From: byrd@mscf.med.upenn.edu
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: AtlanticCity - WildWood  request
Date: 14 Aug 92 18:51:14 GMT
Organization: Univ of Penn - Med School Computer Facility

In article <86135@netnews.upenn.edu>, tony@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu (Anthony Olejnik) writes:
> Finally, something I can talk about (thanks for asking) :)

I feel the same way! I know Philadelphians read this board 
because I've gotten e-mail from them wrt it but they rarely post.
I'm about the only one who ever says anything here or in
rec.food.restaurants.

> Since I've lived in Philadelphia most of my life (I now live
> in NJ - ~10 minutes from Philly), I've visted the "shore" many
> times (I even spent the summer of '79 in Wildwood).

:-) I can't tell from this but it sounds like you're
not old enough to remember the last great days of the Steele
Pier in AC. Now that's going back a few years. About 
25-30...
 
> Atlantic City (AC) is only good for the Casinos (gambling, shows, etc.).
> Other than than (IMHO), you can forget it. 

Absolutely agree. It does sadden me, though. It could look like
Cannes or Monaco. The location is ideal. But...

> The actual city is not safe
> (only the boardwalk block - where the casinos are - is 'safe').

The southern end of town is fine. The part heading into Ventnor
and Margate is okay in my book.

>  There's
> a boardwalk, but I find it uninteresting.

That's part of the problem. This could be a fabulous
place but unfortunately there are just too many tacky
stores. Very sad...

>  The beach is OK (no beach fee
> and mucho sand).

That's one thing in it's favor.
 
> South of AC is Ventor City and Margate (good summer resort for college 
> students to stay at).  The bars and the beach are the things to do there.
>
> South of Ventor and Margate is Ocean City (which is the best IMHO). 

I do agree but OC is "dry". No alcohol. I don't care that much
about it. But some folks might.

> In
> fact, I'm taking off tomorrow for a long weekend at a B&B with my wife.
> We love it there.  Its a dry town, however and no places to see bands.

Yes. As I said.

> The beaches are currently being replenished (they're pumping previously
> washed away sand from the ocean back onto the beach).  There a boardwalk
> with some amusements for the kids.  There's a *GREAT* carmel popcorn store
> (Johnson's) at a couple of places on the boardwalk.  Also, a fee is charged
> to use the beach.
>
> South of Ocean City are Sea Isle city and Avalon.  These are also good places.

I agree.
 
> There are 3 parts to Wildwood (North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest).
> The center one (Wildwood) has the best beaches, boardwalk, amusmements (for
> both adults and kids), bars, places to eat, noise, etc. of them all.  North
> Wildwood and the crest are more quite with most of the permanent residents
> living there.

About what I would say about it too.
 
> And finally, at the tip is Cape May (perhaps the best of them all).

More and more people are finding that out. It's about time.

 
> So, inconclusion I'd say:
> 
> 	Visit AC only for the casinos (shows, food, gambling).  Visit
>         Wildwood for the beaches, boardwalks, and bars.  Visit Cape 
> 	May for the shops and beautiful victorian houses.  Visit Ocean
> 	city for the beach, boardwalk, bike riding (on the boardwalk before
> 	11am - you can also do this in Wildwood as well), and the relaxed
> 	atmosphere (AC and Wildwood are too intense for my old age).
> 
> Hope this helps.

It definitely will help. Being a native to the area, too, what you've said
is very accurate.


	Karen Byrd, VAX Sys. Manager
	University of Pennsylvania
	Medical School Computer Facility
	Philadelphia, PA 19104 (USA)
	Internet: byrd@mscf.med.upenn.edu
Newsgroups: rec.travel