Winter Things to Do in Cape May County NJ

Cape May County, NJ, does not shut down when the beach umbrellas come in. The crowds thin out, parking gets easy and the best attractions stay open all winter. Here are the best winter things to do in Cape May County, from a free zoo to a winter beach walk at the southern tip of New Jersey.

Cape May County Park and Zoo

• Town: Cape May Court House (Middle Township)
• Where: 707 Route 9 North
• Hours: Zoo 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in winter; park 9 a.m. to dusk
• Admission: Free

The county zoo is home to about 550 animals representing about 250 species on 200 wooded acres, and admission and parking are free. It is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day, weather permitting.

Winter is a good time to go: many animals are more active in the cold, and the paths are far less crowded than in summer.

Plan your visit

Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall

• Town: Cape May
• Where: Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place
• When: Through December 31, 2026, Thursday to Sunday

Through the end of the year, Congress Hall’s lawn becomes a holiday village with a carousel, train rides and a vendor village. Afterward, walk a block to the Washington Street Mall for shopping and a warm drink.

Winter Wonderland

Cape May Point State Park

• Town: Lower Township (Cape May Point)
• Where: 305 Lighthouse Avenue
• Phone: 609-884-2159

A winter walk at the very tip of New Jersey is hard to beat. Three easy trails loop through the park: the half mile, wheelchair accessible Duck Pond Trail, the 1.2 mile Monarch Trail and the 1.5 mile Plover Trail, which returns along the beach past the World War II bunker.

Bring binoculars. The park’s Hawk Watch Platform is one of the best known birding spots in the country.

Park brochure

The Wetlands Institute

• Town: Middle Township
• Where: 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard; fall and winter programs at the NJ Coastal Conservation Center, 600 North Delsea Drive, Cape May Court House
• Hours: Fall and winter weekends, Saturdays and Sundays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Wetlands Institute’s 720 foot elevated marsh walkway sits about four feet above the salt marsh on the road into Stone Harbor. In the cold months, its weekend public programs move to the Coastal Conservation Center in Cape May Court House.

Visit The Wetlands Institute

Brewery and Winery Tasting Rooms

• Where: Across the county, including Cape May Brewing Company, 1250 Hornet Road, and Hawk Haven Vineyard, 600 South Railroad Avenue, Rio Grande

Tasting rooms are some of the coziest winter stops in Cape May County. Cape May Brewing’s tasting room and beer garden are open daily and offer “Tour and Pour at the Shore” brewery tours. Hawk Haven’s tasting room and wine shop are open every day of the year, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter.

Cape May Brewing

Wildwoods Convention Center Events

• Town: Wildwood
• Where: Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk

The boardwalk’s indoor arena keeps the Wildwoods busy in winter. Upcoming 2026 events include Christmasween on Saturday, November 14, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($15 adults, $10 kids 13 and under) and a free Family Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 12.

Pair a visit with a walk on the quiet winter boardwalk, where you can often have long stretches to yourself.

Wildwoods holiday events

Downtown Ocean City

• Town: Ocean City
• Where: Asbury Avenue

Ocean City’s downtown on Asbury Avenue stays lively all winter with year-round shops and restaurants. In December, horse and carriage rides run from in front of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue on select weekends.

Ocean City events

Winter tip: Many seasonal businesses cut hours after New Year’s Day, and some attractions close on winter weekends. Check hours before you drive, especially in January and February.