Walking & Biking in Cape May
Get outside and enjoy the fresh ocean air during your visit. Cape May offers plenty of options for walking, running, and biking around town. Walking or biking aren’t your thing? Then click here to see additional information about other ways to get around Cape May during your stay.
Walking & Running Routes
There are plenty of great places to stretch your legs around this historic town. And whether you are looking to take a leisurely walk or a vigorous run around Cape May, there are plenty of benefits of getting outside and enjoying some exercise in the good ocean air.
Here are some ideas for your next Cape May trek:
Cape May Promenade
The promenade is perfect for walking and running in Cape May. It offers 1.3 miles of ocean-front views and fresh air. Please use a face covering and practice social distancing while walking on the promenade.
Cape May Point State Park
The Cape May Point State Park has three different walking trails that weave through the park’s varied habitats. Click here for more info about the trails.
South Cape May Meadows
Enjoy more than 2 miles of walking trails around the South Cape May Meadows as are part of the Nature Conservancy. This includes more than 200+ protected acres of critical habitat and freshwater wetland. Click here for more info about the trails.
Garrett Family Preserve
The Garrett Family Preserve is located just two miles from downtown Cape May. It boasts 180 acres of upland forest, farm fields and tidal marsh is part of the watershed and the Nature Conservancy. With its four miles of walking trails, expansive native wildflower meadows, fields and tree lines, the preserve is a haven for migrating songbirds, raptors, and pollinators like bumblebees and monarch butterflies. Click here to learn more about this location.
Sperlak Gallery & Sculpture Garden
Located just a 25 minute drive from the inn is a 30 acre farm that combines the studio of local artist Stan Sperlak, an outdoor sculpture garden, and a nature sanctuary with three miles of walking trails. Open to the public on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, and on weekdays by appointment. Click here to learn more about this unique property and make plans to visit during your next visit to Cape May.
Downtown Cape May
Cape May has so many unique and historic homes all over town. The historic downtown section offers a new scenic view from almost every street. Take a walk down a new street to discover the amazing architecture and beautiful gardens that you may have missed before.
Running Routes
Click here to check out a variety of suggested local running routes from Cape May Running Company – they range from 4 to 12 miles.
Biking Routes
Cape May is a very bike-friendly town with its flat, wide, and safe streets. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely ride around town using our complimentary beach cruisers, or you want to take a longer ride up the coast using your own bikes, here are some resources for you:
Cape May Landmarks
You can purchase a printed bike tour booklet from the Cape May MAC information kiosk downtown. Or click here to download a free PDF version. Use it to take a self-guided bike ride around town and learn about more than 50 historic landmarks along the way.
Cold Spring Bike Path
Start at the Cold Spring Bike Path at Seashore Road (in nearby Erma, NJ) and ride the paved trail for 10 miles up to Cape May Courthouse. There you can visit the zoo and grab lunch in town. And on your way back, plan to stop at a local brewery or winery. Click here for directions to the beginning of the trail.
Beach Plum Farm
Take a leisurely ride out to Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May to enjoy some back road scenery. Once you arrive, park the bikes and explore this working farm’s walking trails. In season, a small kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch. Click here for biking directions, or click here for a map of the farm.
Cape May Lighthouse
Take a ride out to the quaint town of Cape May Point to find a new place to explore. Take your time and bike around the side streets. Be sure to check out the beautiful homes and historic churches all around town. And be sure to swing by the lighthouse where you can park your bike and walk the nature trails. Click here to get safe biking directions to this iconic structure.
East Cape May
The Mission Inn is located on the east side of town so hop on one of our bikes and explore the surrounding area. You will find beautiful homes – both historic and new construction – along Beach Avenue heading toward Poverty Beach. And make a stop at the Fishermen’s Memorial Park to take in the Harbor and explore some stately houses with a million dollar view. Ask us for directions.
Cape May Shoreline Ride
Looking for a longer bike ride during your stay? Check out the Cape May Shoreline Ride that starts and ends at the lighthouse. In between you will ride 42 miles roundtrip through various towns along the Jersey show. Click here to see a map of this ride.
More Biking Resources
Take a Guided Bike Tour
If you want to enjoy a fun and informative bike tour during your visit, check out our sister company Curious Cape May. With small group and private tours available daily, they provide a safe and socially distanced way to learn about the unusual history of the nation’s oldest seaside resort. And ask us about special rates for guests of The Mission Inn.
Click here to learn more and see their bike tour schedule.
Try Out an Electric Bike
While we offer complimentary beach cruiser bikes for our guests to use during their stay at The Mission Inn, if you want to try something different, check out Pedego Electric Bikes in West Cape May. They offer hourly and 1/2 day rentals of their high-end electric bikes. You will enjoy exploring more of Cape May on two wheels. And once you try one, you will wonder how you ever rode a regular bike! If you’re interested in taking one for a spin, just let us know. We have a few VIP tokens for a free hour rental from our friends at Pedego.
Click here to learn more about Pedego eBikes.
Bike Safety
No matter where you ride in Cape May, please obey all traffic laws and stay safe! Click here to download a PDF that shows key landmarks and safe streets to bike around while in Cape May.