Doo Wop Diner in Wildwood - Best Burgers on the Boardwalk

Visiting the Jersey Shore? More specifically, the Wildwood and Cape May area? If so, you will want to check out the Doo Wop Diner in Wildwood New Jersey. This diner has the best burgers in Wildwood and they are grilled to perfection!

The Doo Wop Diner is located right on the Wildwood boardwalk at 4010. When walking on the boardwalk, you can't miss it! If you are looking to save a little money, check out their web site for coupons and specials. You can even purchase gift cards and give them as a gift to someone who is traveling to the area.

The menu is quite extensive and you can find all kinds of different hamburgers, hot dogs, hot and cold sandwiches, tasty wraps, refreshing salads, desserts, ice cream, milkshakes and all kinds of delicious beverages to wet your whistle while you are having fun in the sun!

The decor inside this restaurant is done in a 1950's style to fit with the doo wop theme! We find it really cool and better yet...their food is super good and very affordable! Everyone in your family will find something delicious on the Doo Wop diner menu! They have daily specials that you can check out too!

When we visit our beach house...the Doo Wop Diner is definitely on our list when vacationing in Wildwood. You can visit their web site to see their daily specials, hours of operation and to view their menu online. Happy Dining! 

Cape May World War II Lookout Tower

Back in June we had the pleasure of visiting the Cape May area in New Jersey. We have been to the area many times over the past 15 years and love it. There are a ton of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy and fortunately, most are very affordable!

Recently we had the pleasure of visiting Cape May's World War II Lookout Tower, known as the Fire Control Tower no. 23 which is a combination museum and memorial. It is located on Sunset Boulevard near Cape May Point in New Jersey.

This is a historic site that has been restored and preserved that families who are interested in history can enjoy. The fire tower is New Jersey's last free-standing World War II tower, part of the Delaware Harbor Defense. It was built in 1942 and the tower was one of 15 towers used as an observation post to try to detect enemy vessels.

Around the tower are some memorials where you can learn more by reading about them on the signs that they have posted. Inside is a spiral staircase that takes you to the top and you can read interpretive panels and see photos that explain the tower's function.

Admission is $5.00 for adults and the first two children ages 3-12 in age are FREE with a paying adult. Additional children is $2.00 each and active & retired military (with ID) are $2.00 each.

The Cape May World War II Lookout Tower is within walking distance of Sunset Beach which has a flag ceremony every evening, a few little gift shops, the concrete sunken ship and a nearby grill where you can grab lunch. Right next door to the main gift shop is a beautifully landscaped miniature golf course.

When visiting, plan to visit for a few hours so you can tour the tower, shop, play mini golf, watch the flag ceremony and grab a quick bite to eat. We really enjoyed spending our afternoon down at Sunset Beach seeing all of the attractions and highly recommend that you visit.

Get In Mental Shape For Your Vacation

I love to travel but often times when I am on vacation I have a hard time relaxing. I will sit there and worry about what is going on at home, is the family doing okay and how are things going at work? Is everyone doing okay without me?

For me...it has always been this way but the past few months I have been making changes and changing the way I view personal and family vacations. Today, I wanted to share this article with all of my travel blog readers on how you can get in "mental" shape for your vacation and achieve total relaxation.

Get In (Mental) Shape For Your Vacation: Start Relaxing Now

For most of us the summer is a time to relax, enjoy ourselves and take it easy. The truth, however, is that more often than not we end up tired and even more stressed out than were in the winter.

meQuilibrium CEO Jan Bruce argues this is the result of wrongly understanding relaxation as “doing nothing” and expecting ourselves to be able to switch off as soon as we hit the beach.

To ensure that you will truly relax and replenish yourself during your holidays, Jan believes we need to prepare ourselves ahead of our holidays and practice relaxation as our vacation approaches to be ready for it.

Here there are Jan's recommendations to achieve true relaxation:

1. Calm your body: A good sweat-inducing workout, a great massage, or a calming yoga class are all ways to help your body loosen up. With a more relaxed body, it would be easier to recognize what rejuvenating relaxation feels like to you.

2. Give your days an ebb and flow: You need to build pleasurable, non-work activities into your regular schedule. They needn't be complicated, but they do need to hold meaning.

3. Surprise yourself: Part of what makes vacation fun is doing something you don’t normally do. But it also may mean doing something on a whim, just because.

Jan Bruce is the CEO and co-founder of meQuilibrium, an app that teaches people how to dial down stress levels. Jan regularly contributes to the Huffington Post ('Stress Is the New Fat') and Forbes ('Why You Need To Stop Working All The Time').

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - New York City

This Fall, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a relaunch of its award-winning flagship travel guidebook series. The new livery incorporates a modern look that includes updated itineraries and content, stunning images, and fresh typography and jacket covers.

Key Features in the Redesigned Travel Guides:

* New itineraries based on lengths of stay, regional destinations or themes
* City guides with tailor-made daytrip and weekend itineraries.
* Country guide itineraries ranging from two to fourteen days.
* New hotel and restaurant listings.
* DK choice listings highlighting special recommendations for dining & accommodations.
* Simplified price & cuisine categories with photography.
* Redrawn maps for improved readability.
* Restaurants plotted on maps & listed with adjacent sights.
* More detailed street maps, with subway stops & viewing points.

Click Image to Enlarge

For my review I received the newly re-released DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - New York City guide that contains 1,072 photographs, a pull-out map of New York City, 112 illustrations and 440 pages in length. This is one of the MOST extensive and easy-to-read travel guides for New York City that I have ever seen!

My husband and I have traveled up to New York City several times. We live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania so it is only a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive for us. If you have never visited New York City, let me tell you...you definitely need a guide book and a few very detailed maps! You can get lost pretty quickly and there are a ton of one-way streets!

The guide book is broken down into several nice chapters and it is very easy to locate the items you are interested in. The book and chapters are color coded with a key inside the front cover. For example: Lower Manhattan is on pages 66-81 and color coded a peach color. The Upper East Side is on pages 184-205 and color coded a yellow/orange color. Even the maps are color coded so you can find what you are looking for quickly & easily.

Click Image to Enlarge

The photography throughout the book is gorgeous and all of the illustrations are very detailed & realistic. There is a modern-day pull-out map which is very detailed & accurate. One of my favorite chapters is the Travelers' Needs section which includes places & ideas on where to stay, where to eat & drink, where to find shopping, entertainment in New York City and even a section on things you can do in the city with children! 

I love that the maps show you the airports, heliports, train stain, subway, bus terminal, police stations, hospitals, public & paid parking lots, churches, public telephone, restrooms, cafes, shopping centers, etc. Seriously, they are very detailed!

Overall, this is one of the best, if NOT the BEST travel guide book I have ever seen! We are heading back up to New York City in the Fall and this travel guide is going to make our visit a whole lot easier. I am giving it a 9 1/2 stars out of 10 stars on my rating scale. I only deducted a 1/2 star because I would love to have it in a hardcover edition.

Disclaimer: Shelly has personally reviewed the product listed above. Shelly has not received any monetary compensation for her review. Shelly did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ. The PA Travel Blog is not responsible for delivery/shipping of giveaway items won from this blog nor are we responsible for mis-use or injury caused by items won from this Blog. Content on this blog is copyrighted, all rights reserved. We reserve the right to legally pursue anyone who violates our rights and/or steals our copyrighted material.

Summer Getaway - Hilton Bentley on South Beach in Miami

There is something magical about visiting the beautiful state of Florida and I am not talking about visiting Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Personally, been there, done that. What I am talking about is visiting all of the beautiful coastal areas that Florida has to offer...one of them being South Beach in Miami!

I wanted to bring to your attention the newest addition to South Beach for the summer. The Hilton Bentley on South Beach introduces newly renovated 3000 sq. ft. It's fine luxury at it's best!!!

This two story 2/3, two master bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, makes any stay as classy and upscale as South Beach gets. A full stainless steel kitchen, with personal wine chiller, elegant dining room, living room with 60 inch retractable LED television, and marble bathrooms, accentuate the refined interior.

Two private terraces, a rooftop heated jacuzzi and a pool deck provide all the breathtaking views one could imagine. No matter where you occupy your 3000 sq. ft., you can hear the Dolby surround sound system, while controlling it and everything else in your suite from your iPhone or iPad. With rates ranging from $2,500-$7500, this Hilton Bentley suite is worthy of occupancy any time of year.

If you are looking to vacation in the lap of luxury with all modern conveniences and breath-taking views in South Beach...the Hilton Bentley South Beach - Miami is the place to be! You can check out their web site for additional information, amenities and availability.

The Sightseer Tram Car in Wildwood New Jersey

One of the famous things you will see on the Wildwood Boardwalk is the Sightseer Tram Car! Matter of fact, I think it might be even more famous than the boardwalk itself! You can find it running up and down the boardwalk every day during the in-season at the Jersey Shore.

When they are really busy and in the "flux" of the season, you will see multiple tram cars going up and down the boardwalk. You can't miss it because it is a bright yellow color and is trimmed in blue. Adults and children love to take a ride on the tram car which costs $3.00 one way. So, if you take a round trip up and down the Wildwood boardwalk, it will cost each person $6.00.

If the weather is really bad or if it is storming, they will cease their operation. If there is light rain & drizzle...you will still see the tram car in operation. The main hubs are at the beginning of the boardwalk in North Wildwood and finishing at the other end of the boardwalk down by the convention center. With that said, you can board the tram car at any point in between.

We personally like to take it from the beginning of the boardwalk in North Wildwood and ride it down to the end of the boardwalk and walk & shop our way back. If you have seniors or children along with you who can't do a lot of walking, this is definitely the way to go.

Taking a ride on it is a lot of fun! Bring your camera along and as it stops up and down at different places on the boardwalk, you can snap a lot of pictures of boardwalk attractions. All of the operators that we encountered on our recent trip were very friendly and helpful.

If you are going to be visiting the Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Diamond Beach and/or Cape May areas at the south Jersey Shore...make sure you visit the Wildwood Boardwalk and take a ride on the famous Sightseer Tram Car! Enjoy your trip!

Aerial America: Southwest Collection DVD by Smithsonian Channel

As a travel blogger, I love to sit down and watch DVDs that take me to far away places and introduce me to new sights and sounds. One such DVD is this brand new Aerial America: Southwest Collection DVD by the Smithsonian Channel.

The DVD features 5 southwest beautiful states: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. The approximate running time is 230 minutes. From: The Inception Media Group.

When I was a teenager, I spent several years living in Arizona and absolutely loved it! I guess that is when I officially caught the traveling bug. Almost every weekend my family went out on road trips across the Southwest. I remember visiting Sedona, Flagstaff, Scottsdale and many other location throughout Arizona. I especially loved visiting the old deserted ghost towns!

The DVD starts with the great state of Arizona where the Grand Canyon is just one of the many magnificent marvels you get to explore. Throughout this episode you will learn about the Copper State's rich history, awe-inspiring landscapes, spectacular sunsets and the infamous gunfights that went on during the old southwest days.

Next you will move on to the Nevada episode which I really loved! I have only ventured into this state 3 times and it was many years ago. In this episode you will discover the highs & lows of the state's rich history and how it became the land of big builders and even bigger dreamers. From the old mining towns and ghost towns to the Hoover Dam, there is definitely something for everyone who wants to learn more about this great state called Nevada.

The third episode on the DVD will take you to the beautiful state of New Mexico. Out of all of the southwest states, I find New Mexico to be the prettiest. I am not sure why, but I do! During this episode you will explore some of the 121,000 square miles that make up this state. You will learn about many of the national treasures from the Rio Grande to adobe structures & dormant volcanoes of years' past. New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment and it is definitely that! The episode goes into the old cowboy tales, UFO sightings and more! Years ago I remember my family taking a trip to New Mexico to watch the famous hot air balloon races...this episode brought back all of those fond memories from that trip.

Next you will move on to the Utah portion of the DVD. I have only been in Utah twice in my lifetime and I hope to return someday soon. Utah is known as the Beehive State, a land that offers endless surprises & possibilities. From the pinnacles of Arches National Park to the white terrain of Bonnesville Salt Flats and the tragedy of the Donner Party to the arrival of Bringham Young, the state of Utah has a lot to offer to travelers...young and old alike!

Finally, you will end your visual traveling experience with the Colorado episode on the DVD. If you have never visited this great state, Colorado is known for having some of the highest peaks, tallest dunes and the largest single-site brewery in America. When I was about 15 years old...we took a trip to see all of the gorgeous Red Rock formations that are out in the dessert areas of the state. If you are into skiing, the DVD will explore a little bit of the ski slopes in Aspen too.

Overall, I LOVE this DVD! I now live on the east coast and only travel out west once every 10-12 years or so. Yes, I know I need to visit there more frequently! Watching the DVD brought back all kinds of childhood memories for me and it was nice to relive them once again. In addition, I made a bucket list of all of the destinations that I want to see (in-person) that I learned about via this fantastic DVD.

You can learn more by visiting the Smithsonian Channel online and by visiting Inception Media Group. You will find this brand new DVD release available for purchase starting on July 22nd, 2014.

Disclaimer: A free copy of this DVD was provided to me for this review. No monetary compensation has been received. My thoughts & opinions on this item are 100% my own and are unbiased. Your opinions & views may differ.

Experience Hershey with a Sightseeing Tour - Hershey Trolley Works

A few weeks ago we headed down to Hershey in Pennsylvania to experience some of the great family-friendly activities that Hershey has to offer. If you have never visited the sweetest place on earth, you really should!

We started off our day at ZooAmerica and then headed over to Hershey's Chocolate World. Once we were there, we decided to take a sightseeing tour with Hershey Trolley Works. We have known about these educational, historical and fun tours...but had never taken one until last month.

The summer trolley adventure runs June through the end of August and you can find the complete schedule on their web site. If you are traveling in a group, you can contact them to reserve a day & time for your group to take a sightseeing tour.

You can click on images to enlarge them

During the month of September they will be bringing back their very popular The History & Chocolate Tour. This tour really features all of the great history of Milton S. Hershey and all of the chocolate candy he made famous! Great for chocolate lovers and history buffs! 

One of the things I really loved about the tour is that your tour guides and conductors all dress the part! I loved seeing them wearing their uniforms! These tours can get very crowded and with very long waiting lines, so if you can...arrive early in the morning to get ahead of the crowds. If you're really lucky, you may spot the famous Hershey's Kissmobile while you're out doing the tour. Often times you can see it at local events or as it's driving through the downtown area. Fun!

Admission varies from $12.45 (for seniors) to $12.95 for adults, kids ages 3 through 12 is $10.95 per child and children 2 and under are FREE with a paid adult. You can find their complete schedule and additional information by visiting the Hershey Trolley Works web site. Update: These rates have slightly increased over the past few years, please visit their website for the MOST CURRENT and up to date information. Thanks!

Top 7 Things to See & Do While Visiting Cape May

Cape May is located at the southern most tip of the state of New Jersey. It is one of your classic shore towns but with a twist...a Victorian twist! When you stroll down many of the streets in Cape May you will see some of the most spectacular Victorian architecture that you have ever seen!

While vacationing in Cape May you will find plenty of places to stay (hotels, motels, guest houses and Bed & Breakfast Inns), fine & casual dining establishments and tons of family-friendly activities to enjoy.

Our top 7 choices of things to see and do while visiting Cape May.

World War II Lookout Tower

* World War II Lookout Tower - This restored World War II Lookout Tower is located at Sunset Beach in Cape May and was once part of the defense system of the Delaware Bay. Admission is free to walk around the grounds surrounding the tower and there is a small admission fee to enter and tour the tower itself.

* Sunken Concrete Ship - The S.S. Atlantus was a concrete ship used in World War I as part of an emergency fleet. On June 8th of 1926 a terrible storm came ashore and sunk the concrete ship right off the coast of Sunset Beach. You can see what is left of it by visiting Sunset Beach (free) attraction.

Cape May Lighthouse

* Cape May Lighthouse - This beautiful lighthouse was built in 1859 to help light the way for mariners who were navigating the Delaware bay and the south jersey cape. Activities are held here year-round and there is an admission fee to tour the inside of the lighthouse. Once you reach the top, you will get breath-taking views of the surrounding Cape May area.

South Cape May Meadows

* South Cape May Meadows - Nature Conservancy - If you love nature and are looking for a free activity to enjoy, we highly recommend you visit South Cape May Meadows. Every time we visit, it is never crowded & there is plenty of free parking. You can leisurely stroll the grounds and walk the paths to see wildlife in their natural habitat. We have seen all kinds of shore birds, rabbits, turtles, etc.

Washington Street Mall

* The Washington Street Mall - When you visit this coastal mall you will not find large box stores or retail chains. The majority of the stores here are small mom & pop stores, gift shops and eateries. If you want to park nearby, you will need to find metered parking.

* Cape May - Lewes Ferry - This ferry is a huge tourist attraction but also serves a functional purpose for people who are traveling between Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware. Often times when you are riding the ferry you will see whales and dolphins swimming nearby. You can purchase round trip or one-way tickets.

Historic Cold Spring Village & Museum

* Historic Cold Spring Village - This village is open seasonally and visitors can stroll around the village at their leisure. There is an admission fee to get in but it is totally worth it. We enjoy going there to see the beautiful gardens, to participate in scheduled events and of course, to do shopping!

These 7 activities of things to see and do while visiting Cape May in New Jersey is just the tip of the iceberg! Some of these activities are only available during the "in-season" and others are year-round. Enjoy your trip to the Jersey Shore!

Tour the Panama Canal as it Turns 100

Experience this historic, engineering marvel as it commemorates its first century while getting to know amazing "Crossroads of America" with Truly Panama's dynamic collection of boutique tour packages.

Panama City, Panama - Experience the Panama Canal at its century mark of changing the course of history with a dynamic collection of boutique tours by Truly Panama, a sustainable travel tour introducing the world to the wonders of this culturally rich "Crossroads of America."

Several of Truly Panama's unforgettable tours showcase the famed waterway, which took more than three decades to construct and connect two oceans, along with other areas of this culturally rich "Crossroads of America." These include:

Full Day City Tour

Visit the Panama Canal Interoceanic Museum in Casco Antiguo, an UNESCO historic site commonly called the walled city. Discover the intriguing history and construction of the Canal at the visitor center located at the Miraflores Locks. Watch giant ships on their journey, see how the locks operate, and hear about future plans to expand and transform the canal. This tour includes a visit to Old Panama, founded in 1519 and looted by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671.

Canal and Train Ride Adventure

Take a scenic train ride to the Colon province and visit the Gatun Locks. Observe the mechanical operations on the Atlantic side and watch in awe as large vessels travel through the narrow canal, flanked by lush jungle on either side. Visit Fort San Lorenzo, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, before journeying by train back to the city, going from one ocean to another through the Panama Canal Riviera.

Eco Tour Gatun Lake

Enjoy an amazing boat ride on Gatun Lake, which was the largest man-made lake in the world when it was created and carries ships for 21 miles of the transit across the Panama Canal. See the lush, surrounding rainforest and navigate close to massive ships as they wait to cross the Canal. Discover the area's unique species of birds, monkeys and iguanas, among other local wildlife.

Partial Canal Transit

Navigate across the Pedro Miguel locks as you learn about the canal's engineering, its expansion and the new Centennial Bridge. On route, admire beautiful Panama bay and the city skyline and sail under the Bridge of the Americas. Once in the Pacific you will disembark in the Flamenco Marina and transported back to you hotel.

Panama is fast gaining popularity among travelers for its rich culture, bio-diverse, protected natural environment, stable government, friendly, safe and affordable communities and idyllic, hurricane-free weather. Truly Panama creates unique experiences and memories with top-of-the-line services and expertise, offering more than two dozen unique tours in this amazing country. These range from canal excursions to rainforest, mountain and island adventures. Truly Panama can also craft custom packages and luxury yacht charters upon request. The eco-friendly company was founded by Jonathan Zelcer and his team of tourism professionals with solid domestic and international experience in the luxury hospitality industry. Visit Truly Panama to get additional information and/or to make reservations.

Family Fun at Hershey's Chocolate World

Hershey's Chocolate World is open year-round (except for major holidays) and has free admission. It is one of the very few free activities that you can enjoy while visiting Hershey Pennsylvania. If you want to avoid crowds and long lines...you will want to visit September through early May. Throughout the year they hold a wide variety of seasonal events.

During the summer tourist season you will find a fee for parking if you plan on staying 3 hours or more. If you are there for less than 3 hours, parking is free. If you need handicap parking you will find that near the entrance under a roofed pavilion.

You will have to enter the facility through the main entrance which is well marked. If you want to leave your baby stroller outside, they have an area right near the front door where you can check it in and go inside. If you are visiting on an extremely crowded day, that is what I recommend that you do because you will NEVER be able to maneuver around the crowds pushing a stroller.

Once inside the front doors, the public restrooms sit to the left. I suggest you and the family use them before venturing further inside to shop or participate in many of the attractions.

* Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour Ride (free)
* Hershey's Create Your Own Candy Bar (fee charged)
* Hershey's Great Chocolate Factor in 4D (fee charged)
* Hershey's Chocolate Tasting Adventure (fee charged)

On the day that we visited, we went on the Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour Ride which is 100% free. We had to stand in line for approximately 20 minutes before we could get on it. Each car has two seats and each car will hold approximately 6 people. Two cars are connected together and then the ride begins.

The ride begins with music and then they go into the history of Milton Hershey and how he went into the chocolate making business. There are lights, animations, etc. on both sides and your car will turn back and forth automatically so you can take-in all of the animations and displays.

We had our 5 year old grand daughter with us and she was immediately smitten with Gabby, Harmony and Olympia...the Hershey Chocolate World singing cows! I have to admit, they are totally adorable!

You proceed on and you see how chocolate starts out as a cocoa bean, how it is harvest, melted down, added to recipes and basically how chocolate is made. This was pretty cool and is very educational for the kids.

There is a section on this tour where you pass through a pretend oven and the Princess really enjoyed that part. Don't worry though, it is just lit up like an oven but is really a tunnel that your car passes through. You won't cook or get over-heated at all!

Once you get through that section you will see my animated factory displays where they show you how various Hershey's Chocolate Bars are made. As you are seeing all of this...let me just say that you will smell the goodness of chocolate as you are taking this tour! Oh my gosh...pure chocolate heaven!

Along the way you are introduced to some of the cutest animated farm cows I have ever seen! They talk and sing to entertain you which is really cool, especially for the kids to see. Near the end of the ride they will tell you to "smile" for the camera and you will want to do that. Once you get off the ride you are given the opportunity to purchase a picture that the camera took. We declined because it was over $20.00 and I thought that was way too much money for one photo.

After we got off the tour ride we headed down the ramps and did a little shopping for Hershey's products. We picked up 9 bags of Hershey's chocolate candy and some syrups which my family loves. The prices are pretty comparable to what you pay for candy at your local grocery store. With that said, they have a lot more variety in candy flavors and package sizes than what you find out in the retail marketplace. 

We had a great time visiting Hershey's Chocolate World but it was extremely crowded on the day that we visited. From now on, we will be visiting during the Spring and Fall months when the tourist season isn't in full swing. Next time around I want to visit the food court and try out some delicious Hershey desserts!

Traveler’s Guide To Beer: The Price of Beer Around the World

Hubby and I love to travel and often times when we travel we like to stop in and visit local bars, nightclubs, pubs and breweries. One thing we have learned with all of our various travels is that the price of beer definitely varies from place to place! There have been times where we have paid $2.00 for a frosty mug of beer and several times were we have paid over $12.00. Yes, OVER $12.00 for one mug of beer!

Today I am sharing with all of you this pretty cool Infographic that shows you the price of beer around the world along with some other interesting beer facts. Did you know that Ukraine and Vietnam have the cheapest beer? On average, .59 cents! I wonder why it is so cheap there? One of the countries with the most expensive beer happens to be Iran at $7.71. Wow!

I found the section on the best-selling beer worldwide very interesting! I would love to know what your favorite beer is and what is the highest price you have ever paid for a glass, bottle or can of beer? I love trying out new beer but I tend to stick to the lights. How about you?

Check out the Traveler’s Guide To Beer: The Price of Beer Around the World.

The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor New Jersey

The Stone Harbor, Wildwood and Cape May areas in New Jersey have hundreds of family-friendly and educational activities for you to enjoy when you visit the Jersey Shore. All three of these shore towns are located within a 20 minute car ride from one another, so going from one activity to the next is quick and easy to do.

Recently we visited the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. We have always wanted to visit it but never took the time to do it until our last trip down there a few weeks ago. Wow, we were really missing out on a fun & educational time! 

The institute sits right off of the Garden State Parkway on the main drag leading into Stone Harbor. We found it very easy to get to from the Parkway and made for a fun adventure after visiting the Cape May County Zoo. Their hours vary, so you will want to check their web site for their schedule of operation.

You will want to wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking. Once you walk into the building, you will pay your admission. While you are in this area, you can use the public restroom and/or visit the gift shop which really has some really cool gifts!

We waited about 20 minutes and then went on the tour through the wetlands. You walk down wide & clear paths and then out onto a man-made walking bridge through the marsh. The tour guides tell you all about the native coastal plants that you see along the paths, the wildlife that lives there and all kinds of other fun facts and cool things! 

The tour guides really take their time and they do NOT rush you around. Several times they stop and let you take photos and ask them questions which was really nice. In addition, they do it in small groups...we had about 12-14 people in our group. 

On the day that we visited...we got to see several female Terrapins digging holes in the sand and laying their eggs. Terrapin conservation is really big with the Wetlands Institute and they have several programs going on to help the Terrapins to survive and to increase their numbers. 

These Terrapin turtles are pretty slow at finding the perfect place to dig their holes, lay their eggs and then cover them up to protect them. You could stand there for a few hours watching the entire process take place. However, if they know you are there, they will abandon their dig and move on, so try not to disturb them if you see them. 

We were fortunate enough to spot one who didn't spot us! She had just finished laying her eggs and covering up her egg nest. After she was done, the staff marked the spot and then put a very cool wire mesh nesting box over the top to protect the buried eggs from predators. Apparently skunks, raccoon and other birds like to feast on Terrapin eggs.

I love turtles so I was really happy to see one in the wild and to learn about the Wetlands Institute Terrapins Conservation Program. You can learn more about it on their website and you can also adopt a Terrapin (virtually). These turtles need all of the help they can get!

We continued on our tour until we ended up on a dock type of area with an over-look. We sat up there for awhile just observing the various sea birds, crabs, fish and other wildlife that lives there. It was amazingly beautifully to see this salt marsh habitat in action!

The tour guides then leave you on your own to explore which was really nice. We decided to re-walk the trails and really take a look around. We spotted all kinds of birds this time around as we were on our own and pretty quiet. 

Once we were done outside...we headed in to their small aquarium building where we got to feed some spider crabs, a star fish, a flounder and several other living creatures that they had in the aquarium. They only feed them on certain days & times...so check their schedule for that. Yes, they do let you feed them while they tell you all about them. We thought this was really cool and hubby kissed a star fish because the legend says that if you kiss a live one...you get 7 years of good luck!

We spent about 25 minutes in the aquarium building feeding the wildlife and checking out the exhibits in there. It is air conditioned in there so it was nice to get out of the sun and heat for awhile.

This was a fun family-friendly activity that was totally affordable! You will want to allow about 1 1/2 hours to go through everything at a "snails" pace. Once you are done...you can shop the Wetlands Institute Gift Shop for some fun souvenirs! We highly recommend it!

Enjoy your trip to the south Jersey Shore! You can find additional blogs posts right here on our blog of fun things to see and do on your trip!