1 Day in Wildwood
Free Beaches & Retro Fun
Every stop below is a place in our Wildwood listings: Marvis Diner, Wildwood Beach, Morey's Piers, Curley's Fries, Wildwood Boardwalk, Douglass Fudge, Doo Wop Experience Museum and The Crab House at Two Mile Landing. Swap any of them for another from the town guide; the times are only a suggested order.
Morning
Breakfast: Marvis Diner
Classic diner with a long menu and large skillets.
Tip: Order: Skillets.
Wildwood Beach
Famous FREE beach up to 500 feet wide—some of the widest on the East Coast. So wide that beach taxis transport visitors to the waterline.
Tip: Best for swimming, relaxation, surfing.
Morey's Piers
Family-owned since 1969. 100+ rides across 18 acres: Surfside Pier (Great Nor'Easter coaster, Atmosfear! 140-foot drop), Mariner's Pier (Giant Wheel 156 feet, Great White wooden coaster), Adventure Pier (Skyscraper 170-foot windmill at 65 mph). Plus Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis waterparks. Combo pass $70.
Afternoon
Lunch: Curley's Fries
50th season in 2024! Fresh-cut crinkle fries fried in peanut oil. Cash only. Pair with Lemonade Shake-Ups. Multiple Morey's Pier locations.
Tip: Order: Crinkle fries with Lemonade Shake-Up.
Wildwood Boardwalk
2-mile boardwalk with the famous Sightseer Tramcar (since 1949, $5 one-way) and its "Watch the Tramcar Please!" announcement recorded in 1971.
Treat: Douglass Fudge
Homemade fudge since 1919 packaged in signature tartan boxes. Watch candy being made.
Tip: Order: Peanut butter fudge.
Doo Wop Experience Museum
FREE museum in the relocated former Surfside Diner with pinwheel-shaped roof. Vintage neon signs, Herman Miller chairs, Charles Eames pieces, plus outdoor Neon Garden with restored signs from demolished landmarks. Doo Wop Bus Tour ($25, summer evenings) explores the architecture.
Evening
Dinner: The Crab House at Two Mile Landing
Sprawling waterfront picnic tables with all-you-can-eat locally caught crabs.
Tip: Order: All-you-can-eat crabs.
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What we know it costs
- Day parking (tracked lots)
- $8-15/day
- Beach badge
- Free
Food and activity costs vary too much by choice to estimate here. Budget guide · Beach badge prices
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Parking in Wildwood
Fox Park Lot is the cheapest flat rate at $8/day (200 spaces, 5 min walk to the beach). Paid parking runs May 15 – Oct 31 — it does not stop when beach badges do.
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Choose a place in Wildwood, then check the room and full price for your dates.
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Wildwood Day Trip FAQ
How long is the drive to Wildwood from New York City?
About 2hr 50min without traffic, or 1hr 25min from Philadelphia.
Do I need a beach badge in Wildwood?
The beaches in Wildwood, NJ are free — no beach badge is required.
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