Ice Cream, Derby Nights, and Possibly the Best Brewery in South Jersey

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Before the full summer madness officially takes over the Jersey Shore, I wanted one more peaceful drive through Ocean City. I love living near the shore, but once summer arrives, everything changes fast. The boardwalks become packed, parking turns into a competitive sport, and every street suddenly feels like it’s hosting a parade.

Don’t get me wrong, the energy is part of the magic. Shore towns thrive this time of year, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. But there’s something special about sneaking in those quiet local moments before the chaos officially begins. And let’s be real, it’s not just Ocean City. Every boardwalk town in South Jersey transforms once the temperatures rise.

Ironically, I’ll be spending plenty of Saturday nights in Wildwood this summer helping with events, so I’m basically trading one crowded boardwalk for another. Here’s hoping for decent parking, fun crowds, and a safe summer season for everyone.

A Nostalgic Ice Cream Stop in Ocean City

Even with the chilly ocean breeze rolling in, absolutely nothing was stopping me from getting ice cream this week. We headed down to 55th Street to visit A La Mode Ice Cream Parlor, a classic Ocean City ice cream spot that has been serving homemade ice cream for more than 50 years.

The second you walk inside, it feels like stepping back into an old-school ice cream parlor. Bright colors, nostalgic charm, and endless flavor options line the counters. And when I say endless flavors, I mean it. They make all of their ice cream in-house, and the menu seemed to go on forever with sundaes, banana splits, and every sweet combination imaginable.

What immediately caught my attention was their non-dairy honey almond flavor. I had to try it, and honestly? It was incredible. You genuinely could not tell it was coconut-based. It was creamy, sweet, and the perfect beach-town treat. The sweet honey swirls compliments the creamy coconut milk base perfectly, and the crunch bits of almonds really brought the flavors all together. No wonder A La Mode is an award winning ice cream creator!

Meanwhile, Joe went all in with a massive cookie-crazed sundae loaded with warm cookies, hot fudge, whipped cream, and the classic cherry on top. It arrived looking like a dessert skyscraper and disappeared just as quickly.


The staff was beyond friendly, and the whole experience felt like the kind of classic shore memory you hope never changes. Safe to say, we’ll absolutely be back. You can read more about A La Mode in this week’s Shore Local, where I sat down with the owner to talk about her journey to serving OCNJ for 50 years.

Kentucky Derby Fun at Ludlam Island Brewery

Later in the week, it was time for one of my favorite spring traditions: the Kentucky Derby.

I headed out to Woodbine to check out Ludlam Island Brewery and their Kentucky Derby celebration. The brewery was hosting best-dressed and best-hat contests, and the second I walked in, the energy was contagious. Everywhere you looked there were elaborate hats, derby outfits, and people fully committed to the theme.


The brewery itself is set up with separate counters for drinks and food, which actually made everything move smoothly despite the crowd. While I didn’t spot an official mocktail menu, the staff happily created custom drinks without hesitation. They were absolute stars! 

First up was a beautiful cranberry mocktail made with a refreshing mix of ginger beer, cranberry, lime, and club soda that tasted like spring in a glass.


But the real star of the night? The mocktail mint julep. A sweet, minty, icy, and ridiculously refreshing mocktail. I honestly have no clue how they made it taste that good, but after seeing how many people kept ordering them all night, I completely understood the hype.


The Cheesesteak That Stole the Show

After grabbing drinks, I wandered over to the food counter where every single thing looked tempting. I even spotted a mysterious QR code that unlocked a secret menu, which immediately made me curious. Still, for my first visit, I decided to stick with the regular menu.

I debated between a burger and a cheesesteak for way too long, but eventually figured I can get a burger anywhere. A brisket cheesesteak? That felt like the move.

And wow, was it the right decision.


The brisket cheesesteak arrived piled high on a fresh seeded roll with perfectly melted cheese and tender, melt-in-your-mouth brisket. Ooey, gooey, messy, and absolutely worth every napkin. Later, I learned their cheesesteaks and burgers are their best sellers… So now I HAVE to try the burger next time.

Derby Excitement and South Jersey Summer Vibes

As post time approached, the entire brewery gathered around the screens waiting for the race to begin. Once the horses hit the final stretch, the entire place erupted with cheers. Between the excitement of the race, the contest winners being announced, the flowing craft beer, and nonstop laughter, the whole night felt like the perfect kickoff to South Jersey’s busy season.

Eventually, I packed up the last few bites of my cheesesteak to-go and took one final look around. Ludlam Island Brewery clearly knows how to throw a party. Between live music, line dancing, music bingo, themed events, great food, craft beer, and genuinely friendly people, it’s easy to see why the place stays packed.

And honestly? It might just be one of the best breweries in South Jersey.

I am looking forward to more nights filled with laughter, excitement, and of course– Mocktails! Summer in South Jersey may come with traffic, crowds, and impossible parking, but weekends like this remind me why I love living here.

Until Next time, 

The Sober Party Girl

Ludlum Island Brewery: 10 out of 10! 


Pros & Cons 🍦🏇🍻

Pros 👍

  • 🍦 Homemade ice cream at A La Mode Ice Cream Parlor that tastes like pure summer nostalgia

  • 🌴 Non-dairy flavors that are actually creamy and delicious

  • 🍪 Massive sundaes loaded with warm cookies, hot fudge, and whipped cream

  • 😊 Friendly staff that make the whole experience feel welcoming at both A La Mode and Ludlum

  • 🎩 Fun Kentucky Derby atmosphere at Ludlam Island Brewery

  • 🍹 Custom mocktails even without an official mocktail menu

  • 🌿 Refreshing mint juleps that somehow disappear way too fast

  • 🥩 Brisket cheesesteak that was cheesy, messy, and absolutely worth it

  • 🎶 Tons of events like live music, bingo, and line dancing

  • 🚗 Plenty of parking in the Ludlum Island Brewery Parking Lot

  • 🍺 Great mix of lively crowds, good vibes, and South Jersey charm

Cons 👎

  • 🚗 Summer shore traffic and parking chaos are creeping closer by the day

  • 🧀 Cheesesteak leftovers somehow tasted amazing… but made me wish I ordered a second one instead

  • 🎉 Ludlam Island Brewery gets BUSY, especially during events

  • 💸 Between ice cream, mocktails, and cheesesteaks, my wallet definitely participated in derby season too
Location: Woodbine, NJ 08270, USA

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