Hop on one of Cape May MAC’s cheery red trolleys and take a guided tour the easy and comfortable way. Knowledgeable guides will tell you everything you want to know about America’s first seaside resort, from our Victorian heritage to our seashore and maritime history and more, with plenty of fun facts sprinkled in.
MANY TROLLEY TOURS ARE OFFERED SEASONALLY
Accessible trolley tours are available but must be pre-arranged at least 2 business days in advance by calling
609-884-5404 (press 0)
HOLIDAY LIGHTS TROLLEY RIDES
Who can resist the twinkle of Cape May’s beautiful Victorian homes decorated for Christmas? This trolley ride through the historic streets of Cape May is a delight. Listen to Christmas music and enjoy hearing about the history of many of the Christmas traditions of today. Victorian Cape May is outstanding at Christmas and this is a ride to share with friends and family to revel in Cape May’s Christmas spirit. Trolleys are open-air. Blankets are recommended. Cape May MAC blankets are available for purchase at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and the Physick Estate. Tour begins and ends at the trolley stop on Ocean Street.
Accessible with advance notice.
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST TROLLEY TOURS
Listen to dramatic tales of Christmas woe featuring Victorian ghosts, told by a member of the East Lynne Theater Company, on this ride along the historic streets of Cape May. You’ll be happy you live now, not then. Begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through Cape May’s historic district (except on Saturday of Holiday Preview Weekend when it leaves from the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.)
SANTA’S TROLLEY RIDES
Mrs. Claus comes direct from the North Pole to lead this tour! She tells stories and leads holiday songs on this jolly holiday trolley ride through town. Santa joins the fun at the Gazebo on the grounds of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Begins and ends at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. (with free parking available).
ALL THAT GLITTERS
Victorians ring in a new century! Trolley Tour
It’s the Christmas season in the late Victorian age and Mrs. Frances Brooks leads this first-person trolley tour as she does her important holiday shopping around town, regaling all with then and now stories of the many shops, hotels, landmarks and personalities that make up the lively Cape Island social landscape of her time. This tour immerses you in Cape May social history and takes two steps back in time, as Mrs. Brooks reflects on her present and her past, including memories of her dearest friends, the Physicks.
HISTORIC DISTRICT TROLLEY TOUR
Known as the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts” for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing one of the country’s largest collections of 19th century seaside wood framed buildings, the historic district features a variety of styles of Victorian architecture. It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Wonderful tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day. This narrated tour travels through portions of Cape May’s historic district. Guides discuss the architecture and history of the area. Offered year-round either separately or as combo tours. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
WELCOME TO CAPE MAY TROLLEY TOURS
This is the best introduction to Cape May for first timers and also for those who haven’t been to Cape May in some time. Find the hidden gems and the little-known treasures of this glorious seaside town and learn about natural and cultural points of interest. This narrated tour highlights the many cultural, historical and natural attractions on the island. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
MANSIONS BY THE SEA TROLLEY TOUR
You’ll hear how the rich lived in the early 1900s in the most elegant part of town on this trolley tour that includes the eastern beachfront. You’ll see the broad streets and massive plots on Cape May’s east side – an area marketed as “New Cape May” at the turn of the 20th century. Today, new, beachfront second homeowners have continued the tradition, running the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously rich. This narrated tour travels along Beach Drive through the early 20th century East Cape May Development areas. Guides discuss history and architecture. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TROLLEY TOUR
Cape May was part of the Underground Railroad and this trolley tour tells of those dangerous days. Slaves fled their chains in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia and braved strong currents and stormy seas, guided by the beacon at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked these streets, as did prominent railroad businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. Trolley tour co-sponsored by Center for Community Arts (CCA) and Cape May MAC. Begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including the Mt. Zion Cemetery.
ROOTS OF CAPE ISLAND TROLLEY TOUR
West Cape May has a history of farming, and much more. Learn about the roots of this area, both literal and cultural on the new Roots of Cape Island Trolley Tour. Hear about those who farmed the mighty lima bean. Learn about the Native American tribes who inhabited this land. Hear about the area’s history, including the whaling industry, and its farms and shops, with stories of the vibrant African American community who live and work here. Tour begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through West Cape May.
GHOSTS OF CAPE MAY TROLLEY TOUR
What was that shadow? Was it the undead of Cape May’s past wandering their beloved haunts? You might scoff, you might shudder, but rest assured: on board a trolley with an experienced guide you will begin to wonder what’s beyond when you hear the tales of hauntings unearthed in Cape May by renowned psychic medium and author Craig McManus. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
COMBINATION
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TROLLEY TOUR
& THE HARRIET TUBMAN MUSEUM
Visit the renowned Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey that tells the story of this hero of the Underground Railroad and combine it with the Underground Railroad Trolley Tour that is part of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom. The Harriet Tubman Museum officially opened in 2021 to national accolades. Cape May was part of the Underground Railroad and this combination tour tells the story of those dangerous days. Hear how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked these streets, as did prominent railroad businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. Tour begins at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including the Mt. Zion Cemetery, and ends with a tour at the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey. Tour is co-sponsored by the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey, Cape May MAC and Center for Community Arts (CCA).
(Note: Trolley tour content authored by Center for Community Arts (CCA). Trolley Tour co-sponsored by CCA and Cape May MAC.)
COMBINATION
TROLLEY/PHYSICK ESTATE TOUR
This immersive, 2-hour tour experience combines a guided tour by trolley of Cape May’s Historic District with a guided tour of the Physick House Museum, providing an in-depth look into Cape May history and architecture. Learn why Cape May is the only National Historic Landmark City in the nation as you appreciate the details of Cape May’s unique Victorian streetscapes via trolley. Take a guided tour of the first and second floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum, for a detailed look at Victorian architecture and the period. Built in 1879, the 18-room mansion is an architectural masterpiece built by famed American architect Frank Furness and one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country. The tour includes a visit to the Carriage House Carroll Gallery Exhibit and begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley stop.
Tour tickets for this tour are not available for online purchase. Click the link below to find out where to purchase tickets.
SPIRITS & ODDITIES TROLLEY TOUR
Cats in ghostly form purr from the beyond. Beloved family members in photographs without their heads. Graves equipped with a torpedo to put off intruders. Victorians of the late 19th century had wild notions about the passage from life to death. Belief in ghosts and spirits was common and superstition abounded. Hear several Cape May ghost stories and more strange stories from Victorian Cape May history that are macabre, mysterious or just plain weird! Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
GRAVEYARDS, GHOSTS & MANSION COMBO TOUR
Hear the stories and experiences of ghost activity in the 1879 Physick House Museum from the Cape May MAC tour guides who know them intimately. It starts with a trolley ride to the historic Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery to see the graves of Dr. Emlen Physick and his family. At the graveyard you’ll hear EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) recorded by tour guides and staff at the estate. On your return trip to the Physick Estate hear about some unusual Victorian funereal customs. Then, inside the Physick House you will visit several rooms and hear several more EVPs while learning more about the activity observed there. Take the opportunity to talk to staff about their experiences, and a moment to wonder at what it all means. Tour begins and ends at the Physick Estate.
CAPE MAY’S FORGOTTEN SPORTS HISTORY
TROLLEY TOUR
Cape May’s history includes some fascinating stories about sports, such as baseball, tennis and golf, during the 19th and early 20th century. Take this trolley tour around Cape May and see where audiences once cheered on their favorite players of yesteryear. Learn about the teams, ballfields, courts and greens that were a vibrant part of America’s First Seaside Resort.
NATURAL HABITATS TROLLEY TOUR
Beyond the charming Victorian homes and sandy beaches, Cape May is world famous for its birdwatching, monarch migration, and natural history. Join Cape May Bird Observatory naturalists on a trolley tour to local “natural habitats” (with exits at two spots), learning about the beauty, diversity, abundance (millions of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies pass through each year), geography, and extensive history of this amazing spectacle. Relax and be entertained in the birding capital of North America! Co-sponsored by New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory and Cape May MAC.
CHILDREN’S TROLLEY RIDE
Board MAC’s jolly red trolley for a guided tour of Cape May’s Historic District geared specially for 3 to 7 year olds. From gingerbread you can’t eat to witches’ caps on houses, kids will be fascinated by “show and tell” along the way. Trolley tours last about 30 minutes.