Historic Cold Spring Village

720 Route 9, 3 mi. N of town, (609) 898-2300, x18. Tu-Sun 10-4:30, June-Aug, some weekends in spring and fall. $10, 3-12 $8. No picnicking.

gift shop and general store at Historic Cold Spring Village
in Cape May, New Jersey

Early-American history for the period of 1789 to 1840 is brought to life in this open-air living history museum. All 26 historic buildings at Historic Cold Spring Village are authentic, though most have been brought in from other sites. Among them is an operating bakery, an ice cream parlor in an old farm house, and a tavern. While visiting this invitingly grassy and shady property, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and watch in action a blacksmith, potter, basket maker, and more, plus interact with some farm animals. My favorite demonstration is a scroll saw velosiped dating from 1900 that pedals like a bicycle. Themed events occur on weekends and might include a Revolutionary War Encampment or antique show.

demonstration is a scroll saw velosiped dating from 1900

●Cold Spring Grange Restaurant

735 Seashore Rd., (609) 884-0114. People in the know start their visit here with breakfast or lunch at the spacious restaurant inside the Grange Hall. Built in 1912 to serve as the meeting hall for the Cold Spring Grange #132, this is the only village building standing on its original site. Breakfast includes French toast and oversize fresh-blueberry pancakes, while lunch brings on sandwiches and chicken pot pie.