lobster, Crab, Flounder, Tilapia, Clams, Muscles Shrimp and a wide assortment of seafood. Open year around. ph: 609.884.3064. (blog)
Collier's Liquor Store is the most convenient place in town to buy, wine, beer, liquor & ice. They do have a few cheeses and snacks for those in need of last minute hors d'oeuvres for a gathering. They are open all year. ph: 609.884.8488.
Seaside Cheese Co. for a nice selection of gourmet cheeses. (blog) Open all year. ph: 609.884.8700.
Avalon Coffee For Coffee & Bagels. Two blocks from the house located at #7 Gurney Street ph:609.898.8088
Duckies Farmer’s Market For wonderful fresh produce. It's one of the better places to get famous Jersey Silver Queen corn and tasty Jersey Beefsteak Tomatoes (when they're in season of course). Summer only. ph: 609.898.9191.
La Patisserie 609.884.7107 & Cape May Bakery ph:609-884-7454 are also great standbys for fresh baked goods prepared on the premise, as they like to say.
Swains Hardware has been a Cape May landmark store for over 110 years and is owned and operated by a 4th generation Swain — Terri. They have just about eveything including plenty of beach supplies, chairs, lotions, and grilling supplies. It's a great store to visit.
West Side Market has the best fresh cut meats around. This small country store is located in West Cape May, about 5 minutes by car. Call ahead if you need a special meat platter or fresh cut porterhouse and chops for the grill. ph: 609-884-3061
Chez Michel: French Bakery. Located on Perry Street French baker Michelle prepares fresh croissants, butter buns, quiche, cakes and other delicious treats. A short drive (or bike ride) from The Longfellow House, but if you are wanting yummy baked goods, it's definitely worth the trip. Be sure to try the butter buns - absolutely delicious!! Address: 600 Park Boulevard, West Cape May, NJ 08204 (609) 600.3373
Fun Extras
Entertainment The Family Room television is a 55" Flat Screen Smart TV. Features include access to the internet as well as access to your own Netflix (Hulu, Amazon Prime) accounts for additional movie streaming. We also have provide an ready to use HDMI Cable so you can hook up your favorite Xbox or HDMI connected Gaming System. The Family room TV has a DVD Player so be sure to remember to bring the kids favorite movies.
Beach Items: We supply 5 beach chairs which you'll find in our Beach Box and often there's an extra one or two on our back porch. Don't forget your beach toys for the kids — there is plenty of room on our back porch to store extra beach items.
Need extra suntan lotion or other beach items? There is a convenient CVS in West Cape May (139 Myrtle Avenue 609.884.2262)
Bicycles: You can bring your own, of course, but it might be easier to rent from any number of convenient Bike rentals in town. Two that are within walking distance from the house are Village Bike Rentals 609-884-8500, and Shields Bike Rentals 609-884-1818. We should tell you that without a doubt bikes are the fastest, easiest & most fun way to get around town, especially with the summer crowds. Don't forget to bring your bike locks.
Laptop/ Internet Access: The Longfellow House is configured for wireless internet access so don't forget to bring your wireless enabled laptop if you want to surf the internet while in Cape May.
Notable Cape May Eateries
In general dinner reservations can be made once you are in Cape May (although if you are set on a particular restaurant it's always a good idea to book as soon as you can). If you are planning a large party of 8 or more, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. Many restaurants in town have a limited number of oversize tables which get booked quickly so advanced planning is always a good bet. Also some have liquor licenses and some are BYOB so be sure to check before going. For the restaurants that do not have liquor licenses some do sell New Jersey wines, but you are generally still allowed to bring your own if you prefer.
Some of our favorite (Dinner only) restaurants include Louisa's - it's very small, great for 2, 4 or perhaps 6 person group, (609.884.5882), The Washington Inn (609. 884.5697), 410 Bank Street (609.884.2127), and The Ebbitt Room (609.884.5700). These restaurants are all within walking distance to the house.
Lucky Bones serves lunch and dinner (Blog) 609.884.2663. The Lobster House is also a good choice with options for lunch and dinner (Blog) . Both are a short drive from the house, located at the base of the main bridge into Cape May.
Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Georges Diner 301 Beach Drive 609.884.6088 (looks like a diner but the food is great) and The Mad Batter which is a terrific place for Sunday Brunch 609.884.5970. Both these are within walking distance of the house.
Hot Dog Tommy's Located on Jackson Street (a block away from the Longfellow House Beach Box). Great hot dogs - be aware the line can be Very Long and Very Slow - I know it's just hot dog's but it's true, some wait up to an hour for their lunch! Best to go when there are only a few people waiting in line. Blog ph: 609.884.8388
Louie's Pizza 711 Beach Drive ph: 609.884.0305
Big Wave Burrito Located neat the Wawa (or across from the C-View Bar on the way out of town) just off of Washington Street. 1400 Texas Avenue ph: 609.898.8646
Key West Tacos 479 W. Perry Street Great tacos and fun Key West atmostphere (near the CVS in West Cape May)
Uncle Bills Pancake House A great place to take the kids for some delicious pancakes. Beach & Perry Street ph: 609.884.7199
Links for Activities In and Around Cape May
The following few links can help with your advanced planning with fun things to do in town.
Cape May Times This site is very useful to the Cape May visitor who wants to find out what's happening around and about town.
Frank's Movie Theatre 12-Plex movie theatre in Rio Grande just up Route 9 (or Exit 4 on the Garden State Parkway ~ less then 10 minute drive from house) 609.889.4799 1301 Route 9 South Rio Grande, NJ 08242
Cape May Carriage Company Cape May Horse and Buggy Tours 609.884.4466 (To Book Tour go in person to their location on corner of Ocean & Washington Streets)
William J Moore Tennis Center Cape May Tennis Club 16 Courts (14 Clay, 2 Hard Court) Open to the Public (Doubles only in the morning, Singles later in the day, but if you go on your own they will work to hook you up with other players looking for a game - a terrific club.) 1020 Washington Street 609.884.8986
South Jersey Marina For Charter fishing Inshore, Offshore and Party Boats. 609.884.3800
Cape May Whale Watcher Whale watching, Dolphin, watching, Sunset Dinner Cruises 1218 Wilson Drive 609.884.5445
Wetlands Institute
Great activities for the kids.
Discover Cape May
Upcoming Events in Cape May
Cape May Stage Wonderful stage productions. Definitely check out this site to learn what shows are coming to town.
Cape May Winery Local vineyard creating some of south jersey's most distinguished wines. 711 Townbank Road ph: 609.884.1169
Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts Great selection of unique Cape May activities.
Washington Street Mall A three block pedestrian mall (within walking distance from house) comprised of small, independent clothing, gift shops, restaurants, candy shops and more.
West Cape May Official West Cape May Business Association Website with links to Activities, Resources, Festivals in the area
West End Garage 484 Perry St. A cool place to shop. The building has been transformed into a market featuring a variety of local artists, collectibles, jewelry etc. A fun shopping experience, definitely worth a visit.
New Jersey Audubon Your kids may love some of the activities and events sponsored by this organization.
East Coast Parasailing For parasailing and jet skiing 1121 Route 109 609.898.8359
After You've Arrived
We will have welcome materials and notes on the front hall table in addition to local guide books to help you around town.
* Please note, we provide these links as a courtesy so be sure to contact any organization directly to find out their policies and procedures as we are not responsible for anything on their sites or businesses. Also some of the resources are seasonal, and might be closed during the off-season.
