USVI-On-Line

We are taking a spur of the moment trip this weekend to Ocean City NJ.

Any NJ-ers out there have suggestions about what to do during the day? We will definitely try to hit the beach but the weather may not cooperate.

Any restaurant suggestions? We love seafood. We will have our son with us so anything super-fancy won't work but he is certainly able to sit thru a meal and we look forward to good food and a glass of wine.

The Crab Trap in Somers Point (just over the bridge and at the circle) is a pretty good restaurant and serves liquor. Crab cakes had too much filling though. In the summer there's always a long wait.

As you may know, Ocean City is a dry town so you have to go over either bridge to get liquor.

I'm not sure how many things are still open on the boardwalk (e.g. mini golf, rides, etc.). Recommend Johnsons Popcorn and Mack & Manco's for pizza.

Have fun.

My quick Shoobie Guide.....

Carmen's Seafood in Sea Isle. Casual and good.

Voltaco's for Hoagies (or sack o' subs)

Laura Marie III for fishing charters

Bike rentals at 34th street saturday or sunday morning.

Boardwalk

I lived in Ocean City for 10 years and I can tell you there's not a lot of fine dining around there. Well there wasn't when I left.

There's a good family place in Northfield on Shore Rd. called Ventura's Off Shore Cafe. If you come over the 9th st bridge, Shore Rd is that 2nd right off the circle. There's a chinese rest. there on the left when you veer off. Ventura's is about 2 miles down that road on your left side. http://www.venturascafe.com/menu.html

I haven't been but there's a place in Avalon that has been recommended to be a lot. Not sure if it is family oriented http://ardore.com/externalmenus/cafelor ... r_menu.asp

I forget how old your son is but the Cape May Zoo is always a pleasure. It's a small zoo but fun for the young ones.

And of course if you want to head all the way to Cape May there's lots of shops and what not and perhaps a carriage ride.

Enjoy!

PS-if you are looking for some good sandwiches and cheeses and stuff try the Cheese Board in Linwood on Rt. 9 and there used to be a place called Chester's Bakery that made donuts to DIE for and I am not a big donut fan. It's also on Rt. 9 but in Somers Point. Both of these places are north of OC. Back when I was supervising about 20 people at my office in Linwood I used to bring donuts as a MAJOR treat. They were about $13 bucks a dozen back then but SO worth it. And they also made great glazed donut holes and mini cheese danish and mini sticky buns. Ok, now I want to head down there some!
Chester's was a little hole in the wall on the right side of Rt 9 north if you were coming from Ocean City.

Just what I was looking for, keep 'em coming!

I remember the dry-ness of OC from a college trip and the owner of the house reminded us to stock up on wine prior to getting to town.

MB - our son is 2 years old. We will definately hit the zoo, he loves that type of thing. If we go early, he is able to sit at the table and quietly entertain himself with his books so it is our plan to eat dinner out each night at local places.

The menu of the place in Avalon looks great but it closed for the season in September.

PA Girl wrote:Just what I was looking for, keep 'em coming!

I remember the dry-ness of OC from a college trip and the owner of the house reminded us to stock up on wine prior to getting to town.

MB - our son is 2 years old. We will definately hit the zoo, he loves that type of thing. If we go early, he is able to sit at the table and quietly entertain himself with his books so it is our plan to eat dinner out each night at local places.

The menu of the place in Avalon looks great but it closed for the season in September.

Oops! didn't know that. Try ventura's - it's a good place. We also used to go to Charlie's Bar for great wings. I think now that it's non smoking it would be ok for you.

here's a link to a chowhound discussion about areas surrounding OC - http://www.chowhound.com/topics/420903

lots of good stuff - we now have things to discuss on the turnpike, you know, the important stuff like where and what to eat!

Leaving tomorrow morning and we are looking forward to a beach break.

.... strolling around Cape May is nice, plus a visit down to the Cape May Lighthouse.

where are you staying?

Varsity Inn is a good place for breakfast and I think they just renovated. Did they have a fire there? I forget now! Anyway, it's on 8th between Ocean and something - Wesley?

There's also a few places in Somers Point on Bay Ave. Smitty's clam shack and the Anchorage come to mind.

I haven't been there in some time so I'm only going by memory!

You are making me long for my days there. I loved it off season, in season not so much

We are staying at a residence/condo on 56th (I think) that is owned by a businss associate of hubs'.

Usually I do all the planning so this "here are the keys, have a great time" trip is a bit of an adventure for me!

I suspect we will ramble down the coast to check out the area, we are curious like that.

56th is way down there. I love that end. very quiet especially now.
there's a road that goes out of OC and goes almost all the way down to Cape May that you can take through all the little towns and it goes over bridges and what not. very pretty. can't recall the name now - Ocean Drive? All I recall is you follow the signs with the seagulls on them.

Have fun!

Yes, it's the Ocean Drive. Just follow the gulls. You'll hit Strathmere first - the Deauville is a great place to go for a drink. Then, you'll get to Sea Isle (I have a house on 39th St. but I'm not down this weekend). They are having an Octoberfest this weekend with tons of events for the kids. It's right on the main drag - JFK and Landis - you won't miss it. They have a Beer Garden too at the Church! Should be a great weekend weather wise so a walk on the beach will be fun. All the above restaurant suggestions are great.

Enjoy! I always remember that it's the same Atlantic Ocean that you see in St. John (I know not nearly as beautiful but I have an active imagination).

nb

I live in OC year round and this is a great weekend for families. Weather might be cloudy but they are predicting temps in the 70's. Today, Wed is sunny and close to 80
The merchants on the boardwalk are providing hayrides on the boardwalk from 12-4. Two local papers will have the specifics of where they start. Lots of sales on the boardwalk on all merchandise.
Voltaco's is now closed for season but plenty of take out restaurants to try. All of the other suggestions for Somers Pt and AC are perfect.The Anchorage is also a favorite in SP on Bay ave.
It is also the antique show in AC but I am sure your toddler is not that interested in that.
You will love OC this weekend, no crowds and the perfect weather. Enjoy

OClocal wrote:I live in OC year round and this is a great weekend for families. Weather might be cloudy but they are predicting temps in the 70's. Today, Wed is sunny and close to 80
The merchants on the boardwalk are providing hayrides on the boardwalk from 12-4. Two local papers will have the specifics of where they start. Lots of sales on the boardwalk on all merchandise.
Voltaco's is now closed for season but plenty of take out restaurants to try. All of the other suggestions for Somers Pt and AC are perfect.The Anchorage is also a favorite in SP on Bay ave.
It is also the antique show in AC but I am sure your toddler is not that interested in that.
You will love OC this weekend, no crowds and the perfect weather. Enjoy

Does Chester's still exist?
Also, Voltacos is familiar but I can't place it. Where is this?