Cape May County tourism officials say the Jersey Cape is becoming a nine-month destination, and Ocean City, New Jersey, is emerging as one of the off-season beach towns drawing Thanksgiving-week visitors well after the summer crowds thin out.
OCEAN CITY, N.J., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --Travelers planning an off-season beach town getaway for Thanksgiving are increasingly looking to the Jersey Cape, where Ocean City, NJ, has built a holiday-week identity distinct from its summer reputation. The Cape May County Department of Tourism now calls the region a nine-month vacation destination, a shift from its old image as a warm-weather getaway, with county lodging revenue rising $104 million in December 2024 compared with December 2023.
Why Is Cape May County Thriving in the Off-Season?
The answer lies in a calendar of fall and winter programming that now stretches from October through February. County tourism leaders point to a surge in foot traffic during the holiday season, with visitors drawn by quieter beaches, open shops along the Boardwalk and a slower pace than peak season. Ocean City has embraced that change, keeping its Boardwalk arcades, miniature golf courses and a local history museum open through the colder months.
What Does Thanksgiving Morning Look Like on the Island?
Thanksgiving morning in Ocean City can include the Fast and Furriest 5K Turkey Trot, an annual event with 5K and one-mile options for runners, walkers and families, benefiting the local Humane Society.
The race starts and finishes at the Music Pier on the Boardwalk and has become a draw for families who make the holiday a reason to visit the shore, often pairing the event with beach walks, a visit to Corson's Inlet State Park or a stroll along Asbury Avenue.
Because the town remains dry, the atmosphere stays geared toward families rather than nightlife, a distinction that has helped it build a reputation as one of the more family-friendly stops on the Jersey Shore. Coastal Living named the town its Happiest Seaside Town in 2018. This recognition continues to shape how the destination positions itself during the holiday travel season.
About Ocean City, NJ
Ocean City, New Jersey, is a family-friendly, alcohol-free barrier island community along the Jersey Shore known for its Boardwalk, beaches and year-round calendar of events. Oceancityvacation.com serves as the official visitor information site for the destination, covering beach and Boardwalk access, dining, entertainment, vacation rentals, shopping and wedding planning.
Media Contact
Shane Jones, Ocean City, NJ, 1 7179280683, [email protected], https://oceancityvacation.com/
SOURCE Ocean City, NJ
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