Cape May County is a treasure trove of thrills, games, specialty seafood, happy hour specials, traditional family-style restaurants, beach gear, breakfast spots, sweet treats, and relaxing rituals. Yet with its 620-square-mile span, the Jersey Shore county can be quite daunting. With all the ground to cover, where should you even begin? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Island Hopping is your go-to guide for the season with our favorite places to “do the shore.” This week we’re hopping all around the county to plan your day from dusk till dawn.
Good morning! Start your day with breakfast at Rio Station in Rio Grande, where you can choose from a variety of breakfast favorites to quench your cravings. Build your own three-egg omelets or frittatas, baked in a cast iron skillet. Choose your stack of pancakes, then choose from sides of bacon, Taylor ham, scrapple, and more. Pair your meal with a Bloody Mary, traditional Mimosa, or Bellini and you’re ready to start your day!
After breakfast, head over to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood to grab a tube and hit the water parks. Choose from the Ocean Oasis Water Park and Beach Club or the Raging Waters Water Park, or both! Relax in the fountain pool or jump off the rope swing for your perfect day in the water. If you stay for a few hours, stop by one of the three amusement piers to extend your fun into the sunny afternoon.
If you’re planning a beach day, visit Cape Atlantic Book Company on The Washington Mall in Cape May to pick up your summer beach read. With a wide selection of books for all ages from fiction to nonfiction, mystery to romance, this bookstore allows you and your family to find the perfect book to get lost in on a summer day. You’ll find floor-to-ceiling collections of current best sellers and old classics, plus a large children’s department for little bookworms.
Grab lunch at Jake’s Bar & Grill in Villas and discover one of the best-kept secrets in town! This restaurant is chef-owned and operated by James Kershaw, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience. His signature New England and Spicy Crab Chowders are just a few of the incredible choices on Jake’s extensive menu. Fresh specials are served daily at Jake’s, including seafood, pasta, and hot and cold sandwiches. The restaurant also offers a children’s menu for the little ones!
For an afternoon activity away from the beaches, visit the Bay Springs Farm Alpacas to get some quality alpaca apparel, accessories, yarn and fleece. Made from superior Peruvian and Chilean Huacaya alpacas in a wide range of colors, the farm store offers a one-of-a-kind selection. Dreaming about owning your own alpaca? Meet the members of the Herd and check out the sales list so your alpaca dreams can come true!
When dinnertime rolls around, the newly renovated Stone Harbor Bar & Grill is the perfect place to settle in. The restaurant offers a great atmosphere, and a modern take on classic seaside pub. Try a fresh, never frozen, burger, and pair it with homemade Nachos Grande. Guests over 21 can enjoy the bar with a great choice of draft and craft beers to wash your meal down with, and enjoy entertainment on 20 big screens!
Stop by Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet in Rio Grande on your way home and grab everything you need for some post-dinner cocktails. Joe Canal’s has the largest selection of your favorite vodka, scotch, bourbon, whiskey, rum, brandy, gin, liquors, beer and wine. Besides spirits, Joe Canal’s also offers everything you need to pair with your fine wine such as cheese spreads, aged artisan cheeses, crackers and more.
If you’re not ready to go home and you want to dance the night away, Flip Flopz Beach Bar & Grill is the hottest place for dancing with state-of-the-art entertainment each night. Dance to DJ’s spinning the latest hits on Friday and Sunday nights, then stop in on Saturdays for live singers and bands. If that isn’t enough to satisfy you, stop by during the day and take a walk upstairs to Tiki Topz by The Pool. You’ll have fabulous views of the Atlantic Ocean while you lounge by the pool with a drink in your hand. What could be better!
After a long day out in Cape May County, get home safely and relax. It won’t be long before you have to start planning your next fun-filled day at the shore!