Cape May
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
It’s not just the patrons, but the shops, activities, and general atmosphere. Trashy doesn’t appeal to all teens. |
Anonymous
|
NP. I grew up on the area and still have family there. All these Jersey Shore towns are great in their own way. They’re just different.
The Wildwoods are the most convenient to Cape May and have the best selection of rides. And just as Cape May is known for its Victorian architecture, Wildwood has great Doo-Woo architecture. If your kids love rides, Wildwood is the place to go. Ocean City is my personal favorite and where I hung out the most in high school. They have upped their ride game in the last few years, but are a step below Wildwood. But their boardwalk is, in at least my opinion, a bit nicer. I wouldn’t skip Wildwood to go to OCNJ, but I think it is worth a visit. And while I recognize I’m in the minority here, don’t rule out Atlantic City. The Steel Pier has great rides, and I’ve read that they’re about to open a huge indoor water park at Showboat. Also a great dining and entertainment destination. Finally, a plug for the Cape May Zoo. Sometimes small zoos get a bad rap, but this one is fantastic and shows up on lists of the best zoos in the country. Have fun! |
Anonymous
Nobody cares |
Anonymous
|
NP.
There is a tiny boardwalk in Cape May that has a small arcade, fudge shop, and the required-at-the-shore beach stores. My kids (tweens) like playing a few games, getting the free sample of fudge, and trying to talk me into buying more. The lighthouse is a must (even if you don't climb it) and there's usually something going on there. We've seen animal shows and art shows there. For events during your stay check https://www.capemay.com/calendar/ We play mini golf at sunset beach, but there are other courses, too. Wildwood is fine for one day or one night. I wouldn't schlep teens to Ocean City. Go to the Washington Street mall to window shop and get ice cream (or my fave Kohr Bros frozen custard). There is also a small winery (not for the teens but maybe for the others) that gives tours and has small plates of food. Look into taking the ferry across one way on your way there or your way home. We usually take it home because it's easier to time. -- signed another who has spent my life going to the Jersey shore (and my dad grew up there!) |
Anonymous
+1 And Stone Harbor and Avalon as as good as it gets for east coast/mid atlantic shores. My only complaint about Cape May is the shore is more bay than beach in terms of the surf. |
Anonymous
Not true - my family has a 6BR home with an extra little 2BR separate cottage in the back. One block to beach. |
Anonymous
Agree - I've also been going to the Jersey Shore for 42 years and we stay far far away from Wildwood. It's the worst. Go up to OC for rides and boardwalk. |
Anonymous
Sure, but they are boring AF and don't have good restaurants. |
Anonymous
|
Cape May is wonderful. I didn’t see Historic Cold Spring Village recommended, but it’s a great stop for a non-beach day. Like a Williamsburg-lite.
So much back and forth on Wildwood- here’s my assessment from years of visiting the south Jersey beaches so you can make your own choice: Yes, the Wildwood Boardwalk is less family friendly than OC, both in terms of scale, the vendors there, and the potential presence of alcohol. OC is a dry town and tends to charge more for rentals and hotels. As such, it gets a different, more well-heeled family crowd. It also has a great “Main Street” that Wildwood really does not anymore. But there are still plenty of families that visit Wildwood. The houses are cheaper than other towns but are by no means cheap. The last few years have had less of the Eastern European party crowd brought there to work. IMO, very few places in south Jersey are truly affordable to the “working class” anymore. Wildwood has so many t-shirt shops with ridiculous wares proudly displayed - you may grimace but there’s nothing truly harmful for the teenage crowd. You may smell pot smoke there or see groups of teens or college kids having fun or riding the rides on the three Morey’s piers. As a kid I loved spending hours there. As an adult I still find the whole vibe delightfully tacky. I found OC MD to be more cringe as the kids say. Crime is not really a concern like it is in AC. If you’re really squeamish about seeing anything run down, park in the Crest or in North Wildwood and start your walk from there. More DooWop hotels down the Crest way- they are a sight to behold at night! You didn’t say when you were going, but the people watching does depends on the time of year. Late June are cheaper weeks so tend to have the senior weeks and more “interesting” crowds. I barely recognized the place when visiting in the peak August weeks. |
Anonymous
This would be exactly my list of recommendations, too. We love Cape May. And to chime in again on the Wildwood vs OC debate, Wildwood is FINE and lots of fun! We go with everyone from toddlers to grandparents and there's nothing unsafe or even really unsavory along the boardwalk aside from a few tacky t-shirts. I truly don't understand the shade people are giving to Wildwood/Morey's Piers. But I wouldn't spend the night if you have lodging in Cape May, it's a really easy excursion. |
Anonymous
Such prudes. I’m sure glad I didn’t have parents like you - and that my kids don’t either. |
Anonymous
Finally another voice of reason. Advising OP to drive 25 miles in summer traffic to go to Ocean City when Wildwood is the next town over and probably has the best boardwalk in the entire state is just plain nuts. |
Anonymous
Prude? Hardly. We didn’t even consider wildwood for our senior beach trip. It’s just gross. |
Anonymous
LOL, no. |
Anonymous
There is plenty to do in Cape May. You don’t *have* to go to either. |