Rather than escape on a warm-weather getaway or wait until summertime to see and hear the crash of the Atlantic Ocean, my boyfriend and I recently visited the Jersey Shore for a winter weekend away. With no need for sandals and sunscreen, we bundled up for the beach with warm gloves and extra layers. Having always visited Wildwood during the warm summer months when visitors flock to the beach and crowd the boardwalks, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of this seaside community in January. Though temperatures barely reached 30 degrees, we hit the beach and encountered only a few people on long walks along the coastline. The sun was shining and snow on the sand was glistening, making for a beautiful, relaxing beach scene I have never experienced before. With shuttered storefronts and no families lounging under umbrellas, the only sounds heard were the waves of the Atlantic and the footsteps of the occasional runner. Aside from long walks on the quiet beach, there is plenty to do to keep busy during the winter in southern New Jersey. No trip is complete without a stop at Cape May Brewery, open year-round and bustling with patrons even in the cold winter months. With several unique brews on tap and a friendly staff, the brewery is the perfect spot to ward off the winter chill. With only a handful of visitors sharing the beach and low rates for overnight accommodations, the Jersey Shore is an excellent destination to enjoy the relaxing wintry perks of the off-season and solitude of the sea. — Monique Barrett, eFlyer editor/associate editor