Five Miles of Beach
You’re not going to be packed onto the sand towel-to-towel like some of the better known south Jersey destinations. But… you are going to need a beach badge to hit the beach in Sea Isle City. If it helps a little, the town often has one day a week when you can go badge-less, or at least get the kids onto the sand for free. Ask the badge checkers for more details.
The Promenade
Instead of a planked boardwalk, Sea Isle City has a paved promenade that stretches about a mile and a half. Despite the lack of actual boards, it has got a lot of the things you’d expect on a boardwalk — gift shops, concession stands, arcades, games of chance, and other amusements. The Promenade often hosts kids’ shows and activities during the summer.
Beachcomber Walks
Make time for a beachcomber walk, sponsored by the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission — it’s a fun way to get the family out and moving, and learning a little more about the natural history of the Jersey shore. Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer, you can stretch your legs and learn about the environment at the same time — adults can join the walk for just a buck.
Free Summer Concerts.
Monday and Wednesday nights, you can enjoy live music under the stars. All you have to bring is a blanket or a chair… and a love of music!
Fishing, Crabbing, and Water Sports.
Like many other shore towns, you’ve got lots of opportunities for testing your luck against the fishes. Try your hand at the fishing pier, at 59th Street, or at the south end of the island near the bridge to Avalon.
Fantastic Dining.
Don’t miss the She Crab Soup at Busch’s Seafood Restaurant. It’s a local favorite! You can get more amazing seafood at Busch’s or dine on the deck at Mike’s Seafood. For dessert, the locals pick Yum-Yum Affair as their favorite ice cream parlor.
The Nightlife
Whatever your taste in entertainment, you’ll find it in Sea Isle City. Check out the Dead Dog Saloon for acoustic music in a bar where you can actually carry on a conversation without shouting. Locals voted the Dead Dog Saloon one of the two top nightclubs in town in 2004. Would you rather let the music do the talking? Dance to your favorite Top 40 hits at the Ocean Drive. And if you’re on the hunt for local musicians, you can usually find them at Kix-McNutley’s. For DJs and popular dance music, check out Shenanigans or the Lacosta Lounge. The Sea Isle City nightlife is a little more active than Avalon or Stone Harbor.
Three Shopping Districts.
You’ve got the Promenade, downtown, and the shopping center.
Parks, Playgrounds, and Community Activities
Sea Isle City is full of parks and playgrounds. You can even sign the kids up for summer activities at the Community Lodge. Play by the Bay (at Dealy Field) was built entirely by community volunteers!
The Annual Sara the Turtle Festival
Sea Isle City’s mascot is Sara, an endangered diamondback terrapin. Thousands of these rare turtles used to be killed on the highway every year as they went to lay eggs. Thanks in part to Sea Isle City’s campaign to protect the turtles, the number of terrapin highway fatalities has gone down. The annual festival promotes environmental awareness without being too preachy — it’s a fun family weekend! And be on the lookout for Turtle X-ing signs throughout town; they’re part of the turtle saving effort.