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Cape May Golf Trip Planning Guide

Cape May is a charming Victorian beach town at the southern tip of New Jersey with solid golf, a growing wine trail, and a walkable downtown packed with restaurants and bars. Play courses through pine barrens and coastal terrain, tour wineries on the Cape May Wine Trail, and hit the Washington Street Mall for seafood and cocktails. More refined than the rest of the Jersey Shore.

3 courses · 5 restaurants · 3 bars · 5 activities

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

Summer, Fall

Nearest Airport

ACY (55 min drive)

Green Fees

$39–$99

Lodging From

$500/night

Walkable Courses

1 of 3

Budget Est. (8 guys, 3 nights)

~$386/person

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Cape May. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.

Day 1

Morning — Golf

Cape May National Golf Club coastal, $59–$99 · 4.6★

Karl Litton/Robert Mullock design through wetlands and pines — consistently ranked among NJ's best public courses

Dinner

The Lobster Houseseafood, $$$

Cape May institution on the fishing wharf — massive seafood menu, raw bar, and the Schooner Bar on a docked ship

After Dark

Cape May Brewing Companybrewpub

Craft brewery at the airport with a huge tasting room, food trucks, and outdoor games

Day 2

Morning — Golf

Avalon Golf Club coastal, $49–$85 · 4.3★

Bob Hendricks design in Swainton with coastal wind and well-maintained greens — solid shore golf

Afternoon — Activity

Cape May Wine Trailhalf day, $20–$50/pp

6+ wineries within 15 minutes — Willow Creek, Natali, and Cape May Winery are the highlights

Dinner

The Ebbitt Roomupscale, $$$$

Virginia Hotel fine dining with seasonal farm-to-table menus — the big-night dinner spot

After Dark

The Rusty Nailpatio · Open late

Beach Ave bar with live music, outdoor seating, and sunset views — the summer nightlife hotspot

Day 3

Morning — Golf

Sand Barrens Golf Club links, $39–$69 · 4.2★

27 holes through South Jersey pine barrens — waste bunkers and sandy soil give it a true links feel

Afternoon — Activity

Cape May Whale Watching2-3 hours, $35–$55/pp

Dolphin and whale watching cruises from the Cape May harbor — high hit rate for dolphin pods

Dinner

Lucky Bones Backwater Grillecasual, $$

Casual seafood and pub fare near the harbor — group-friendly with house-brewed beer

After Dark

Carriage House Cafe & Grillcocktail · Open late

Washington Street cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe and creative drinks

Course-by-Course Guide

Cape May has 3 courses worth playing. 1 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.

Cape May National Golf Club

Premium

Karl Litton/Robert Mullock design through wetlands and pines — consistently ranked among NJ's best public courses

$59–$99coastalPar 71 · 6,905 yds4.6 (666)

Avalon Golf Club

Solid

Bob Hendricks design in Swainton with coastal wind and well-maintained greens — solid shore golf

$49–$85coastalPar 71 · 6,301 ydsWalkable4.3 (835)

Sand Barrens Golf Club

Solid

27 holes through South Jersey pine barrens — waste bunkers and sandy soil give it a true links feel

$39–$69linksPar 72 · 6,800 yds4.2 (531)

Where to Stay

Cape May has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $500/night for the whole house.

house

$700–$2500/night

Sleeps 1016 · Cape May Beach / West Cape May

ocean viewspooldeckoutdoor grillbeach access
house

$500–$1800/night

Sleeps 814 · Downtown Cape May / Victorian District

walkable to Washington Streetparkingdeckhistoric charm

Group Dining Guide

5 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.

The Lobster House

$$$
seafood

Cape May institution on the fishing wharf — massive seafood menu, raw bar, and the Schooner Bar on a docked ship

$30-60/personReservation needed

The Ebbitt Room

$$$$
upscale

Virginia Hotel fine dining with seasonal farm-to-table menus — the big-night dinner spot

$60+/personReservation needed

Lucky Bones Backwater Grille

$$
casual

Casual seafood and pub fare near the harbor — group-friendly with house-brewed beer

$15-30/person

George's Place

$$
casual

Greek-influenced breakfast and lunch spot — best pancakes and omelets in Cape May

$15-30/person

Hemingway's Prime Steaks & Seafood

$$$$
steakhouse

Award-winning steakhouse in the Grand Hotel with locally sourced seafood and premium steaks

4.5$60+/personReservation needed

Nightlife

3 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.

Cape May Brewing Company

brewpub

Craft brewery at the airport with a huge tasting room, food trucks, and outdoor games

The Rusty Nail

Late Night
patio

Beach Ave bar with live music, outdoor seating, and sunset views — the summer nightlife hotspot

Carriage House Cafe & Grill

Late Night
cocktail

Washington Street cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe and creative drinks

Activities Beyond Golf

5 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.

Cape May Wine Trail

wineryhalf day$20–$50/pp

6+ wineries within 15 minutes — Willow Creek, Natali, and Cape May Winery are the highlights

Cape May Whale Watching

boat rental2-3 hours$35–$55/pp

Dolphin and whale watching cruises from the Cape May harbor — high hit rate for dolphin pods

Cape May Brewing Tour

brewery2-3 hours$15–$30/pp

Tour and tastings at one of NJ's best craft breweries — their King Porter Stomp is legendary

Deep Sea Fishing Charter

fishinghalf day$80–$150/pp

Charter out of the Cape May harbor for flounder, sea bass, and bluefish

Cape May Point Lighthouse & Bunker

hiking1-2 hours$8–$15/pp

Climb the lighthouse for panoramic views, then explore the WWII bunker on the beach

Getting There

Fly into Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) — it's a 55-minute drive to Cape May. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Cape May Limo and South Jersey Shuttle). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.

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