The best arts & culture spots in Cape May County

“Built in 1874, the restored lighthouse offers a museum & tours, plus a butterfly garden & gift shop.”

“Museum with photos & memorabilia related to area's entertainment, amusement & boardwalk history.”

“D'May Home Gallery lays out bronze sculptures, hand blown glass, and hand painted ceramics in living, dining, and kitchen settings, so you can see how the good stuff actually lives with you. If your place needs a summer pick-me-up, pop in this week and claim a favorite.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 20, 2026

“Right here in Cape May, Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey packs exhibits, artifacts and guided storytelling that honor her courage and illuminate the Underground Railroad. Give yourself an hour this week to wander, learn something new, and leave a little more fired up than you arrived.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 21, 2026

“Whether you’ve lived here forever or just realized you still don’t know our fire dept’s backstory, Fireman's Hall History Museum is a quick, free pop-in with a beautifully kept 1928 American La France engine and history exhibits. Staff are happy to chat, and you can even snag a shirt for the ride home.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 14, 2026

“Cape May Stage delivers smart, tightly produced plays with nationally recognized talent from Broadway and beyond in an intimate 19th-century church. Pair a show with their dinner-and-a-show partners and suddenly your random Tuesday feels surprisingly cultured.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 31, 2026

“Founded in 1980 and still championing the heritage of American plays, East Lynne Theater Company stages smart, lively productions in a historic church setting. The 2026 lineup runs from War of the Worlds to Funny Girls and Having Our Say, perfect for a midweek culture fix.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 18, 2026

“The Museum of Cape May County strings together the 1704 Cresse-Holmes House, the Townsend Carriage Shed, and the Smith Barn to tell our county’s story from the Ice Age to today. Great for brushing up on hometown history, diving into local research rabbit holes, and entertaining out-of-town relatives.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 2, 2026

“Hidden in plain sight, Colonial House Museum is a preserved 18th-century tavern-home once owned by Revolutionary War patriot Memucan Hughes, one of Cape Island’s oldest survivors and now home base for the Greater Cape May Historical Society, where locals can tap the archives, chase house histories, and reconnect with…”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Old Movies By The Sea revives a 1915 nickelodeon vibe with movies, reserved seats, and a tapas-and-drinks setup that feels delightfully grown-up. Perfect for a midweek reset or private shindig, with rentals and catering that make your gathering feel like, well, the pictures.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Historic Cold Spring Village is New Jersey’s largest open-air living history museum, with interpreters bringing blacksmithing, printing, woodworking, basket weaving, and bookbinding to life across a leafy 30 acres.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 11, 2026

“Cape May Steel Drum Band turns private parties, weddings, and corporate events into breezy mini-vacations, with bright steel drum melodies that get folks moving. If your crew loves a limbo or conga line, they deliver upbeat sets that keep the energy fun and local.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 13, 2026

“Whether you want smart local history with a side of curiosity, Emlen Physick Estate is Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum, a Frank Furness stunner from 1879. The 2026 tour dives into the 1876 Centennial Exposition, plus there are delightfully odd extras like Strange Victorian Obsessions and Voices from Beyond.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 11, 2026

“Tucked at the Cape May Airport, Forgotten Warriors Vietnam Museum turns Vietnam War artifacts and first-person stories into real, goosebump-inducing stuff. Museum volunteers are on hand to answer questions, and the Vietnam Wall of Honor keeps Cape May County legacies front and center.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 24, 2026

“Museum of Fine Arts & Popular Culture is currently spotlighting contemporary surrealism by the Everclever Art Collective, then zooms across 700 years of Western art from pre-Renaissance to Cubism, plus a stash of gorgeous Belle Époque posters.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, September 7, 2026

“Set inside a restored World War II hangar, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum lets you step into aviation and military history with hands-on exhibits, engines and historic aircraft you can get up close to.”

From the Cape May County newsletter, August 17, 2026