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 our fourth edition of Complete Island Hopping, our map of suggestions for a great week of Cape May County fun.
Get out and savor the shore with a delicious breakfast at The Tom Cat, located by the Wildwood Bridge on Rio Grand Avenue. This historic diner is open at 6 a.m. to Late Night; try many goodies to give you fuel for your day. From plain eggs and fancy omelets to griddle classics, you will surely find your fill while experiencing a 50’s diner theme.
Forget some important clothing items or just looking for a fashionable Jersey Shore Souvenir? Stop by Silen’s Shoes and Beachwear. From shoes and swimsuits to beach cover ups and sportswear, Silen’s has got you covered. With all of your favorite brands you will find exactly what you are looking for or at least something similar. It’s never too late to prepare for winter, or even warming up your cold toes after an ocean swim with a full line of Ugg Australia shoes.
After buying yourself a swimsuit at Silen’s head over to Pier 47 Marina for watersports fun! This full service marina offers rentals of personal watercrafts and jet boats – perfect to get you out on the water! Pier 47 also is home to a Ship’s 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 lunch, stop by North End American Grill in North Wildwood. This Southern California Styled Restaurant offers ice cold cocktails, delicious food and plenty of patio seating. Additionally, enjoy live entertainment from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night. For lunch enjoy starters like Baked Nachos and Fried Pickles. Move on to delicious entrees such as Stuffed Flounder or Pesto Stuffed Gnocchi. Don’t forget your mid-day cocktail. North End is home to a wide variety of great specialty drinks to lighten the mood.
Sick of the sandy scenery? Head over to Duffer’s for delicious treats. This family friendly ice cream parlor and restaurant is home to many great activities to keep the kids busy. Enjoy a round of mini golf on Duffer’s 18-hole course. After, play arcade games and collect tickets to claim your prize at the redemption counter. For a sweet treat, visit the ice cream parlor for a homemade ice cream treat. Choose from numerous sundaes or just go for a classic cone. No matter what you choose, it is sure to be delicious.
When Happy Hour rolls around, “Keep calm and Harry on”. Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grill of Cape May’s Beach Avenue is THE place to be for post-beach appetizers and cocktails. Harry’s gets “happy” from 4 to 6 p.m. daily and features chalkboard specials, discounted appetizers, and deals on their 40+ draft and bottled beers. Plus, live entertainment hits Harry’s Patio from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, making Happy Hour a delight for all senses.
For a sit-down full course family meal, Cape May County has many great options for even the pickiest of eaters. Try Little Italy in Wildwood Crest for many great dinner specials and delectable authentic Italian entrees. Little Italy offers ultra-fresh seafood combination platters featuring local catches topped lightly with breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. For the best of the seafood and pasta worlds, opt for one of Little Italy’s ten pasta with seafood dishes. The steak and chicken dishes are innovative, delectable, and truly reminiscent of classic Mediterranean flavors. All Little Italy beef is prepared in their wood-fired grill, giving it a unique savory taste.
If Italian isn’t quite what you are looking for, then try out 5 West Pub in North Cape May. The dining room has a stellar selection of apps and entrees. The ‘Pub’ has more than just Pub Fare and offers fine dining entrees and classic burgers alike. And if you don’t want to miss ‘the big game’, with six flat screen TVs, 5 West is the place to be! If you are looking to enjoy the summer breeze, the just opened outdoor lounge is perfect and boasts a full bar and flat screen TV’s.
Looking for family fun after dinner, head to Island Bowl – Wildwood’s newly renovated bowling center. Island Bowl invites you to “bowl your butt off” Mondays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to Midnight which offers two hours of bowling for up to five players, only $30 per lane. On Tuesdays, enjoy Two for Tuesday, this is a must-try with $2 games, $2 shoes, $2 pizza slices, $2 hot dogs, $2 large sodas, and $2 domestic drafts. On Friday, enjoy Moonlight Rock ‘n Bowl from 8 p.m. to Midnight featuring $15 per person all you can bowl. Island Bowl also offers Pizza, Pins and Coke which is offered any time lanes are available. For $49.95, you can enjoy 2 hours of bowling for up to 5 players, shoe rental, large cheese pizza and a pitcher of soda.