Parking Tips
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. Many people also take into consideration parking fee costs, time limits, and more. 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.
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. Depending on when you are parking in them, there may be restricted times, so be sure to read signage for the most up-to-date information.
Private Parking Lots
There are also a few private parking lots near the Mall that may be open. These typically charge either a flat fee for all-day or evening parking, an hourly fee, or fees via the ParkMobile app.
Parking Fees and the ParkMobile App
Please read any signs and look for meters or kiosks near where you park for information on any necessary parking payments as well as potential time limits. Parking payments are in effect on Carpenters Lane, Lyle Lane, and Mansion Streets from April 1st through December 31st. All other meters are in effect from May 1st through October 31st. Around the Mall, municipal paid parking is in effect from 10am to 10pm. There may be time limits in certain zones. Centralized parking kiosks accept credit cards and print out a receipt, which you then display on your dashboard. All parking meters accept quarters or the ParkMobile app. If paying with the ParkMobile app, you will not need to display a receipt and the time will not display on the meter, but your parking will still be valid. Overall, your best bet is to read any signage and meters near where you park to make sure to learn about information specific to where you are parking!
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. Always be sure to read any signage to know of any restricted or reserved spots.
Free Jitney Shuttle
The Jitney is a free shuttle service that travels selected routes throughout Cape May. 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 under our FAQ's 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 are parking.
We'll see you on the Mall!