What to See in Cape May Court House - Top Sights and Attractions

Zoological park with hundreds of animals. The Cape May County Park & Zoo in Cape May Court House, New Jersey, provides free year-round admission to a collection of more than 550 animals representing 250 species in 85 acres of exhibits. The zoo is located at 707 Route 9 North, in the center of Cape May County's Central Park, and together the zoo and the park cover about 220 acres. The zoo began operation in 1978. Its principal exhibit areas are a 57-acre African Savanna, a free-flight aviary, and a reptile collection. In addition to the Zoo and Park Central, there is also Park East, Park North and Park South.

The zoo is open every day except for Christmas, weather permitting. The hours of operation are from 10:00 am until 3:30pm in the winter and 10:00am until 4:30pm in the summer. Time changes occur with daylight saving time. The zoo also has a train ride and carousel. The train is trackless and can take visitors all around the zoo. The carousel has zoo animals for riding seats unlike the traditional horses on most carousels.

Cape May County Zoological Society/ZooFriends, a 501(c)3 non-profit NJ corporation, is the official Support Organization of the Cape May County Park & Zoo. Since 1986 the Society has continuously provided the private sector funding needed to develop new exhibits, improve facilities, purchase zoo equipment and make acquisitions for the animal collection. The Society makes significant contributions to conservation and endeavors to encourage the community's interest and enjoyment of the Zoo.^[1]

Botanical garden in Dennis Township, New Jersey. Leaming's Run Gardens were flower gardens located at 1845 US Route 9 North, Swainton, in Middle Township, New Jersey. The gardens are now indefinitely closed.

The gardens were designed and created by Jack and Emily Aprill and children, and opened to the public in 1977. Until closure, Leaming's Run Gardens claimed to be the largest annual flower garden in the United States. It consisted of the following gardens: Blue and Red Garden, Blue and White garden, Celosia Garden, Down Jersey Garden (heat-loving plants), English Cottage Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Orange Garden, Pink Garden, Red and White Garden, Reflection Garden, Serpentine Garden (red salvia), Shades of Rose Garden (roses underplanted with rose-colored flowers), Sweetheart Garden (pinks and purple), and Yellow Garden.

Leaming's Garden received its name from a long stream that ran through the land. The stream was known as "Uncle Aaron Leaming's Run." Jack and Emily Aprill, as mentioned above, purchased the property in 1957 and intended to make the gardens gorgeous and have other people enjoy the beauty of nature.^[2]