I always knew that we were getting close, when I caught my first scent of the ocean. That usually happened just as we drove onto the Great Egg Harbor Bridge, and it was my yearly invitation to the Jersey Shore.  That bridge was just the beginning of a drive that ended at a place I’ve always considered my second home: Stone Harbor, N.J. continue reading »

By Shannon McDonald

It was December 2005 when Wildwood’s Shore Plaza Motel at 26th Avenue and the Boardwalk was destroyed in a fire. Sam’s Pizza, a boardwallk landmark that operated on the bottom floor of the motel, rebuilt in time for Memorial Day 2006. But for more than three year, the motel has remained vacant. continue reading »

By Shannon McDonald

If the promise of the Boardwalk and the efficiency of the free beach weren’t enough to lure you to Wildwood this summer, the cty has just announced free trolley service.

As of Thursday, June 25, the trolleys will run every Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.  The offer is part of the business district’s partnership with Five Mile Beach Electric Railway, and will allow residents and vacationers to park in one place and travel the town.

Those near the borders of North Wildwood and Wildwood will Crest can make use of the free rides, too. The trollies have stops (labeled “Dolly Stops”) up and down Atlantic and Pacific avenues, with the route extending to the central Wildwood’s farthest reaches: 26th Avenue near the North end and Cresse Avenue near the Crest.

By Shannon McDonald

Ocean City won this year’s award for New Jersey’s best beach, the second win a row for Cape May County, as Wildwood won last year. Regular visitors and town officials say the shore town wins for its family-friendly atmosphere, eight-mile beach and entertaining boardwalk.

See the list of New Jersey’s top 10 beaches below, or read the whole story about Ocean City on Philly.com. continue reading »