Taking Advantage of Nature throughout the County
Although the real first day of summer is June 21st, everyone knows the Jersey Shore doesn’t get busy until the first week of July, when the weather gets warmer, and the rental season begins. So, if the beaches are getting a little too crowded for your liking and you are looking for other outdoor activities to fill your days, look no further than Island Hopping! Read along to spend a week with us exploring and taking advantage of the wildlife in our beautiful county.
A great day begins on the tip of Stone Harbor at the Bird Sanctuary, located on 115th Street and 3rd Avenue. A day down the shore is not complete without a leisurely walk, and the sanctuary boasts a collection of walking trails perfect for a quiet morning stroll. My favorite is the Heron Overlook Trail – it’s great for bird and people watching!
If you worked up an appetite after all of that walking, fear not! Just down the island, Avalon’s Bobby Dee’s Rock N’ Chair offers a fabulous brunch complete with all the breakfast classics. Can’t decide what to order? I recommend ‘The Chair Special’, a plate that offers a little bit of everything.
Next, head back over to Stone Harbor’s Wetlands Institute to explore wildlife further than a brief run-in to help a turtle cross the causeway. The wetlands offer free daily programming events perfect for all ages. On Saturdays from 10-11 a.m., the Institute offers to teach you how to fish, no supplies necessary. On Sundays, the institute hosts crabbing lessons.
If you’re hungry from all of your outdoor adventures, head towards Wildwood Crest to stop by Two Mile Crab House. Request to sit on the porch for a picturesque water view as you settle in for an appetizer and a drink. The ‘Crab Attack Fries’ and the ‘Tuna Poke Nachos’ are the perfect appetizers to split with the entire table.
If you find yourself with the rest of the afternoon to fill, and more wildlife to explore, check out the Cape May County Park & Zoo. Located in Middle Township, the zoo is the perfect destination to spend time with family and friends. I recommend bringing your own food and picnicking using the tables by the entrance. Don’t forget to stop by the Gorilla enclosure!
As always, the County offers a flurry of outdoor markets, with each town staggering their market dates across the week. Head over to Cape May for West Cape May’s Weekly Farmers Market, which is in Backyard Park every Tuesday from 3:00 until 7:30. Come for the fresh produce and good eats but stay for the live music. This Tuesday, the market will be hosting Geno White Trio, so expect a jazzy upbeat vibe!
As the days wind down, head over to Wildwood Crest to visit Happy’s Ice Cream. Formerly known as Lizzy’s Ice Cream, Happy’s is located at the corner of E. Wisteria Road and New Jersey Avenue. It is known for its great ice cream and even better customer service! The lines can get long, but the ice cream is worth the wait! I recommend their new flavor, ‘Peanut Butter ‘N Cookies’. Because seriously, who doesn’t love a peanut butter chocolate swirl?