Hotel at a Glance: Congress Hall

The historic Congress Hall is practically an American institution: not only is it one of America’s oldest seaside resorts, but Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, James Buchanan, and Benjamin Harrison have all kicked their feet up in the hotel’s stately, Victorian rooms. Channel our forefathers with a visit to the 1930s-inspired The Brown Room. Here, you can enjoy a drink by the fire while lounging in a leather armchair.

• Enjoy farm-to-table comfort food at the onsite Blue Pig Tavern, which sources most of its ingredients from the hotel’s nearby Beach Plum Farm. This Groupon includes a 15% off discount at the restaurant.
• Direct beach access: Even if it’s too cold for a swim, you can still enjoy a walk along the beautiful seashore.
• Sleep tight in your spacious room, which has 100% Belgian cotton sheets, Victorian accents, and nautical artwork. The bathrooms are outfitted with soft, cotton-terry robes and Aveda toiletries.
• Get a massage or facial at the onsite spa, which uses all-natural Thalgo and advanced Skinceuticals products.
• Awards: This hotel ranked high in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 list of the Top 10 Hotels in the Mid-Atlantic, and was awarded a 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. 

Cape May, New Jersey: Seaside Resort Town with Victorian Architecture

Long billed as America’s oldest seaside resort, Cape May sits at New Jersey’s southernmost tip. The setting is so idyllic that the Travel Channel named the town’s coastline one of the top 10 beaches in the country. Aside from beachcombing, popular pastimes here include fishing, whale watching, and bird watching. In fact, the New York Times called Cape May “one of North America’s hottest birding spots.” You might see bald eagles, herons, and woodcocks. In the spring, keep your eyes peeled for the latter’s intricate mating dance.

After a fire ravaged most of Cape May in 1878, residents rebuilt in the contemporary style of the time, and dozens of their stately Victorian homes remain standing today. Consequently, the Cape May Historic District has earned the distinction of being a National Historic Landmark. Horses and carriages tour the colorful, cottage-lined streets, which have been deemed off-limits to chain stores in order to preserve the classic small-town atmosphere. Along Delaware Bay stands the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse. Those who climb the tower’s 199 stairs are rewarded at the top with an unbeatable view of the Atlantic Ocean.

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