Cape May is sitting on a TRIPLE FLEX this summer — 175 years as a city, 50 years as America’s only city-sized National Historic Landmark, and America turning 250, all in the same year. Cape May looked at 2026 and said, “Run me all the trophies.” Sandy, Biscuit, and the crew have opinions. Looking for a hotel in Wildwood NJ near Cape May? Sea Chest Motel is just 20 minutes away in Wildwood Crest — the perfect hotel near the beach in Wildwood NJ to use as your Cape May day-trip base.
Cape May Triple Milestone: What It Means
175 Years as a City (1851-2026): Cape May is one of America’s oldest resort cities. Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriage tours, and a coastline drawing visitors for nearly two centuries.
50 Years as a National Historic Landmark (1976-2026): Out of 2,500+ National Historic Landmarks in America, Cape May is the ONLY entire city to hold that designation. Not a building. Not a block. The whole city.
America Turns 250 (2026): The U.S. Semiquincentennial lands this year — and Cape May is right in the middle with a free exhibit at the Physick Estate: “Cape May: The First and Only.” Running all summer.
Sandy, Biscuit and the Crew React
Sandy opened with breaking-news energy that said this was bigger than weather. Biscuit pointed out that Cape May literally invented the beach vacation — before Cape May, Americans looked at the ocean and said “Nah, I’m good.” When all three trophies landed at once? Crowd absolutely lost it. Party hats. Confetti. One bunny still trying to carry all three trophies and slowly getting crushed.
Free Exhibit: Cape May: The First and Only
The Physick Estate is running a free exhibit all summer celebrating Cape May’s triple milestone. Historical receipts. Documents. The kind of evidence that makes a point without needing to raise its voice. Open through Labor Day.
Cape May is just 20 minutes from Wildwood. Do the beach in Wildwood Crest. Do the rides on the boardwalk. Then casually drive to the most historic city in America before dinner. Book your stay at seachestmotel.com — Sea Chest Motel puts you one block from the beach in Wildwood Crest.
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