Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation graduation: family guide to Cape May

Every Friday, all yearCape May, United States

Every week, families fly to Cape May for Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation, often with two days and no plan. This guide covers base access basics, where to stay, what to do after the ceremony and the area if your recruit has to stay close.

Tours in Cape May Hotels

Know before you go

Graduations are usually on Friday mornings.
Bring a REAL ID-compliant photo ID and check the base visitor rules: everyone in the car is screened.
Hotels near the base fill on graduation weeks. Book as soon as your recruit's graduation date is confirmed.

Airport to Training Center Cape May

Philadelphia (PHL) and Atlantic City (ACY) are 1.5 hours and 50 minutes away.

The training center is at the end of the Cape May peninsula.

Public transport directions to Training Center Cape May

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Wildwood and Rio Grande	Cheaper motels nearby.
Mid-range	Cape May B&Bs	Victorian guesthouses.
Splurge	Congress Hall	Historic beach hotel.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Days Inn Rio Grande
Mid-range: The Virginia Hotel
Splurge: Congress Hall

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family Day (the day before graduation)

Thursday

Most branches hold a family event the day before: a short ceremony, then time with your recruit on base. Check your unit's schedule.

FreeSunset Beach flag ceremony.
EatThe Lobster House Dockside seafood

Graduation day

Friday

The ceremony is in the morning. Many graduates leave the base with family right after.

Easy outingCape May trolley tour Half day · Low walking · Family
Victorian homes.
EatWashington Street Mall Cafés and fudge

The day after

Saturday

If your graduate has leave, take a full day out. If not, see the area on your own.

Half-dayDolphin and whale watching Half day · Family
Dolphins almost guaranteed.
Family pickCape May lighthouse Half day · Family
199 steps.

Arriving early

Flights and hotels near bases fill up. Arriving a day early gives you a free day.

Free ideaBeaches (badges needed in summer).
Rain or heat backupEmlen Physick Estate.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Cape May trolley tour

Victorian homes.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Dolphin and whale watching

Dolphins almost guaranteed.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Cape May lighthouse

199 steps.

See times and prices

Cape May County Park and Zoo (free).

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

Washington Street.

3 tours worth booking for Cape May

Tour	Length	Good for
Cape May trolley tour	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Dolphin and whale watching	Half day	Families
Cape May lighthouse	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

The Lobster House Dockside seafood
Washington Street Mall Cafés and fudge

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Emlen Physick Estate.

Getting around on event days

You need a car; Coast Guard Training Center graduations are on Fridays.

Day trips from Cape May

Atlantic City: 50 minutes
Wildwood boardwalk: 15 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Cape May.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation?

Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation takes place every friday throughout the year.

How do I get from the airport to Training Center Cape May?

Philadelphia (PHL) and Atlantic City (ACY) are 1.5 hours and 50 minutes away. The training center is at the end of the Cape May peninsula.

Where should I stay for Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation?

For most visitors the best base is Cape May B&Bs: Victorian guesthouses.

What else can we do around Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation?

Good short outings in Cape May include Cape May trolley tour, Dolphin and whale watching, Cape May lighthouse. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Coast Guard Training Center Cape May graduation?

Family-friendly picks: Cape May trolley tour, Dolphin and whale watching, Cape May lighthouse. Cape May County Park and Zoo (free).

How far is Training Center Cape May from Cape May centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. The training center is at the end of the Cape May peninsula.

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Everything we cover in Cape May