South Coast

WILDWOOD CREST: The Caribbean Motel (5600 Ocean Ave., 609-522-8292, http://www.caribbeanmotel.com; from $99) is doo-wop from head to toe. Rooms at the Bel Air (5510 Ocean Ave., 800-528-7991, http://www.belairmotel.net; from $139) come with fridge and microwave. The Pan American (5901 Ocean Ave., 609-522-6936, http://www.panamericanhotel.com; from $233) is a relative behemoth at four stories, with ocean views and a neat circular pool.

CAPE MAY: The town is dotted with hotels, but B&Bs are the real draw. See our picks on Page P8.

PLACES TO EAT

SEA ISLE CITY: Folks have headed to Busch's Seafood Restaurant (8700 Landis Ave., 609-263-8626; entrees from $18.75) since 1882; it's known for its she crab soup ($6.25). Scoop Daddy's (3210 Landis Ave., 609-263-3141) has canopied seating perfect for devouring a $4 Cafe Crunch sundae. Coffee.COMedy (29 JFK Blvd., 609-263-5282) is a coffee shop, Internet cafe and standup venue.

AVALON: A family atmosphere and an eclectic menu (baked brie with wild berry compote for $13.95) keep beachgoers coming to Bobby-Dee's Rock 'n Chair Restaurant (2409 Dune Dr., 609-967-3300). After a seafood dinner at Cafe Loren (2288 Dune Dr., 609-967-8228; entrees from $29), try to down the Shipwreck, 12 scoops of ice cream with every topping ($24) at Buccaneer Ice Cream and Candy (2659 Dune Dr., 609-967-1119).

STONE HARBOR: Green Cuisine (302 96th St., 609-368-6486) offers smoothies ($4.95) and sandwiches (try the Garden Delight, $6.25). Mainstay Marabella's (9426 Third Ave., 609-368-5037) serves Italian lunch and dinners; entrees from $12.50. Join the line at Springer's (9420 Third Ave., 609-368-4631), serving ice cream since Prohibition.

NORTH WILDWOOD: Try a grilled Reuben "Solar Specialty Sandwich" ($8.20) or a Greek specialty (souvlaki platter, $9.15) at the Star Diner Cafe (325 W. Spruce Ave., 609-729-4900). Order a six-scoop Scoop DeVille ($12.50) -- and sit in a vintage-car booth -- at Cool Scoops Ice Cream Parlor (1111 New Jersey Ave., 609-729-2665). For massive meat and veggie dogs served in, yes, doggie bowls, locals pack into Maui's Doghouse (806 New Jersey Ave., 609-846-0444).

WILDWOOD: The owner sings Sinatra and a single pasta serving is enough for four at La Piazza Cucina (4600 Pacific Ave., 609-522-8300; entrees from $12). There's intriguing picnic fare such as Bulgarian eggplant spread at Europa Delights, an international grocery (4722 Pacific Ave., 609-522-1149). Stop at Marvis Diner (4900 Pacific Ave., 609-522-0550) and get the house omelet ($7.25), which comes with Tater Tots.

WILDWOOD CREST: The Peanut Butter Fluff sundae ($5.10) at Sea Shell Ice Cream Parlor (Rio Grande and Atlantic avenues, 609-522-7822) could feed a family. Duffy's on the Lake (7601 New Jersey Ave., 609-522-1815) is the place for a short stack ($4.25) with a water view. For an upscale New American dinner where jackets aren't out of place, try Marie Nicole's (9510 Pacific Ave., 609-522-5425; entrees from $21).

CAPE MAY: At the Pier House (1327 Beach Ave., 609-898-0300), the New American menu lives up to the artful presentation (entrees from $19). The veggie pita with garlicky tzatziki ($6) at small, sunny George's Place (301 Beach Ave., 609-884-6088) will jump-start any day. For Caesar salad, burgers and club sandwiches ($6 to $11), grab an outdoor seat at the Blue Pig Tavern (251 Beach Ave., 609-884-8422). Gussy up for the venerable Washington Inn (801 Washington St., 609-884-5697), a circa-1840 plantation house serving duck, steak and soft-shell crab (entrees from $20, surf and turf $63).