Resort at a Glance: Montreal Beach Resort

Situated on the southern tip of New Jersey, Montreal Beach Resort provides a semi-secluded antidote to the overcrowded beaches further north. Guest rooms and suites help you escape your worries with homey amenities including free WiFi, TVs, and private balconies in some rooms.

• Find some alone time in private cabanas and chaise lounges at The Montreal Beach Club; your private beach attendant will take care of the rest.
• Raise a toast at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille or The Wine Cellar, the resort’s beachfront liquor store.
• Take a dip in the large outdoor pool, or simmer away stress in the jetted tub (available seasonally).

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 Travel Channel named the town’s coastline 1 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.