Cape May Makes the Cut for Top U.S. Fall Beach Destinations

Issue #448

September 07, 2025

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

‍🏖️ Cape May Makes the Cut for Top U.S. Fall Beach Destinations

🦟Tiny Travelers: Hummingbirds Migrate South from NJ This Fall

 💸Cape May Sees Major Loss as N.J. School Aid Rises to $12 Billion

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 September 7

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Cape May Makes the Cut for Top U.S. Fall Beach Destinations

Cape May, NJ, was named as one of the top U.S. beach towns to visit in the fall. Condé Nast Traveler recently released its list of "Beach Towns That Are Better in the Fall," and Cape May stands proudly among renowned destinations like Nantucket, Kennebunkport, Newport, and Rehoboth. Fall also brings a lively lineup of seasonal events. According to CapeMay.com, visitors can look forward to:

· September 11–14: Fall Sidewalk Sales at the Washington Street Mall

· September 21–22: Railways, Collectibles & Craft Show at Cold Spring Village

· October 10–13: Victorian Weekend

· October 11: The ever-quirky Lima Bean Festival

Beyond events, the area boasts a thriving culinary and craft beverage scene, with restaurants, breweries, and wineries offering seasonal menus and smaller crowds. For those seeking thrills, ghost tours offer a fun way to explore Cape May’s haunted history under the autumn moonlight. Whether you're chasing fall foliage, bird migrations, or just a peaceful beach escape, Cape May proves that the shore doesn't lose its magic when the leaves start to turn. The publication praised Cape May for its signature Victorian charm and off-season atmosphere, noting that its historic homes and ghostly legends give the seaside town a uniquely cozy and spooky fall vibe—without sacrificing its scenic beauty.

Tiny Travelers: Hummingbirds Migrate South from NJ This Fall

 As summer winds down, New Jersey’s tiniest seasonal visitors—Ruby-throated Hummingbirds—are preparing to leave the Garden State. These agile birds begin their long journey south in late August and into September, although a few may linger into October, depending on weather and food availability. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species that commonly breeds in New Jersey. Each year, they embark on an extraordinary migration, traveling thousands of miles to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. Their route often takes them across large bodies of water, including the Gulf of Mexico, requiring precise timing and abundant energy reserves. For those who enjoy feeding hummingbirds, it’s important to keep feeders up for at least two to three weeks after the last sighting, to help late migrants refuel before continuing their journey. The Farmers' Almanac recommends this practice to ensure that stragglers have access to food. By early to mid-October, nearly all hummingbirds will have departed New Jersey, not to return until spring. Their annual migration remains one of the most impressive natural events of the season.

 Cape May Sees Major Loss as N.J. School Aid Rises to $12 Billion

New Jersey is distributing over $12 billion in school aid for 2025-26, with most districts receiving more money, but some facing cuts. While new caps limit how much aid can change in four main categories, other types of funding remain exempt, leading to significant increases or decreases in some areas. Cape May City faced the largest cut—a staggering 27% drop—largely due to a sharp decline in military impact aid tied to lower enrollment from Coast Guard families, while Beach Haven had the biggest increase (19.3%). District mergers and updates to the funding formula have also affected how money is allocated.

Which Cape May hotel, originally dubbed "Tommy's Folly," was mocked for being too large but later became one of the city's most iconic buildings?

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Answer to the September 6th Trivia Question

Which U.S. figure composed a march specifically for Cape May's Congress Hall?

A) Theodore Roosevelt
B) John Philip Sousa
C) Abraham Lincoln
D) James Madison

Answer: B) John Philip Sousa​

John Philip Sousa, while visiting Cape May, composed the "Congress Hall March" in 1882 and conducted it on the lawn of Congress Hall, one of the town's most famous historic hotels.​

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