Depending on where you live in Connecticut, the Jersey Shore isn’t a bad ride. It’s only a few hours by car and, despite the notoriety of the TV show that shared its name, it’s unlikely that you’ll run into Snooki or Pauly D when you get there.
Instead you’ll find miles of pristine beaches, picturesque boardwalks and a night life filled with high-stakes casinos, music and entertainment.
Regardless of whether you plan to spend a long weekend or your summer vacation there, with so much to see and do it’s unlikely you’ll have enough time to fit it all in. With that in mind, here’s the skinny on two don’t-miss stops along the way.
On the very tip of the Cape May Peninsula, where the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay meet, you’ll find Cape May.
Considered to be the oldest seaside resort in the U.S. and chock full of charm, the entire city is designated a National Historic Landmark due to its large concentration of Victorian buildings.
Colorful and prolific, they are an integral part of Cape May’s appeal, drawing scores of visitors each year who come to admire both their architecture and design.
“We have 600 restored Victorian structures; bed and breakfasts, private homes, restaurants and businesses,” said Diane Wieland, Cape May County director of tourism. “They aren’t recreated, they are restored.”
Visitors have the option of doing self-guided or formal tours, or they can commission one of the many horse-drawn carriage operators to take them past some of the historic structures along pretty, tree-lined streets. There are also trolley tours of the city’s historic district, as well as other specialty tours that include stops at Cape May’s many other attractions.
Among them is Congress Hall. Established in the early 1800s as one of the first hotels in town, it was rebuilt after a massive fire leveled the resort, along with much of Cape May, in 1878.
Now, more than a century later, it still receives guests and is just one of the many places in town where you’ll find yourself feeling a bit out of place for not having worn your petticoats. History buffs will want to wander down the lobby hallway to have a look at the various antiques, photos and newspaper clippings related to the hotel’s intriguing past.
Even if you don’t plan on staying the night, stop into the hotel’s friendly pub, The Blue Pig Tavern, for a drink or meal. Comfortable and inviting, the tavern dining room is distinguished by a large, working fireplace that takes the chill from the air on cool days.
On the warm ones, guests spill out onto an outdoor patio with white lights strung overhead for atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stretch out your legs and enjoy the summer breeze while leisurely sipping a beer or glass of wine.
Close by is the Washington Street Mall, a three-block outdoor walking mall lined with dozens of quaint shops and restaurants that offer everything from specialty popcorn to fine art. Shoppers seeking unique souvenirs or just about anything else will be hard pressed to come away empty-handed.
It’s the beach, however, that lures most folks. At nearly two miles long, Cape May’s promenade serves as a paved invitation to walkers, runners and everyone in between to the city’s lovely shoreline.
Bright umbrellas fill the sand on hot days as locals and tourists while away the hours on the seemingly endless stretches of blue water. On Tuesday nights in July and August, free movies are shown on the beach, and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair.
Photo Courtesy of CapeMay.Com
“It brings people together,” said Wieland. “It’s a family-friendly atmosphere. You just grab a piece of beach and sit down and watch a movie.”
For those seeking entertainment with a higher dose of octane, Atlantic City beckons from less than an hour away to the north.
Known at one time as the “world’s favorite playground,” Atlantic City has seen its share of ups and downs in the years since its heyday in the ’30s and ’40s. But make no mistake — it remains an alluring destination.
“Atlantic City has the most diverse attractions of any Jersey Shore city,” said Elaine Zamansky, media relations manager at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Atlantic City Tourism District. “So there’s something everyone can enjoy.”
Perched along a nearly 4-mile boardwalk from one end to the other, the city offers visitors free access to the beaches along with numerous restaurants and shops. Several big-name concerts are held on the beach each summer bringing in thousands of fans to see their favorite performers under the stars.
Though it suffered some damage from storm Sandy in 2012, Steel Pier, the boardwalk’s historic amusement park, has long since been fully restored. Jutting 1,000 feet out into the ocean, kids and adults will find a host of both fun and thrilling rides, as well as midway attractions to enjoy during the warm months.
To get a sense of the city in its younger years, visit the Knife & Fork Inn, a steak and seafood eatery that’s a throwback to Atlantic City’s prohibition days. Established in 1912 as an exclusive men’s drinking and dining club, it stands out from the modern buildings surrounding it like someone’s grandpa at a fraternity party, but in a good way.
With mahogany millwork, heavy red drapes and stained glass windows, you half expect to see fellas wearing pinstripe suits and plotting heists in smoky back rooms, which, in fact, isn’t too far from the truth.
Fans of the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire” will appreciate that real life political boss, Enoch “Nucky” Johnson (played by actor Steve Buscemi), was a frequent diner there during the 1920s, along with other notable guests like Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra.
If you’re lucky enough to be seated upstairs, make sure to check out the old call buttons still visible on some of the walls; they originally were used by patrons to summon the wait staff. During Prohibition, however, they found new life as clandestine signals to request delivery of the illicit alcohol that flowed freely in the club.
It goes without saying, however, that AC’s biggest attraction is its dynamic array of entertainment options.
“Atlantic City has the most expansive nightlife scene at the Jersey Shore,” said Zamansky, “with everything from fun bars with good music to comfortable lounges with top music groups and reviews, plus and incredible selection of nightclubs.”
And, of course, the casinos, for which the city is so well-known.
Rising from the evening skyline like neon zeniths, each has its own distinct personality. From the Roman opulence of Caesars Atlantic City to the sleek, polished feel of the Borgata, you’ll find any number of places in which to lose your inhibitions and win some extra Benjamins for your wallet, or at least attempt to do so.
“Atlantic City has the most expansive nightlife scene at the Jersey Shore,” said Zamansky, “with everything from fun bars with good music to comfortable lounges with top music groups and reviews, plus and incredible selection of nightclubs.”
And, of course, the casinos, for which the city is so well-known.
Rising from the evening skyline like neon zeniths, each has its own distinct personality. From the Roman opulence of Caesars Atlantic City to the sleek, polished feel of the Borgata, you’ll find any number of places in which to lose your inhibitions and win some extra Benjamins for your wallet, or at least attempt to do so.
All offer premium entertainment acts, hotels and a vast assortment of restaurants along with the opportunity to be a little — or a lot — decadent, depending on your preference.
“Dusk at Caesars will keep you out late at night,” said Zamansky. “Haven at Golden Nugget became an instant hit when it opened just a few years ago. Boogie Nights at Tropicana appeals to everyone.
“I’ve seen people in their 20s and their 80s in the crowd, and everything in between, getting a dose of disco, celebrity impersonators and more. There’s a theme, music style and atmosphere for everyone.”
Sarah Lemire 