If you are in need of the perfect family-friendly vacation spot, check out the communities of Wildwood and Cape May, NJ.

 

Wildwood, a small island town, is connected to the historic town of Cape May by a bridge. These small scenic towns are a hidden vacation spot on the East Coast. Historic colonial bed and breakfasts are excellent home bases, and the outdoor Cape May, Washington Street Mall, is the perfect place for all the merch and goodies your heart desires, as well as family fun on a cloudy day. 

 

 

My favorite part after vacationing here for 18 years is still the same: walking down the mall, hearing seagulls chirping and the clicking of horses' feet as they draw carriages down the main streets. 

 

 

Wildwood is a great spot for families looking for a budget-friendly trip with lots of activities. 

 

 

In Wildwood, you will find a boardwalk, which has a ton of rides for people of all ages, including rock and roll, wave swings, and tea cups. If you're not a fan of rides, there are shops and carnival games, as well. Tramcars go along the entire boardwalk, perfect for those who can’t walk long distances. My favorite ride is the ferris wheel. When you reach the top, it overlooks the ocean and boardwalk, towering above the rest of the rides. It is the best spot here…I’m a big fan of amazing views. 

 

 

There are also free beaches with lifeguards. They are perfect sandy soft places to sunbathe or take a dip in the water. There is often zumba on the beach, if that's your vibe. Cops patrol the beach, to make sure if there's an incident they can respond quickly, especially in cases of medical emergencies.  

 

There’s a bay in Wildwood, perfect for jet skiing, fishing, and the perfect spot to take photos of the sunset. 

 

If you're with an entire family or in large groups, I highly recommend parasailing or whale watching at least once. If you are known for getting seasick, you might want to try mini golf instead.

 

If you are looking for a great ice cream spot, check out Duffer’s Ice Cream, known for their homemade ice cream sundaes. A pile of ice cream topped with a mountain of whipped cream…it doesn’t get much better than that. But if you aren’t into sweets, Duffer’s also has an arcade and mini golf space for some intense matches between family members. 

 

 

The perfect day trip from Wildwood for all your shopping needs is Cape May. For those who want a fancier vacation, the coastal town is known for its wealth and expensive restaurants. Their beaches aren’t free; in order to be on them during peak season, you must have a beach tag. 

 

In Cape May, you will find the historic Washington Square Mall, which holds a ship's bell from the S.S. Cape May, a passenger ship that helped European war zones during World War II. For many revisiting families, this has become not only a part of national history but their own; taking photos with the bell becoming a tradition of sorts. Located in the same outdoor mall is the best salt water taffy store in town: Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy. Their iconic vintage boxes and the vintage-looking store create a fun atmosphere for people of all ages. 

 

 

While you're in Cape May, you should also check out the Harriet Tubman Museum. Although it’s a small museum, it immerses you into a history you might have never heard about before. This informative place helps bring history back to life and make you realize history is in every step you take today. Many visitors don’t know this, but Harriet Tubman used to live in Cape May, and worked there to fund money to help with the underground railroad. This museum was renovated from a Baptist church, on a street known for many anti-slavery activists who lived on at one point, including Stephen Smith. The museum covers local abolition history with a wide variety of reading, maps, and pictures. I highly recommend booking a guided tour; otherwise it can be confusing. 

 

 

Along the same lines, the Cape May Lighthouse is the best historic interactive experience. The visitor’s center is entirely accessible. If you are able, head up 200 stairs from the base to the top…the view is worth the climb. You can see everything from the bay to the ocean. It’s a great spot for photography lovers. 

 

 

Lastly, a fun way to explore if it’s a cloudy day is the Cape May County Park and Zoo. There is free admission for everyone, but they do accept donations. It’s a large facility and you can see social-media-famous capybara and Galapagos tortoises. There are also paid private tours of animal encounters, which is definitely worth it if you love giraffes. 

 

 

If you're willing to spend it, the steakhouse, Primal by Mia, is the perfect place to go. They have an ocean view and the food is outstanding. 

 

 

If you head to the Cape May MAC website, you will find more information on different themed trolley tours, whale watching, and walking tours. This is a great resource for those looking to do activities other than going to the beach. 

 

Overall, these hidden paradises are totally worth checking out, because there's something for everyone.

 

The sunshine, beaches, and atmosphere create the best vacation experience anyone could ask for.