Grab the kids, grab your pets, grab your friends. It doesn’t matter who you’re with, everyone will have a blast on these South Jersey Shore beach trips.
Ocean City
When you arrive in Ocean City, purchase your beach tags ($10 for the day) before heading to Ocean City Coffee Company for a locally brewed pick-me-up and grab some sticky buns from Mallon’s, or get a full breakfast at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. Unpack for the day anywhere along the boardwalk – head towards 1 st Street for slightly less crowds or opt for 9th Street to be near lots of amusements and shopping. And when it’s time for lunch, stop up on the boardwalk to grab a slice of Manco and Manco’s or some Chickie’s & Pete’s seafood. And if you’re looking for a game, head down to 19th St. for volleyball at the beach courts. Once the temps start to cool, pack up the car and head back to the boardwalk for games, rides and delicious Boardwalk snacks.
Atlantic City
Before you head to the beach, visit the Absecon Lighthouse for a 228-step climb to jumpstart your morning. Then, head over to White House Subs to pick up one or two iconic hoagies and cheesesteaks (they’re big enough to share) and head to the beach to dig in. After a couple hours of snacking, sleeping and relaxing on the sand – no beach tags required – grab a drink with some seaside views right on the beach at LandShark Bar and Grill. For dinner, the options are endless – with a number of hotels hosting big name restaurants like Borgata’s Angeline by Michael Symon and Hard Rock Hotel’s Il Mulino. And close out your night with a stroll on the Steel Pier, where you’ll find plenty of Boardwalk games and rides, or pop into a casino to press your luck.
Wildwood
Start your morning with a picture at the iconic Wildwood sign after picking up your caffeine fix and pastry fill at a local coffee shop (Turtle Gut and Wild Fox Cafe are good places to start). Or if you want to get right to relaxing, Beach Brew USA will deliver your coffee right to the beach. And if you’re looking for activity while getting sandy on the free beach, Wildwood is the place to be. Be sure to check the beach town’s calendar before your trip, there’s almost always something happening on the beach or near by – like the ultimate beach frisbee tournament on July 26, yoga on the beach throughout the summer or the beach rugby tournament on Aug. 3. As the day winds down, pack up the car and jump on the Boardwalk tram (watch the tram car, please!) to visit Morey’s Piers for a Boardwalk dinner and hours of entertainment, from extreme rides and carousels to Boardwalk games and snacks.
Cape May
Once you see the stunning seaside views and eye-catching architecture of Cape May, you’ll understand why it’s the state’s original resort town. And those resorts are a great place to start your day. Beach Plum Farm offers truly fresh breakfast. Or, stroll along Washington Mall and pick up a treat from Coffee Tyme or Cape May Roasters while enjoying the small town feel of the picturesque stretch of shops. Once you’ve picked up your daily beach tag ($10), head to the sand for some relaxing. If you want a unique view, we recommend visiting Mt. Vernon Beach, the southernmost tip of the state that also has a view of the Cape May Lighthouse. Then it’s time for happy hour by the beach. Ocean Club Hotel’s SeaSalt restaurant offers a tasty menu with signature drinks and views of the Atlantic from its outdoor patio. And Hemingway’s at The Grand Hotel has happy hour in the bar area to give you a break from the heat.
