Page 11 - 2023 Southern NJ Vacationer

The Noyes Arts Garage Stockton University
THE NOYES ARTS GARAGE STOCKTON UNIVERSITY: The cornerstone of the Atlantic City Arts District. The museum provides opportunities to learn about, explore, and experience the arts. The Arts Garage houses over 15 studios and shops, and visitors are invited to watch the artists at work, ask questions about their creative process, and purchase original artwork. You will find individual artists working in their studios, each focusing on a different medium including painting, jewelry making, photography and more. Admission is always FREE. 609-626-3805; www.artsgarageac.com
ON THE WINGS OF A MONARCH: Take a rev rail ride to see an interactive monarch butterfly statue installed by the Nature Conservancy at the Garrett Family Preserve in 2022 by Brazilian artist Rubem Robierb entitled Dream Machine Monarch. The striking sculpture emphasizes the importance of pollinators and our area’s crucial role in Monarch migration. From late August into the fall, Monarchs stop at the preserve between Seashore Road and Cape Island Creek to feed before their journey south. Ample parking is available at the site but consider a trip on Revolution Rail, a unique and fun adventure that leaves from the Welcome Center in Cape May and travels several miles through the Garrett Family Preserve under your own pedal power along old railroad tracks. www.revrail.com
A LOT TO LEARN AT ATLANTIC CITY MUSEUMS:
Atlantic City museums and cultural centers explore the city’s colorful history including African American heritage, folk tales, vintage photographs, memorabilia and more. The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, also calls the Noyes Arts Garage home, highlighting the accomplishments and impact of African Americans in South Jersey and around the country. www.aahmsnj.org
THE TOWNE OF HISTORIC SMITHVILLE:
Once an historic stagecoach stop, the Historic Smithville Inn, a National Historic Landmark, is now the centerpiece of a recreated village of cobblestoned walkways, foot bridges, shops, a bed and breakfast inn, restaurants and attractions. In the summer, families can enjoy paddleboat rides around the lake, lemonade in hand, as their feet propel them through the water providing a different view of the village. 609-748- 8999; www.historicsmithville.com
CAPE SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX:
Cape Square Entertainment Complex is located in Rio Grande NJ in the newly renovated County Commons at the former Kmart Complex in Rio Grande. Cape Square will redefine entertainment at the Jersey Cape. Comprising 55,000 square feet, it will have something for everyone. The entertainment complex features 8 state-of-the-art movie theaters, 16 lanes of upscale bowling, an arcade, and a golf simulator. For your culinary delight, there’s Cape Kitchen and Craft with two dining experiences, two unique bars, and an outdoor beer garden. Check Cape Kitchen and Craft on Facebook.
ROLLING ALONG THE BOARDWALK:
Since the 1800s, wicker chairs have been rolling along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. For a few dollars, the rolling chair transporters will push one or two people in their chairs from one Boardwalk attraction to the next. Passengers enjoy the relaxed pace and a scenic ride with the ocean on one side and the glamour of the city on the other side. www.atlanticcitynj.com In Wildwood the familiar sing-song sound of “watch the tram car, please,” still reverberates along the boards as those yellow tram cars traverse the 38 blocks between Cresse Avenue and North Wildwood, a stretch of Boardwalk lined with shops, discount stores, pizza places and arcades. www.wildwoodsnj.com
MIKE’S SEAFOOD RUN-WALK FOR AUTISM:
It’s a new President’s Day Weekend tradition as thousands of walkers and runners participate during this popular, family-friendly event at Excursion Park, JFK Boulevard & the Beach; 609-263-3458; www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com
HARRIET TUBMAN. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD and CAPE MAY: Climb aboard the Cape May MAC trolley to hear true tales of Cape May’s connection to the Underground Railroad. Slaves fled their chains in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia and braved strong currents and stormy seas, guided by the beacon at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear how legendary, anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked Cape May’s streets. See the summer refuge of the formerly enslaved Stephen Smith who became one of America’s wealthiest businessmen whose railroad cars ferried hundreds to freedom. Combine a visit to the renowned Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey that tells the story of this hero as part of a tour that is part of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom. Tours begin at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May. 609-884-5404; 800-275-4278. www.capemaymac.org
HARRIET TUBMAN’S PLACE IN CAPE MAY HISTORY: Harriet Tubman has her place in history in Cape May and now it’s on full display at the Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey. The museum is housed in the George Howell House, which was partially constructed around 1799, and is located at 632 Lafayette Street. Harriet Tubman had strong connections to Cape May, as she worked in the resort to fund her underground activities in the 1850s. She helped slaves from the South reach freedom which is refelcted in the artifacts of this one-of-kind museum. www.harriettubmanmuseum.org
SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER 9