A Cape May day trip from Madison Resort Wildwood Crest
Yes — you can make Cape May a straightforward half-day or full-day trip from Madison Resort Wildwood Crest. Cape May is about 6–7 miles away (roughly a 10–11 minute drive), and the resort offers a complimentary shuttle to Cape May if you prefer not to drive.
In this guide
Plan your timing
A typical Cape May day trip from Madison Resort Wildwood Crest works well as a morning-to-afternoon outing: leave early for a quieter Washington Street Mall and a lighthouse visit, and return to Wildwood Crest for an evening on the beach or dinner at Vinyl by Madison.
If you drive, expect about a 10–11 minute trip for the roughly 6–7 mile route; public transit (NJ Transit bus) is available but the one-way trip takes longer (about 42–47 minutes).
- Drive: ~10–11 minutes, 6–7 miles (typical in light traffic).
- Bus: NJ Transit 552 connects Wildwood to Cape May — plan for ~42–47 minutes.
- Resort shuttle: complimentary shuttle to Cape May (check current schedule with front desk).
| Option | Typical one-way time |
|---|---|
| Drive | 10–11 minutes |
| NJ Transit bus (line 552) | 42–47 minutes |
| Resort shuttle | Varies by schedule — check with Madison Resort |
Morning: lighthouse, Victorian streets and the Washington Street Mall
Start in Cape May with the Cape May Lighthouse (self-guided exterior visits and grounds are common; check attraction hours separately) and a stroll through the Victorian neighborhoods. The Washington Street Mall is the standard spot for boutique shopping and lunch options.
If you prefer a guided activity, Cape May also offers dolphin- and bird-watching boat tours from the harbor (book directly with local tour operators).
- Cape May Lighthouse — photo opportunities and coastal views.
- Washington Street Mall — shopping and casual cafés for lunch.
- Harbor tours — dolphin watching and boat sightseeing (seasonal).
| Attraction | Typical visit length |
|---|---|
| Cape May Lighthouse | 30–60 minutes |
| Washington Street Mall | 1–2 hours |
| Harbor/dolphin tour | 1–2 hours |
Getting there from the resort
Madison Resort Wildwood Crest sits on Ocean Avenue and lists a complimentary shuttle to Cape May and to the Wildwood Boardwalk; confirm shuttle times with the front desk before you leave. If you drive, the straightforward route uses local roads and is a short trip under normal conditions.
If you choose public transit, the NJ Transit 552 bus links Wildwood and Cape May; schedules and fares are set by NJ Transit.
- Resort shuttle: complimentary — inquire at front desk for current schedule.
- Driving: short 10–11 minute trip; parking in Cape May varies by lot and street.
- Bus: NJ Transit 552 takes around 42–47 minutes one-way.
| From Madison Resort | Notes |
|---|---|
| Shuttle | Complimentary — check front desk for times |
| Car | About 10–11 minutes drive (6–7 miles) |
| Bus (NJ Transit 552) | About 42–47 minutes; check transit schedule |
What to do and where to eat in Cape May
Cape May is known for its historic district, small museums, galleries, and seafood restaurants. Walking the streets and stopping at the Washington Street Mall gives you variety without a tight schedule.
If you plan meals back at the resort, Vinyl by Madison serves breakfast, lunch and a sunset menu with indoor and outdoor seating near the beach. Madison Rose provides poolside and beach delivery during the season when it is operating.
- Cape May highlights: historic homes, lighthouse, harbor tours, small museums.
- On return: Vinyl by Madison (breakfast–lunch and Sunset Menu) — check hours before you go.
- Seasonal dining: Madison Rose pool/beach delivery through Labor Day when active.
| Dining option | At Madison Resort |
|---|---|
| Vinyl by Madison | Breakfast, lunch, Sunset Menu (indoor/outdoor) — BYOB |
| Madison Rose | Poolside food truck — beach & pool delivery when in season |
| Twist & Spoon | Desserts and soft serve in the Royal Tower (seasonal hours) |
Afternoon return and seaside evening at Madison Resort
Return mid- to late-afternoon to enjoy the resort pools, hot tubs, or a beachfront spot — pools are seasonal and open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the season listed by the resort. Each registered guest receives a towel card that works at either tower pool.
Finish the day on a private balcony or the rooftop deck (both are BYOB spots because Wildwood Crest does not sell alcohol). Vinyl by Madison offers a Sunset Menu in the early evening if you want dinner on-site.
- Pool hours (seasonal): 9:00 AM–8:00 PM; pools are heated and have a children's area.
- Towel cards included — redeem at either tower pool.
- BYOB policy: resort does not sell alcohol on-site; rooms have fridges for drinks.
| Evening option | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Pool or hot tub | Seasonal access — check tower-specific details |
| Rooftop deck & firepits | BYOB seating and ocean views — seasonal availability |
| Vinyl by Madison Sunset Menu | Dinner option near the beach — check current hours |
Which room to choose for a Cape May day-trip base
If you want easy beach and ocean views, consider an Ocean Tower room type such as Ocean Tower - Suite Ocean View or Ocean Tower - Studio Beach Front where balconies and ocean views are highlighted. Many Ocean Tower rooms have kitchenettes or in-room seating useful for snacks after a day trip.
For families or longer stays, Royal Tower options like Royal Tower - Poolside Suite or Royal Tower - Poolside Efficiency Room give quick pool access and family-friendly layouts; pet-friendly Streetside Suite options exist in the Royal Tower for guests traveling with dogs (verify pet fees and availability directly).
- Ocean Tower - Suite Ocean View — ocean view suites (sleeps configurations vary).
- Ocean Tower - Studio Beach Front and Ocean Tower - Studio Town View — studio king options.
- Royal Tower - Poolside Suite and Royal Tower - Poolside Efficiency Room — poolside layouts, family-friendly.
- Royal Tower - Streetside Suite- Dog Friendly — pet-friendly rooms in Royal Tower (confirm fees).
| Room name | Good for |
|---|---|
| Ocean Tower - Suite Ocean View | Couples or small families wanting ocean views |
| Royal Tower - Poolside Suite | Families who want poolside access |
| Ocean Tower - Studio Town View | Solo travelers or couples who prefer a king studio |
