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 620-square-mile span, this Jersey Shore county can be quite daunting. With all this ground to cover, where should you even begin? We’re here with our eleventh edition of Island Hopping, offering our map of suggestions of where to “do the shore” for a great week of Cape May County fun.
Wake up with panoramic oceanfront views at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May! Go traditional with Harry’s Signature Hotcakes, a favorite among patrons, or opt for something a little more creative such as a Crab & Avocado Omelet. Pair your delectable cuisine with a breakfast cocktail from Harry’s extensive collection. Choose from Bloody Marys, the famous Orange Crush or flavored Mimosas including pineapple, pomegranate and more!
For breakfast with the entire family, Marabella’s Family Restaurant in Stone Harbor welcomes you. It’s a place for the family, by the family. The Marabella family invites you to enjoy pan-tossed omelettes, hot of the griddle items, Italian-style eggs and more, all made with the freshest ingredients and served at reasonable prices.
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a morning bike ride at the shore. After breakfast, visit Crest Bike Rental in Wildwood and take the family on a ride to view the beautiful Wildwoods from a bike seat. This rental outlet has bikes for everyone, with rentals including single, multi-speeds, low riders, tandems, tag-a-longs, surreys, training wheels and child seats.
Once the afternoon heat hits, it’s time to head out on the water. Pier47 Marina in Wildwood is your destination for watersports fun! This full service marina offers rentals and sales of outboards, jet boats and personal watercrafts, perfect to get you out on the water and keep you cool. Pier47 also is home to a 5,000+ square-foot fully stocked ship store that offers cleaning and detailing supplies, engine oil, marine chemicals and lubricants, tackle supplies and much more. Stop by to see if they have what you’re looking for!
For a relaxing water adventure, hop on over to Harbor Outfitters in Stone Harbor. Experience the waters of the Jersey Shore on one of Harbor Outfitters’ kayak tours, catch waves during a stand-up paddle board lesson, or get wet while kayaking or paddle boarding! With a variety of tours and activities, your morning will be filled with fun for the entire family. Don’t forget to stop in the store afterward to browse the great selection of stand-up paddle boards and kayaks for you to try at home!
A third option for some fun in the sun on the water is South Dock Marina in North Wildwood, offering pontoon boat, paddleboard and kayak rentals. Additionally, South Dock offers two waterfront dining options when afternoon hunger hits: South Dock Café and The Surfing Pig. At South Dock Café, you’ll find a mix of island and coastal flair, while The Surfing Pig serves BBQ, seafood and raw bar options. The Key West style atmosphere boasts unique cuisine, tropical palms and uneatable views.
Before hitting the water, stop by The Spot in Avalon, specializing in men’s, women’s and children’s clothing that will meet your needs both on and off the water, along with everything you need to hit the surf. The store uses organic cottons and well-known brands such as Patagonia, Volcom, Robert Graham and Bugatchi. Although the store carries these known brands, it also showcases brands such as Faherty, Bolt and many more that cannot be found elsewhere at the Jersey Shore. New clothes and products arrive at The Spot daily!
Multiple cuisine options await you for dinner. Since 1980, Carmen’s Seafood Restaurant in Sea Isle City has been serving delicious seafood to residents and visitors. If you’re looking for lip-smackin’ seafood, juicy steaks, scrumptious Italian pasta and tasty vegetarian dishes, this waterfront restaurant is the place to satisfy any craving! Carmen’s specialty is crabs: king, snow, Dungeness, soft, blue claw, stone, and baked and sautéed crab meat. Yum!
For unique southwestern and Mexican dining, visit Red Sky Café in Seaville. The extensive dinner menu includes favorite starters such as nachos and quesadillas, and entrees like enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas and more. Guests can also opt to build their own taco, burrito or quesadilla, or munch on a delicious wrap such as the Grilled Steak Fajita Wrap. Finish off your meal with a delicious array of desserts such as chocolate lava cake, fried ice cream and passionfruit cream cake.
If you happen to be craving sushi and steakhouse fusion cuisine, Yozu in North Cape May is your best bet. Don’t worry if not everyone in your party is a Japanese cuisine lover – Yozu is proud to present a signature sushi roll perfect for both the sushi eater and the sushi skeptic. The “East Meets West” roll is the product of the chefs’ experiences in both American and Japanese restaurants. Custom tailored to Yozu’s clientele, the “East Meets West” roll features shrimp tempura, jumbo lump crab and avocado wrapped in rice and soy paper, topped with filet mignon and a combination of Japanese mayo and Béarnaise sauce.