Cape May is one of the most haunted towns you’ll ever visit. Is it any wonder? It’s such a marvelous place, even the spirits don’t want to leave Cape May! Dozens of Victorian gems have been investigated and documented to have “spirit” residents, all of whom are quite friendly, we assure you. Take a giant step back in Cape May’s past and see if a ghostly encounter is in the cards for you!
Featured 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.
CLUELESS AT THE PHYSICK ESTATE
“Hook, Line & Sinker”
“Clueless at the Physick Estate” returns this summer with an engaging new mystery based on the popular board game. “Hook, Line & Sinker” is this season’s “whodunit” mystery that dramatically unfolds as you travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Can you solve this mystery before someone else vanishes?
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.
MAGIC & MYSTERY HOUSE TOUR
Victorians were fascinated with mystery and illusion and this tour through select rooms in the 1879 Physick House Museum shares that fascination. Learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, the Goddess of Mystery, Ionia, a Belgian beauty who Victorians worshipped for her spectacles of magic, The Great Lafayette, who became known as the world’s greatest magician, and Pepper’s Ghost, an illusion still used today, with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more.
CLUELESS AT THE PHYSICK ESTATE & DINNER AT VINTAGE
Enjoy at 5:30pm dinner seating at Vintage followed by a 7pm tour of “Clueless at the Physick Estate: Hook, Line & Sinker”. This season’s “whodunit” mystery dramatically unfolds as you travel through the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Can you solve this mystery before someone else vanishes?
MURDER MYSTERY DINNERS
The Trouble With Silver Spoons
Enjoy a four-course dinner and watch as the mystery and drama unfold around you during “The Trouble With Silver Spoons,” an original mystery written by Jacklyn Fazio. Isabella Duffield has had everything handed to her her entire life. Now that includes the family estate and the large fortune that goes with it. Can she learn how to play nicely with others, or will her spoiled attitude land her in hot water? Limited event. Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.
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.
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.
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.
MAGIC & MYSTERY HOUSE TOUR & DINNER AT VINTAGE
Victorians were fascinated with mystery and illusion and this tour shares that fascination, combined with dinner at Vintage on the estate grounds. First, enjoy a delicious dinner then step inside the 1879 Physick House Museum and learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, the Goddess of Mystery, Ionia, a Belgian beauty who Victorians worshipped for her exotic intrigue, The Great Lafayette, who became known as the world’s greatest magician, and Pepper’s Ghost, a technical illusion still used today, with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more.
AND THEN THEY WERE DEAD
Without a Cue Productions
Without A Cue Productions in partnership with Cape May MAC brings an interactive theater event to the outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate, where the audience helps drive the story! A man’s mysterious death is attributed to a curse he placed on his prized possession. In a series of mysterious twists, with the audience participating via their phones, not even the actors will know whodunit. Enjoy this original and hilarious mystery based on the style of classic mysteries by author Agatha Christie. Lawn seating. Bring your chair or blanket. Outdoor stage, Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.
THE MURDER OF JAMES COSGROVE: WALKING TOUR
Without a Cue Productions
Without A Cue Productions in partnership with Cape May MAC brings you a walking tour with a mysterious twist. Stroll the byways and shadowy corners of Cape May led by your guide who just happens to be the victim of a 100-year-old murder! It’s the Roaring ‘20s and the joint is jumpin’ with hidden speakeasies, guys and dolls and jazz bands and gin joints. Tours begin at the gazebo on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Comfortable shoes recommended.
