Wildwood Crest, NJ / Cape May, NJ Review: By Ryan Robinson
From the week of 8/22/09 to 8/29/09, our family went on our annual trip to Wildwood Crest, NJ. We have been coming to this barrier island for many years and it seems only gets better every time we come. Even though we know some good spots to go to, we always seem to run into an encounter, a problem, or something new every time we go. This trip was no different. We experienced a few different restaurants, tried a few different stores, and did some different activities. For most of our trip, you can listen to the audio taken by myself on my mp3 player. The audio is not fantastic (sorry) because my video camera had broke. They are all labeled by the days of our trip except for a few. Some of them are information bits about what you can do in Wildwood and Cape May and the different activities, bargains, stores, food, etc to go and do. Also, with your request, surveying my family and looking at popular local magazines, I have compiled a list of some of “The Best” things to do in each category. (If you see a star, you can see more pictures and info at http://theoaklandjournal.webs.com/ )
THE BEST…
Mini Golf -> Seaport Golf (Morey’s Piers on Wildwood Boardwalk)
Ice Cream -> Duffer’s (Wildwood)*
Beach -> Diamond Beach (Part of Lower Township but is on the “Wildwood” barrier island near the small bridge to Cape May)
Feeling of Home -> Shoprite of Rio Grande
Shopping Area -> Washington Street (Cape May)*
View -> Sunset Beach (Cape May)
Boat Ride -> Silver Bullet (Wildwood)
Pizza -> Five Mile Pizza (Wildwood Crest)
Burger -> Sunset Beach Grill (Cape May)
Place on Boardwalk -> Lime Ricky World (Wildwood)
Amusement on Boardwalk -> Morey’s Piers (Wildwood)
Bargain Store -> Authentic Sportswear (Cape May)
T-Shirt Store -> It’s a Breeze (Cape May)
Italian Restaurant -> Panico’s (Cape May)*
Tour -> Cape May Horse and Buggy Rides (Cape May)
Pet Sitter -> Coastal Pet Sitters (Cape May Court House)
Map -> The Best of Cape May (and Wildwood)*
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Duffer’s
If you have ever seen the show Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel, I am shocked he has never been to Duffer’s yet! A quaint building on 5210 Pacific Ave in Wildwood, NJ, Duffer’s has that nice and old feeling of an old time ice cream parlor as you can get in New Jersey. Famous for their homemade ice cream and LARGE portions, Duffer’s is the place to go for that ice cream fix. Prices here might seem normal for the North Jersey ice cream lover, but the portions are not. Ice Cream at Duffer’s is comparing a small fish to a great white shark for the same price. Duffer’s is a MUST for travelers in this area.
WEBSITE: http://www.dufferswildwood.com/
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Washington Street
Washington Street is very similar to Ridgewood if that gives you a visual. However, the entire “street” is closed and only walkers may stroll on this road. With mainly small business owners running their shops here, (no chains except for food like DQ and Ben and Jerry’s) bargains can be found but some stores can be a little pricey depending on where you go and how much you buy. Most stores are just one level shops but a couple have two floors. The walk is only about 2 blocks long, but is covered with plants, trees, fountains, and people. Parking can be limited so come early, but this is the shopping hot-spot in not only Cape May and Wildwood, but maybe Cape May County!
WEBSITE: http://www.washingtonstreetmall.com/
Panico’s
If you think you’ve been to a fabulous Italian Restaurant, you will change your mind once you’ve gone to Panico’s in Cape May. While they have many specials and choices to choose from, you will come begging back to try all of them. When you bite into anything from Panico’s it tastes (and mainly is) homemade and fresh. Just for interest, I tried to small Marinara Pizza ($8). I think it was one of the best in my life! While the sauce or the cheese weren’t overpowering, the flavor was. Also, for my main meal, I had the Three Cheese Chicken. It is pretty much Chicken Parm, but it tastes much better. The fresh sauce and the crunchiness of the chicken was delightfully delicious. After coming here for the first time last year, my mom tried making it taste like it did at the restaurant. While the chicken did taste great at home, it just can’t get any more crunchy and fresh than at Panico’s. Pictured is our waitress, Arlene, holding some of Panico’s desserts.
Please visit http://theoaklandjournal.webs.com/ to hear Ryan’s audio reviews and see some great pictures of Wildwood Crest.
Original posting below:
Going to Wildwood Crest, NJ by Ryan Robinson
As I did last year, I will be taking a trip to Wildwood Crest, NJ. As our family likes to try new and interesting places, we would like to hear your suggestions. My vacation will be posted here on TOJ and I will give reviews of local attractions and activities. I’d like to know places to go regarding:
-Food (Restaurants)
-Activities
-Things to do with dog
-Shopping
-“Secret Spots”
Please share your ideas in the comment box below.
What’s the best mini golf place?
I’m going to Wildwood this weekend! Oh, and the best place to go mini golfing is on the boardwalk (between Morey’s Piers and Mariners Landing). It’s a place where the coarse glows-in-the-dark!
Try Joy Buffet on route 9 in Rio Grande (Chinese). Also, you could rent bikes in Wildwood or Cape May. Take the dog to Cape May County Park and also see the free zoo. (exit 10,11 off the parkway) The shopping is best in Cape May. In Cape May, near Sunset Beach, there’s a WWII Tower that’s a museum and lighthouse. My favorite restaraunt is the Hot Spot by Mariner’s Landing. There, you can eat pizza outside on a deck overlooking the ocean.
Thank you all for your nice comments and suggestions!
We’ll see what we can do.
I was originally planning to do a vlog (video log) but it just so happens my camera is not working! So liking radio as I do, I will make all audio recordings of every day at Wildwood Crest/ Cape May.
Can you send pictures with the audio?