Cape May Celebrates Presidents’ Day Weekend with Tours and Events that Will Cure the Winter Doldrums

CAPE MAY — The cure for the long winter chill is to take a long holiday during Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 18-20 in Cape May, the nation’s first seaside resort. Enjoy a two-day crafts and collectibles show, food and wine events, ghost tours and trolley tours, and more, all sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

There are few more enjoyable ways to warm up during winter than by tasting and appreciating fine wines. Expand your knowledge of wine during the Cape May Wine School – “Hidden Wine Treasures From France” class at the renowned Washington Inn, with help from a wine expert. Taste some great off-the-radar reds and whites that will amaze! The class Saturday, Feb. 18 takes place at 1 p.m. at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., and admission is $40 per person. Call the Washington Inn directly at (609) 884-5697 for tickets.

Spend the day visiting two of Cape May County’s wineries and tasting the unique flavors of each during the Cape May Wine Trail. Board the trolley at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 from the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., and travel to Willow Creek Winery where you will enjoy lunch and a wine tasting, then it’s off to Natali Vineyards for a tasting. $60 includes lunch and wine tastings at each vineyard. This is a limited event so reserve early.

It’s a bountiful feast for chocolate lovers during the Chocolate Lover’s Feast on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. Enjoy seven plated courses of chocolate desserts and hear how each was created from the chef who prepared it at The Blue Rose Inn. Admission is $40.

The region’s most sought-after collectibles dealers and craftspersons come together for a show in Victorian Cape May on Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 19. The show features an array of handmade items, unique gifts, country crafts, glassware, silver, furniture and more. Crafts and Collectibles in Winter will be held at the Cape May Convention Hall, Beach Avenue at Stockton, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

The best way to get to know Cape May and its rich history is to take the Historic District Trolley Tour. Knowledgeable guides present entertaining and educational stories about the nation’s oldest seashore resort. Tours are offered on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12). The Emlen Physick Estate Tour at 1048 Washington St., Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, gives you a glimpse into the lives of a Cape May family of the late 1800s. Tour the 18-room mansion with your guide on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 20 at 1:45 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12). See both the Physick Estate and the historic district on guided Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tours on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $14 for children (ages 3-12).

The Center for Community Arts (CCA) in association with MAC presents a new exhibit in the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.: “Moore History: The Life and Works of William J. Moore.” The CCA History Committee has selected important original documents, objects and photographs of Mr. Moore’s long and honored life. William J. Moore was principal of the segregated West Cape May Elementary Annex school for 52 years, inspiring many of his students to go on to college and careers. He served as the executive of Cape May Golf Club and then the pro at Cape May Tennis Club, which was named in his honor at his 100th birthday. He raised nine children with his wife, Susie (Smothers) Moore, and founded the William J. Moore Scholarship Fund. Many of his students and friends remember him to this day. Their testimonies and recollections accompany Mr. Moore’s own words and those of his children. During Presidents’ Day Weekend, the exhibit is open Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 20, 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

The Cape May Lighthouse reopens for the season during Presidents’ Day Weekend. Climb 199 spiraling steps to the top for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, Feb. 18, Sunday, Feb. 19 and Monday, Feb. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. Tower admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children (ages 3-12). Admission to the Visitors’ Orientation Center and the ground floor of the Lighthouse is free. The lighthouse is located in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township.

MAC’s two Museum Shops are open during Presidents’ Day Weekend and offer museum quality gifts including jewelry, teapots, books and more at the Carriage House Museum Shop on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. There are selections for youngsters as well, including children’s books, toys, dolls, puzzles and games. Cape May Teddy Bear Co.® bears, Mocha and Champagne, make lovable friends for children and dozens of different outfits are available for them. The fully accessible Museum Shop is open Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. You can also delight yourself or your favorite lighthouse lover with something from the Cape May Lighthouse Museum Shop, located next to the Lighthouse in Cape May Point State Park. Here you’ll find Cape May Diamond jewelry, toys, books and clothing for fans of the Lighthouse. The fully accessible Museum Shop is open Saturday, Feb. 18, Sunday, Feb. 19 and Monday, Feb. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. Parking is free at both locations.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals and special events, call (609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at (609) 884-5508. For historic accommodations information, visit Cape May Historic Accommodations at www.capemaylodging.com.