I visited the Jersey Shore in the offseason and loved experiencing it away from summer crowds

In early April, my partner and I attempted to usher summer in early with a last-minute weekend trip to my aunt's house in Cape May, a New Jersey town that's been dubbed the US' "original seaside resort."

Located on southern New Jersey's Cape May Peninsula, this charming town is famous for its beaches. Like many destinations on the Jersey Shore, Cape May has its peak season in July and August.

But the town has so much to offer visitors — even during the quieter spring months. Here's what my visit was like.

My aunt and I left for Cape May on a Friday afternoon (my partner came the next day), taking a quick, easy 90-minute drive from Philadelphia. During peak summer weekends, the same drive can stretch for hours, so our traffic-free experience was a relief.

I could've also taken a bus to Cape May as New Jersey Transit buses run to the town from Philadelphia, New York, and a few other locations in New Jersey.

Even if people take public transportation, they'll likely want access to a car once they get there. But if they stay at a centrally located hotel or rental property, they might be able to get away with only walking and biking.

My partner and I were lucky enough to stay at my aunt's house, but Cape May has plenty of hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and rental options. After doing some research, most rates seemed to be cheaper in April than they are in the summer months.

During our April trip, it was warm during the day, but temperatures dropped when the sun went down.

We packed layers to keep warm and tried to sit inside in the evening. Luckily, several bars and restaurants had fireplaces.

When my aunt and I arrived in Cape May on the first night, I expected to have a quiet evening, assuming the town's nightlife scene would be dead in early April. I was sorely mistaken — my aunt informed me that we were going out.

Our first stop was The Ebbitt Room, a farm-to-table restaurant inside The Virginia Hotel, a 24-room boutique property that was built in 1879.

It got crowded around happy hour, so we had to wait a few minutes for a spot. When we finally snagged bar seats, we drank lemon-drop cocktails and listened to a pianist playing old jazz standards.

From there, my aunt took me to Congress Hall, a landmark hotel that was built in 1816. Besides accommodations, this beachside property has multiple bars and dining areas.

In the summer, people sit outside at the Grand Lawn & Veranda Bar and soak in the ocean view. But when it's too cold, the indoor options are just as great.

My aunt was eager to find some live music, so we went downstairs to a pizzeria called The Boiler Room. I ordered a Cape May Brewing Company beer, settled in, and listened to a local band play classic-rock covers.

As more partiers trickled in, we both admitted we were ready for bed and left. But if you're looking for a place to dance on a Friday night in Cape May, The Boiler Room has you covered.

The next night, after my partner arrived, we went for a predinner drink at Congress Hall's The Brown Room, a small, cozy bar with velvet chairs and a wood-burning fireplace. After one round of drinks, we decided to protect our wallets and headed home.

When my aunt and I dined at The Ebbitt Room, we split fresh mussels, fried artichokes, and a beet salad. The meal was a bit expensive, but the locally sourced food, generous portions, and enjoyable ambiance in the restaurant made it worth the price.

We also visited The Lobster House for chowder and a lobster-salad sandwich. The restaurant also sells reasonably priced seafood to bring home — I bought clams and cooked them with linguine that night — and delicious pastries made by a local baker. The enormous coconut macarons are not to be missed.

My partner and I later went to Beach Plum Farm for breakfast. The 62-acre working farm is a destination in itself, with a beautifully curated shop and six bucolic rental cottages.

Beach Plum Farm's kitchen is open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the seasonal menu incorporates fresh produce that's grown on-site.

The weekend we visited, the specialty brunch menu featured Southern-inspired fare including fried chicken and waffles, grits, and roasted veggies.

There wasn't any indoor seating when we were there, but we came on a beautiful sunny day, so we gladly ate at a picnic table right next to a bed of tulips.

Cape May has plenty to do in April.

My aunt and I drove through several farms and wineries before making our way to the South Cape May Meadows, which is a 200-acre nature preserve that's home to native and migratory birds.

If you're interested in birding, bring your binoculars. If you're not, don't count it out — it's a beautiful place to walk and catch a view of the iconic Cape May Lighthouse.

In the brief period of time when my aunt left and my partner had yet to arrive, I spent a few hours on a long walk through the neighborhood, admiring all the cherry-blossom trees and blooming forsythia bushes.

My partner and I also drove to Higbee Beach, which is a bit off the beaten path. We parked our car in a small lot and walked through the woods along a sandy path, which eventually opened to a long, skinny shoreline. It was empty apart from a couple walking their dog and a few men fishing at the other end.

We strolled along the shore, picking up shells and rocks, and decided it was just sunny enough for a polar plunge. After leaping into the freezing water, we were shivering, so we bundled up and went home to shower, rest, and have a snack.

My aunt and I shopped at West End Garage, a former garage and gas station that houses over 60 vendors selling art, antiques, home goods, vintage clothes, and more.

I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag, with sleek vintage jackets next to "I love Cape May" T-shirts. If you're willing to search, you can find some gems like flowy linen pants, vintage summer dresses, and colorful glassware.

On this trip, I got a pair of turtle-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers that I plan on using as bookshelf decor.

Before my partner and I left Cape May, we couldn't miss a stop at my aunt's favorite thrift store, The Arc of Cape May County. It's a treasure trove of home goods and clothes.

We found an All-Clad pan for $20 (it retails for over $100), a wool Everlane sweater, and so much more.

With our car full of thrifted goods, we drove home to Philadelphia, already eager to return to Cape May when the weather is warm enough for a proper beach day.

That being said, our April trip was far from boring. We sipped on drinks in packed bars, ate delicious meals, and found plenty of nature to immerse ourselves in.

The Jersey Shore may be famous for its televised drama and boardwalks, but there's so much more to this beautiful strip along the Atlantic Ocean, even in the offseason.