=We will be going to NJ in July and I am looking for ideas . I will have three kids, 6-11, with me. How is the Cape May Park and Zoo? =

Great zoo, not too large so you can do it in the morning and still do something else in the afternoon. It gets crowded on rainy days though.
If you like birds then plan a day at Cape May point and the lighthouse. There they have all kinds of programs for kids to get them interested in waterfoul and the such. I have 2 kids ages 10 and 14 and they enjoy it there.
You can plan a picnic there and if conditions are good, the dolphins come very close to the shore. Absolutely breathtaking.
The lighthouse has 199 steps so the smaller children may have trouble making the climb but the view is worth it.

=Does anyone know of any family restaurants that are nice? My husband doesn't like the "chain" ones, like Outback,Ground Round,=
A MUST see is a great place called "Yesterday's heros Ballpark cafe"
I see your from New York....This place has and extensive collection of Yankee's and Phillies memorabilia including a lifesize Babe Ruth figure, actual staduim seats and more baseball cards then I can count.
I can't say for sure but last year on Monday nites it was kids night with a dj spinning kids toons, clowns and magicians ect...
The food is acutually VERY good as are the drinks.
The attire is casual.
Another great place that if family friendly is "Mangia Mangia". Homemade Italian, huge portions (sharing is allowed) and very reasonable prices. Casual attire-no bar but you can BYOB is you desire.
On Washington Street there is a place called "The Pilot House. Its slightly more upscale but they are still reasonable by Cape May standards. They have nightly specials which almost always has crab cakes which are delicious. If you go with children, go early because the bar gets busy after dark.
One last place to recommend is actually not even in Cape May but its only a short hop. Its called the "Crab House at 2 mile landing". Its the kind of place that has brown paper on the tables for steamed crabs. They have awesome burgers as well as bar-b-que chicken and ribs.
Very casual attire and a really great deck to eat outside and watch the boat traffic.

I could recommend a few other places that are more upscale so let me know.

=We plan on visiting Cape May beach,but I was wondering about parks,places to hike,kids' museums, anything like that.=
Well I already mentioned the lighthouse but if your up for a hike park your car along the promonade at the end of the beach and hike to the lighthouse. Its a great walk along a mostly deserted beach..
Cold Springs Village is a restored historical village, like a small version of Colonial Williamsburg.
Take the ferry ride to Lewes Delaware. Bring your car and go the the fabulous outlets for tax-free shopping. The boat ride is fun and relaxing and there they have fun activities for the kids including a certificate to be an honorary captian.
The Physick mansion often runs childrens afternoon tea with clowns and musicians and the such.

Keep in mind there is no boardwalk in Cape May. But if your kids like rides there are amusements in WildWood...just a short drive from Vineland. Again I would recommend going early as when it gets later, the older teens and younger adults come out and things get a little rowdie. We usually go about 2:00-3:00 in the afternoon to let them do the rides and such, have pizza and custard on the boardwalk and head back to Cape May by dark.
There is nothing wrong with WildWood...its just geared more for the bar crowd.

We prefer the quiet-laid back Cape May.

Our vacation this year is the 19th of July and we are really looking forward to it.
I have several pictures I could share with you as well as other fun ideas, please feel free to E mail me at SalsaSue23@aol.com and I'll be happy to help you out and send you the links I have.

Cheers!
Susie