The tip of New Jersey's Southern Shore, extending into Delaware Bay, is capped off by the historic City of Cape May. Its "gingerbread" Victorian homes, bed and breakfast inns, and historic hotels attract hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the year. An important point on one of the major migratory fly-ways, the Cape May Point Natural Area varies from forest habitats to coastal dunes and marshland. Seabirds and songbirds pass through the area each spring, as well as a fall migration of majestic hawks. Cape May Point is the last resting area before birds head southward across the Delaware Bay.
   This southern point is also graced by the Cape May Lighthouse. Built of bricks from the previous tower, the classic style 157 foot lighthouse dates back to 1859. Still an active navigational aid, the lighthouse is a huge draw at Cape May. Over a hundred thousand different sets of footprints are left on the tower's cast iron spiral staircase each year. Operated by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, the lighthouse is open daily through the warm weather months. The grounds, tower and watch room gallery are open for self-guided tours.

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