Header photo is of the entrance to Higbee Beach, taken by Collin Hall
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Welcome back to Island Hopping! This week, we’re heading to the Wildwood Farmer’s Market, to North Wildwood for killer bagels, and to Cape May for breezy live entertainment.
This week has fewer ‘special events’ than last week, but there’s still a lot to do as summer continues to sizzle. You can catch a Farmer’s Market most days of the week; we recommend starting your day with a trip to your local market.
West Cape May’s market is on Tuesdays, Ocean City’s is on Wednesdays, Sea Isle City’s is on Thursdays, Wildwood’s is on Saturdays, and Stone Harbor’s is on Sundays. For more details on a specific market, check out our Farmer’s Market Guide later in the magazine.
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We’re heading to the Wildwood Farmer’s market, which runs until 12:30 p.m. every Saturday. The market, at Byrne Plaza on Pacific Ave, has really grown in size and scope since it began. It began with humble origins; a few local vendors came to sell their goods to a reasonably sized crowd. Now, the market is so big that it spills over to the park across the street.
You’ll find local hot sauce, local produce, local honey, local spirits, and even custom neon signs at the market. If you’re feeling hungry, there are a number of breakfast treats you can snag at the market. The city of Wildwood itself gives out free “DOO WW” magnets that vary in design each year. Your editor’s Uncle has a rainbow collage of different “DOO WW” magnets on his garage door, if that inspires anything in you.
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After the market, try The Bagel Depot in North Wildwood (2504 Delaware Ave) for a late breakfast or an early lunch. You’ve probably heard that New Jersey bagels rock, so come try some for yourself. The Depot’s blueberry bagels, and their jalapeno cheese bagels, are your editor’s favorite. We’ve also been meaning to try their Balaklava…
By now, it’s getting well into the afternoon, and you are probably hoping to cool off. If you’re looking to try a new beach, check out Higbee Beach in Lower Township. Higbee Beach offers dramatic views of the rocky jetty; you can see the mighty Cape May-Lewes Ferry pass right by the beach as it goes in and out of the harbor.
The free beach, overseen by the State of New Jersey, is well-maintained and usually less trafficked than other beaches. You have to drive a bit down a dirt road to get to the free parking lot, so be ready for that. But you’ll be rewarded with a scenic beach that is a bit off the beaten path.
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While you’re near Cape May, there are a lot of entertainment options to finish out your day. The East Lynn Theater Company is putting on a wonderful performance of “Who Am I This Time (And Other Conundrums of Love)” every Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Cape May Presbyterian Church. The show is an adaptation of short stories from Kurt Vonnegut, who wrote macabre classics like Slaughterhouse-Five. The show is a solid, well-paced romantic comedy that has enough variety to keep audiences engaged.
Cape May also has a series of free concerts at the beautiful Rotary Park. Music hits the park every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday through early September. The atmosphere at the park is great; the band plays in a Victorian-style gazebo while audience members watch from the lawn, located right by the Washington Street Mall.
And that’s it for this week’s island hopping! If you have any suggestions for future events, places, and happenings, send us a message at chall@cmcherald.com. We love your feedback!