If you’re looking for a family-friendly trip to a quaint Jersey Shore town with beautiful beaches, great restaurants and plenty to do, Stone Harbor and Avalon are both excellent choices. These two beach towns, located in Cape May County on Seven Mile Island, offer everything you need for a memorable summer vacation, whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or get active with water and shore activities. Escape for the day, stay for the weekend or plan a week’s vacation so you can take it all in! [bibblio style=”bib–default bib–hover bib–white-label bib–row-2 bib–title-only bib–size-16 bib–font-arial” query_string_params=”e30=” recommendation_type=”optimised”]
The Best Events
Best for Everyone: Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Festival
When: August 6 and 7 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: 80th Street & Second Avenue, Stone Harbor
Description: More than 200 artisans from over a dozen states will display their wares at the 54th annual Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Festival. Peruse gorgeous crafts while you’re steps away from the beach. Since the event attracts thousands of visitors each year, be prepared to park far away or use one of the shuttles to the event, stopping at seven different locations.
More info: www.shacfest.com or call 609-368-5102, ext. 9
Best for Families: Summer Beach Movie Nights
When: Tuesday nights from June 28 through August 23 at dusk
Where: Avalon Community Hall, 30th Street & the Beach, Avalon
Description: Bring the whole family every Tuesday night for free popcorn and a great lineup of family-friendly movies! The series kicks off June 28 with Cinderella and ends August 23 with the recent hit Zootopia.
More info: www.avalonrecreation.org or call 609-967-3066
The Best Restaurants
Best for Lunch: Seven Mile Pies
Address: 261 96th Street, Stone Harbor
Description: Considered by many to be the best pizza on the island, you’ll definitely want to stop by Seven Mile Pies to grab a slice or two. Among the offerings: a spinach, strawberry, goat cheese and balsamic pie, a baked potato pie, a bang bang shrimp pie and of course, a traditional gooey cheese pie. Seven Mile Pies also serves sandwiches and wings.
More info: www.facebook.com/sevenmilepies or call 609-368-7645
Best for Dinner: SAX at the Reeds
Address: 9601 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor
Description: An exquisite dining experience awaits you at SAX. Enjoy an entire pan (or just a wedge) of the restaurant’s Signature Cornbread, served warm with chili pepper butter. Other specialties include the General Tso Turkey Burger, Crab Linguini and the SAX Cioppino. The atmosphere is relaxed and suitable for families, but the menu is on the pricey side.
More info: www.reedsatshelterhaven.com or call 609-368-0100
The Best Tourist Attraction
Miss Avalon Dolphin & Nature Cruises
Address: 14th & Ocean Drive, Avalon
Description: Every Tuesday and Thursday evening in the summer, set sail on on the Miss Avalon. For just $20 per adult and $14 per child, you can view dolphins and a variety of seabirds during their natural feeding times as you cruise the ocean. Also included in the tour is a history lesson of the seven-mile beach, plus an exploration of the captain’s large seashell collection.
More info: www.missavalon.com or call 609-967-7455
The Best Beach Tips
Beach tags: In Avalon, buy beach tags from beach tag inspectors on the beach or from the Beach Tag Booth at Community Hall. In Stone Harbor, buy beach tags from beach inspectors on the beach or from the Beach Tag Office at Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Building. Each town’s beach tags are also honored at the other town’s beaches.
Beach parking: Avalon has both street parking and a handful of public parking lots, all of which are free. Stone Harbor has metered parking spots and parking lots with metered spaces.
Changing facilities: In Avalon, public restrooms are located at Borough Hall (32nd & Dune Drive), Community Hall (30th & the beach), Tennis Buildings (8th & 39th Streets), Public Safety Building (31st & Dune Drive), 10th & Dune Drive and 30th & the beach. In Stone Harbor, public restrooms are located at 95th Street & Second Avenue, 95th Street & the beach and at 122nd Street.
More info: For Avalon, www.visitavalonnj.com or call 609-967-3936. For Stone Harbor, www.stoneharbornj.org or call 609-368-5102.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Facebook/Avalon Recreation Department
Additional Images (in order) Courtesy:
Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Festival
Facebook/Seven Mile Pies
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
Avalon NJ Fishing Charters
Facebook/Stone Harbor Recreation
