Cape May, NJ - 158 miles from NYC

Grand Victorian homes, historical locations like the Congress Hall hotel, and the gorgeous concrete promenade along the beaches are all features of this picturesque vacation town on the Jersey Shore. Have a drink at The Rusty Nail waterfront bar before visiting The Lobster House for some delicious fresh seafood.

The southernmost point of the Cape May Peninsula in New Jersey is where you'll find the City of Cape May, often known as "The Nation's Oldest Seashore Resort." Due to the abundance of Victorian structures, the city has been recognized as the Cape May Historic District, a National Historic Landmark. In fact, after San Francisco, it contains the second-largest collection of Victorian homes. Cape May is a top tourist destination for birdwatching, and it also has well regarded beaches, great restaurants, hotels, and shopping.

• Necessary pit stop: Might as well stop in Atlantic City. You can grab a bite to eat at Tony's Baltimore Grill (yes, get the spaghetti pizza).