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Marine Merriment

Start your day at Gilchrist Restaurant in Historic Gardner’s Basin,

tucked away from the hubbub of the boardwalk, along Atlantic City’s

back bay. This unassuming waterfront eatery might not look like much

on the outside, but the thin, crepe-like blueberry hotcakes are the

talk of the town. Family-owned and in business since 1946, Gilchrist

is well-known for its satisfying breakfasts and energetic service.

After breakfast, browse the eclectic boutiques in Crafters

Village (open seasonally). You’ll find dolls, jewelry, water-sports

gear, an art gallery, and more. The tiny shops resemble backyard

sheds — all part of the charm.

The Atlantic City Aquarium, also part of Gardner’s Basin, lets

you get up close and personal with stingrays, starfish, and tropical

sharks in touch pools. This quaint spot might only take you an hour

to tour, unless you have a daughter like mine who just can’t pull

herself away from her conversations with fish, rays, and lizards. She

also thrilled at seeing baby sharks and shark eggs in the touch pool.

When you depart from the aquarium, grab a quick lunch at

Back Bay Ale House, and get ready for more adventure out on the

open sea. Atlantic City Cruises offers dolphin-watching cruises

through mid-October, leaving from Gardner’s Basin. You can also

try parasailing, fish the calm waters of Atlantic City’s back bay in a

pontoon boat, and book a deep-sea fishing excursion and bring

back your own catch of the day.

Elephants, Fries, and Diamonds —Oh My!

I have fond memories of my family’s Sunday drives. Even on vacation,

my dad would always take time to drive around and observe.

Whether I realized it or not, I was taking in details about architecture,

culture, food, nature, and history. I still love a meandering, scenic

drive, and the Jersey Shore provides an outstanding opportunity with

a trip along Ocean Drive. Connecting Atlantic City to Cape May —

the southernmost tip of New Jersey — the drive takes you along the

barrier islands on the Atlantic Ocean and offers spectacular views,

iconic landmarks, and plenty of culinary delights.

Start out on Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City, and make your way

down to Margate to visit Lucy the Elephant. A New Jersey legend,

Lucy is six stories high and a National Historic Landmark. A short

tour teaches you about Lucy’s history and grants access to the

howdah

(the platform atop her back) via a spiral staircase for

glorious views of the ocean.

Continuing south, you’ll pass through Ocean City, Avalon,

and Wildwood, marveling at the beautiful homes, boardwalks,

amusements, and food, and passing over bridges offering stunning

scenery. When you get hungry for a snack, I highly recommend a

stop at Curley’s Fries, located at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. You

can watch the fries being made, and then buy yourself a bucket.

Don’t worry about finishing them — they are the best fries you’ll

ever taste. Curley’s is on the Wildwood boardwalk — another

Jersey Shore institution.

Hop back in the car, and complete your drive to Sunset Beach

in Cape May. Enjoy dinner at The Grille, and let the kids dig on

the beach for Cape May Diamonds — quartz crystals that the

Kechemeche Indians believed possessed supernatural power to

bring success and good fortune. Head back to AC via the Garden

State Parkway, about a 50-minute drive.

IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD Summer 2015

John Dimaio/The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Michael Ventura/Alamy; Atlantic City Cruises

Philly Foray

No trip to the Atlantic City area would be complete

without a diversion to the historic city of Philadelphia.

Just over an hour’s drive from Atlantic City, Philly

welcomes shoppers, foodies, and history buffs

alike with iconic attractions such as the Liberty

Bell, Independence Hall, Reading Terminal Market,

and The Franklin Institute.

Fans of the movie

Rocky

will find an impressive

photo opp on the “Rocky Steps” at the Philadelphia

Museum of Art. Bound up the stairs, and snap a

pic of your best triumphant pose. If you’re inspired

to get even more exercise, Philly has a plethora of

walking tours: ghost, food, cocktails, history, and

even a Quintessential Rocky Tour of Philadelphia,

during which you’ll visit landmarks from the

movie series.

Trenton

Historic

Gardner’s

Basin

Absecon

Lighthouse

Atlantic City

Boardwalk

Tanger

Outlets

Lucy the

Elephant

Atlantic City

Margate

Ocean City

New

Jersey

Wildwood

Morey’s

Pier

Cape

May

Cape May

County

Park & Zoo

Sunset

Beach