The Ultimate Heart of Cape May Parking Guide
- George Swoyer
- May 23, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Home to over 75 businesses offering unique shopping, dining, and more, the Washington Street Mall is an incredibly popular destination in South Jersey. In fact, it is one of the area's most visited attractions all year long. Located at Exit 0 at the bottom of the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey's southernmost town, most people drive to us. With that, parking is important. On the busiest days, it may take a few minutes to find parking. To make your visit to the heart of Cape May easier, we've created this handy guide that will allow you to make parking easier, giving you more time to enjoy our picturesque town square.
Parking Adjacent to the Mall
Expanded street parking is located on the streets that surround the Mall, including on Carpenters Lane and Lyle Lane. This parking is either angled or pull-in/back-in, meaning there is space for more parking spots. These are probably some of the most popular spots around the Mall, but also the closest and easiest, so these are good spots to check first, especially if you are visiting during a time when it is not super busy. Also, for our friends in low speed vehicles (golf carts), there are specific spots for you on Lyle Lane next to Rotary Park. Please read any signs near where you park for information on any necessary parking payments as well as potential time limits.
Municipal Parking Lots
Larger municipal parking lots are located on Jackson Street between Mansion Street and West Perry Street and at the Welcome Center off Lafayette Street. These are good options to have as they may have a few spots available at one time. Please read any signs near where you park for information on any necessary parking payments as well as potential time limits.
Private Parking Lots
There are also a few privately-owned parking lots near the Mall that may be open. These typically charge either a flat fee for all-day or evening parking, or an hourly fee. Please read any signs near where you park for information on any necessary parking payments as well as potential time limits, as private lots may use technology and automation to process payments and no attendant may be present.
Municipal Parking Payments
While parking payments do raise revenue for the City, they are also intended to create turnover and overall allow more parking for visitors. Please read any signs near where you park for information on any necessary parking payments as well as potential time limits. Municipal parking payments can done via the easy and convenient ParkMobile system using credit or debit cards and license plate information. There are six different ways that you can use ParkMobile:
Download the ParkMobile App via the App Store or Google Play and follow the on-screen instructions (this is the most convenient option, as it allows you to store payment methods and license plate information, receive alerts when your paid time is running out, and add more time from anywhere)
Scan the QR code on ParkMobile signage near where you park and follow the on-screen instructions
Navigate to parkmobile.io in your mobile phone’s internet browser and follow the on-screen instructions
Use any nearby kiosks if available
Text “Park” to 77223 and follow the prompts
Call 877-727-5304 and follow the prompts
If you begin using ParkMobile and get notes on-screen saying something to the tune of "off season parking", "free parking", or "no charge", that means that it is likely that no parking payments are currently required in the zone that you are parked in.
(As a side note, we've noticed that patrons using the QR code and internet browser options think they can only park for 45 minutes. This is because the minutes slider on screen is initially more prominent when beginning the payment process. Be sure to locate the hours slider on screen, which may mean you have to tap out of the minutes slider and return after you've selected your hours, if necessary.)
Free Parking
A few blocks off the Mall, there are streets where parking is free. To the west, this includes North Street as well as away from the beach blocks on Congress Street and Windsor Avenue; to the north this includes Elmira Street and Venice Avenue; and to the east this includes Columbia Avenue east of Ocean Street and northern portions of Stockton Place and Howard Street. These may be a little further from the Mall, but with these you can save some money on parking (which you can then spend in some of our fine shops and restaurants...wink-wink!). These will also allow you to enjoy a picturesque walk along some of Cape May's finest streets.
Free Jitney Shuttle
The Jitney is a free shuttle service that travels selected routes throughout Cape May on select dates and during select times. The stop for the Mall is located on Lyle Lane at Hill Walkway. This means you will end up right in the heart of the Mall! The Jitney is a great option for those who may be staying a little further from the Mall in Cape May. You can use the Jitney to avoid having to walk or drive to the Mall, especially if the weather is not good or if you have small children with you. But for those traveling to the Mall from outside of Cape May, the Jitney can also work for you as well! Instead of having to pay for parking around the Mall, you can park for free and easy at the lot at Cape May Elementary School on Lafayette Street when school is not in session, and pick up the Jitney from there. Parking is also free near other stops in town. View the latest schedule and route maps here!
Bicycle Parking
Plenty of bicycle racks are located around the edges of the Mall, with the greatest concentrations on Carpenters Lane and Lyle Lane. There is nothing like a bike ride in Cape May, with those fresh ocean breezes helping to push you along our picturesque streets. Pretty much anywhere on Cape Island is less than a 5-10 minute bike ride away from the Mall, so if you have access to a bike, be sure to take advantage of this free and fun option!
We hope that this guide will make it easier for you to park when you visit the Mall! That way, you can spend more time browsing our boutiques, dining al fresco at our eateries, drinking an ice cold beer at our bars, enjoying our one-of-a-kind activities, taking advantage of our services, or relaxing under our shade trees.
Keep in mind, all information in this guide is subject to change, so it is important to always read any signage near where you park to make sure to learn about information specific to where you are parking, such as payments, restrictions, time limits, and reserved spots.
We'll see you on the Mall!