Best of the Shore
Cape May
Long a retreat for the 65-and-older crowd, Cape May — land of Victorian B&Bs with wraparound porches — is now also a hot spot for 30-somethings (with or without kids), who flock to its clean bars, shops, and fine and casual restaurants. This postcard-perfect beach town comes with a hefty price tag, though — Cape May’s home prices are often in seven figures.
Best of Cape May
Upscale gift shop: McDowell’s Gallery of Gifts. Find intricate stained-glass windows, Tiffany-style lamps and Victorian frames perfect for a last-minute housewarming gift (526 Washington Street Mall; 609-884-0430).
Women’s boutique: Free Shop. Without a Neiman’s, a Saks or even a Gap in town, the well-dressed turn here for their Juicy Couture sweats, Rebecca Taylor camis and Paper Denim & Cloth jeans (401 Washington Street Mall; 609-898-0572).
Place to procure hard-to-get cooking ingredients: Love The Cook. Dipping oils, barbecue sauces, pecan-sticky-bun-flavored coffee, and lots of hip housewares make it a must-stop for any cook or put-upon hostess (404 Washington Street Mall; 609-884-9292).
Place to throw a party: Congress Hall. This posh but unfussy seaside Victorian hotel is a great place for an elegant event or an upscale romantic weekend. Reserve the pool deck overlooking the beach, and order up minty mojitos and tiki torches (251 Beach Avenue; 609-884-8421).
Personal Best: “The Lobster House. You can drive your boat up and park at the dock, sit outside, and order the freshest lobster and steamed clams in Jersey” [906 Schellenger’s Landing; 609-884-8296]. —Maria Bello, actress
Bed & Beach
Average 2004 home price: $584,456
AVERAGE 1999 HOME PRICE: $192,347
Recent listing: A four-bedroom, 3.5-bath newly constructed townhouse with rear deck and 2.5-car garage, $665,000.
Cost to rent a three-bedroom beach-block house: $1,300 to $4,000 a week.
Where to stay: The Queen Victoria (102 Ocean Street; 609-884-8702). The inn boasts two impeccably restored 1800s homes and a top-notch tea.
On the beach: One of the largest and cleanest—with white, soft sand.
