Check into some of the smaller cottages for rent in Cape May Point - very popular with birders since you can walk to the State Park and natural dunes/beaches - the real estate companies list some and VRBO is popular - during the big migrations in Oct. you will be in the center of it all.

CMBO has links to places to stay, some have birder discounts. the west cape motel is right across sunset blvd from "the Meadows'. There are other places more in town with beach views. in the spring the world series of birding is the first or second weekend so book early. Winter is good, had a Crested Caracara last weekend there, but october for the hawk migration is worth considering.

njaudubon.org/SectionCapeMayBirdObservatory/…

http://www.westcapemotel.com

We bring a spotter scope and keep it on our sixth floor ocean front balcony at the Marquis de Lafayette. It is amazing what birds you can see from there. There are often flocks of skimmers that stage there in October. There is an osprey that fishes there regularly. We have seen surf scoters, oystercatchers, brown pelicans (one flew right by the balcony) and all the usual shorebirds. You have to drive or bike from Cape May proper to go to the lighthouse, meadows, etc, for the "real" birding, so to us you may as well stay somewhere with an oceanfront balcony and start birding with your coffee in the morning from the balcony, at least if you are lazy birders like us. Great views of dolphins, too.

We would also recommend taking the Skimmer boat ride with Captains Ed and Ginny, birding in the salt marshes.

I would not stay at the West Cape Motel. We checked it out a couple years ago and there was a definate mildew odor in the rooms. The reviews are in accord with what we observed.

The other reccomendations are good. Besides Cape May Point, you might look for a house or cottage on Sunset in West Cape May. Many of these are directly across the street from the Nature Conservancy's bird refuge. Rates should be good in winter and not bad in spring(especially early spring)

If you come, definately bring or rent bikes. All Cape Island from Cape May City to Cape May point is biker friendly, especially in the off season.

Thank you all SOOOOO much! You have been incredibly helpful! We are looking forward to our first trip! We will look into all of your suggestions starting tonight.

Any of the popular hotels along the beach front of Cape May are only a few minutes drive from Cape May Meadows and Cape May Point State Park, two popular birding places.

I'd like to further suggest to you to check out Birding By Boat on the Osprey which sails out of the Miss Chris Marina on Wilson Avenue in Cape May. Captain Bob Lubberman and the most frequent naturalist, David Lord, are fantastic guides/hosts aboard the Ospreyl I've sailed with them several times. Each sail is different and you're sure to see plenty of birds!

tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46341-d19…

BTW, "moldy/mildewy" smell is a popular complaint on reviews of hotels at the seashore. It's kind of hard to escape with the humid atmosphere of the hotels close to the beach.

I've stayed at a hotel that gets some pretty poor reviews. Granted, it's NOT fancy, but it IS clean and it suffices. There was a slight "stuffy" smell when we first entered, but once we opened the door a few times and were in the room awhile, it wasn't noticable anymore. It offers great rates after Labor Day and when my friend and I split the $69/night rate for a 2 room efficiency unit at that time of year, you can't beat it for beach front and ocean views--Colton Court Motor Inn.

It all depends on what you expect and how much time you'll spend in the room.

There are a lot of hotels that have ocean views to choose from.

Hello! I suggest the Sea Crest Inn. It is a small motel. We are not B&B people either and we loved this motel, stayed their last June. It is across the street from the beach. Not a birding spot, but a short drive towards the Lighthouse and Cape May State Park, you also have a lookout point, called the bird observatory and different times of the year, you will see different birds, spring and fall we hear are best. There are also some walking trails too. Have fun! Bring your camera.

Great thanks for the new idea..I'll look into it today!