🏖️Shore Guide
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Wildwood

Free Beach

Free Beaches & Retro Fun

The Wildwoods—comprising Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, and West Wildwood—deliver unique Jersey Shore value: FREE beaches (one of the last stretches not requiring expensive beach tags), the largest concentration of Doo-Wop mid-century architecture in America, and Morey's Piers with 100+ rides across three amusement piers ranked #2 seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today.

The beaches are so wide—up to 500 feet from boardwalk to water—that beach taxis transport visitors to the waterline! The town is a living museum of mid-century architecture with over 200 motels featuring neon signs, kidney-shaped pools, and space-age designs—so significant that the National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites."

Rich music history: in July 1960, 18-year-old Chubby Checker debuted "The Twist" at the Rainbow Club, sparking a worldwide dance craze (the only record to reach #1 twice in separate chart runs). Bill Haley & The Comets introduced "Rock Around the Clock" here in 1954. Cool Scoops Ice Cream features original '57 Chevy, '59 Caddy, and '57 Ford Fairlane car booths—visited by Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, and Beach Boys members.

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What Makes Wildwood Special

Retro Beach Party

Known for its free beach and boardwalk atmosphere

Perfect For

budget travelers, families, thrill seekers

Free Beach Access

No beach badge required - enjoy the sand for free!

Local Legend

"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets—often called the first roc...

Did You Know?

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Did You Know?

"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets—often called the first rock and roll hit—debuted at Wildwood's HofBrau Hotel in 1954.

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Did You Know?

Chubby Checker first performed "The Twist" at Wildwood's Rainbow Club in 1960, launching the dance craze that swept the nation.

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Did You Know?

Wildwood has the largest collection of 1950s Doo-Wop architecture in the world, with over 200 surviving motels featuring neon signs, space-age shapes, and plastic palm trees.

Historical Note

Wildwood's Doo-Wop motels are so architecturally significant that the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the town one of 'America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites' to raise awareness about preserving these mid-century gems.

Beach Badge

FREE

Parking

~$20/day

From NYC

2hr 50min

Transit

Bus

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Don't Miss in Wildwood

Morey's Piers

Must See

Family-owned since 1969, ranked #2 seaside amusement park worldwide. 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.

Wildwood Boardwalk

Must See

2-mile boardwalk with the famous Sightseer Tramcar (since 1949, $5 one-way) and its iconic "Watch the Tramcar Please!" announcement recorded in 1971.

Doo Wop Experience Museum

Must See

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.

Wide Beaches

Must See

FREE beaches up to 500 feet wide—some of the widest on the East Coast. Beach taxis available!

Also Worth Checking Out

Breakfast in the Sky Unique Morey's experience—picnic on the Giant Wheel with white linens, china, and chef-prepared food for up to 4 guests. Reservations required.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Beautiful Victorian lighthouse in North Wildwood with gardens and museum. One of NJ's prettiest lighthouses.

Where to Eat in Wildwood

See All 11 Restaurants

Curley's Fries

boardwalkamerican
$

Try: Crinkle fries with Lemonade Shake-Up

boardwalk classiccash only

Mack's Pizza

pizzaboardwalk
$

Try: Classic cheese slice

boardwalk classicquick bites

Douglass Fudge

ice creamboardwalk
$

Try: Peanut butter fudge

candyfudge

Where to Stay in Wildwood

See All 6 Options
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Caribbean Motel

MotelBeachfront

$$

"Crown jewel of Doo-Wop" on National Register of Historic Places (built 1957). Yellow stucco facade, "floating ramp," spaceship lights, and the FIRST plastic palm trees in the Wildwoods. Historic Hotels of America member—the only motel on the registry. $84-$269/night.

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Starlux Hotel & Suites

Motel1 block

$$

Neo-Doo-Wop boutique style with 4 stars. Kidney-shaped pool, lava lamps, two vintage Airstream trailers, steep Morey's Piers discounts. Small rooms and street noise draw criticism. $73-$301/night.

doo-woppool
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Lollipop Motel

Motel2 blocks

$$

Built 1959 with giant neon lollipop sign featuring smiling kiddie faces. "Candy-colored piece of Americana." $151-$250/night.

doo-wopiconic neon sign

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Getting to Wildwood

🚆 Public Transit

Wildwood is accessible via NJ Transit via bus routes 313, 315, 316, 319, 552.

NJ Transit buses from Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Cape May

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🚗 By Car

  • From NYC: 2hr 50min
  • From Philadelphia: 1hr 25min
  • From Newark: 2hr 35min
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Best Time to Visit Wildwood

Peak Season

June - August

Warmest weather, all attractions open, full beach services. Expect larger crowds and higher prices.

Off-Season Perks

  • Lower accommodation prices
  • Fewer crowds
  • Easier parking
  • More authentic local experience

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