Jersey Shore/South Jersey/Reheboth Beach Attractions? About This Page:

[Chrissi]

We're thinking about taking another trip down to Wildwood next June and extending it to a week this time. My DS and DH really enjoyed the last-minute trip I threw together last year, but DH would like a slightly more relaxed trip this year. So, a week makes more sense than cramming all we want to do into 3 days.

Our plans currently include another visit to the Cape May County Park and Zoo, a day trip to Camden to visit the Adventure Aquarium, movies on the beach, a visit to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, possibly Cold Spring Village, and some time in Cape May to shop, poke around, and see that lighthouse.

Cold Spring Village is kind of a fall-back plan if I'm desperate to keep DJ busy while DH takes an afternoon nap. We've been to the Adventure Aquarium, but I was pregnant at the time, so DJ wasn't yet on the outside. I don't now how much it's changed in 6 years, and though it was fun, I'm not sure if it's worth using the best part of an entire day to make the day trip there. Cape May Lighthouse and shopping is another fall-back plan to kill an afternoon.

I don't like being idle on vacation. I want to go and see and do things. Walt would sleep around the clock if I let him.

So, is there anything else in the area that we should make some extra time for? We've been kicking around the idea of taking the ferry over to Delaware to spend a night or two in Rehoboth Beach, but I might die of boredom after a day there. Walt says it sounds like heaven to him. Dork.

I looked at the Rehoboth Beach website and found one tiny amusement pier or park or something on the boardwalk and a small, overpriced waterpark in town. Please tell me there are other things to do in Rehoboth? Besides food. Walt will have to roll me home if what I've heard about their boardwalk is all true. Joan's report of the food has me scared.

[Minniemouse27]

Chrissi, the Aquarium did a huge expansion a few years ago and has almost doubled in size. They have hippos now as well as a very cool shark tank that you can walk through!

We live just north of Philly and have made the trip down to the aquarium as well as past that down to the shore and just want to make sure you know that it would be a bit of a hike from Wildwood to the aquarium. Basically you are driving all the way back to Philly.

We are going to be in Cape May over Memorial Day weekend this year for a wedding (dh is in the wedding party) so I'm looking at stuff around Cape May too. The zoo is at the top of my list!

[Happymommy]

Why would you be bored in Rehoboth? I haven't seen Joan's report of the food, but your husband's right--- Rehoboth is a little slice of heaven. Delaware beaches are so beautiful and relaxing. That being said I don't go to Rehoboth for the rides or the waterpark--- I'll do the rides at Hershey and Disney-- I don't really go to the beach for the rides-- the ocean is fun enough!!!--- the kids actually like the rides at Rehoboth-- but there aren't that many (we've pretty much outgrown the rides at Rehoboth--- most of them are just going around in a circle-- then there's about 3 for older kids). I haven't been to that waterpark since I was 12 (Jungle Jim's)--- but I promised Aidan we'd go next summer--- we were thinking about getting a season's pass there. I don't think it's that small-- it used to be, but it looks pretty big now. Although I have to admit, I really don't like Wildwood--If you like wildwood you might not like Rehoboth--- I think it's more in comparison with the Outer Banks--- quiet, relaxing, great food, great shopping, great fishing (my kids love fishing, crabbing and clamming). Riding our bikes down the boardwalk, fishing, crabbing, just hitting the beach, shopping at the outlets, and the pretty streets off of the boarwalk and Dewey (I'm not a boardwalk person at night-- I prefer the streets off of the boardwalk), playing mini golf, and hitting some great restaurants, my faves being Big Fish Grill, Dogfish Head Brewery and Crabbers' Cove-- plus Grotto's and gus and gus, and some ice cream at Royal Treat---. Plus there's Lewes to see-- a lovely town. My kids just took a tour of some WWII towers on the beach at Cape Henlopen -- they climbed up them with my dad-- and I think there's also a lighthouse at Cape Henlopen to see. My dad and I have rented water sport types of things-- sunfish sailing and that type of thing. Before my dad had his own boat, we would rent boats to go fishing on Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Bay. If you don't think you're going to like that, you might not like Rehoboth-- I think it's a totally different atmosphere from Wildwood, if you really want rides, I wouldn't go there, I'd stick with Wildwood or maybe try Ocean City Maryland. There's also a craft place in town we hit--- and the kids paint a piece of pottery and they fire glaze it or whatever--- it's a nice momento of our vacation. We just went to Rehoboth to see the Christmas Decorations and the Tree Lighting (and do our christmas shopping at the outlets)-- it's so beautiful there, we also always hit the Sea Witch festival at Halloween, and the fireworks on the 4th of July.

I was also going to say--- Camden Aquarium is a hike from Jersey Shore. Maybe if you're going to hit it on the way down there--- but if you're gonna go to the Aquarium, you're going all the way back to Philly---I'd hit it on the way down, or on the way home---- it's just over the bridge from Philly (we take the ferry from Penn's Landing in Philadelphia to get there -- 15 minute ride)

[Chrissi]

I'm thinking Rehoboth isn't going to be my thing. I love the boardwalk, the rides, and the fact that there's always something to do when I get bored with the beach. And honestly, how much time can you spend on the beach with a fair-skinned little blondie boy like mine? Rehoboth sounds a lot like Wildwood Crest to me.

As to the aquarium - it's a 2 hour 15 minute drive to the aquarium for us. And only a 3 hour 30 minute drive to Wildwood. It makes more sense for us to take a day trip to the aquarium from Wildwood than to drive down for the day from home.

Not to mention - I can't handle that long, scary bridge between Philly and Camden. I get sick just looking at it. I can handle the short bridge cross farther north here, but that bridge makes me cringe every time I see it! <shudder>

I think we might concentrate our efforts on South Jersey/Camden and hold off on Rehoboth - unless Walt ABSOLUTELY has to go there. I think I can live without the beach time. I do NOT swim in the ocean. That's what hotel pools are for. I'll go in about up to my knees in the ocean, then I start thinking about sharks, jellyfish, and those nasty little sand crabs.

[Happymommy]

Yeah--- I don't know about it being like Wildwood Crest--- I don't remember all of the shopping there (both outlets and more boutique like shopping, but it's been a long long time for me)--- but it's definitely a beach atmosphere. You can go to Wildwood and have a good time even if you don't like the beach---- If you go to Delaware Beaches--- you have to like the beaches. We love those sandcrabs--- we go searching for them--- Aidan names them. The boys and I use our boogie boards and surf the waves--- I found myself laying on a jellyfish and my entire body stung---but it won't keep me from the beach--- we're diehard beachgoers--- if you're not, I'm thinking you won't like Delaware. I think you made the right decision. Joe doesn't really love the beach, but the golfing is great around Rehoboth-- so he's happy

If you ever do decide to go to the aquarium from home, you can always park at Penn's Landing and take the Ferry to the aquarium---so you can bypass the bridge-- it's a lovely ride.

[disneyprincess]

Hey Chrissi! Can't help much with what you SHOULD make time for but I've been to the Aquarium gets very crowded fast! I would love to go but for all six of us it would be a small fortune! The last time we were there youngest DD wasn't born yet. I've only visited Rohobeth beach once and like it. Good luck in what ever you decide to do and have lots of fun on your vacation!!