Summer at the ShoreFamiliar Family Attractions Abound
by Carol Anne Pagliotti
In a world where the latest shoe style is out of fashion by the time you make it home from the mall, it’s nice to think that there is still a place as familiar and relatively unchanged as the Jersey Shore.
Though the attractions might be familiar, The Shore offers enough attractions to keep families busy for an entire summer. Here’s a list of things to see and places to go. Watch the tram car please!
Sussex County, DE
Bethany Beach
One of the three “Quiet Resort” towns (along with Fenwick Island and South Bethany), Bethany Beach offers a half-mile-long boardwalk with shops, restaurants & video arcades. www.townofbethanybeach.com
A 26-foot wooden totem pole tribute to Native Americans called Chief Little Owl guards the entrance to Bethany Beach.
The lobby of Town Hall at the Bethany Beach Museum on Garfield Pkwy. highlights town history. 8am-4:30pm, Free. 302-539-8011
Fenwick Island
A half-mile long, by a half-mile wide, the Island offers views of the sunrise over the ocean and sunset over the bay. www.fenwickisland.org
Coastal Kayak Ecotours & Rentals on Rte. 1 offer guided kayak eco tours for all abilities. Prices range from $40-$45 for adults; children age 11 & younger with an adult receive $10 off. 302-539-7999, www.c-kayak.com
The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum on Ocean Hwy.
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Beach Tag Basics
Delaware. Beaches in Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach do not require tags. However, there are admission & parking fees to visit the 12 miles of beaches within Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park & Fenwick Island State Park. New Jersey. The following prices are for the season. Kids younger than age 12 are free at all New Jersey beaches. www.beachtags.com Atlantic City Free |
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is open daily 11am-8pm. Free. 302-539-9366, www.discoversea.com
A three-mile stretch of barrier island, Fenwick Island State Park on Rte. 1 is open daily 8am-sunset. 302-227-2800,
www.destateparks.com/fenwick/fisp.asp
See a mini-museum in the lobby of Fenwick Lighthouse, open most days during the summer season, weather permitting. Free. Climbing the lighthouse is prohibited. 302-539-4115, www.beachnet.com/lighthousefi.html
Thunder Lagoon Waterpark & Viking Golf Theme Park at Rte. 1 & Rte. 54 is open daily through Sept. Attractions are individually priced, from $6 for unlimited mini golf to $15 for a 4-hour ticket to the waterpark. 302-539-1644 or 302-539-4027
Lewes
Lewes was the first town founded in the first state. The Delaware Bay & Atlantic Ocean meet here. www.lewes.com
Cape Henlopen State Park on Cape Henlopen Dr. is Delaware’s largest state park. The park is open daily 8am-sunset. 302-645-8983, www.destateparks.com/chsp/chsp.htm
Passengers can ride with cars on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry from Lewes to Cape May, NJ. Round trip on foot is $17 age 14 & older, $8.50 ages 6-13 & Free age 5 & younger. 800-64-FERRY, www.capemaylewesferry.com
www.capemaylewesferry.com
Nine of the town’s oldest structures can be found at the Lewes Historical Complex on Shipcarpenter St. Beginning June 12 the complex is open Mon.-Sat., 11am-4pm & Sun., 1-4pm, $5. 302-645-7670, www.historiclewes.org
The Zwaanendael Museum on Kings Hwy. is open Tues.-Sat., 10am-4:30pm & Sun., 1:30-4:30pm. Admission is Free. 302-645-1148, http://history.delaware.gov/museums/zm/zm_main.shtml
Rehoboth Beach
Originally a Methodist revival camp, Rehoboth Beach now offers outlet malls & a mile-long boardwalk. www.cityofrehoboth.com
Located on Christian St., the Anna Hazzard Tent House is one of the original one-room wooden “tent” structures from Rehoboth’s religious camp meeting era. 302-226-1119
Lifeguards patrol Delaware Seashore State Park on Coastal Hwy., 9am-5pm till Labor Day. 302-227-2800, www.destateparks.com/dssp/dssp.asp
Funland, a family amusement center on the boardwalk is open daily beginning June 9. The games & arcade open at 10am, rides at 1pm & the haunted mansion at 6:30pm. Individual ride tickets are 30¢; 20 tickets, $6; 48 tickets, $12; & 90 tickets, $20. Rides cost 2-5 tickets.
www.funlandrehoboth.com
Jungle Jim’s on Country Club Rd. spent $500,000 for renovations this year, including more seating, & shade, a new waterfall & new go-karts. The waterpark opens daily at 10am. All-day passes range from $28 for those taller than 42 inches to $12 after 4pm for those shorter than 42 inches. 302-227-8444, www.junglejimswaterpark.com
Atlantic County, NJ
Atlantic City
Most noted for its gambling establishments, the city also offers a handful of venues for minors. www.atlanticcitynj.com
The Absecon Lighthouse on Rhode Island Ave. is open Thurs.-Mon., 11am-4pm during June & daily in July & Aug. $5 adults, $3 ages 4-12 & free for toddlers age 3 & younger. 609-449-1360, www.abseconlighthouse.org
The Ocean Life Center on New Hampshire Ave. changed its name to the Atlantic City Aquarium. The Aquarium is open daily, 10am-5pm. $7 adults, $4 age 3 & older. 609-348-3880, www.oceanlifecenter.com
Atlantic City Cruises depart from Gardner’s Basin on New Hampshire Ave. A variety of morning, afternoon & evening cruises launch daily throughout the summer months. $8 children, $30 adults. New this year: 10-min. parasailing flights 500 feet above the Atlantic for all ages. Younger than age 18 must have a parent’s permission. $20 non-refundable deposit and reservations required. 609-347-7600, www.atlanticcitycruises.com
On the Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave., is the 18-hole Atlantic City Miniature Golf. Open seasonally. 609-347-1661, www.acminigolf.com
If you are in the mood for baseball, the Atlantic City Surf make their home at Sandcastle Stadium on the Black Horse Pike. $8-$10. 609-344-8873, www.acsurf.com
Central Pier at 1400 Boardwalk offers arcade games & go-cart rides. 609-345-5219.
For families looking to beat the heat, the Flyers Skate Zone on Albany Ave. (next door to Sandcastle Stadium) offers public ice skating. Admission is $6 plus $3 for skate rental. 609-441-1780, www.flyersskatezone.com
Located on the Boardwalk at New York Ave., Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum is open daily 10am-10pm. $12.95 age 13 & older, $7.95 ages 5-12. 609-347-2001, www.ripleysatlanticcity.com
The historic Steel Pier at Virginia Ave. & the Boardwalk offers amusements & games Mon.-Fri., 3pm-12midnight & Sat.-Sun., 12noon-1am. 609-345-4893, www.steelpier.com
Wow! VR Live is a virtual reality attraction located across from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on the Boardwalk at New York Ave. Open seasonally. 609-347-1661, www.wowvr.com
Brigantine
Captain Kidd is said to have buried treasure here. Today, the city offers a trove of recreational facilities. www.brigantinebeachnj.com
The Brigantine Beach Historical Museum is open daily 10am-1pm through Labor Day & can be found on Brigantine Blvd. 609-266-3437.
Shark Park is a community built playground located at 26th St. & Brigantine Ave.
Kite flying beaches stretch from 34th-38th St.
Call the Marine Mammal Stranding Center & Sea Life Educational Center & Museum on Atlantic-Brigantine Blvd. for hours. Free, $1 donation per visitor suggested. 609-266-0538, www. marinemammalstrandingcenter.org
At the north end of Brigantine Ave., the sea wall offers unobstructed views of the sunrise &
dolphins at play.
Margate
Home to Lucy The Elephant, there are no hotels in Margate, only summer rental properties.
www.margate-nj.com
Lucy The Elephant lives on Atlantic Ave. The national landmark is open for tours Mon.-Sat., 10am-8pm & Sun., 10am-5pm.
$5 ages 12 & older, $3 ages 11 & younger. 609-823-6473, www.lucytheelephant.org
Also a landmark, Margate Miniature Golf, built in 1949, is located on Jefferson Ave. Open through mid Sept. 609-822-0660.
Cape May County, NJ
Cape May
The oldest seaside resort in the United States, Cape May is home to Cape May Diamonds & the second largest collection of Victorian-era homes. www.capenet.com/capemay
The Cape May County Park & Zoo on Rte. 9 in Cape May Courthouse, NJ, is open daily 10am-4:45pm. Free; donations appreciated. 609-465-5271, www.co.cape-may.nj.us
Families can ride the Cape May-Lewes Ferry from Cape May to Lewes, DE where they can tour the Historic Lewes complex. (See Sussex County., DE for Lewes details.) For foot passengers, round trips are $17 age 14 & older, $8.50 ages 6-13, Free younger than age 6. 800-64-FERRY, www.capemaylewesferry.com
Cape May Kids Playhouse offers performances for kids Mondays & Thursdays in July & Aug. at 10am & 7pm. Tickets are $5 adults & $2 for kids ages 3-12. 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org
Climb the 199 steps of Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Point Park on Lighthouse Ave. for a picturesque view. The lighthouse is open daily through Nov. All tours are self-guided. On Sundays through Sept. 3, Storytelling at the Lighthouse offers free nautical tales & adventure stories for kids. 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org/Lighthouse/this-week-in-cape-may-lighthouse.htm
The Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center on Wilson Dr. launches several excursions throughout the day. 1 child age 6 & younger rides Free with a paid adult. Tickets range from $15 for juniors to $35 for adults depending upon the excursion. 888-531-0055, www.capemaywhalewatch.com
Cape May Whale Watcher boats depart from Miss Chris Marina on Wilson Dr. Families can sail on a 10am Around Cape Island History Cruise or 3 other trips throughout the day. Prices vary. 800-786-5445, www.capemaywhalewatcher.com
Children’s Trolley Tours are geared toward children ages 5-10. They begin at the Washington St. Mall Information Booth at 9:30am June 19-Sept. 7. Tickets are $6 adults, $3 ages 3-12 & Free for toddlers younger than age 3. 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org
The Emlen Physick Estate offers several kid-friendly events throughout the summer. Kids ages 5-10 can tour the home during Children’s Tours Wed. June-Sept. Kids Days are scheduled for July 5 & Aug. 2. Drop by with your Teddy Bear on July 5, 8, 22 or 29 for Teddy Bear Teas. Tickets for Teddy Bear Teas are $17.50 adults, $10 children. 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org
Visitors to Sunset Beach at Cape May Point can view the sunset with an unobstructed horizon. Located at the southernmost part of the Cape, the beach is home to the Cape May diamonds, small pieces of quartz, rounded & smoothed by centuries of traveling down the Delaware River.
It is also home to the remains of the S.S. Atlantus, an experimental concrete ship once used as a coal steamer during WWI.
Ocean City
Named the Number One Family Beach Resort in the Nation by the Travel Channel, Ocean City offers colorful, offbeat festivals. www.oceancityvacation.com
Bay Cats on Bay Ave. offers 2 hour Guided Nature Tours twice daily. 609-391-7960, www.baycats.com
Congo Falls Adventure Golf on the Boardwalk features 3 18-hole miniature golf courses. Open seasonally. 8am-12midnight. 609-398-1211, www.congofallsgolf.com
On Corson’s Inlet State Park at the south-end of the island, families can visit the 98-acre Strathmere Natural Area for boating, hiking, salt water fishing & crabbing. 609-861-2402
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier at 6th & the Boardwalk is a pay as-you-go-park, 1-4 tickets are needed per ride. Beginning June 19, the park is open 1pm-12midnight. Tickets are 75¢ each, a book of 30 is $20 & 170 tickets are $100. 609-399-7082, www.gillians.com
The annual Night in Venice boat parade is July 22. 609-525-9300.
The Ocean City Historical Museum on Simpson Ave. offers free admission & is open Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm & Sat., 11am-2pm. 609-399-1801, www.ocnjmuseum.org
All ages can parasail at Ocean City Parasail, 3rd St. & the Bay. 609-399-3559, www.oceancityparasail.com
The skateboard park at 6th & the Boardwalk is open daily for skateboarders & in-line skaters only. Proper equipment is required. $10 weekly & $5 daily. 609-399-1989.
Sea Isle City
Sea Isle City does not have a boardwalk. Wiped out in storm in 1962, it was replaced by a paved promenade where families can bike & in-line skate weekdays 5am-3pm & weekends from 5am-12noon. www.seaislecity.org
Beach Comber Programs take place Tues. & Thurs., 10am on the 29th St. Beach. Every child receives a free pail & diploma signed by the Mayor.
Free concerts take place on the promenade on Mon. & Wed. evenings.
Appropriately named, Play by the Bay is a community built playground at 63rd & Landis Ave.
Beginning July 11, Tuesday Family Fun & Flicks Nights in the downtown business area start at 6:30pm, featuring face painting, magic shows, costumed character appearances & balloon clowns. At dusk a free outdoor movie is shown at Kennedy Blvd. & Pleasure Ave.
Thursday Night Family Dance Parties swing on the promenade at Kennedy Blvd., 7:30-9pm.
Wildwood
Wildwood’s 3-mile boardwalk boasts amusement piers, waterparks, carnival-style games, shops & restaurants.See the Marbles Hall of Fame at the George F. Boyer Historical Museum on Pacific Ave.,Mon.-Fri., 9:30am-2:30pm, Sat.-Sun., 10:30am-2:30pm & Fri. nights from 6:30-8:30pm.
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse at First & Central Ave. is open daily through Oct. 9am-5pm. $4 for adults & $1 for ages 11 & younger. Combination tickets for Cape May Point Lighthouse are available. 609-522-4520, www.herefordlighthouse.org
This summer Morey’s Piers has changed the names of its three amusement piers & two waterparks. Surfside Pier at 25th Ave. is the home of the Great Nor’Easter roller coaster. Mariner’s Landing, at Schellenger Ave. is home to the giant ferris wheel (above). Adventure Pier at Spencer Ave. contains the Great White roller coaster. Raging Waters Waterpark is at the water’s edge of Mariner’s Landing Pier. The new Ocean Oasis Waterpark & Beach Club is at the water’s edge of Surfside Pier. Morey’s now offers wireless Internet access, private family cabanas with huts & towel service, a campfire pit, an outdoor restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean & Nickelodeon-inspired games & activities.
The Starlight Fleet Whale & Dolphin Watching boats, docking at Park Blvd. feature three trips daily: a 9:30am breakfast cruise, 1pm whale & dolphin watching cruise & 6:30pm dinner cruise. Tickets range from $15-$38. Children age 5 & younger ride free. 609-729-3400, www.jjcboats.com
Dedicated in July of 1993 & called Humpbacks of the Jersey Coast, a 220-by-30-foot Whaling Wall by Wyland is located at Garfield & the Boardwalk.