Planning a short, South Jersey vacation (need your help!!) (Ocean City: where to stay, school)

[Northeastcouple]

My wife and I (with two small kids)are planning on taking a 4 to 5 day trip to the southern Jersey shore later this month. We are planing on visiting Ocean City NJ, as well as the Cape May area and are prob. looking to stay somewhere in between...What I would like to know is: Is this a good month to visit? I realize its a little early in the season and while Im trying to avoid the Memorial Weekend rush , I dont want to go down if everything is closed up or its too cold....Is there decent and affordable lodging in betwen those areas that anyone can recoomend? How about fun things for kids?
Everyones input is really appreciated!!! Thanks!

[frankgn87]

August (early) is the best time we have found. less chance of bad weather.. We stay in Wildwood. Kids like the kiddy (Gilliams) in Ocean city on the boardwalk.

[yankeemom]

It can be hit or miss what is open depending on the community. some businesses may only be open Thur-Sun until Memorial Day if they are open at all. It is still pretty cool and the water is too cold unless you are committed surfer/wet suit kind of family.
If you are not tied to the school year, the best time of year is the first few weeks of Sept. The water is still warm, the humidity of aug is going or gone, the crowds are gone and the businesses still open.

I don't know that you need anywhere to stay in between OC and Cape May. It's a very easy drive down the Parkway.
June is also much less crowded, businesses open, the air temp comfortable during the day, nice breezes at night, but the water is often too cold to swim for any period of time.

[hrjersey]

Yankeemom gave excellent advice. I live at the shore but north of where you are talking about. I remember about 6 or 7 years ago we had an extremely hot week at the end of April and we were actually able to swim in the Lagoons. Definitely an exception. For me the ocean isn't warm enough for swimming until July. However my daughter loves to play in the sand and we head to the beach on any decent weekend from now on. The weather can still be pretty cool though in April.

You can check the websites of Wildwood to see when the boardwalk rides will be open. Most will be open this weekend but I'm not sure if they remain open on weekends. The arcades are usually open year round. In Seaside even some of the outside gamers were open last weekend but they didn't have prices posted and they were ripping people off.

May and June are still slower months. June will give you more midweek options and better weather. In fact, my experience in my area is that Monday thru Friday even in July and August are never too crowded unless we have a heat wave.

[Northeastcouple]

I def. appreciate all of your posts, its been quite informative, in fact I think I am going to wait at least a month for the warmer weather and the seasonal stuff to fully open...

cant wait to visit Wildwood and the rest of the areas I mentioned..will def. keep everyone informed on my visit....THANKS AGAIN!!!!

[frankgn87]

want to visit Wildwood a good weekend, you may want to visit this weekend. We do every year and its some good eating and music. http://www.njbbq.com/

July 10-12

[yankeemom]

Also, don't forget rates are lower June and Sept as well.

[clevedark]

The days are longest in late June-early July. Somehow the days are so sparkling clear--the most beautiful days for beachgoing, IMHO.

[EEEPNJ]

Visit the Cape May County Zoo with the kids.... it's really a very nice zoo and my family loves going there. Cape May County - County Park & Zoo

Also Historic Cold Spring Village is neat Home

If you have extra time take the Lewes Ferry to Delaware - it's really fun too.