Visit Wildwood, NJ: 10 Things to Do

Once overrun with – you guessed it – wild woods and inhabited only by daring Native Americans, the Wildwoods of Cape May County now welcome more than 9 million visitors each year.

The resort’s popularity took off in the mid-20th century – a boom in motel building on the island accompanied what many consider to be the “birth of rock and roll”.

The family stretch from North Wildwood to Wildwood Crest has become an annual destination for many. And as interest grew, so did the number of options for tourists.

Whether you’re a frequent visitor looking to shake things up on your next trip, or want to take Southbound Exit 4A off the Garden State Parkway for the first time, here’s a rundown of some of the things you’ll want to see and do. do in the summer, when “Every day is a holiday and every night is a Saturday night.”

Morey’s Piers/Water Parks in Wildwood, NJ

Three waterfront entertainment docks dot the boardwalk, each highlighted by iconic roller coasters – The Great White (Adventure Amusement Pier), the Sea Serpent (Mariner’s Amusement Pier) and The Great Nor’easter (Surfside Amusement Pier).

Mariner’s and Surfside offer multiple ride options for kids of all ages and adults, as well as unique dining options. The adventure is aimed more at thrill seekers and less at children.

Morey’s Piers also operates two water parks – Ocean Oasis and Raging Waters. The options for each range from relaxing, like the Endless River, to extreme, like Cliff Dive. Both parks offer water play areas for children, as well as cabana and locker rentals.

A third water park, splash zone, is located on the street side of the boardwalk in Wildwood. You can’t miss it – a maze of slides is topped by a giant yellow bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water every three minutes onto brave waders below.

Ride the trolley through Wildwood, NJ

There are 2.5 miles from one end of the boardwalk to the other, so you may need a lift from time to time.

The blue and yellow tram cars – especially their vintage “watch out for the tram please” warning that sounds constantly on busy nights – are among the most iconic features of the 5 Mile Island.

You could argue that this ride gives you the most bang for your buck. On a summer night, you could spend 30 minutes riding from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of the boardwalk, and it would cost you $4.

Download the tram app to get a free ride with your first purchase.

The boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ

None of the above options would be possible without the huge boardwalk, comprising over 70,000 wooden planks, which runs through Wildwood and North Wildwood.

You don’t have to step onto a pier to enjoy your time on the boards. The promenade is full of shops (including a mall), restaurants, arcades and other entertainment options, such as a aquarium.

During the summer months, a fireworks display runs every Friday evening at 10 p.m. on the boardwalk, weather permitting.

Where to eat in Wildwood: MudHen

MudHen Brewing Company is arguably the area’s most popular dining option for locals and tourists alike, and has only been around since April 2018. It’s conveniently located on the main drag that takes visitors to and from the island.

Beyond an extensive restaurant menu, MudHen serves eight to 12 rotating beers that are brewed on-site. Guests can sit or pull up a stool in the main dining room, upstairs lounge, “garage” bar, or outdoor seating area.

MudHen is one year old live music program.

Where to eat in Wildwood: Duffer’s

Restaurant. Ice cream parlor. Arcade. Miniature Golf. Souvenir shop.

The Wildwoods are home to several unmissable restaurants. But this place along Pacific Ave. doesn’t just serve food – it’s a one-stop-shop for parents looking to score points with their kids.

Part of the charm of Duffer’s is its “Victorian atmosphere”, as the company describes it. There have been improvements in the indoor dining area, but the architecture, waiter outfits, and overall restaurant vibe continue to transport customers back in time.

Historians and local leaders consider the Wildwoods the birthplace of rock and roll.

Doo Wop Legacy from Wildwood, NJ

About 100 so-called Doo Wop motels are still in operation on the island. Take a drive down Atlantic or Ocean Avenue after the sun goes down and you’ll get a neon tour of the space-age architectural style that took over the Wildwoods in the 1950s and 1960s, and keep helping the Wildwoods to stand out from any other resort destination.

Historians and local leaders consider the Wildwoods the birthplace of rock and roll. Chubby Checker used the island to introduce the Twist dance craze, American Bandstand made several summer appearances there, and Bill Haley and the Comets released the hit “Rock Around the Clock” from a Wildwood hotel.

Those who are really interested in the history of the island can visit the Doo Wop Experience, a museum, located across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. Outside is a neon sign garden where you’ll find fully restored signs of classic Wildwood motels that have been torn down or remodeled.

What are the beaches of Wildwood, NJ like?

The Wildwoods beaches are among the few beaches in New Jersey that are completely free – no badges are required, which means there are no queues to hit the sand either.

The five-mile stretch skirts Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, and North Wildwood. It is easily accessible from the boardwalk and through the use of multiple entrances into the Crest and Wildwood.

A word of warning, though: these beaches are the widest on the East Coast, so in some places you may have to walk the length of a few football pitches to reach the water.

Wildwood recently extended beach parking, subject to availability. Paid and paid parking lots are also available.

Fun on the water in Wildwood, NJ

The land doesn’t monopolize all the fun in the Wildwoods. Relaxed and exciting options are available on the lake and ocean sides.

Among the activities that can be booked all summer long are a speedboat trip to watch dolphins, parasailing, jet ski and paddleboard rentals, boat rentals and fishing and fishing piers. crab.

Just for kids: a Pirate Adventures the cruise runs five times daily from Starlight Fleet along Park Blvd.

Nightlife in Wildwood, NJ

North Wildwood parties during the season months, until 3 a.m. many nights.

Take New Jersey Avenue as far north as you can go and you’ll come across the destination for many major tourists on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Some spots seem to switch to new themes and new owners every few years. A few must-sees continue to rock every summer with live entertainment, including Keenan’s Irish Pub and Flip Flopz Beach Bar & Grill.

Other nightlife options on the island include MudHen (mentioned above), The Deck at Holly Beach, Old City Pub, Goodnight Irene’s, and Cattle ‘n Clover.

See the Wildwoods sign

Cross the bridge into the Wildwoods and take Rio Grande Avenue to the ocean, and you’ll find what is probably the most photographed place on the whole island.

A few signs welcome you to the Wildwoods at the entrance, but this is arguably the real welcome sign in the eyes of leaders and tourists alike, standing 17 feet tall and surrounded by oversized beach balls (impossible).

The public square is just along the promenade, next to the convention center.

Dino Flammia is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at [email protected]