Halloween Happenings

GHOSTS OF CAPE MAY
TROLLEY TOUR

Cape May, surrounded by water with well-preserved Victorian architecture, is one of the most active ghost towns in America, making the presence of ghosts here a “natural” unnatural phenomenon. This is the best ghost tour on the island, telling stories of hauntings and unexplained happenings brought to light by the uniquely gifted paranormal expert and Cape May devotee, psychic medium Craig McManus. Don’t leave town without experiencing this quintessential Cape May experience that actress Tina Fey and thousands more are talking about!  Begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley Stop.

MURDER MYSTERY DINNERS

The Woeful Widows Society

Enjoy a three-course dinner in the Marquis de Lafayette as an original murder mystery by Jacky Fazio artfully unfolds around you, in “The Woeful Widows Society” By all accounts, these women should not be friends. With members spanning different generations and social classes, they appear to have very little in common. That is, except for the suspicious tragedy that claimed the lives of all of their husbands. While the officials have labeled it an accident, these ladies are not so sure. As they work together to solve the mystery, the truth they uncover will put them all in jeopardy.  Limited event. Advance purchase required. 

*September 16th & October 21st will be at the Chalfonte Hotel.

VOICES FROM BEYOND HOUSE TOUR

Don’t miss the best daytime ghost tour in Cape May — the only one to share actual recorded audio and visual phenomena of unexplained presences at Cape May’s very own  “haunted house,” the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate. Cape May MAC staff members have nurtured relationships with the home’s spirit residents for years, using paranormal research equipment to capture dozens of recordings. In this Voices from Beyond House Tour, you’ll learn about the history of the Physick family, and hear and see astonishing electronic voice phenomena (EVPs) and photographs of ghostly presences captured by staff inside the renowned Physick House. You might even come to reassess the line between the living and the dead.

CHANNELING DINNER

Multiple Dates
Inn of Cape May

Enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner at the Inn of Cape May followed by a two-hour channeling session with Medium Craig McManus. McManus will read the energies in the room and channel messages from the spirits of departed family and friends. While he does not read everyone present and cannot control where messages come through, he will bring through as many messages from spirits as possible during the two-hour channeling. Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.

This event is not recommended for people under the age of 16. No refunds within 14 days of the event.  

GHOST WALK WITH CRAIG MCMANUS

Don’t miss the only ghost walking tour in Cape May led by a renowned psychic medium! Meet the extraordinary, celebrated psychic medium and author Craig McManus as he leads you along the haunted streets of historic Cape May. The conduit for many of Cape May’s most legendary ghost stories, Craig McManus has investigated Cape May for decades and sensed very specific spirit presences here, telling these stories in his five books, and in the national media. See Craig in action and hear him describe his encounters at Cape May’s infamous paranormal hot spots. This tour leaves from the Washington Street Mall.

VOICES FROM BEYOND TOUR

Take this evening trolley ride to the 1879 Physick House, Cape May’s very own “haunted house,” where you’ll experience the best ghost tour in Cape May — the only one to share actual recorded audio and visual phenomena of unexplained presences at the Physick House Museum. Cape May MAC staff members have nurtured relationships with the home’s spirit residents for years, using paranormal research equipment to capture dozens of recordings. In Voices from Beyond, you’ll enjoy trolley travel to and from the Physick House, learn about the history of the Physick family, and hear and see astonishing electronic voice phenomena (EVPs) and photographs of ghostly presences captured by staff. You might even come to reassess the line between the living and the dead. Tour begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley Stop.

STRANGE VICTORIAN OBSESSIONS
HOUSE TOUR

Victorians were fascinated with mystery and illusion and this tour through first floor rooms in the 1879 Physick House Museum shares that fascination. Learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, the Goddess of Mystery, Ionia, a Belgian beauty who Victorians worshipped for her spectacles of magic, The Great Lafayette, who became known as the world’s greatest magician, and Pepper’s Ghost, an illusion still used today, with Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and more.

SPIRITS, ODDITIES & OBSESSIONS
COMBO TOUR

Victorians of the late 19th century had wild notions about the passage from life to death and were fascinated by mystery and illusion. Board a Cape May MAC trolley and travel through the lovely Cape May Historic District. You’ll hear strange stories from Victorian Cape May history that are macabre, mysterious or just plain weird. The trolley stops at the 1879 Physick House Museum where you’ll visit select rooms and learn about the famous Harry Houdini who captivated Victorian audiences with his intricate escapes, Ionia, a Belgian beauty called the Goddess of Mystery, who Victorians adored for her spectacles of magic, and many more famous Victorian masters and mistresses of illusion. Begins & ends at the Washington Street Mall Trolley Stop. Must be purchased together.

SPIRITS & ODDITIES TROLLEY TOUR

Cats in ghostly form purr from the beyond. Beloved family members in photographs without their heads. Graves equipped with a torpedo to put off intruders. Victorians of the late 19th century had wild notions about the passage from life to death. Belief in ghosts and spirits was common and superstition abounded. Hear several Cape May ghost stories and more strange stories from Victorian Cape May history that are macabre, mysterious or just plain weird! Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.

HAUNTED TALES OF THE CAPE COMBO TOUR

Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic District and hear the latest stories of haunted Cape May unearthed by the very locals who have relationships with the spirit world, including those who have worked at the 1879 Physick House Museum for years. Then, step off the trolley at the museum with your guide. Learn about Victorian Spiritualism and explore Victorian methods and the objects they used to contact the spirit world as you tour select rooms. You’ll hear a story or two about unexplained happenings in the house, widely reputed to be haunted. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley Stop.

HAUNTED TALES OF THE CAPE TROLLEY TOUR & DESSERT AT VINTAGE

Take an evening trolley ride through the Historic District and hear the latest stories of haunted Cape May unearthed by the very locals who have relationships with the spirit world, including those who have worked at the 1879 Physick House Museum for years. Then, step off the trolley at the Emlen Physick Estate and be seated at the renowned Vintage Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dessert and have time to talk about your experience. A trolley shuttle will return guests to the Ocean Street Trolley Stop.

TRICK OR TREAT

Saturday, Oct. 31: 5pm-7pm
Emlen Physick Estate

Bring the little ghosts and goblins to the Physick Estate, home of Cape May’s original haunted house, for some treats…and maybe a few tricks, too. Spooky music, Scarecrow Alley, and maybe a few strange spirits hanging around the grounds!

ANNUAL SCARECROW ALLEY

Daily October 5 – November 2, 2026

The grounds of Cape May’s original haunted house, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., have been transformed for the spooky season. Scarecrow Alley is a highlight of the Estate’s Halloween decorations. Walk the grounds and vote for your favorite ghoulishly gruesome or foolishly funny scarecrow.

DEPARTMENT 56 HALLOWEEN EXHIBIT

Daily through October 31: 10am – 4pm
Emlen Physick Estate

If you love our Dept. 56 Dickens Village at Christmas, come and see what we have for Halloween! It’s a witch’s brew of spooky houses, bizarre characters and bats, cats and pumpkins galore, all done in the exquisite miniature fashion which has made Dept. 56 so popular with collectors. Nearly 100 pieces and accessories will be on exhibit on the Physick House’s enclosed entrance porch.

FREE ADMISSION