Cape May, NJ, competing for ‘Favorite Small Town in Northeast’

When it comes to "best of lists," there is almost no list in New Jersey that doesn't include Cape May.

Beaches, shopping, a great family resort, hotels, bars, restaurants, Cape May has it all.

It's the perfect spot for a family escape, a quick weekend, or even for just a day trip.

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Turns out Cape May might not just be the best of New Jersey, but maybe the entire northeast.

The Northeast is a region of diverse landscapes, rich history, and charming towns. From coastal getaways to mountain retreats and cultural hubs to outdoor adventure havens, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the small towns of this region. These 20 towns, each with a population of fewer than 25,000, have been nominated by an expert panel as the best for their gorgeous scenery, historic charm, local cuisine, and cultural attractions.

USAToday named its 20 nominees as part of their "10 best", looking for readers' favorite small town in the entire northeast, with Cape May making the list.

Known as “America’s first seaside resort,” Cape May was already a beach vacation destination by the mid-1700s, serving the people of nearby Philadelphia. Over time, the enclave evolved into a gorgeous Victorian gingerbread home showcase, with only San Francisco having a larger collection of these structures. Touring the homes is a must-do, as is visiting the beach, wandering the old-fashioned boardwalk, eating some saltwater taffy, and visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum.

There are currently 20 finalists across New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Massachusetts.

In addition to Cape May, both Lambertville and Morristown made the list of finalists.

People can vote once per day until polls close on Monday, April 1 at noon ET.

The winning small towns will be announced on Wednesday, April 10.

In the meantime, check out one of the Cape May restaurants