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Angel of the Sea (circa 1850)                                                               5 Trenton Ave.

This grand Victorian mansion was originally located on Franklin Street. It was split into two homes and moved to the corner of Ocean St. and Beach Ave. in 1881. It was moved again in 1963 to its present location. Come and visit the beautiful, historic Angel decorated in her Christmas finery. Select guest rooms will be open for you to view. 

The Bedford Inn (1883)                                                                    805 Stockton Ave.

The Italianate-style Bedford Inn was constructed in 1883 as a single family “Mother-Daughter” twin vacation home for the Page family of Philadelphia. Converted into a bed and breakfast many years later, the ideally situated Bedford Inn hosts 10 stylishly-appointed guest rooms - one of which may be viewed on this tour. Owners since 2019, Paula and her brother Marc, as well as the rest of the staff invite you to enjoy our four-themed Christmas trees which occupy the front porch and hallway as well as the downstairs parlor and dining area this holiday season.

Cape May MAC launched its first Christmas tour in 1974 and ever since this tour has been a beloved annual tradition and a highlight of the holiday season in America’s only National Historic Landmark City. This self-guided walking tour celebrates the best of Cape May at Christmas, as you travel Cape May’s gaslit streets, hear musicians and carolers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels where you’ll step inside to see both Victorian and more modern interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. Don’t miss Cape May’s longest running and most popular Christmas 

tour. Buttonwood Manor is located at 115 Broadway, West Cape May

Cape May MAC launched its first Christmas tour in 1974 and ever since this tour has been a beloved annual tradition and a highlight of the holiday season in America’s only National Historic Landmark City. This self-guided walking tour celebrates the best of Cape May at Christmas, as you travel Cape May’s gaslit streets, hear musicians and carolers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels where you’ll step inside to see both Victorian and more modern interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. Don’t miss Cape May’s longest running and most popular Christmas tour.

Cape May Fireman's Museum is located at 543 Washington Street

Cape May MAC launched its first Christmas tour in 1974 and ever since this tour has been a beloved annual tradition and a highlight of the holiday season in America’s only National Historic Landmark City. This self-guided walking tour celebrates the best of Cape May at Christmas, as you travel Cape May’s gaslit streets, hear musicians and carolers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels where you’ll step inside to see both Victorian and more modern interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. Don’t miss Cape May’s longest running and most popular Christmas 

tour.

This architectural gem is currently the home to Cape May Stage, a professional Equity theater in the historic downtown district. This beautiful building was once the town’s welcome center and its history dates all the way back to 1853 when it was originally built as a church by Peter Hand, a descendent of one of Cape May’s founding families. Stop by 405 Lafayette Street to see how this unique “Georgian Vernacular” structure is still standing tall today.

Cape May United Methodist Church                                               635 Washington St.

This building on Washington Street was built in 1844 by a Presbyterian church for summer visitors. In 1854, the building was purchased by the Methodist Church to accommodate their growing congregation.  This building is proclaimed as the oldest church building in Cape Island. The Cape May United Methodist Church congregation celebrated their 180th anniversary in 2022. Inside you can enjoy the stained-glass windows that were restored in 2010 and listen to the beautiful antique music box playing Christmas carols.

The Colonial House Museum (c. 1730)                                         653½ Washington St.

The headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society, the Colonial House Museum was originally a tavern and the family house of Revolutionary War Patriot Memucan Hughes. The front room has been recreated as a tavern with a colonial era cooking/eating room behind.  A research/exhibit room at the rear was added in the 1930s.  The house will be decorated in Colonial tradition with all natural and native items: shells, bird feathers and natural berries and greens, candlelight, and scents of the season like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Franklin at 721 (1880)                                                                       721 Franklin St.

The candlelight ambiance of this Italianate home aptly reflects the four long years of restoration and renovation that ended in 2016.  The home, originally owned by Augustus J. Albert (third wealthiest man in Baltimore, MD) was built solely for his servants.  During the holidays, the house is transformed into the magic of a Victorian Christmas complete with elaborate mantle and drape decorations, a blazing fire, and a dining room table set in Victorian fashion complete with English Christmas crackers.

The Humphrey Hughes House (1903)                                                       29 Ocean St.

Cross the threshold of this thirty-room Colonial Revival style house with expertly carved chestnut woodwork and many stained-glass windows.  The most previous owners ran the Humphrey Hughes Inn for 31 years before retiring in 2018.  After a 17-year hiatus, the property returned to Cape May MAC’s Candlelight Tours in 2019.  Expect to see this family vacation home festively decorated, including a wonderful tree. Enjoy the stunning staircase and many other lovely touches. The property was named after one of the original European colonizers of Cape May County, and the classy exterior iron fence pre-dates the house itself.

Cape May MAC launched its first Christmas tour in 1974 and ever since this tour has been a beloved annual tradition and a highlight of the holiday season in America’s only National Historic Landmark City. This self-guided walking tour celebrates the best of Cape May at Christmas, as you travel Cape May’s gaslit streets, hear musicians and carolers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels where you’ll step inside to see both Victorian and more modern interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. Don’t miss Cape May’s longest running and most popular Christmas 

tour.

The Judson Bennett House 835                                                                   835 Washington St.

 The Judson Bennett House, built in 1887. Judson Bennett a Delaware River Pilot built the house for his wife Lillian and their three children. The Queen Anne Victorian home sits majestically high on the corner of Washington and Queen Street. The home consists of a large wrap around porch where you can watch the trolley or horse and carriage go by. When you enter the home you can not miss the gorgeous tin ceilings. The home had a two year renovation and consists of old and new. Original heart pine wood floors run throughout the house, new kitchen and bathrooms. Imagine sitting in the den, reading a book by the fireplace or having dinner in the diningroom where the Bennett’s once dined. The Judson Bennett house can accommodate 22 guests comfortably. Make sure you stop by to say hello, The Judson Bennett House would love to see you. 

The Kurtz Residence (1860s)                                                                910 Washington St.

This quaint Victorian is surrounded by the “Sea Captains" homes of early Cape May and offers some feel of the past as well as a modern flare. A large addition was built and offers a sunken living room with a cozy fireplace, a master suite with a fireplace on the second floor and a screened porch. During the holidays, you will find a porch decorated and full of holiday cheer. Inside, three Christmas trees adorn the home; homemade cookies and a warm fireplace set the atmosphere for Christmas in Cape May!  Owners Bill and Karen Kurtz welcome you. 

On these busy dates, crossing guards, information reps and parking attendants are needed to help guests safely be on their way from place to place on the tour.

Join us at the Carriage House for a bustling evening, showing off the decorations at the Carroll Gallery inside the carriage house.

The Abbey (1869)                                                     Columbia Avenue and Gurney Street

This Gothic Revival showplace was a bed and breakfast inn for many years but is now an all year round whole house vacation rental under new ownership (December 2022), with plans to potentially reopen with off-season room by room boutique accommodations in fall 2024.  The Abbey was built in 1869 for Pennsylvania coal baron and politician John B. McCreary. It features a 60‑foot high tower, etched ruby glass windows, elegant formal rooms and a traditional English chefs kitchen.

The Dormer House (1900)                                                               800 Columbia Ave.

Join us for “Christmas at the Dormer House.”  This Colonial Revival style cottage was built by the York Brothers for John F. Jacoby and boasts smooth round columns, large dormers and a simple color scheme.  Sixteen columns of garland and bows, glistening with holiday cheer, welcome you.  The warmth of the Grand Hall and open staircase are accented by a 15’ tall tree and all its trimmings.  With the joyous feeling of Christmas throughout, the Dormer House welcomes you to the inn.

The Mainstay Inn (1872)                                                                     635 Columbia Ave.

Built as a gentlemen’s gambling club, the Mainstay is considered to have one of Cape May’s most authentically restored interiors. It features 14-foot ceilings, all original chandeliers, and richly ornamented furniture that was custom made for the clubhouse. For the holidays, the Inn is decorated with traditional garnish including yards of garland, wreaths and lights and Christmas trees throughout.

The Mason Cottage (1871)                                                                      623 Columbia Ave.

Entrepreneur Edward A. Warne bought this property in 1870 from Cape May developer John C. Bullit. Its striking Mansard roof has been restored to look as it did when newly built. The spirit of the holiday season is abundant throughout the Mason Cottage...from the majestic 10 foot botanical Christmas tree to fragrant evergreen garlands laced with delicate ribbons - The Mason Cottage has captured many of the Victorian traditions to share and celebrate with visitors during this holiday season.   

The Ocean Victorian (1878)                                                                         25 Ocean St. 
This classic Cape May Mansard-style home was built soon after the great fire of 1878.  It was the last structure to fall to that horrendous blaze and the current house was built on the charred timbers of its predecessor.  A private home before and after the great fire for nearly 100 years, the building was then restored and operated as an award-winning bed and breakfast inn known as The Inn on Ocean for more than 25 years, before being converted to a retreat for family vacations.  In October 2014, it opened as Cape May MAC’s Designer Show House, where local and regional designers exhibited their creativity and talent.

For Christmas Candlelight Tours, the Physick House Museum hosts an open house of the first floor.  Join us at the festively decorated heart of the tour- the Physick House!

The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn (1881)                          102 Ocean St.

The Queen Victoria was built as a private residence by Douglas Gregory, a pilot on the Delaware River and Bay. Restored for its centennial, it has been lovingly maintained by just three owners since that time. Featured in the parlor bay window is a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree authentically decorated with a variety of ornaments and decorations used during the 1890s.

The Wilbraham Mansion and Inn (circa 1840; 1900)                             133 Myrtle Ave.

Built in 1840 by Judith Hughes as a farmhouse, it was purchased by Philadelphia industrialist John Wilbraham in 1900 and converted into a high Victorian style mansion. The crystal chandelier was a gift to Wilbraham. Many original Wilbraham furnishings remain. Doug Carnes, the owner, has decorated the mansion with collections of Santas, Angels and Nutcrackers.

Help with Cape May MAC festivities at The Montreal!

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Join the maintenance team and assist in keeping the grounds of the Physick Estate beautiful!

Get into the Christmas spirit as you tour a selection of Cape May’s festively decorated Bed & Breakfast Inns and private homes.

Buttonwood (year?)                                                                 115 Broadway

The Buttonwood is nestled in the heart of West Cape May. An enchanting historic property- the Buttonwood is a timeless gem that encapsulates the rich history and charm of the area. With its meticulously preserved architecture, period details, and an inviting atmosphere this property offers a unique opportunity to see a piece of Cape May's history while enjoying modern comforts. 

Cape May Stage                                                                                            405 Lafayette St. 

This architectural gem is currently the home to Cape May Stage, a professional Equity theater in the historic downtown district. This beautiful building was once the town’s welcome center and its history dates all the way back to 1853 when it was originally built as a church by Peter Hand, a descendent of one of Cape May’s founding families. Stop by 405 Lafayette Street to see how this unique “Georgian Vernacular” structure is still standing tall today.

The Colonial House Museum (c. 1730)                                         653½ Washington St.

The headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society, the Colonial House Museum was originally a tavern and the family house of Revolutionary War Patriot Memucan Hughes. The front room has been recreated as a tavern with a colonial era cooking/eating room behind.  A research/exhibit room at the rear was added in the 1930s.  The house will be decorated in Colonial tradition with all natural and native items: shells, bird feathers and natural berries and greens, candlelight, and scents of the season like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Get into the Christmas spirit as you tour a selection of Cape May’s festively decorated Bed & Breakfast Inns and private homes.

The Bedford Inn (1883)                                                                    805 Stockton Ave.

The Italianate-style Bedford Inn was constructed in 1883 as a single family “Mother-Daughter” twin vacation home for the Page family of Philadelphia. Converted into a bed and breakfast many years later, the ideally situated Bedford Inn hosts 10 stylishly-appointed guest rooms - one of which may be viewed on this tour. Owners since 2019, Paula and her brother Marc, as well as the rest of the staff invite you to enjoy our four-themed Christmas trees which occupy the front porch and hallway as well as the downstairs parlor and dining area this holiday season.

The Duke of Windsor (1896)                                                                 817 Washington St.

The Duke of Windsor, originally built in 1896 and characterized by its elegant Victorian facade, has been immaculately restored with all the amenities de­manded by the modern traveler. The home features an open concept floor plan with gourmet kitchen, multiple gathering spaces, formal dining room, seven bedrooms with en-suite, marble bathrooms, quintessential Cape May front porch, and cozy living spaces for relaxing. This all-cedar masterpiece boasts a Victorian era cupola, original grand staircase, several antique chan­deliers throughout, plenty of parking and an elevator.

The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn (1881)                          102 Ocean St.

The Queen Victoria was built as a private residence by Douglas Gregory, a pilot on the Delaware River and Bay. Restored for its centennial, it has been lovingly maintained by just three owners since that time. Featured in the parlor bay window is a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree authentically decorated with a variety of ornaments and decorations used during the 1890s.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays. The Bedford Inn is located at 805 Stockton Ave, Cape May.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays. Buttonwood Manor is located at 115 Broadway in West Cape May.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Colonial House Museum (c. 1730)                                                653½ Washington St.

The headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society, the Colonial House Museum was originally a tavern and the family house of Revolutionary War Patriot Memucan Hughes. The front room has been recreated as a tavern with a colonial era cooking/eating room behind.  A research/exhibit room at the rear was added in the 1930s.  The house will be decorated in Colonial tradition with all natural and native items: shells, bird feathers and natural berries and greens, candlelight, and scents of the season like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Humphrey Hughes House (1903)                                                       29 Ocean St.

Cross the threshold of this thirty-room Colonial Revival style house with expertly carved chestnut woodwork and many stained-glass windows.  The most previous owners ran the Humphrey Hughes Inn for 31 years before retiring in 2018.  After a 17-year hiatus, the property returned to Cape May MAC’s Candlelight Tours in 2019.  Expect to see this family vacation home festively decorated, including a wonderful tree. Enjoy the stunning staircase and many other lovely touches. The property was named after one of the original European colonizers of Cape May County, and the classy exterior iron fence pre-dates the house itself. Up and down Ocean Street, the Victorian style reigns — but Hughes House is the exception. Named after one of the original European colonizers of Cape May County, this Colonial Revival house refutes the neighborhood’s Victorian style. Instead of porch posts, this house has turned

Doric columns. Instead of fancy-cut shingles, this house has cedar shakes. Instead of a gabled roof, this house has a “Dutch Colonial” gambrel roof. One interesting detail is that the iron fence around the Humphrey Hughes House is much older than the house. It must be left over from the Victorian house that once stood there. This plot is the site of several preceding Hugheshouses, dating back to the 17th century.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Dormer House (1900)                                                                     800 Columbia Ave.

Join us for “Christmas at the Dormer House.”  This Colonial Revival style cottage was built by the York Brothers for John F. Jacoby and boasts smooth round columns, large dormers and a simple color scheme.  Sixteen columns of garland and bows, glistening with holiday cheer, welcome you.  The warmth of the Grand Hall and open staircase are accented by a 15’ tall tree and all its trimmings.  With the joyous feeling of Christmas throughout, the Dormer House welcomes you to the inn.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Lovely Lorelei (1865)                                                                    238 Perry St. 

The Lovely Lorelei was built in Second–Empire style with Mansard roof in 1865 and it retains the original Dog Bone shaped Victorian garden detail. The current owners purchased this beauty in April of 2015 and have been lovingly working on it bit by bit to make it one of the best rental houses in historic Cape May. This house sleeps up to 17 people and has 6 bedrooms and 6 ½ bathrooms. It has a modern kitchen, large dining room, living room, den, and a huge wrap around porch, perfect for people watching, or to view the annual Christmas parade which passes right by the house. You can walk most anywhere in Cape May from this fabulously located home which is available as a vacation rental in every season!   

This is the Wadleigh/Hudson Residence at 1023 Washington Street, just across the street from the Emlen Physick Estate.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Ocean Victorian (1878)                                                                    25 Ocean St. 
This classic Cape May Mansard-style home was built soon after the great fire of 1878.  It was the last structure to fall to that horrendous blaze and the current house was built on the charred timbers of its predecessor.  A private home before and after the great fire for nearly 100 years, the building was then restored and operated as an award-winning bed and breakfast inn known as The Inn on Ocean for more than 25 years, before being converted to a retreat for family vacations.  In October 2014, it opened as Cape May MAC’s Designer Show House, where local and regional designers exhibited their creativity and talent.

Enjoy an evening of Cape May's finest inns and private homes all decked out for the holidays.

The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn (1881)                       102 Ocean St.

The Queen Victoria was built as a private residence by Douglas Gregory, a pilot on the Delaware River and Bay. Restored for its centennial, it has been lovingly maintained by just three owners since that time. Featured in the parlor bay window is a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree authentically decorated with a variety of ornaments and decorations used during the 1890s. this elegant house has a subtle Mansard style. Notice that the central portion of the front façade projects a little to form a pavilion. The octagonal corner bays almost form separate towers,

and the concave Mansard roof follows the complex shape of the building below. An unusual point about this house is that it looks like an elegant home of the 1860s, yet it was built during the 1880s. This house shows how conservative Cape May was duringthe Victorian period, building new houses that were 20 years out of fashion.

Edging, weeding, planting, under the direction of Manager Michael Millison.

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