Local and Area Attractions

The Bayside Center
520 Bay Avenue
Ocean City
For magnificent sunsets in the relaxed atmosphere of the bay, visit the Bayside Center. This 1.9 acre property with its vintage 1910 home is owned by Cape May County and operated by the City of Ocean City as a recreational, environmental and historical facility. The ambiance is relaxed, but the activities are many.

Open everyday to the public during the summer, the house has an environmental education center, a lifesaving museum, a display of classic ship models by master model maker Stephen Hutsko, and other attractions. Improvements to the house in 1999 include three floors of reconstructed bayfront porches and an elevator to a third floor observation area.

The environmental Bayside Camp for children is located in the garage on the grounds, and the Ocean City marine police are headquartered in the former pool house. Picnic tables, a pavilion for shade, docks for short-term docking, restrooms, and a butterfly garden round out the outdoors amenities.

Bayside Center is the best place to watch the annual Night in Venice parade, according to hundreds who buy tickets for a seat each year. Other events take place Memorial Day Weekend and in September, when kayakers gather. A large room on the second floor of the house provides meeting room for groups up to 40 in number,
and it is used all year.

For information on the children's summer camp, hours of operation and special programs call 609-525-9244. Off-season call 609-525-9296.

Ocean Drive
(County Rt. 619)
The 40-mile stretch of coastline from Absecon Island (Atlantic City) down Cape May Point is an example of nature at its best. A drive along this scenic highway can provide a full day of entertainment if you choose to go slowly and really appreciate the remarkable work that nature has preformed. Countless islands and a family of bridges operated and maintained by the Cape May Bridge Commission provides the link for you to enjoy this change of pace entertainment experience. Bridge tolls are a modest 50 cents per car and tickets may be purchased at any toll booth, which are good for all bridges. This is truly a drive worth taking! For information contact Cape May County Bridge Commission, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

Ocean City Beachwalk
Do you know what kind of shells you are picking up on the beach? For some help, take a guided nature walk on a dune path to the beach in Corsons Inlet State Park. The volunteers for the Beachwalk program will help you to see the beach in new and different ways as they pass on their knowledge of sand and water, birds and sealife. Each guide has a specialty, and many people take the walk over an over, just to hear what different guides have to say. More than 20,000 people
have done the walk!

Beachwalks are given in July and August on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The walks start at the south end on Central Avenue, where Corson's Inlet State Park begins. The cost is $1.00 for adults and $.50 for children. The tours last for about an hour.

Reservations are not necessary and the walks
go unless there is lightening.

Corson's Inlet State Park
Ocean City & Upper Towship
Cape May County
c/o Belleplain State Forest
(609) 861-2404
350 acres
Corson's Inlet State Park was established in 1969 to help protect and preserve one of the last undeveloped tracts of land along the state's oceanfront. The area's natural habitats are rich in the diversity of its wildlife with primary and secondary sand dune systems, shoreline overwash, marine estuaries and upland areas in which hundreds of wildlife species live and breed. The park offers outstanding scenic beauty and endless opportunities for observing a multitude of migratory and residential wildlife species. Corson's Inlet is extremely popular for hiking, fishing, crabbing, boating and sunbathing.
Strathmere Natural Area (98 acres)
An area of undeveloped beachfront and undisturbed sand dune that serves as a protective nesting site for the endangered Piping Plover, the Least Tern and Black skimmers. Other shorebirds and waterfowl, such as the Americaqn Oystercatcher, various species of sandpiers, gulls, herons, snaderlings and ducks can also be observed at certain time s of the years. Pets are not permitted in the area during the nesting season.

Facilities and Activities
Boat ramp, hiking trails, interpretive tours, saltwater fishing and crabbing, mobile sportfishing program, NJ Coastal Heritage Trail Point-of-interest Site, and Catamaran boat storage.

Directions:
The park is bisected by scenic Ocean Drive (Cape May County Rt. 619), connecting Ocean City and Strathmere-Sea Isle City. Ocean City is linked to the Garden State Parkway via southbound and northbound exit 25 (Roosevelt Bouldevard-34th St.) Sea Isle City is accessible via the parkway southbound exit 17 or Route 9 northbound to JFK Bouldevard. Follow signs to the State Park.

Ocean City Arts Center
1735 Simpson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Ocean City
(609) 399-7628
The Ocean City Arts Center, a non-profit organization hosts a variety of fine arts classes, including painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture, classic ballet and tap, jazz and private music classes in piano, violin, flute and guitar. In addition to these classes, specialized two-day workshops are offered every session. Children's classes are a special interest of the Arts Center and are offered throughout the year.
The Gallery at the Arts Center offers a variety of exhibitions every month, displaying the work of individual artist and groups from the New Jersey as well as out-of-state areas. Annual events include the Boardwalk Art Show (August), Fine Craft Show (August), Juried Regional Art Show (november), Juried Photography Show (April) as well as art related bus trips to Philadelphia, New York and Washington. Concerts, afternoon musicals, lectures and workshops are planned throughout the years. Members are invited to all "meet the artist receptions", receive new/schedules of classes four times a year, receive discount class fees and free admission to lectures and musicals. The public is always encouraged to enjoy all programs and events.
2005 Schedule of Events

Ocean City Tabernacle
500 Wesley Ave.
(609) 399-1915
The Ocean City Tabernacle is one of the largest tourist destinations in Ocean City. It is rapidly becoming a year round operation as a center for conferences, special concerts and retreats. The main auditorium holds over one thousand people and boasts on of the best sound and lighting systems in the area. The Tabernacle is a non-denominational summer church featuring some of the greatest preachers in the world. During the summer season it hosts many of the most well known and popular speakers in the country, which are accompanied by musicians of the finest caliber. There is a dynamic children's ministry program that addresses the needs of children from the cradle through grade six. Look for special mid week events geared for this age group as well as programs for adults. The Tabernacle has won a number of awards from the local and county Chamber of Commerce and state assembly recognizing us as the most beautiful site on the entire island. In the evening the lighted historic bell tower fountain is breathtaking. The Lake Memorial Corner at 6th St. and Asbury Ave. has the remains of the actual tree that the founding Lake Brothers prayed beneath, asking divine guidance to seek a loction to start a "Christian Seaside Resort."

The Ocean City Historical Museum
1735 Simpson Ave.
Ocean City
(609) 399-1801
A history museum depicting early Ocean City's history with period room displays and vintage clothing, a large display of Old Ocean City photographs and postcards, dolls and toys. Displays of items from the city's past delight the visitors. The Sindia room features a scale model of Ocean City's most famous shipwreck and a lighted 8'X8' stained glass window showing the Sindia under sail. Many photographs, the original figurehead, china, and other artifacts from the ship tell of her journeys. The museum's gift shop has many interesting
items for all ages.
Hours: Summer - 10 to 4 pm, Mon - Fri.; 1 - 4 pm, Sat.
Winter: 1 - 4 pm, Mon. - Sat.
Donations appreciated. Thursday evening special programs during July and August - 7 pm.

Absecon Lighthouse
Pacific & Vermont Avenues
Atlantic City
(609)348-7044
The Absecon Lighthouse, dedicated in 1856, is now the center of a small public park. It once sat at the waters edge to warn sailors away from the dreaded Brigantine Shoals. Jetties built to divert the flow of water in Absecon Inlet created all the land you see today between the lighthouse and the water.

Birch Grove Park and Wildlife Zoo
Burton Avenue
Northfield
(609)641-3778
Campground with full hook-up. 275 acres with 21 lakes for fishing, playground, mini-zoo, walking paths, picnic areas and miniature golf course.
Summer hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Winter hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free (Weekends $1.00 parking)

Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor and Estellville Glassworks
109 State Highway 50
Mays Landing
(609)625-1897
Atlantic County's largest park has live animals, playgrounds, picnic area, fishing, bike trails, exercise par-course, hiking. In the winter they feature cross country skiing. Also located there are the ruins of Estellville Glassworks and the Bethlehem Loading Co.
The park is open to the public 7:30 a.m. to dusk daily.
Nature center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Fri;
Weekends & Holidays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cape May County Park/ Zoo
Route 9, 2 miles north of Cape May Court House/ Exit 11 Garden State Parkway
(609)465-5271
Enjoy some relaxing moments at Cape May Count's Park System. Enjoy the scenic beauty, stroll the paths that wind through the wonders of nature, reserve a shelter and have a family or company picnic, marvel at the zoo animals or simply bring the kids for a little exercise on our gym equipment.
Zoo hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Park hours: 9 a.m. to Dusk
Free Admission
Call ahead for group tours.

Cape May Lighthouse
Lighthouse Avenue, At Cape May Point State Park
(609)884-5404
Come see the Lighthouse repainted in its original colors and with a totally reconstructed lantern. This 1859 structure is located on Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point State Park. Climb the 199 tower stairs to the watchroom gallery, just below the lantern itself, for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean.
Hours:(April through October) Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Tower (adults) - $3.50
children 3 to 12 - $1.00 (One child per party tours free)
Ground floor and souvenir shop free.

Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9
Cape May
(609)898-2300
Stroll the shaded lanes of Historic Cold Spring Village's twenty-two acres as you step back in time to a South Jersey rural community of the mid-nineteenth century. Visit with crafters, tradesmen, housewives and farmers of 150 years ago.
Historic Cold Spring Village is a public non-profit corporation administered by the HCSV Foundation Board of Trustees. The Friends of Historic Cold Spring Village sponsor educational programs and projects that support the mission statement of the Village. Membership may be obtained through the Village office. For further information on special weekend events call (609)898-2300.
John F. Kennedy Park
Somers Point
(609) 927-7161 ext. 256
Located off the Somers Point Circle. A fine picnic spot and bayfront beach area. Boat launching available. Great place for windsurfers.

Lucy the Margate Elephant
National Historic Landmark
9200 Atlantic Avenue
Margate
(609) 823-6473 - Gift Shop
" The only elephant in the world you can walk through and come out alive." Guided tour and exhibit inside this famed elephant-shaped six- story building. Built in 1881, fun for young and old. Lucy is open weekends mid-March thru mid-June 10am-5pm. Daily mid-June thru Labor Day 10am-8pm.
Weekends Labor day thru December 10am-4:30pm.

Somers Mansion Historic Site
1000 Shore Road
Somers Point
(609)927-2212
The oldest residence in Atlantic County. Artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Free admission Wednesday to Saturday 10-12 and 1-4. Sunday 1-4. Parking in rear of building.