The Jersey Shore Blog

City council has recently approved an Octoberfest and a wine tasting weekend in Sea Isle City to help boost off season tourism. The Octoberfest will be family orienated and offered a weekend in October, (to be announced). The wine tasting weekend will be offered in the spring. Good going to the new Sea Isle City council and the realization that the town needs to offer more to keep tourist coming back in the fall and spring.

Any one who has visited Ocean City is well aware of the boardwalk that seems to go on forever. But for those who are fit and want a healthy walk while looking at the scenic ocean views can take a fast paced, or peaceful stroll along the Ocean City Boardwalk. Walking in both directions from one end to the other, you will cover five miles while experiencing views from the boardwalk, ocean, and the multi-million dollar homes along the “Gold Coast”. So get up, get out and experience the five mile walk at the Ocean City Boardwalk.

For those who want to come to Sea Isle City, but can’t afford to take off a whole week, the Colonnade Inn is a great way to get a short vacation in. Located at 4600 Landis Ave., The Colonnade Inn, which use to be a B&B offers accomodations from studio’s that have jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces, to three bedroom condo’s. Each of the nineteen units are beautifully decorated and offer free beach tags, continental breakfast, and a wrap around porch with ocean views. The Colonnade Inn can accomodate one night to multiple night stays for a very reasonable price. Located at 4600 Landis Ave. in Sea Isle City, the Colonnade Inn is the place to stay while visiting the Jersey Shore.

For those of you who love Mikes Seafood, you have a new establishment to venture to. Behind Mikes on the water is the new Mike’s Crab Shack. Here you can get about 60% of the traditional Mike’s items along with a new variety of sandwiches and entrees. Eating is along the outside of the deck and the same as Mike’s, you can BYOB. Try one of the new wraps or the Black Angus Burgers with crab meat on top.
Mike’s Crab Shack is open daily.

Any vacationer in the Cape May County area who wants to be treated to a fireworks display on the 4th of July can head towards Sea Isle City or Avalon. These two cities offer a magnificient display of fireworks for everyone to enjoy. Bring your beach chairs and get the perfect seat with sand between your toes.

To all you Parrotheads that are fully aware, New Jersey is entitled to a treat this year. Jimmy Buffet is not only performing on Tuesday June 26th at the Camden Tweeter Center, he will also be performing for the first time in Atlantic City at the Boardwalk Hall on June 30th. What a great venue the Boardwalk Hall will be!!! Fans will be able to pick from a variety of parties going on at the beach bars, casino’s, and local bars within walking distance of the Hall. We can only hope that this becomes an annual event.

The owners of Atlantic City’s Steel Pier recently allowed all students with a perfect attendance record a free day of rides and fun. The owners also host a Holt day, which allows all adopted children and their families that were brought together through Holt International a free day. The owners have been extremely kind to thousands of individuals over the years and they need to be commended for their generosity. This is supposed to be the last season for the Steel Pier. The owners and pier will be missed.

One of Atlantic City’s newest shopping Mecca’s is the “Walk”, which is a large Outlet area only two blocks from the Boardwalk. It opened in 2004 and has grown every since. The Walk has hurt businesses on the boardwalk that are reporting drops in sales of 25 to 50 percent. Owners on the Boardwalk are not pleased with this.

The outlets sell Designer Brand Clothes at a discount, where most of the shops on the Atlantic City Boardwalk sell junk. There is no comparison. Instead of the Owners of the shops on the Boardwalk blaming the “Walk” for their lack of business, they need to realize that shoppers with money are changing from buying small, useless souvenirs in the ugly shops lining the Boardwalk, to wanting more shopping that appeals to their senses.

The Boardwalk owners need to wake up and realize that change is necessary. The location on the Boardwalk attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. If they offer something the consumer wants, the business will come back.