Shannon & Jason's Wedding

October 9th, 2005

Things to Do — The Jersey Shore and Nearby

Atlantic City

What's there to say, really -- casinos, beaches, restaurants, shopping, and more, a little over 45 minutes away! The big new casino is The Borgata; there are also the two Trump casinos (the Taj Mahal and the Plaza), Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's, Resorts, and a handful more.

To get there, just get onto the aptly-named Atlantic City Expressway going eastbound, and keep going until you hit the water!

Wheaton Village

Wheaton Village (1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, 856-825-6800) houses the Museum of American Glass, a trove of more than 6,500 objects, from hand-blown paperweights to Tiffany masterpieces; watch glassblowers, potters, and woodworkers demonstrate their crafts. You can also explore South Jersey's rich cultural traditions in the Down Jersey Folklife Center and browse through the finest wonderful museum stores. A variety of special events, exhibits and educational programs are offered throughout the year.

Location: 1501 Glasstown Rd, Millville, NJ 08332, T: 800-998-4552 (Directions can be found here.)
Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults - $10, Senior Citizens - $9, Students - $7, Children 5 & under - free. (And here's a coupon for $1 off admission!)

Cape May Point State Park

Although Cape May Lighthouse is a major attraction for many visitors to the area, the Cape May State Park's constantly changing shoreline, dunes, freshwater coastal marsh and ponds, forested islands and varied uplands make it a well-known location for viewing the fall bird migration. Located on the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May Point State Park is a key site on the NJ Coastal Heritage Trail, with an environmental center that houses a classroom for interpretive programs and a museum on the area's natural and historic features.

The 157-foot-high lighthouse is still an aid to navigation. Visitors who climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse are rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the scenic Cape May peninsula. Built in 1859, the current lighthouse used the original bricks of the 1847 lighthouse. Other attractions include the World War II bunker (the park was once a military base, and at low tide you can still see the gun turrets at the front of the bunker!) and Hawk Banding demonstrations, which take place only from mid-September through October. The banding demonstrations start at 10am daily and various species of hawks can be viewed at close range before they are released to continue their annual southward migration.

Location: Cape May Point, NJ (Map and directions)
Admission: Admission to the park is free. Admission to the lighthouse: Adults, $5; children 12 and under, $1
Hours: The park is open from dawn to dusk. For information on lighthouse tours and hours of operation call: The Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts at (609) 884-5404.

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (Cape May, NJ)

MAC was formed in September, 1970 by a small group of Cape May citizens with the express purpose of rescuing the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, an 18 room mansion, from demolition. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a multi-faceted non-profit organization that promotes the restoration, interpretation and cultural enrichment of greater Cape May for its residents and visitors.

Location of the Physick Estate: 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ, T: 609)-884-5404 or (800)-275-4278 (Map and directions)
Admission and Hours: Call for information!

Other MAC Events

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts also offers a year-round calendar of tours and special events. The events listed below are those currently scheduled for the weekend of the wedding. Check here for an up-to-date list!

Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour: A 45-minute ride through the streets of Cape May with a guide who will relate the paranormal findings of Ghost Writer Craig McManus. Begins at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. 7:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9. $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12).

Stairway to the Stars: The perfect ending to a Cape May day--Climb the Cape May Lighthouse at night and see the sky ablaze with stars. Tour includes a trolley ride from Cape May to Cape May Point featuring an entertaining narrated tour. 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9. $12 per person.

Vintage Dance Weekend: Kick up your heels as they did in Cape May 100 years ago. A Vintage Dance instructor will conduct dance workshops on Saturday and prepare participants for the Vintage Ball at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, where you can show off your new steps in vintage costume to live music.

Wheaton Village Glassblowers: Wheaton Village glassblowers set up their kiln on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate and demonstrate their time-honored craft. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9. Free. This event is part of Victorian Week.

Historic House Tour: Experience Cape May's Victorian architectural riches, view beautiful interiors and encounter living history characters as you tour through bed and breakfast inns and guesthouses. Self-guided tour with complimentary trolley shuttle. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9. Tickets available through three convenient day passes, which include a variety of activities and are valid throughout the weekend. Passes range from $18 to $25.

Craft Beer Tasting: Whet your taste buds and learn about the intricacies of beer from beer guru Gary Monterosso. With 'A Proud Heritage,' sample the world's greatest international beers. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Savannah Key Ballroom in the Marquis de Lafayette Hotel, 501 Beach Drive. $20 per person. Offered as part of Victorian Week.

Harbor Safari: A marine biologist leads tourgoers through Cape May's beach and marsh habitats. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $8 for adults, $4 for children (ages 3-12).

Fisherman's Wharf Tour: Guided tour of the Fisherman's Wharf at the Lobster House. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $6 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12).

"Cape May on Fire" Walking Tour: Join Colonel Lansing, Chief of Cape May's Fire Department in 1878, for a living history walking tour of Cape May's Great Fire of 1878 and its aftermath. 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). Tour begins and tickets are available at the Washington Street Mall information Booth.

Private Homes Tour: Visit select private homes, specially open for Victorian Week. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $15 for adults, $7.50 for children (ages 3-12). Self-guided tour. Tickets may be purchased at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Victorian Fashion Show: "A Century of Fashion" presented by Scarlett's Antique Fashion Shows, featuring vintage clothing from 1850s through 1960. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 in Cape May Convention Hall, Beach Drive at Stockton Place. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). Offered as part of Victorian Week.

Lighthouse Mystery Cruise: Board the Cape May Whale Watcher to view and photograph six historic lighthouses, which were built during the late 19th and early part of the 20th centuries to aid ships sailing the treacherous mid-channel of the Delaware Bay. The five-hour cruise will include six lighthouses, which will be revealed during the cruise. A generous buffet, including shrimp, crudités, cheese, fruit trays and finger sandwiches, is provided. 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $65 per person.

Winery Cellar Tour and Tasting: Spend an afternoon at the awarding-winning Cape May Winery. Tour the vineyard to see how the grapes are grown and then visit the winery where you'll be introduced to the winemaker's art. Enjoy a barrel tasting accompanied by cheese and fruit. Each guest receives a complimentary tasting glass. 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $20 per person.

Romantic Moonlight Trolley Ride with Sweetheart Dessert: A 40-minute evening guided trolley ride through Cape May's gaslit streets with a guide who relates Victorian traditions relating to courtship and romance, then dessert at the renowned Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St. 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Tickets $35 per couple.