In Cape May, the holiday season is this shore town’s time to shine – in the most literal sense. Houses, inns, B&Bs, hotels, retailers, restaurants, and more get decked to the nines, adorning themselves with white or colored lights, candles, stars, garland, inflatables, lights, bows, nutcrackers, Santas, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and more lights.
Pride oozes throughout as home-and-inn owners open their spectacularly decorated doors and invite the public in to gaze wide-eyed, drool just a little, and take as many Insta-worthy photos as their iPhones can handle of some of the most beautifully decorated homes in New Jersey.
For Paula Murray, Christmas is her favorite time of year in this charming Victorian beach haven. Murray, who, along with her brother Marc Jacoby, co-owns the Bedford Inn – it’s purely coincidence that Bedford Falls, the fictional town in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is similarly named – has participated in the various holiday tours, sponsored by Cape May MAC, for the past six years.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to get visibility,” said Murray. “I’ve actually gotten many guests because they toured here at Christmastime.”
She believes the inn has outdone itself this year, and gives a shout-out to her decorator Rebecca Walder for creating three stunning, themed Christmas trees: one with birds, one on music, and one that’s all things Cape May.
Her inn takes part in multiple MAC tours, but by far, she says, the Candlelight Tour, held on Saturday nights throughout the season, is the biggest.
“There are probably about 20 properties on the tour and we can have 500 guests on any Saturday night,” said Murray. “It’s a big deal.”
Weekends are not the only time for the tours. Murray’s inn has to be ready for guests on weekdays, as well, for tours such as the Holiday Inn. In fact, someone knocked on her door for a tour during this interview, causing the conversation to be cut short.
“Gotta go!” she happily exclaimed.
So many tours, which one should I do?
Naturally, anyone, regardless of athletic ability or lack of energy, can participate in any of MAC’s Christmas tours. Here is a breakdown of each, along with if you must walk it or ride around in style.
· Christmas Candlelight House Walking Tour. The longest-running and most popular Christmas tour. Since 1974, the Candlelight Tour has celebrated the best of Cape May at Christmas. This walking tour will have your traveling along Cape May’s gaslit streets to visit homes, inns, B&Bs, churches, and hotels as musicians and carolers fill the air with holiday tunes. Step inside each decorated building to see Victorian and more modern interiors all decorated for the holidays. Runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 14 and 21.
· Holiday Inns Walking or Trolley Tour. A daytime opportunity to visit several Cape May properties decorated for the holidays with garland, bows, trees, and more. This is a self-guided tour, so you will need a map. For this tour you can walk or take advantage of a trolley shuttle.
· All That Glitters Trolley Tour: Victorians Ring in a New Century Trolley Tour. Like a side of history with your tour? Hop aboard the trolley and ride around town to regale with lively stories of Cape Island and its Victorian residents during the late 1800s.
· Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour: A self-guided walking tour that will invite you inside a selection of Cape May bed & breakfasts, inns and private homes, as well as a visit to “An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit” at the Physick Estate Carriage House. .
· Emlen Physick Estate House Tour: Cape May’s famed Victorian house museum, the 1879 Emlen Physick House, will be decorated in true Victorian style for Christmas. A guide will take you through the first and second floors of the 18-room mansion, which has been voted “the most beautiful building in New Jersey,” and explain the history of the family and staff who lived and worked here centuries ago.
· Evening Yuletide House Tour: A guided, first-person living history holiday tour of first-floor rooms of the magnificent Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style for Christmas. Your guide will portray a member of the original Physick family from the early 1900s and share their stories and traditions. The tour also includes a visit to the Carroll Gallery to see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit. LIGHT WALKING TOUR.
· Spirited Cape May Christmas Trolley Rides. As the name suggests, on this trolley tour you will hear tales of Christmases from long ago and not-so long ago, as you travel along the beautiful historic district. Learn about Santa arriving at this seaside town in odd and surprising ways, ghostly appearances that the Physick House museum experienced–and recorded by staff—and discover how Victorians spent their downtime playing weird and risky games.
· Holiday Lights Trolley Tour. Who can resist the sparkle of Cape May’s beautiful streetscapes and Victorian homes decorated for Christmas? Listen to Christmas music and learn about the history of Victorian Christmas traditions as you travel in the evening to tour the holiday lights.
· Santa’s Trolley Rides. Direct from the North Pole is Mrs. Claus—wife of the Big Guy–to lead this festive trolley ride. The Mrs. will tell stories and lead guests in a holiday singalong. And if you’re good, Jolly Ol’ St. Nick himself may join in the fun when the trolley reaches the Physick Estate. Great for kids.
“Visitors know they will get into the spirit of Christmas here in Cape May,” Susan Krysiak, director of media relations, Cape May MAC. “(With) trolley tours to see the lights in the evening, house and inn tours during daytime … and a trolley ride with Mrs. Claus … (there is) so much that people can enjoy here at Christmas.”
Tours run through Jan. 2, 2025 throughout Cape May. More info on dates, times, pricing, and more can be found at CapeMayMAC.org.
Pamela Dollak is a writer, actor, and lover of all things showmanship. Reach her at pamela.dollak@gmail.com
