Fourth of July Weekend: Ten Things to do in Margate City
Originally known as South Atlantic City, Margate City, NJ has more than established a name for itself as its own vacation destination at the Jersey Shore. A small town on 8- mile-long Absecon Island, Margate boasts a fiercely-dedicated crowd of full-time residents and regular summer visitors including many who make this town their home for the entire season. Unlike its neighbor, Margate has no hotels but is full of vacation rentals that Fourth of July visitors can enjoy during their stay.
If you’re looking for things to do in Margate City over the Fourth of July holiday, here’s a list of 10 ideas for you and your traveling companions.
1. Visit Lucy – What says “roadside America” more than Margate’s famous Lucy the Elephant? A part of the Margate community for nearly a century-and-a-half, it’s become known as the largest and oldest piece of zoomorphic architecture in the U.S. You can tour Lucy all summer long including on the 4th of July.
2. Head to the Beach – Margate City’s many beaches are all lifeguard-protected from Memorial Day through Labor Day and they’re clean and well-maintained. The shallow entry into the water is great for kids and there’s plenty of room to stretch out on the sand, even on busy holiday weekends. You’ll find them much less crowded than Atlantic City!
3. Charter a Fishing Boat – Fishing charters are a huge business in Margate so why not join in the fun and catch your Fourth of July dinner? Spend a few hours onboard or lease a boat for an entire day. You can also fish off the bayside piers, as many regulars do.
4. Play Ball! – There are a number of baseball fields and basketball courts around town, so organize your friends and family members for a little healthy competition. The Jerome Ave. complex has both a baseball diamond and a b-ball court as well as a playground for the kids.
5. Dine in Style – You don’t have to head to nearby Atlantic City to enjoy a great meal during your stay in Margate. You’ll find everything here from casual luncheonette-type spots to lovely restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Yum!
6. Save Time to Shop – In Margate City, you won’t find all the stores in one spot, but scattered throughout the town are a number of great boutiques, surf and sport shops, and other stores where you might want to drop a few bucks.
7. Visit a Monopoly Square – Margate City is home to Marven Gardens, best known as a yellow square in the game, Monopoly (though the makers of the game spelled it wrong). Today, Marven Gardens is a beautifully-restored street that boasts some of the most expensive and loveliest homes in town. Take a drive through and be sure to pose for a picture with the Marven Gardens sign!
8. Have a Barbecue on the Beach – There are only two days during the year that residents/visitors can cook on the beach – Labor Day and the Fourth of July. So grab your grill and stock up on those burgers and dogs for a great 4th of July meal with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.
9. Go Kayaking – Several of Margate’s beaches allow kayaking and there are a number of outfitters in town that rent the vessels. There are no guided tours available but you can gather a group and explore the coastline before that big Fourth of July get-together.
10.Margate’s Own Fireworks – You don’t have to deal with the crowds in Atlantic City to see great fireworks. Margate City hosts its own display that can be viewed from any Margate beach. It’s the perfect way to cap off the Fourth of July holiday!