Middle Township is home to some of Cape May County's most famous features
Middle Township might not be as prominently advertised as the resort town of Cape May or the entertainment mecca of Wildwood, but this community is in fact home to some of the Jersey Shore’s most notable features. The Cape May County Park & Zoo is located within this middle third of the county, and the courthouse mentioned in the Jersey Shore summertime anthem of “On the Way to Cape May” forms Middle Township’s downtown. Over 20,000 people call this community home, many of them seasonal transplants. When parkway-bound beachgoers pass by Cape May Court House and Wildwood Junction, they may not know that they’re actually traveling through the heart of Cape May County’s expansive Middle Township.
Several parks and a zoo express the importance of nature to Middle Township
The Cape May County Park & Zoo, established in 1978, is a popular destination for both locals and visitors from up and down the Jersey Shore. "It really is an impressive zoo," says Dick Saari, the former President of the Board of Directors of Friends of Lake Lily and a longtime Cape May County resident. "They have a tiger, a bird sanctuary that you can walk into and, two years ago, they even had baby snow leopards. It’s one of the top places people go to who come to Cape May." The 85-acre zoo is free to the public, and it's a cherished landmark both for locals and visitors from the rest of the Greater Philadelphia area. "The reptile house burned down once, but, within two months, they had enough donations to rebuild it," Saari says. "That’s how popular it is for people who live around there and the people who’ve been there.”
Near Cape May Court House, the Anointed Acres Alpaca Farm invites visitors to interact with alpacas, horses and other farm animals and learn about these species from their caretaker. For outdoor adventurers who wish to see animals in their natural habitats, the Beaver Swamp Fish and Wildlife Management Area conserve more than 3,000 acres of swampland inhabited by eagles, hawks and songbirds. Trails cut through this massive nature preserve, which also offers cabin rentals and swimming in pools and lakes. The interior of Middle Township is dominated by additional wildlife management areas like the Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve, which, despite its name, is home to frogs and beetles and not to lizards. Cyclists can explore Middle Township via its public bike path. Offshore Adventure Golf is a popular venue for mini-golf and batting, while golfers have their pick of the private Union League National Golf Club and the Avalon Golf Club, which is open to the public. "Golfing is something that people might not realize is big there," Saari says. "There are a lot of golf courses here; some 9 holes, others 18 holes. Some are easier than others; some are 9 holes but long."
Local shopping and wine culture in Middle Township
This township’s retail and restaurant amenities are scattered throughout its collection of smaller neighborhoods. At the township’s southern end, Rio Grande is home to the local Aldi, Walmart and ShopRite, as well as to a handful of chain restaurants. Cape May Court House, situated at the heart of the township, has a smaller retail scene that includes an Acme and smaller, family restaurants. Like neighboring Cape May County communities, Middle Township is also the site of burgeoning viniculture scene. The Jessie Creek Winery and Natali Vineyards present visitors with tastes of local creativity.
Middle Township is full of distinct sections and diverse homes
Middle Township consists of around a dozen smaller neighborhoods, each of which have their own unique atmospheres and housing trends. Middle offers a mixture of brand-new construction, midcentury-built suburban residences and even well-preserved houses from the turn of the 20th century. While condos throughout the township tend to sell for between $220,000 and $660,000, detached properties vary in price based on location. Residences in the Court House area are the priciest at between $315,000 and $995,000, and some larger properties just off the Garden State Parkway can sell for over $1 million. Homes located in more isolated sections like Goshen may only cost between $230,000 and $540,000.
Beaches and healthcare are just short drives away
Middle Township’s location along the Garden State Parkway puts it within a 15-minute drive from the resort town of Cape May, while Wildwood is less than a 10-minute drive down Wildwood Boulevard from Rio Grande. Healthcare is immediately accessible at the Cooper University Hospital in Cape May Court House; this hospital is surrounded by other healthcare conveniences like the local orthopedic doctor and a dermatologist.
Weather events in Middle Township
First Street assesses Middle Township to have a major risk of flooding and a severe wind risk, especially during hurricane season.
Students can attend Middle Township's school district
Students attend the Middle Township Public School District, which receives a B rating from Niche, from grades K-12. Middle Township High School, which receives a B-plus rating, encourages individual growth through a smaller-than-average student-teacher ratio, a robust performing arts program and a championship-winning mock trial team.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
