In the center of Cape May, stroll around an expansive outdoor mall filled with charming independent shops and stylish restaurants.
The Washington Street Mall sprawls across three blocks in the center of Cape May. Browse an array of family-run stores and independent restaurants. A day at the mall here could include purchasing handcrafted soaps, shopping for delicacies at high-end grocers and finishing with a meal in one of the popular restaurants.
Walk around a revitalized town center, nicknamed the Heart of Cape May, the result of preservation work conducted in the 1960s. In 1976, the whole town was designated a national historic landmark. The restored outdoor mall is one of its highlights.
Bring your camera for photos of the picturesque shopping streets that make up the Washington Street Mall. Colorful timber buildings and lantern-lit, pedestrianized walkways create a pleasant, old-world atmosphere in the town center.
Prepare to spend hours shopping in the boutiques and stores that make up the mall. Literature and craft stores entice art-loving shoppers, while fashion fans can browse the numerous clothing outlets. Commemorate your time in Cape May with souvenirs from one of the jewelry and gift sellers scattered throughout the mall.
Pause for a break in one of the coffee shops or spend your evening here at your choice of restaurants. Seafood is a particular specialty of many of the restaurants, with freshly caught fish served straight from the nearby ocean.
The mall also runs several events throughout the year, including open-air movie screenings on the beach. Head to the park bandstand to hear live concerts in the summer evenings. Enjoy fall’s Halloween parade along the streets. Come in winter to see the mall burst into color with festive holiday lighting.
The Washington Street Mall’s location lives up to its billing as the Heart of Cape May, as it is located in the center of Downtown. Walk here in less than 5 minutes from Cape May Beach or the Cape May Welcome Center. Parking is available in the surrounding streets for shoppers who arrive by car.