Congress Hall in Cape May ranked seventh on USA Today’s 10 Best Hotels and Resorts for Historic Stays, a list chosen by readers and travel experts.
Congress Hall opened in 1816 as a boarding house called “The Big House,” earning the skeptical locals’ nickname “Tommy’s Folly.” Over the years, it grew with Cape May and became a summer retreat for presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Benjamin Harrison, who sometimes conducted official business on site. Composer John Philip Sousa performed on its lawn and later composed the “Congress Hall March.”
Congress Hall faced multiple challenges over the years. A fire destroyed the original wooden structure in 1878, and it was rebuilt in brick the following year. The hotel also experienced extended closures and ownership changes, including a period in the early 20th century when it remained closed due to disputes between an owner and city officials. In 1995, new owners undertook a major restoration to return the hotel to its historic character.
The hotel features ocean-view rooms and several dining options, including a basement pizzeria and tavern. It also provides seasonal beach services and wellness programs, including yoga classes.
Visitors can join 60-minute history tours that cover the hotel’s more than 200-year past, including the period when Annie Knight owned the property from 1904 to 1931. The tours highlight Congress Hall’s role in local history and its place in Cape May’s development as a summer destination.
More than 200 years after it first opened, Congress Hall is still drawing national attention for its history and enduring presence on Cape May’s shore.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.