September is so satisfying and so is our September issue out now

Some people treat Labor Day like a finish line. We know better.
September – and the fall that follows – might just be Ocean City’s best-kept secret, er, was. The crowds thin out, the parking gets easier, the ocean is still warm enough to swim in, and the whole island seems to exhale. This is the season for long Boardwalk walks without dodging beachgoers like a heated game of Frogger, for actually snagging a table at your favorite spot, for rediscovering why you fell for this place in the first place.
Downtown on Asbury has its own kind of magic this time of year, too – pretty storefronts you can browse slowly as you take it all in, sidewalks you can stroll easily, new spots to love for a coffee or a bite without the summer crush.
Speaking of falling in love – this issue, we’re taking that theme county-wide. Our feature, “26 Ways to Fall in Love with Cape May County,” is exactly what it sounds like: two dozen-plus reasons to celebrate just how much charm this stretch of coastline holds, block by block, town by town. This list gathered by Kristen Dowd is filled with potential fun. Read it, screenshot it, and share it.
We’re also rounding up the best food trucks in town, because sometimes the best meal comes with wheels. And don’t miss our look at Spooks ‘N’ Kooks, the costume surf contest that turns 7th Street Beach into equal parts fashion show and fundraiser every October, with all proceeds going straight to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
Whichever way you spend it, this season has a way of reminding us why we never really leave. So grab a hoodie, take the scenic route, and let the island show you a side of itself the summer crowds don’t get to see.
Thank you for reading!
See you on the beach,

Stef Godfrey