Cape May County is a treasure trove of thrills, games, specialty seafood, happy hour specials, traditional family-style restaurants, beach gear, breakfast favorites, and relaxing rituals. Yet with its six hundred and twenty square-mile span, this Jersey shore county can be quite daunting. With all this ground to cover, where should you even begin? “Blast” is here with this summer’s FINAL edition of Complete Island Hopping, our map of suggestions for a great week of Cape May County fun.
Stop by Avalon and pick up some hearty breakfast sandwiches before hitting the beach at Pop’s Italian-American Delicatessen and Market Place. Choose from egg and cheese sandwiches with or without meat like bacon, turkey bacon, ham or sausage on your choice of a Kaiser Roll or bagel. Egg whites are available upon request. If you are recovering from a long night, try the Mayor’s Hangover Special featuring 3 eggs, bacon, potatoes, fried peppers and onions, long hots and American cheese served on a seeded Italian semolina or non-seeded roll.
While you’re on Seven Mile Island, head to Harbor Bike and Beach and rent a bike for the morning. Choose from single or multi speed beach cruisers, tandem bikes, road bikes and even adult trikes. If you would like to tour the island as a family, choose a surrey for a fun ride. Harbor Bike and Beach also rents jogging strollers, children’s trikes and bike seats, boogie boards, beach umbrellas and more!
Post-cruise, reward yourself with some classic creamy fudge. Hankin’s Fudge of the Wildwoods is where you need to be. Only the freshest all-natural ingredients are used in its production. Real liqueur chocolates make up the classic milk chocolate fudge and the other several chocolate-based flavors. While some fudge tends to taste very sugary with a harder texture, Hankins’ fudge recipe achieves just the right level of firmness. It remains less sweet than competitors’ fudge yet even creamier. Made on the store’s premises daily, the fudge is slow cooked using copper kettles. Hankins’ homemade fudge flavors include chocolate, chocolate nut, vanilla, vanilla nut and rocky road.
Want to get wet without hitting the beach? Make waves at Mocean Waverunners. Located in Wildwood, Mocean offers many great deals. With top of the line equipment and the largest riding area in the Widwoods, you are sure to have a blast! Choose from full half hour and hour ride times with professional instruction and a free boat ride.
When it comes time to take a break from the Cape May County sun, head to Poppi’s Brick Oven Pizza in Wildwood for a savory lunch. Offering lunch specials Monday through Thursday for $6.95, you can eat great on a budget! Poppi’s uses the most fresh and high quality ingredients in all of their dishes. Be sure to try one of their Brick Oven Pizza’s cooked in less than 2 minutes in an oven 800 to 1000 degrees. The best Neopolitan Pizza in town!
Starting at 11 a.m., enjoy a classic Wildwood tradition at the Tom Cat. This diner has a long history in the Wildwoods and offers much of the classic fare served in its heyday. To begin choose from mozzarella sticks or onion rings. For a main course, choices include salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Pair it with a classic milkshakes in flavors like Vanilla, Black and White and Chocolate to really enjoy your experience!
Over on Seven-Mile Island, beachgoers are encouraged to take a lunch break at The Golden Inn’s newly renovated Sandbar & Grille. Here, you are encouraged to keep a drink in your hand and toes in the sand. The Sandbar is conveniently located right on the Avalon Beach and bikinis and bathing suits are welcome. Nothing says summer like enjoying one of their fresh salads, sandwiches or wraps with an ice cold beer or cocktail. You can even grab a hot dog or chicken fingers for the kids.
Sick of the sandy scenery? Take a beach break in the afternoon and swing by Tiki Topz at Flip Flopz for a pool party to remember. Tiki Topz Poolside is a tropical paradise open to the public, offering an elevated pool with live palm trees from Florida giving the air of being on an island while enjoying the ocean views. Lunch is served daily by the pool featuring tropical salads and delicious, made-to-order burgers that perfectly complement their many signature frozen cocktails. Tiki Topz hosts a dance party with beachgoers every Saturday and Sunday all summer long with DJ entertainment starting at 2 p.m.
Do dinner along the Wildwoods Yacht Basin for an escape to the tropics only at Urie’s Waterfront Restaurant. Here, the waterfront deck is complete with its own Tiki Bar featuring favorite summer cocktails and beer. Indulge in all-you-can-eat Snow and Maryland Blue crabs nightly on the dockside deck, or opt for fresh catch from the raw bar. Discover for yourself why Urie’s was voted Best Water View Dining by South Jersey Magazine.
Rather do dinner in the comfort of your own home, hotel, or rental? Sample the renowned Asian fusion flavors of Dragon House Restaurant in the heart of the Wildwoods. All menu items are available for takeout and/or delivery, including the ever-popular “Chinese Pizza”, or Scallion Pancakes, appetizer.
If you are looking for a fun family experience, head up to the Deauville Inn in Strathmere for live entertainment. Located at the foot of the Corson’s Inlet Bridge between Ocean City and Sea Isle City this restaurant offers delicious food, a quaint atmosphere with outstanding hospitality for over 120 years. Choose to sit inside or outside and enjoy the view as you dine on your meal with the family. The Deauville welcomes those coming by car, bike, foot or boat.