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 first edition of Island Hopping for the season, offering our map of suggestions of where to “do the shore” for a great week of Cape May County fun.
Summer is here and you’ve finally made it to the shore! Of course your first instinct is to head right to the beach and feel the warm sand in between your toes, but not so fast. The season has only just begun, and the ocean definitely isn’t warm enough for a swim just yet. Instead, consider a day out on the green before the weather gets too hot.
At Avalon Golf Club in Cape May Court House, you can “Get in on the Goof Life!” Measuring from 6325 to 4924 yards, Avalon Golf Club is a test for all skill levels. For those who opt for a weekday match, be sure to take advantage of Avalon Golf’s latest special: get a generous $20 off of your total cost for a foursome when you present the golf club’s ad. This special will run through July 31. Post-match, swing by Avalon Links Restaurant for some much needed sustenance. Plus, enjoy live entertainment every Wednesday through Sunday!
If you prefer a different scene for your post-match lunch, head down the Parkway and take Exit 4B to Menz Restaurant & Bar in Rio Grande. A unique atmosphere, Menz offers fresh and delicious food, daily drink specials and of course, fun for the kids if you want to pick them up on the way!
After everyone’s stomachs are satisfied, hop on over to Cape May and work off some of your food as you stroll along the Washington Street Mall. Get some afternoon shopping done at Great White Shark and pick up all of your souvenir T-shirts, caps, car decals, beach jewelry and more. Don’t forget to stop in Cape Atlantic Book Company to pick up your weekend beach read!
When dinnertime rolls around, take the bridge into Wildwood Crest and head to Little Italy on Atlantic Avenue. Little Italy replicates the sights, sounds, tastes and overall experience of an authentic Italian piazza. If the shore atmosphere has you craving cuisine of the sea, Little Italy offers ultra-fresh seafood combination platters featuring local catches of flounder, scallops, shrimp, crab cake and clams casino topped lightly with breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. Or, for the best of both worlds, try one of Little Italy’s “pasta with seafood” dishes!
If you don’t think your stomach can make it all the way to Wildwood Crest, take a 5 minutes stroll or 3 minute car ride down the road to the Washington Inn. Set in a circa 1840 plantation house, the Washington Inn has become synonymous with elegant dining in Cape May. If you don’t have little ones with you, this fine dining experience is the perfect place for you and your significant other to enjoy a romantic night out over eclectic American dishes.
Continue your date night in Cape May and catch East Lynne Theater Company’s production of “Rodgers’ Romance,” a New Jersey Premiere with songs by Rodgers and Hart, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. The show runs now until July 23, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. Don’t let your delicious dinner make you late!
When your night at the theater is complete, Casey’s on Third in North Wildwood welcomes you to grab a cool cocktail and relax after a long day. Happy Hour might have ended at 7 p.m., but you just might be able to catch some great live music!
Why stop there? Bar hop over to Dogtooth Bar & Grill in Wildwood and keep the fun going! On Friday nights, Dogtooth has a second Happy Hour from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the bar, which means you can grab some post-theater late night snacks. Along with drink specials, an entire menu of discounted apps is available. Try the Baja quesadillas for $5.95, or the crispy calamari for $7.95!