# Sea Isle City

Sea isle is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey. Located at Exit 17 on the Garden State Parkway.

## Get in

To get to Sea Isle is very easy and probably most sensible to go by car. If you don't have access to a car there is public transportation available to get you there.
By car- Your best bet is to take the Atlantic City Expressway. When in route on the AC Expressway you want to get off at exit 7S on the Garden State Parkway and follow that to exit 17 which is Sea Isle City.
By Train/Bus- New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) offers transportation to and from Philadelphia direct or with a change in Atlantic City, starting at about $21 (Dec 2024). For more information regarding schedules visit .

## Get around

You are allowed to bike and roller skate on the Promenade from 5AM to 3PM on weekdays, and 5AM to Noon on weekends.
Or you can visit Surf Buggy Centers located on Pleasure Ave to rent a bike.
There are also rental agencies which sell motor scooters in order to get around the island. One such place is listed below under "rentals"
Public Transportation
Also the newly added trolley service runs from until 1PM on weekdays and until 3PM on weekends. This new service takes away from the limited amount of parking the island. The trolley runs up and down the main street of Sea Isle City which is Landis Ave. every 20 minutes. This will also decrease the amount of drinking and driving incidents with the trolley accommodating to all of the bars. The fair is only 2 dollars and you can catch the trolley by waving it down like a cab.
On Foot
The entire Island is about 5 miles long so walking the beaches is one way to get around. Also you can stroll the Promenade to observe the shops that Sea Isle has to offer.
The island is 5 miles long, but thin. It is entirely possible to park your car when you arrive, and not move it until you leave a week or a month later. Walking from place to place at any time of day is safe, as there are fewer people here than other beach towns and police regularly patrol the main and side streets.

## See

The Sea Isle City Historical Museum is a good place to visit to learn about the rich heritage of Sea Isle City and the families that have made it what it is. There is no admission to visit here.
Beachcombing These are guided tours along the beach which allow you to search the beach for sea shells and other pieces of wildlife. You also learn how to do your part in preserving the environment of the beach. These tours are only one dollar for adults. All tours last approximately one hour.

## Do

Kayak in the ocean or in the bay. You can bring your own kayak and go around your self in the bay, or join a tour. They are free. If you don't have your own kayak, you can rent one from one of many rental shops. Ocean kayaking is restricted to specific beaches.
Surf fishing can be enjoyed on specific beaches or from the piers. A fishing hot-spot at the tide change is under the bridge at Townsends Inlet at the south end of the island. You can also rent equipment to go crabbing. The people at the bait shops will be happy to inform you of what's biting where and the best bait to use.
Enjoy walks on Sea Isle's Beautiful Promenade. And is home to a lot of Sea Isle's local shops. Evenings in the summer are punctuated by music shows, movies, and dances that are fun and appropriate for the whole family, from babies to oldies.
* JFK Basketball Courts-If you need exercise during your lazy relaxing vacation, located at JFK boulevard is the main basketball courts on the island. There are several courts but these are the largest and most popular. There are one regulation length full length court and two smaller full length ones. After exhausting yourself, cool down with some water ice or ice cream right across the street at Rita's.
Dealy Field has much to offer any enthusiast of sports. There is a baseball and soccer field. There is a giant playground for kids. They also have tennis and basketball courts and a street hockey rink. Last but not least is the fully equipped skateboard park. At each field or court there are games or tournaments that are open to any and all participants. The Skateboard Park has about 5 competitions per year and is still growing.
Events- Year round Sea Isle has many events and festivals for locals and tourists to enjoy. In the fall Sea Isle had their first annual Harborfest which was a great success which included seafood vendors, a beer garden, a clam eating contest, craft vendors, and a petting zoo for kids. In the February Sea Isle has their annual Polar Bear Plunge. This event attracts around 10,000 people. The event tests the fortitude of people who voluntarily take a dip in the extremely cold temperatures of the ocean. Many dress in festive outfits or compete in the costume competition the city holds. Then they party it up at the local bars to try and warm up.

## Buy

Heritage Surf and Sport - Premier surfing, and clothing apparel. From clothing, shades, swimwear to custom surf and snow boards. Heritage has it all. There are 3 other Heritage Surf Shops located in neighboring shore towns of Ocean City and Margate. They also offer surf lessons by Professional surfers at discounted group rates.
The Promenade - Stores vary in range to suit any shopper. The Promenade is right by the beach and stretches from 57th street to 29th. There are specialty shops, clothing stor es, jewelry stores, candy shops, arcades, and many food outlets. There is most certainly something for everyone on the Promenade in Sea Isle.

## Eat

Sea Isle City has restaurants that satisfy any and every palette. Whether you are looking for something fast and cheap or a little more upscale you can find anything that you want here on the island. There are many restaurants that are full service and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Below is a sample of some of the restaurants Sea Isle has to offer.
Breakfast/Lunch
* Rick's Breakfast- Located at 63rd and Landis Ave. Rick's offers your basic breakfast favorites that are in a somewhat diner setting. Their lunch menu is extremely affordable with specials from burgers to pizza.
Sandwiches
* Mcgowans- offers a great selection of breakfast and or lunch sandwiches which are absolutely amazing. Their choices are seemingly endless but the only bad thing is that they usually close up shop once they sell out of rolls which can be as early as 3PM
* WaWa If you do not wish to pay a tip and eat out at a restaurant, WaWa is the place to go. They have a variety of drink choices, snacks, chips hot and cold hoagies as well as many other hot foods. They also have various tobacco products.
Dinner
* Mike's Seafood Restaurant and Take-Out. Mike's is a restaurant almost everyone knows. They are rich in the heritage of Sea Isle City being a staple of the town for almost 100 years. The seafood is always fresh, and the people there are always friendly. You can get a good meal at an affordable price at their dock restaurant or take-out market. They also offer a wide variety of non seafood options and have a great lunch menu. Beware the popularity of Mike's is overwhelming. Get there early because there are no reservations and the lines can stretch out into the street and around the buildings. But even if you are stuck in the lines the wait is worth it for the good food and because it is BYOB! They are located at 43rd and Park Rd. you can't miss them they have giant signs with neon lights.
* Andrea Trattoria II- The Andrea is a new restaurant in Sea Isle City only being in business for about 2 years. They specialize in Italian Cuisine, and so far have a very good reputation for the food they put out. For reservations call (609)263-5001. Their location is right next to Mike's on Park Rd.
* Basilico's- Basilico's also offers great Italian Cuisine and fantastic pizza. They also cater to any request a customer has to customize their own dish. They are located right on 43rd and Pleasure Ave.
* Sunset Pier- The name of this restaurant is exactly what you get. Sunset Pier is ideal for a good dinner with a great view of sunsets by the bay. The only downfall is the size of the restaurant because it is very small but very affordable.
* Uncle OogiesLocated less than two blocks from the beach at 6118 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ, Uncle Oogies offers various delicious sandwiches but is most well known for their pizza. By the slice or by the pie, Oogies pizza is absolutely satisfactory. right next door is an arcade which is a great place for parents to bring their kids any day of the week for some good family fun.
* Marita's Homemade Ice Cream, 5912 Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ. Marita's has a large selection of ice cream, water ices, and other frozen desserts. They are more expensive than off-shore ice cream, but Philly Magazine has voted them "Best of the Shore" for three straight years.

## Drink

Sea Isle is known for their fun and exciting night life. The bars offer live music and great drink specials every night of the week. They can cater to young and old bar goers alike,
* Diamond's Liquor Store- If you are planning to drink at a house rather than at a bar, Diamond's is available for beer, Gift Baskets, Imports, Kegs, Liquor,Wine. It is open all year and has been in business since 1934. Contact-4009 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ..(609) 263-8411
* Shenanigans/The Dead Dog Saloon. Shenanigans is open only 5 nights a week and is usually pretty desolate on the 3 of those nights. On Tuesday nights you can barely move around in their ever popular Reggae Night. They have Reggae bands playing every Tuesday with $2 beer specials to bring people pouring in for the bands and to dance. They usually close up in October and reopen in early May. The Dead Dog caters to an older crowd and has a casual dress code. The live music they have is usually acoustic guitar and they don't normally have any drink special. They do stay open during the winter on the weekends. They are located on 39th and Landis Ave.
* The Oar House Formally the Lobster House, is now owned by the owner of the old La Costa Food is so so, live bands in the summer. Is open year round. Located at JFK Blvd and Park Ave at Fish Alley.
* The Ocean Drive. This by far the most popular bar/nightclub on the island. They have the best live music and drink specials every night and a good dance floor. On Wednesday night they have the legendary Secret Service ( who were around in some of our parents era) and $1 bottles which is the best deal anywhere. The Secret Service also plays on Sundays for their Sunday Jam with 3 other live bands. This is always a good bar to have a good time any night of the week. They are located on 40th and Landis Ave. and have food specials every night of the week.
* Braca's Cafe- This is more of a restaurant than a bar, but is the home of the 302, a baybreeze with a powerful punch. If you drink any more than one you probably won't remember the night. They are located at JFK Boulevard right by the Promenade.
* Kixx Lounge- Kixx is the local watering hole for the locals. Its also the only bar on the island that has a Kareoke night. They are located on 63rd and Landis Ave. and are open 365 days a year.

## Sleep

The most popular form of places to stay in Sea Isle lie in the houses on every street of the island. Many real estate companies as well as personal owners rent out the houses to the first in line. They can cost what you are willing to pay. If you don't want a whole house because you aren't staying that long or don't have big family, there are a few motels on and around the island.
* La Costa Motel- This motel is connected to the Beach Bar complex. It is at the end of JFK Blvd at Landis Ave. It is presently being upgraded by new owners. One good thing is that it's a block away from the beach and from the promenade. But if your there during a summer holiday look to pay something like $300 per night. Check out their website for any other offers. $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$
* The Sea Isle Inn- This motel is a lot better than Lacosta's and much cheaper. It even has a pool and is also a block away from the beach. It is located at 63rd and Pleasure Ave and has easy access to the supermarket and arcades. Check out their website for summer and winter rates.
* The Colonnade- This is the only hotel on the Island. It is a Victorian style building and offers a maid service and a continental breakfast ever morning. To check out rates please go to their website.