Biking, Birding and Wildlife:
BICYCLING IN THE JERSEY CAPE: For cycling enthusiasts, biking here is as good as it gets – picturesque places with easy pedaling along the beachfront or quiet country roads. Many towns have designated bike paths, boardwalks and promenades, great for early morning exercise before the crowds arrive.
Ocean City Bikeway stretches from 9th to 34th streets and there's a designated bike lane on West Avenue from 32nd Street south. www.BikeOCNJ.org
Cyclists – and pedestrians – can travel the 7.5 miles from the Cape May County Zoo in Middle Township to Satt Blvd., near Walmart on Route 9 in Rio Grande. From there the path connects with the Delaware River &Bay path, providing a direct route from the zoo to the Cape May Lewes Ferry. Ultimately, Cape May County plans to have a county-wide network of connecting bike paths – a great thing for recreation and a plus for the environment. The Middle Township bike path also connects with Atlantic Cape Community College, the Goshen Sports Complex and the 4-H Fairgrounds. The Cold Spring Bike Path runs 3 miles from Sandman Boulevard to Sally Marshall Crossing. For additional information about bike paths in Cape May County, visit www.capemaycountynj.gov
BIRDING IN CAPE MAY COUNTY: Cape May is THE location for observing birds in North America, favored by such celebrated naturalists as John Audubon and Tory Peterson. More than 400 different species have been seen on the peninsula during the fall migration, and the area is known for spectacular flights of peregrines, merlins, ospreys and sharp-shinned hawks. Cape May Point is one the premier places with marked, easy-to-follow trails to help even the novice birder spot ducks, swans, osprey and other shore birds and wildlife. The World Series of Birding challenges birders to count as many species as possible in a 24-hour period. Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory at 701 East Lake Dr., Cape May Point or 600 Rt.47 N in Cape May Court House. www.birdcapemay.org
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BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST: On the border of Cape May and Cumberland counties, Belleplain encompasses 21,000 acres of Pinelands. One of Southern New Jersey’s premier camping destinations, it’s a great place for hiking, biking, bird watching, canoeing and exploring nature. Belleplain has 169 tent camping sites, cabins and other facilities for campers plus softball fields, picnic tables and canoe rentals. Swimming, fishing and canoeing are allowed on Lake Nummy; the natural terrain is great for mountain biking and there is also a fitness trail. Off Route 550 from Woodbine; 609-861-2404. www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html
MOORES BEACH: Moores Beach, is best known as a great horseshoe crab spawning beach and excellent place to see migrating shorebirds like Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin, and many more. But there is more to this wilderness in New Jersey then shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Drive slow along the gravel road through the vast salt marsh and you will be sure to see osprey, waders, and the occasional Black Skimmer. If you arrive in early morning in spring, the air will still ring with the sounds of the Clapper Rail. Be aware, the road can be rough and will flood on the high tide, but a little planning will keep you safe and the solitude will be worth the trip. Moores Beach, Maurice River. www.restorenjbayshore.org, www.celebratedebay.org, www.explorecumberlandnj.com
STONE HARBOR BIRD SANCTUARY: A 21.5 acre preserve, the Bird Sanctuary is a National Natural Landmark dedicated to the protection of coastal birds and their ecosystem. With three public access paths, open all year round, visitors can imagine a time when the Lenni Lenape Indians fished along the shore and the beach was covered with sand dunes and groves of cedar, sassafras and holly trees, including one holly believed to be more than 200 years old. The website features a photo gallery of the species that reside year-round in the Sanctuary or visit seasonally. Informational reports give visitors detailed background information on the unique behaviors, feeding habits and the future outlook of the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the Glossy Ibis and the Eastern Box Turtle. The Sanctuary is near 112th St. and 2nd Ave., Stone Harbor. 609-368-7447. www.stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com
WETLANDS INSTITUTE: There is always something exciting happening at The Wetlands Institute. Discover the shore in a fun and hands-on way with experiments, exploration, games, field trips and more. Marvel at the view of 6,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands from the observation tower at the Wetlands Institute. Inside, view an aquarium with more than a dozen exhibits of live marsh animals – horseshoe crabs, sea stars and lots more. In the quiet season, the Institute is open for self-guided tours of the facilities including the Tidepool Museum Shop. The Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., off exit 10 of the Garden State Parkway, offers a full schedule. Be sure and check out the special events calendar for all the important details. 609-368-1211. www.wetlandsinstitute.org
Ocean City Bikeway stretches from 9th to 34th streets and there's a designated bike lane on West Avenue from 32nd Street south. www.BikeOCNJ.org
Cyclists – and pedestrians – can travel the 7.5 miles from the Cape May County Zoo in Middle Township to Satt Blvd., near Walmart on Route 9 in Rio Grande. From there the path connects with the Delaware River &Bay path, providing a direct route from the zoo to the Cape May Lewes Ferry. Ultimately, Cape May County plans to have a county-wide network of connecting bike paths – a great thing for recreation and a plus for the environment. The Middle Township bike path also connects with Atlantic Cape Community College, the Goshen Sports Complex and the 4-H Fairgrounds. The Cold Spring Bike Path runs 3 miles from Sandman Boulevard to Sally Marshall Crossing. For additional information about bike paths in Cape May County, visit www.capemaycountynj.gov
BIRDING IN CAPE MAY COUNTY: Cape May is THE location for observing birds in North America, favored by such celebrated naturalists as John Audubon and Tory Peterson. More than 400 different species have been seen on the peninsula during the fall migration, and the area is known for spectacular flights of peregrines, merlins, ospreys and sharp-shinned hawks. Cape May Point is one the premier places with marked, easy-to-follow trails to help even the novice birder spot ducks, swans, osprey and other shore birds and wildlife. The World Series of Birding challenges birders to count as many species as possible in a 24-hour period. Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory at 701 East Lake Dr., Cape May Point or 600 Rt.47 N in Cape May Court House. www.birdcapemay.org
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BELLEPLAIN STATE FOREST: On the border of Cape May and Cumberland counties, Belleplain encompasses 21,000 acres of Pinelands. One of Southern New Jersey’s premier camping destinations, it’s a great place for hiking, biking, bird watching, canoeing and exploring nature. Belleplain has 169 tent camping sites, cabins and other facilities for campers plus softball fields, picnic tables and canoe rentals. Swimming, fishing and canoeing are allowed on Lake Nummy; the natural terrain is great for mountain biking and there is also a fitness trail. Off Route 550 from Woodbine; 609-861-2404. www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/belle.html
MOORES BEACH: Moores Beach, is best known as a great horseshoe crab spawning beach and excellent place to see migrating shorebirds like Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin, and many more. But there is more to this wilderness in New Jersey then shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Drive slow along the gravel road through the vast salt marsh and you will be sure to see osprey, waders, and the occasional Black Skimmer. If you arrive in early morning in spring, the air will still ring with the sounds of the Clapper Rail. Be aware, the road can be rough and will flood on the high tide, but a little planning will keep you safe and the solitude will be worth the trip. Moores Beach, Maurice River. www.restorenjbayshore.org, www.celebratedebay.org, www.explorecumberlandnj.com
STONE HARBOR BIRD SANCTUARY: A 21.5 acre preserve, the Bird Sanctuary is a National Natural Landmark dedicated to the protection of coastal birds and their ecosystem. With three public access paths, open all year round, visitors can imagine a time when the Lenni Lenape Indians fished along the shore and the beach was covered with sand dunes and groves of cedar, sassafras and holly trees, including one holly believed to be more than 200 years old. The website features a photo gallery of the species that reside year-round in the Sanctuary or visit seasonally. Informational reports give visitors detailed background information on the unique behaviors, feeding habits and the future outlook of the Black-crowned Night Heron, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the Glossy Ibis and the Eastern Box Turtle. The Sanctuary is near 112th St. and 2nd Ave., Stone Harbor. 609-368-7447. www.stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com
WETLANDS INSTITUTE: There is always something exciting happening at The Wetlands Institute. Discover the shore in a fun and hands-on way with experiments, exploration, games, field trips and more. Marvel at the view of 6,000 acres of pristine coastal wetlands from the observation tower at the Wetlands Institute. Inside, view an aquarium with more than a dozen exhibits of live marsh animals – horseshoe crabs, sea stars and lots more. In the quiet season, the Institute is open for self-guided tours of the facilities including the Tidepool Museum Shop. The Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., off exit 10 of the Garden State Parkway, offers a full schedule. Be sure and check out the special events calendar for all the important details. 609-368-1211. www.wetlandsinstitute.org
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800-227-2297
Interested in advertising with us?
Find out why advertising in the Vacationer is so different from your other choices.
Rate Card here
Contact our sales staff here