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 48 hours in advance by calling
609-884-5404 (press 0)
FEATURED TROLLEY TOURS
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.
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.
GHOSTS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TROLLEY TOUR
Take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse, as you hear about psychic medium Craig McManus’ paranormal findings.
*Please note that some portions of this tour are not accessible. Call 609-884-5404 (press 0) for reservations and further information.
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.
SPECIALTY TROLLEY TOURS
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.
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.
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. 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.
COMBINATION TROLLEY TOURS
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.
HISTORIC HAUNTS
COMBINATION TOUR
Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic District and hear stories of haunted Cape May. Step off the trolley at the Physick House Museum with your guide and see Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, reputed to be haunted, as you learn about Victorian Spiritualism. This tour combines a Ghosts of Cape May trolley tour with a visit to the Physick House. In the museum, guides will compare the methods of spirit contact used by the Victorians with those of today’s paranormal investigators. Selected rooms on both floors are included in the tour. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.
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.
HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOURS
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.
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).
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.)