Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall in Cape May

By Amy A. Winnemore
With the scent of gingerbread in the air and twinkling lights shining brightly on the trees, Congress Hall’s grand lawn has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland.

All this month, there’s an abundance of holiday activities for all ages at this historic resort in Cape May, N.J. The oldest seaside hotel in the country is also wrapping up its bicentennial celebration with its annual Winter Wonderland festivities including Brunch with Santa, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and more.

Guests will be awed as they stroll into the Victorian hotel and gaze at the beautiful Christmas trees and the giant candy canes lining the hallways.

“We do Christmas on steroids,” says Curtis Bashaw, laughing as he describes the abundance of holiday cheer at Congress Hall.

Bashaw, whose grandfather, preacher Carl McIntire, once owned the hotel, is co-founder and co-managing partner of Cape Advisors and Cape Resorts Group which operates Congress Hall.

For more than a decade, the year-round hotel has played host to visitors who visit Cape May not just as a summer playground but also as a charming, winter village.

“I have so many wonderful memories here and I want guests to experience the same magic,” says Bashaw.

Every Thursday to Sunday until Jan. 1, visitors can stop by the hotel’s enchanted shopping village on its Grand Lawn, sample a soothing cup of hot chocolate, visit Santa’s Workshop or take a ride on the Congress Hall Express Train to get into the holiday spirit.

On Sunday, Dec. 18 Congress Hall’s Grand Ballroom will host Brunch with Santa. The buffet will feature omelet stations, carving stations and desserts with a visit from old St. Nick himself.

For Jimmy Stewart fans, the “This Wonderful Life” dinner and show held from Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 30 is a holiday must. The classic story of George and Mary Bailey and Mr. Potter, is brought to life in a theatrical version in Congress Hall’s Harrison Room. After that guests will enjoy a tasty dinner at the hotel’s Blue Big Tavern.

Instead of a just day trip, enjoy a relaxing night at the hotel and take advantage of their “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland” package. The package includes deluxe accommodations, Express Train rides, hot chocolate with whipped cream and a $30 breakfast dining credit at the Blue Big Tavern.

There is definitely something for all ages at Congress Hall this holiday season.

If you go: Congress Hall’s Winter Wonderland continues until Jan. 1. Visit www.caperesorts.com/hotels/capemay/congresshall/ or call 609-884-6542.

Comments

'Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert' at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts

The crashing of the massive boulder thundering through the collapsing temple filled the TD Pavilion at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts recently. The adventures of Indiana Jones were projected on a 40-foot-high screen as part of the Mann Center’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert.” "Raiders," the summer blockbuster and top-grossing film of 1981, kicked off this season's Movies @ the Mann series. With the Reading Symphony Orchestra performing the score live, it brought a new found excitement to re-watching Steven Spielberg's classic about the archaeology professor and his quest to recover the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the Nazis. Audience members were part of a full sensory experience as the orchestra, conducted by Andrew Constantine, heightened the excitement and anxiety as they performed the Academy Award-nominated score by John Williams. Even though I’ve seen the movie many times, listening to the...

'Big Fish' at Upper Darby Summer Stage

Adventurous stories mixed with the sentimental tugs of fatherhood and forgiveness, take the stage in Upper Darby Summer Stage’s “Big Fish." Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 film directed by Tim Burton, "Big Fish" tells the story of Edward Bloom (Chris Monaco of Drexel Hill), a charming traveling salesman who has shared his wild stories of giants and witches to his wife Sandra (Sarah DeNight of Philadelphia) and their son Will (Chris Murphy Smith of Philadelphia) for years. Now grown, Will is somewhat embarrassed by his father, whose tales of mermaids and werewolves have become more tiresome than treasured. Recently married and expecting a child with his wife, Josephine (Sabrina Follo of Springfield), Will is distancing himself from his dad. The story shifts between two timelines and during a flashback scene in “Be the Hero,” Edward implores his young son Will (the talented Mickey Geddes) to rewrite his own fate. In the present-day real world, senior...

'Something Rotten!' at the Academy of Music

The cast of "Something Rotten!" “Something Rotten!” is a zany mashup that has a grand time with Shakespeare and the Renaissance. It showcases why audiences love musical theater. Set in the 1590s, this hilarious musical, now at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom (Tony nominee Rob McClure and Broadway’s Josh Grisetti), two brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while the "rock star" Shakespeare (Adam Pascal) keeps getting all the hits. Conceived by brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick, this musical brings us to the Renaissance but it's’ edgy comedy, asynchronous dance numbers and quick-witted dialogue keeps the audiences in the spirit of today. The Bottom brothers, although talented in their own right, can’t seem to get ahead in the theater world because of “The Bard’s” popularity and their frustration is brought out in song frequently. This Broadway production keeps all the irreverent humor, a...

Delco Collage

Search This Blog