Cape May has more tours of its buildings than you can shake a stick at. Most of them are offered by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts , the organization which began the renovation and revitalization of Cape May back in the 1960's. You can choose from 2 trolley tours (East and West End), walking tours of the historic district, brunch tours, Inn tours, lighthouse tours, and combinations thereof. Check the link above for the exact offerings on the days you visit Cape May.
My husband and I chose the historic district walking tour. The walk is approximately 90 minutes and is a leisurely pace. Cape May is flat, so anyone who is comfortable standing for that period of time should be fine on the walk. Your guide will begin with an introduction to the history of Cape May and how it came to pass that there are 600+ Victorian buildings in a town of under 5,000 permanent residents. The tour, like most MAC tours, begins at Cape May's ground zero: The Washington Street Pedestrian Mall.
As you walk through the historic district, the guide will begin to explain the different styles associated with Victorian architecture and point out examples on the different buildings. The tour looks at several commercial buildings and a number of the town's bed and breakfasts, as well as the remaining street structures of the Victorian era, such as mounting blocks and hitching posts. The guide we had was incredibly knowledgeable in the history of the buildings. The only disappointment is that the historic walking tour does not offer a look inside any of the homes and buildings we visited. There are special tours which do allow visitors entrance to the inns.
The historic walking tour cannot cover the sheer number of buildings the trolley tours visit, but the vantage point from the street allows you to linger and enjoy the details. The guides are locals who have firsthand background into each of the homes and inns covered and it seems they know everyone in town! For those interested in the history and architecture of Cape May, this tour is an excellent introduction to the charming town.