Cape May Lighthouse

The Cape May Lighthouse, as it stands today, was first illuminated on October 31, 1859. It is the third lighthouse constructed in Cape May, replacing earlier structures built in 1823 and 1847—both of which now lie beneath the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 157.5 feet, the lighthouse invites visitors to climb its 199-step spiral staircase to the watch gallery, where they’re rewarded with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay, and the town of Cape May. During the summer months, romantic nighttime tours known as *Stairway to the Stars* offer a magical experience. Guests enjoy a scenic trolley ride from Cape May to Cape May Point State Park, followed by a moonlit climb to the top of the lighthouse, where the night sky dazzles with stars—a perfect way to end a Cape May day. The lighthouse is owned by the State of New Jersey and leased to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), a Cape May-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and interpreting the region’s rich Victorian heritage. Remarkably, the Cape May Lighthouse still fulfills its original purpose, guiding vessels safely into the Delaware Bay. 

Cape May Point State Park Lower Twp, NJ (609)-884-5404