Our Plan B adventure: From a canceled booking to unforgettable moments on the Jersey Shore.
When our original plan—four nights beside Delaware’s famed Bombay Hook—evaporated with a sudden Airbnb sale, we had two options: mope or pivot. We chose to pivot. Within hours we’d re-booked in Villas, New Jersey, a sleepy bayside town just a twenty-minute drive from the heart of historic Cape May.
Early spring isn’t swimsuit season on the Jersey Shore. Instead, it offers a serene escape: prime time for empty beaches, north-bound migratory birds, and crowd-free Victorian streets. Add two adventure-loving dogs (Scooter and Denver!) and a birthday to celebrate, and you’ll see how our unexpected Plan B quickly turned into a highlight reel.
Day 1 | Settling In & Bayside First Impressions
Home Base: Our Cozy Villas Airbnb
Our temporary haven was a tidy brick cottage three blocks from Delaware Bay. This location gave us sunset dog walks without buckling a seatbelt. ACME Markets around the corner stocked our fridge; Olive Branch supplied Greek-leaning comfort food for night-one carb loading.
Early Evening Beach Hike (Dogs in Tow)
Before even thinking about dinner, the boys had to experience the beach. (That’s our two dogs) The bayside here is gentler than the oceanfront – think flatter surf and firmer sand.
- Tip: This particular stretch can get a bit muddy, so maybe leave your brand-new sneakers at the cottage! It was no issue for us, and the coastal calm immediately set the tone for our trip.
Birthday-Trip Vibe Check: ✔️ Coastal calm
Day 2 | Caffeine, Coastal Trails & Carriage Bells
Morning: Perfect Pancakes & Birding Prep
Our day started at Bravado, and it quickly became an “insta-favorite.”
- Why we loved it: Delicious pancake special (available Wed–Fri), genuinely great coffee, and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.
Hike #1: Higbee Beach Loop Trail (Dogs Welcome!)
This 1.5-mile loop trail meanders through sand and scrub, offering a lovely dose of nature.
Trail Notes: The brush can be dense in spots, but it’s entirely manageable.
Highlights: Our puppy Denver got his first taste of lake life when he tentatively dipped his paws into Davey’s Lake. Moments later, we caught sight of a lone merganser slicing past the reeds and jumped when a dune lizard shot across the trail at impressive speed. Although Higbee is famous for drawing mixed flocks of warblers in spring, they stayed hidden during our visit. For the walk back we chose the shoreline route—a decision I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a cool sea breeze and the bonus view of the Cape May–Lewes Ferry casting off to Lewes. That combination of quiet wildlife moments and beachside scenery made this hike my wife’s clear favorite of the trip.
Lunch: Quick Stop at Robinson’s Deli (Take-Out Only)
We grabbed lunch at a local deli, a slight disappointment to find no seating, but our Airbnb was close enough for a comfortable meal back at the cottage. The Reuben was tasty, though it wasn’t a standout culinary moment of the trip.
Afternoon Stroll: Cape May Wildlife Management Area (Former Golf Course)
This unique spot features paved former cart paths, now transformed into a sanctuary for birds. Its location in the migration funnel of the lower Cape May peninsula makes it ecologically important.
- Our Take: While an easy, accessible walk, if you’re seeking a “wilder” feel, we’d recommend prioritizing hikes at the meadows or along the beaches.
Golden-Hour Hike: South Cape May Meadows (Important: No Dogs Allowed)
This was a must-do. Boardwalks weave directly across open wetlands, offering unparalleled wildlife viewing
- What to bring: Binoculars and your best telephoto lens are essential!
- Sightings: Mute swans gliding gracefully or resting on their nests, elegant egrets staging, mallards dabbling contentedly, and the undeniable show-stoppers – ospreys dramatically dive-bombing for their dinner. Pure magic.
Evening: Dinner & Tunes at Carney’s On The Beach
We wandered downtown Cape May without a dinner reservation – a move I’d suggest you plan better, as it was quite busy even in early spring! Luckily, we snagged a table at Carney’s On The Beach. We soon discovered why a table might have been free as we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a 50th birthday party celebration. It was an experience, complete with a live band blasting Devo’s “Whip It” and using a mini toilet as a tip jar. The pizza was decent, but dessert was the highlight, an ice-cream cookie sandwich (gooey and tasty), worth a return trip to Cape May all on its own!
Day 3 | Easter Surprises, Victorian Stories & Bayside Bliss
Breakfast: Whimsy at Bella Vida Garden Café
Another day, another breakfast spot (and yes, more pancakes!) I’ve been on a pancake kick, no syrup, just butter. 🙂
- Coffee Note: Expect standard diner coffee here; it has a classic diner vibe. If that’s your jam, you’ll be happy!
- The Surprise: We were delightfully greeted by the Easter Bunny upon entering, who also waved to passersby – a moment of pure, only-in-Cape-May whimsy. She even gave out candy Easter treats as we finished our meals!
Mid-Morning: Souvenirs & Strolls on Washington Street Mall
A stroll down the pedestrian-only Washington Street Mall is a Cape May tradition. We fulfilled our souvenir magnet duty and indulged a craving with some saltwater taffy sampling.
- Good to Know: It’s a charming area for shopping and walking, but most locals recommend exploring restaurants off this main tourist corridor.
History by Hoof: Cape May Carriage Company
We enjoyed a thirty-minute historical tour behind a beautiful chestnut draft horse. As we rolled past stunning gingerbread-trimmed Victorian homes, our driver narrated tales of 19th-century gossip and remarkable preservation efforts.
- Tourist-y? Absolutely. Worth it? Equally so. It felt like experiencing Charleston charm right by the beach. We also found it quite entertaining to watch how many people would stop our carriage driver mid-tour to ask for directions!
Early Lunch: Lively Vibes at Taco Caballito Tequileria
Recommended by the carriage driver, and always busy, we secured a window seat before noon. Many day drinkers were enjoying the vibes, while we did not partake, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. Cholula hot sauce on hand was a bonus.
Bayside Dog Walk Redux
Low tide revealed broad, hard-packed sand and intriguing tidal pools back at our Villas beach. We shared this serene evening walk with a kite-flying granddad and grandson, and a few incredibly brave pre-teens who did a “polar bear plunge” – full sprint and jump into the chilly water without wetsuits! 😮
Dinner Pivot
Our initial dinner plan at Two Black Dog‘s went awry when we entered a smoke-filled dining room with no host in sight. (Always a good idea to check recent reviews before a visit). Maybe takeout would be a better option? Thankfully, Vincenzo’s Little Italy rescued our evening. We were treated to traditional Italian meals and welcomed by servers who made us feel like family at a Sunday dinner.
Day 4 | Lighthouse Views, Osprey Drama & a Sweet Farewell
Breakfast Encore: Bravado (Again)
Second visit confirmed the coffee crush. (Monday closure post-Easter = our only heartbreak.)
Morning Marvels: Cape May Point State Park
This iconic park offers so much:
- The historic Cape May Lighthouse (climb it for panoramic views!).
- Intriguing WWII bunker ruins right on the beach.
- The Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) Hawkwatch Platform: Cape May is a world-renowned birding destination, and this is a key spot for tracking migratory birds. Check their site for events!
- The Highlight: A pod of dolphins gracefully slicing through the gray Atlantic waves, less than a football field offshore!
South Cape May Meadows, Revisited
Walkable and adjacent to Cape May Point State Park, we returned to experience ospreys dive-fishing amongst the swans and egrets —perfect spot for birding and wildlife photography.
Early Farewell Dinner: The Boiler Room at Congress Hall
We opted for an early dinner at The Boiler Room, a basement-level pizzeria within the historic Congress Hall. The ambiance is unique with its brick arches. Service was a bit patchy during our early visit, but thankfully, the delicious wood-fired pies made up for any wait. Our early meal was planned to catch one last bayside sunset.
Gelato Interlude: Tommy’s Folly Café
Located in Congress Hall, Tommy’s Folly Café is named for the hotel’s 1816 nickname (locals deemed its then-large size a “folly”). History aside, the gelato was anything but a mistake – absolutely delicious! You can enjoy your treat while strolling the halls to view fascinating historical photos and articles about Congress Hall.
Sunset Finale on the Villas Bay
The perfect end to our trip. The skies were tripod-worthy: magenta bleeding into fiery vermilion as gulls danced in synchronized shoreline marches. We even caught one opportunistic bird gulping a wriggling minnow – a moment perfectly captured on a 1/800 fps burst! As the sun dipped below the western horizon of Delaware Bay, Cape May’s reputation for sunset magic wrote its own stunning epilogue. This was, without a doubt, a major highlight. Check out pictures in my photo gallery.
Parting Thoughts & Quick Cape May Travel Tips
- Layer up. April winds over open marshes can make temperatures drop quickly.
- Dog logistics:
- Beaches on the Delaware Bay side are generally dog-friendly.
- South Cape May Meadows trails = No dogs allowed. Always check local signage.
- Beaches on the bay side = yes; Meadows trails = no.
- Carriage Tours: Easy walk-up booking was possible for us in mid-April, but always check in advance during busier seasons.
- Restaurant Hours: Be aware of potential post-holiday closures (like Bravado on Monday). Have a backup plan for dining.
- Birding Gear: Bring your best long lens (300mm+ recommended) for birding and wildlife photography.
- Embrace the Pivot: Our trip was a testament to this! From the initial Bombay Hook disappointment to the delightful rescue by Vincenzo’s, Cape May proved that sometimes Plan B outshines Plan A.
Would We Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. Cape May in early spring blends world-class birding, Victorian eye-candy, and off-season breathing room. Our four-night birthday detour delivered more photos, sightings, and sweet moments than we’d penciled into the original itinerary—plus a story that starts, “Remember when the Airbnb got sold out from under us…?”
Have you experienced the off-season magic of Cape May? What are your favorite birding spots or dog-friendly adventures on the Jersey Shore? Share your tips and stories in the comments below!
