Cape May Promenade

Attractions in Cape May

The Cape May Promenade is one of the most popular attractions in town, and it’s easy to see why. As the gateway to miles of beach, shops, restaurants, and Victorian architecture, the Cape May Promenade is one of our favorite activities, just steps from Stockton Inns.

First built as the Cape May Boardwalk, which put Cape May on the map as the nation’s oldest seaside resort, the Promenade’s history dates back to the late 1860s. The first of its kind in New Jersey, this wooden structure was eventually destroyed by decades of coastal storms and a nor’easter that also damaged several town properties in 1962. Eventually, the boardwalk was replaced by a seawall, topped with a concrete walkway, known today as the Cape May Promenade.

Running parallel to Beach Avenue and stretching for two miles from end to end, the promenade does not have any intersections or crosswalks, which make it a natural choice for jogging, walking, biking (bikes permitted until 10 a.m. each morning), or even wildlife viewing.

Access the promenade from Stockton Inns at the intersection of Jefferson & Beach Ave, then head left towards Howard St. to find Pete Smith’s Surf Shop, the Original Fudge Kitchen and many other classic boardwalk attractions. Two arcades are also located in this area, featuring family-friendly games and activities like skee-ball!