Sun, Sand & Seafood at the Southern Jersey Shore

Thank you to everyone for checking out our post on Cape May, NJ. Here is our more detailed review of the Southern New Jersey coastline.

Area Summary

The New Jersey shoreline is a great place to enjoy outside summer fun! The cost line is 130 miles long starting at Sandy Hook and ending in Cape May. The shore is know to have something for everyone to enjoy from surfing, tanning, boating, gambling, historic sites, eating, shopping or for just walking along the boardwalk and enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Campground(s) we stayed

During our month long visit we stayed at two campgrounds:

Lake and Shore RV Resort in Ocean View, NJ. This campground is a short 5-minute drive from the Jersey Shore with a large selection of sites and tons of amenities. This campground is family fun focus with a large water park, mini golf, volley ball, fishing, ice cream stand, base ball diamond, and a large in ground pool just to name a few. Unfortunately, we stayed before the season started (and the pools opened) but it was still a beautiful and fun place to relax by the campfire and enjoy the sun while sitting by the lake. This is an Encore & Thousand Trails Park.

Sea Pines RV Resort in Swainton, NJ or also know as Cape May Court House. Is located about 5 minutes down the street from Lake and Shore, about 2 minutes from the Garden State Parkway and a 10-minute drive from Cape May. It has a pool next to a large pavilion and stone fire pit. The campground name is very fitting as this campground is certainly a ‘sea’ of pine trees. While finding a spot for our big rig was a bit of a challenge, especially the week before a Memorial Day weekend, we were able to get into a site and had a great time while staying at this RV Resort. This park is also an Encore & Thousand Trails property.

If your looking to do some extended stay camping for very little cost check out a Thousand Trails membership. You can travel between both Lake & Shore and Sea Pines which are located only a few miles from each other. For Thousand Trail Elite members this means you can travel between these two parks for the entire season for only the cost of your annual membership dues.

Things to do

Ocean City Boardwalk – is a great place if you are looking for a family fun experience. Since this is a dry town in NJ this particular boardwalk is geared more toward kids. It is filled with great shops for souvenirs and tons of places to grab a bite to eat; our personal favorite was the world largest pizza. Rides, mini golf along with a beautiful beach and boardwalk for walking, biking or running.

Wildwood Boardwalk – has roller coasters, waterparks and bars! This boardwalk is 38 blocks long with a carnival-like atmosphere. You can rent a bike or ride on the Sightseer Tram Car that takes you from one end of the boardwalk to the other. Or you can always relax on the free admission beaches. We recommend you go during the day or with a group as this place can get a bit rowdy!

Atlantic City – has something for everyone. Festivals, comedy shows, gambling, concerts, relaxing at the bar by the beach to name a few. For a full list of events at Atlantic City check out the link above.

Sea Isles City – Is the closest beach we found to Lake and Shore Campground. It’s a cute ‘beach’ city. With some fun clothes shops, a few pizza joints, a hoggie and grill cheese shop along with many others. Or if you are in the mood for some seafood check out ‘Fish Alley’ a great place to grab dinner and watch the sun set.

Cape May – Is the last town on the New Jersey coastline and where we spend most of our time. Check out our full video review.

Cape May County Zoo – Who knew there was a free Zoo in Cape May, NJ. We were pleasantly surprised that
when we decided to stop at the Cape May Zoo that admission was free. All cash contributions to the Zoo are on a donation basis. I know what you’re thinking a free zoo it must be awful inside, but no… it was amazing! The animal medley was very large from exotic birds to lions to giraffes to all kinds of reptiles. There were even free roaming peacocks. The zoo was clean and the animals looked happy and well kept. With rest areas located around the zoo for snacks and refreshments along with a large play area and animal marry-go-round located next to the front entrance. The Zoo is a great place to visit for the day with kids or your signification other.

Places we ate

Stuffed Burger and Deli (Seaville, NJ) … we stopped here for a late lunch one day and were not disappointed. The burgers are literally stuffed with different ingredients. We ordered the Mushroom, Bacon & Swiss and the Prosciutto, RST Pepper & Mozz stuffed burgers both were very good.

O’Donnell’s Pour House (Sea Isle City, NJ) … after a long week we wanted a cold beer and a tasty dinner, O’Donnell’s delivered! They have a neat menu where you can build your own meal. You have the option to pick a meat or fish, choose what it is cooked with, and than choose a side. We both choose this option getting the Mahi Mahi with mango salsa & mashed potatoes and the NY sirloin strip steak with roasted garlic demi-glaze & rice pilaf. Yum!

Beach Creek Oyster Bar and Grille … this place is amazing and I would recommend coming here for a “fancier” dinner date night. The out door bar and seating overlooks the ocean and the food was unique and delicious. We didn’t plan to come here but as we were driving to the Wildwood boardwalk we just happen to see a lot of people parked out front. So we took a chance and went in for dinner. We both had their fish dinner specials for the night and they were pile high and packed with flavor.

George’s Place (Cape May) … A friend recommendation we eat here and it is also featured on the show Diner, Drive in’s and Dives. We came with my sister and a few friends and the food was great. (Thanks Gina!) This family owned Greek restaurant has a diner style atmosphere. We all shared the hummus platter and the Saganaki (grilled kefalograviera cheese flambéed with ouzo with grilled pita). Everyone enjoyed the appetizers and their meals but it’s a small place so reservations are definitely recommended.

Hot Dog Tommy’s (Cape May) … is located right on the corner of Jackson St. and Beach Ave. This is a great place if you are hungry after a long day of sitting on the beach. This grab & go hot dog place is very good. They offer two types of hot dogs with all of their Signature Favorites. The Bigger Bad Dog, an all-beef angus dog or the Leaner (smaller) Wiener, an all-meal pork & beef dog. We got the Shaggy Dog (sauerkraut/ shredded cheddar cheese) and the Reuben Dog (Swiss cheese/pickle/ Sauerkraut/ Russian dressing) both with the Bigger Bad Dog. They were great! They also offer a few other non-hot dog options, if hot dogs aren’t your thing. I would come back to Cape May for another one of these puppies.

Union Park Dining Room (Cape May) … is located inside the Hotel Macomber on Beach Ave. I choose Union Park Dining Room as the spot for my Birthday dinner. Like most places in Cape May it is BYOB but this particular place offered a local wine selection. We enjoyed the Duck Hash Confit and Burrata for starters. Followed by North American Lobster and their Cod Fish dinner special. A Birthday wouldn’t be complete without a dessert. The ice cream sandwich with French chocolate meringue cookies filled with nutella ice cream and salted caramel was decadent.

Overall Opinion

The Jersey Shoreline particularly Cape May County is an exciting and fun place. With amazing beaches, boardwalks, amusement parks, great restaurants, rich history and picturesque sun sets but make reservations because the late spring and summer book up fast.

Would we Recommend?

We strongly recommend visiting the Jersey Shore for some summer fun!

Kala