Long-time lurker here, but my first post. Been taking my wife and now 14-year-old son to Cape May for two weeks every summer since he was a baby. Well, each summer, I've noticed that we spend progressively more and more time during our Cape May trip in Wildwood as my son ages, so last year I had a novel idea; in addition to booking our two weeks in August for Cape May, I would book a short week in June (Monday-Friday) in Wildwood with just my son and I! So I booked the Pan American for the week of June 22nd.
Well, probably not the best of timing for my first stay in the Wildwoods, but, after discussing it with our son, we have decided to give it a shot; we've been very good about staying at home since mid-March, and everything I have read is indicating that, if we mask up, social distance, and spend time outside, our risk will be minimal. As an aside, I was actually at a work conference at Walt Disney World one of the last days in March that they were open, and visited the parks as well; washed my hands like a maniac, didn't touch my face, and ended up being fine-- not an experience I want to relive, though!
Given that the amusements will be closed, we're looking for alternatives to that, so if anyone has any suggestions in that regard, that would be great. Suspect that we'll be doing a lot of eating (take out unless there is outdoor by then), so food suggestions in particular will be greatly appreciated (I've done my own homework of course, including reading posts on here...). Not worrying about my son getting board, he is very mature for his age and if we ended up hanging out at the hotel a lot and relaxing and spending quality time with his dad, he'll be just fine with that.
Anyway, always enjoy the posts on these boards-- keep up the good work!
Glad you had a good time. We are down now and it looks like the historic museum is open again.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions-- we have an absolutely wonderful time this week, and hit every place that everyone suggested except for the museums (still closed) and the Wharf. Hopefully I will be motivated to put together a trip report. Thanks again!
Welcome Michael,
Duffers restaurant is currently doing curbside pick up. Great food and ice cream and worth a visit. Not sure if their mini golf will be open however.
Welcome to the boards! I hope you and your son have a great time. Nothing like father and son bonding. Check out the museum on Pacific Ave, as well as the Doo Wop Musuem across the street from the convention center that has plenty of old neon hotel signs, artifacts, and simliar things. Cool Scoops Ice Cream in North Wildwood is also a fun place to visit- it's literally like walking into the 50's.
I'd recommend the Retro Arcade on the boardwalk but it probably won't be opening any time soon. He has arcade and pinball games from the 30's-90's, and of course, the ever so fun and addicting Fascination. He has plenty of artificats on display of rides from previous decades in Wildwood.
The Ghost Ship is fun, but also probably won't be open.
how about a trip top the Wildwood war plane museum?
instead of a tandem, grab a couple 3 wheel chopper bikes. Great fun to ride and no balance skills needed at all :) we love em even though we can ride 2 wheel bike fine.
Dog Tooth should be open and they have been consistently good for us. We also like the Wharf...but I'm not sure if that is open. In any case, enjoy your first stay in Wildwood. Just sitting on the beach, eating curley fries and Mack's pizza will make the trip worthwhile. Enjoy!
Thanks for taking the time to post! My son is not all that skillful a bike rider, but perhaps I can get a tandem...I had actually read about the Doo Wop Drive-In in a recent Philly Inquirer article on Wildwood, so I had planned to check that out (as well as Ravioli House, also mentioned in the article); and of course Alosi's will be open for takeout at a minimum so I'm sure we'll be there quite a bit. Glad to hear your endorsement of the Pan American; I did a lot of research in choosing where we would stay (including reading this site) and that seemed to be the best choice for both my son and I. And, with the pool now scheduled to be open when we arrive, that will certainly be a plus...
Feel free to suggest other places, if they turn out to be closed that's fine, nothing ventured nothing gained! Thanks again...
The Crest Bike Path and Boardwalk are great for bike riding, there is a bike rental place right next to the Pan American on the other side of the basketball courts. I'm not sure what's open and what's not but that's a good activity other than enjoying the beach.
The Pan American has been our "home" for many years now, it's a wonderful hotel. Alosi's Bistro the attached restaurant is very good though I'm not sure if they have outdoor dining or what might be going on with those things. I would also recommend checking out the new Doo Wop Drive In located in the Crest. Normally I'd have a ton of dining suggestions but I don't know who will be open. Just be sure to get some Kohrs Frozen Custard on the Boardwalk.