A week in Avalon or Stone Harbor usually revolves around beach days, boat rides, dinner plans, and long evenings outside. But when your group wants a break from the sand, a nearby brewery or winery outing is an easy way to enjoy more of Cape May County.
You do not need to plan a packed tour or spend the entire day off the island. The best version is relaxed: choose one or two stops, build in food, plan your ride, and leave room to return to Avalon or Stone Harbor for dinner, sunset, or a quiet night at the rental.
Start Close to the Island
For a simple first stop, Avalon Brew Pub keeps things easy. Located right in Avalon, it works well for a casual lunch, dinner, beer flight, rainy day plan, or low-key adult outing that does not require much travel.
If your group wants to head off-island, there are several breweries within a reasonable drive of Avalon and Stone Harbor. Slack Tide Brewing Company in Clermont, Ludlam Island Brewery in Woodbine, Cape May Brewing Company in Cape May, and Whale Tale Brewing Company in Cape May Court House are all nearby options to consider.
For the easiest afternoon, pick one brewery and pair it with lunch or dinner. For a longer outing, choose two stops in the same general direction so the day still feels like vacation, not a driving loop.
Add a Winery Stop
Cape May County wineries are a great fit for a slower afternoon, a couples’ outing, a girls’ weekend, or a cloudy day when the beach is not the main plan. Many offer outdoor seating, vineyard views, tastings, flights, events, or food options depending on the season.
Nearby wineries to consider include Cape May Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, Jessie Creek Winery, Natali Vineyards, Willow Creek Winery, and Turdo Vineyards & Winery.
If you are planning around a specific tasting, live music, food menu, or outdoor seating, check hours and availability before you leave your rental. Summer schedules can change, and popular stops may be busy during peak weeks.
A Simple Crawl Plan
Think of this as a loose itinerary, not a strict schedule.
Start with a late lunch or small bite before leaving Avalon or Stone Harbor. Choose one winery for the first stop, then add one brewery on the way back toward the island. Keep the final plan easy: dinner in town, takeout at the rental, or sunset from the deck.
For a fuller Cape May County day, build the outing around the Cape May area. Visit one winery, stop for lunch, add a brewery, then walk around Cape May before heading back to Avalon or Stone Harbor. This works especially well on a cloudy day or when your group wants something different from the usual beach-to-dinner routine.
For a shorter evening plan, keep it to one stop. Avalon Brew Pub before or after dinner, a nearby brewery with friends, or a winery visit before a Cape May dinner can be enough without turning the night into a full crawl.
Plan the Ride Before the First Stop
The most important part of any brewery and winery crawl is transportation. Decide before you go who is driving, or arrange a taxi, car service, rideshare, shuttle, or tour option. Do not assume rideshare will be quick or easy during peak summer weeks, especially later at night or outside the island.
If your group is staying in a rental with kids, coordinate childcare, grandparents, or staggered plans ahead of time. A little planning keeps the day simple and makes it easier to enjoy the stops you choose.
It is also worth checking The Jersey Cape Wine, Spirits & Brew Trail as a starting point for Cape May County breweries, wineries, distilleries, and tasting rooms.
Make the Rental Part of the Plan
The right rental can make an adult outing easier. A walk-to-town location gives you options when you return. A larger kitchen and deck make takeout or snacks simple after a day out. Extra bedrooms and gathering space help friend groups and couples’ weekends feel more comfortable.
If you are planning a trip around beach days, dinner reservations, Cape May County outings, and a brewery or winery stop, location matters. Look for a rental that makes it easy to get on and off the island, return for sunset, or walk to dinner once everyone is back.
Ready to Plan Your Stay?
A brewery and winery crawl near Avalon and Stone Harbor is a fun way to see more of Cape May County while still keeping your shore week relaxed. Choose a few nearby stops, plan safe transportation, check current hours, and leave room for the kind of unhurried afternoon that makes vacation feel like vacation.
Whether you are planning an adult weekend, a couples’ escape, a family trip with one kid-free afternoon, or a full summer week with a few off-beach plans, the Avalon Rental Team can help you find the right place to stay.
Start your Avalon or Stone Harbor rental search today and let the Avalon Rental Team help you book a home that fits your beach days, dinner plans, and Cape May County outings before the best options are gone
