Cape May's Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) offers a wide variety of activities for visitors and residents to enjoy throughout the summer.

Stairway to the Stars

For the Lighthouse enthusiast, or hopeless romantic, MAC offers the Stairway to the Stars tour. Enjoy a narrated trolley shuttle from Cape May to Cape May Point State Park, home of the Cape May Lighthouse. Climb the Cape May Lighthouse at night and see an unparalleled view of Cape May, the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay while the sky is ablaze with stars. This romantic tour has inspired many wedding proposals. Stairway to the Stars are 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer and cost $12 per person. Tour begins and tickets may be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Delaware Bay Lighthouse Adventures

Because of its location between the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, Cape May has many lighthouses that surround it. Most of these lighthouses are only visible by boat and can be seen on the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Adventure Cruises co-sponsored by MAC and the Cape May Whale Watcher. Board the Cape May Whale Watcher, South Jersey's premier ocean vessel with more than 350 feet of viewing rail space, for a five-hour cruise to view six Delaware Bay lighthouses. The cruises begin at 1 p.m. June 7 and 21, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22 and Sept. 6 and cost $60 per person. A generous buffet of shrimp, cheese, crudités, sandwiches and dessert will be served.

There are two different routes for the 2003 Delaware Bay Lighthouse Adventures, each showing 6 lighthouses, most only visible from the water. The cruises on June 21, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and Sept. 6 take passengers to see the Cape May Lighthouse, the Inner and Outer Harbor of Refuge Lights in Delaware, Brandywine Shoal Light, Miah Maul Light and Fourteen Foot Light. The cruises on June 7 and Aug. 22 will take passengers to see the Brandywine Shoal Light, Miah Maul Light, Fourteen Foot Light, Abandoned Light (Cross Ledge), the Elbow of Cross Ledge Light and Ship John Light.

These lighthouses were built during the latter half of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century to aid ships sailing the treacherous mid-channel of the Delaware Bay. Many of the lighthouses, which stand on pedestals out of sight of land, are still operational. The tour includes narration on Delaware Bay lore and legend, including information on fishing, spawning grounds and more. Seating on the trip is limited to 175. Parking is free and available at the Miss Chris Marina, Second Avenue and Wilson Drive. To reserve tickets, call (609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278.

Victorian flair

A visit to Cape May requires a bit of Victorian exposure, whether taking a stroll down Hughes Street in the Historic District or visiting the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May's only Victorian House Museum, the Victorian architecture of the town seems to beg for attention.

MAC offers the Inns and Outs Tour, All Victorians Great and Small Walking Tour, Gourmet Brunch Walk and Sunday Brunch Walk throughout the summer. The Inns and Outs Tour combines two of MAC's most-popular tours-a historic district walking tour and an interior tour of two of Cape May's famous bed and breakfast inns. The Inns and Outs Tour is 11 a.m. Thursdays, June 26 through Sept. 11 and costs $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3 to 12). Tour begins and tickets may be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street.

The All Victorians Great and Small Walking Tour begins with Cape May's real life Victorian landmarks on an East End Walking Tour, and concludes with a step back into the world of tiny Victorian treasures at the Doll House and Miniature Museum of Cape May. This delightful Museum features at least 30 antique and collectible dollhouses, many equipped with antique furnishings and accessories. All Victorians Great and Small Walking Tours are 10 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, June 23 through Aug. 26 and costs $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3 to 12). Tour begins and tickets may be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street.

The Gourmet Brunch Walk combines a walking tour of Cape May's Historic District followed by a gourmet brunch at the world-famous Mad Batter Restaurant at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, June 25 through Sept. 10. The Gourmet Brunch Walk is $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3 to 12).

The Sunday Brunch Walk combines an interesting and educational walking tour of Cape May's Historic District concluding at the newly restored Congress Hall Hotel, 251 Beach Drive. A delicious brunch at the Blue Pig Tavern, located in Congress Hall Hotel, follows the tour. The Sunday Brunch Walk begins at 10 a.m. on Sundays and runs through Sept. 7. The Sunday Brunch Walk is $20 per person. Tour begins and tickets may be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street.

MAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May's Victorian heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC's year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC's Web site at www.capemaymac.org.