One of the Country's Oldest Seaside Destinations Is Home to a 62-acre Farm Where You Can Spend the Night

Charming cottages, locally grown food, and beautiful butterfly gardens included.

If the thought of staying on a farm never appealed to you, your opinion might change after a visit to Beach Plum Farm, located in historic West Cape May, New Jersey. The idyllic coastal town is one of the country's oldest vacation destinations, formerly frequented by presidents Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Ulysses S. Grant, to name a few. Since then, families have flocked to Cape May for generations, thanks to its diverse offerings. For starters, visitors are attracted to the Victorian mansions dotting the streets and nearly two-mile boardwalk stretching along the oceanfront.

The Lenni Lenape people are believed to be the first inhabitants of the area, which is perched at the tip of New Jersey’s Cape May peninsula. Originally known for its whaling and fishing industries, West Cape May was also prolific in farming. During the Great Depression, farmers discovered the area’s soil was suitable for growing lima beans, making it a source of jobs and income for families. It became so prominent at one point, the town was known as the “Lima Bean Capital of the World.”

As you drive up the path to Beach Plum Farm, the landscape unfolds, surrounding you in nature. Situated on 62 acres and located two miles from the historic downtown, the land has been used for farming since the 1600s. Prior to its purchase in 2007 by Curtis Bashaw, managing partner of Cape Resorts, it was used as a dairy farm as well as for growing soybeans. Today, the farm produces more than 100 kinds of fruits and vegetables, and provides free-range and humanely treated poultry, Berkshire pigs, and more.

Known for its regenerative agricultural practices, which promote conservation of food and farming systems, the farm focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, and strengthening the health and well-being of soil. In addition to serving diners and selling their products in the Beach Plum Farm, Kitchen, and Market, the farm also supplies their produce and meats to other Cape Resorts restaurants and hotels.

In 2018, Beach Plum Farm debuted their cottages. Six beautifully crafted cottages and barns each accommodate six to eight guests, perfect for family vacations and getaways with friends. These gathering spaces are fully equipped with modern amenities such as televisions, an outdoor grill, a washer/dryer, air conditioning, and heating. Guests are also guaranteed a good night's rest, thanks to 100% Belgian cotton sheets and a comfy mattress.

Make reservations for the Farm-to-Table Dinner Series, held during the summer and autumn months so guests can dine under the stars. While the menus change frequently, the highlights are always focused on the season’s harvest and organic produce (think a plate of grilled zucchini with pesto and cherry tomatoes in the summer, and charred Brussels sprouts and hearty potatoes come fall).

Stylish cruiser bicycles and golf carts are provided to guests, too, so be sure to make your way to the beach or downtown area to browse the charming shops. Or, settle in with a good book on your screened-in porch and take in the slow pace of farm life. The property also has an on-site pool, where you can lounge or take a dip, surrounded by the serenity of orchard trees.

During your stay, you can also stroll through the hummingbird and butterfly gardens or discover the many hiking trails, where you might spot a variety of wild birds like the red knot, which migrates from Antarctica annually to eat local horseshoe crab eggs. There's no shortage of things to do, but know that doing nothing at all can be the best reward. At the end of a relaxing day, sit around the fire pit, make some s’mores, and enjoy good company. Whether you're 10 years old or 100, Beach Plum Farm has something for everyone.