South Coast

ATTRACTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS

SEA ISLE CITY: The Sea Isle City Historical Museum (4208 Landis Ave., 609-263-2992) has more than 3,000 photos. Both Kix-McNutley's (6400 Landis Ave., 609-263-6341; $5) and Ocean Drive (3915 Landis Ave., 609-263-1000; $5) host live acts.

AVALON: Check out vintage swimsuits at the Avalon Museum and Historical Society (215 39th St., 609-967-0090). The Wetlands Institute (1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., 609-368-1211) leads nature walks from the 48th Street beach path (Wednesday 9 a.m.; $3 donation). Send putts to Davy Jones's locker at Pirate Island mini golf (27th Street and Dune Drive, 609-368-8344).

NORTH WILDWOOD: The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse (First and Central avenues, 609-522-4520, http://www.herefordlighthouse.org; $4) has a tiny museum. For test-tube shots and '80s and hip-hop hits, go to Echo's (Walnut and Olde New Jersey avenues, 609-522-8570).

WILDWOOD: The George F. Boyer Historical Museum/Historical Society (3907 Pacific Ave., 609-523-0277, http://www.the-wildwoods.com; donation suggested) is a Wildwood trivia trove. The Casba Comedy Club (3810 Atlantic Ave., 609-522-8444, http://www.casbacomedyclub.com; $15) has two shows nightly. Stroll the boardwalk. Sunset Cinema shows movies on the beach (609-522-6340; $8).

WILDWOOD CREST: Hit the Lakeview Docks (Park Boulevard and Rambler Road, 609-522-0471, http://www.lakeviewdocks.com) for Waverunners. The beach at the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge Two Mile Beach Unit is closed through September, but walking paths are open.

CAPE MAY/CAPE MAY POINT: For all things Victorian, go to the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts/Emlen Physick Estate (1048 Washington St., 800-275-4278, http://www.capemaymac.org). Try a Haunted Cape May Walking Ghost Tour (727 Beach Ave., 609-884-4202, http://www.hauntednewjersey.com; $12) or a horse and carriage ride ($40 for 30 minutes for two).

At Cape May Point State Park (609-884-2159, http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemay.html), climb the lighthouse ($6) or go Cape May di amond combing (they're actually quartz). The Northwood Center of the Cape May Bird Observatory (701 East Lake Dr., 609-884-2736, http://www.njaudubon.org/Centers/CMBO) has an extensive bookstore. Hit the water with the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center (1286 Wilson Dr., 609-898-0055).

LODGING

SEA ISLE CITY: Relax on the wraparound porch of the Colonnade Hotel (4600 Landis Ave., 609-263-8868, http://www.thecolonnadeinn.com; from $158), a 17-unit Victorian property. Party animals can play at the LaCosta Deck Bar and sleep at the adjacent Coast Motel (4000 Landis Ave., 609-263-1111, http://www.lacosta-seaisle.com/coastmotel; from $98).

AVALON: The Avalon Inn Resort (7929 Dune Dr., 877-282-5663, http://www.avaloninn.org; from $174) has a pool half a block from the beach.

STONE HARBOR: The sedate Colonial Lodge Motel (181 93rd St., 609-368-2202, http://www.stoneharbormotels.com/colonial.htm; from $168) has 16 rooms on two levels. Rent a room or the entire three stories at Pebbles Guest House (9400 First Ave., 609-368-2203; rates from $170).

NORTH WILDWOOD: The adorable Summer Nites B&B (2110 Atlantic Ave., 866-762-1950, http://www.summernites.com; rates from $145) has eight '50s, '60s and '70s-themed rooms, with breakfast served by the poodle-skirted owner. Rooms at the Lollipop Motel (2301 Atlantic Ave., 609-729-2800, http://www.lollipopmotel.com; from $185) are maintained by their owners at this doo-wop-style "condotel." The Candlelight Inn (2310 Central Ave., 800-992-2632, http://www.candlelight-inn.com; from $169) offers eight rooms as well as suites in the adjacent carriage house.

WILDWOOD: Stay in doo-wop-style rooms at the Starlux Boutique Hotel & Meeting Place (305 E. Rio Grande Ave., 609-522-7412, http://www.thestarlux.com; from $209) or bunk at the hotel's two Airstream trailers across the street. The 21-room Starfire Motel (5100 Ocean Ave., 609-522-6767, http://www.starfiremotel.com; from $110) has a pool, as does the 37-room Caprice Motel (4200 Ocean Ave., 609-522-3845, http://www.capricemotelwildwood.com; from $140).