The Garden State isn’t lacking in incredible destinations, but there’s one place that stands out from the pack. The beachy resort town of Wildwood sparkles like a jewel along the coast of Cape May and is loaded with amazing things to do and see. We teamed up with Expedia.com to bring you 15 reasons why you should drop what you’re doing and head to one of New Jersey’s most dazzling cities.
To start planning your trip, check out all of the Wildwood and Cape May hotel options at Expedia.com.
- Wildwood is basically a summer daydream come to life.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey This gorgeous seaside resort community is just what a beach town ought to be. Located on the coast of New Jersey’s Cape May, this colorful city absolutely buzzes with activity during the summer and has a vintage vibe that will make you feel like you’ve dropped into a scene from Grease.
- First of all, this place has an incredible 38 blocks of gorgeous retro boardwalk.
Google/Matt Ulmer Wildwood got its start as a resort spot in the late 1800s, but things really boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. Everywhere you look, you can spot traces of the fantastic, whimsical architecture of the doo-wop era. There are also plenty of your favorite boardwalk games, food vendors hawking everything from cotton candy to fried Oreos, flashy vintage diners, and ocean vistas that will make you swoon.
- It’s a city of festivals – 180 of them, to be exact.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey That’s right. Wildwood hosts an incredible 180 events and festivals throughout the year. Stop by for events like the International Kite Festival, the New Jersey State BBQ Championships & Angelsea Blues Festival, and even a Baby Parade that’s been going strong since 1909. Best of all, most of these festivals and events are free! Plus, where else can you watch monster trucks race on the beach?
- There’s a parade almost every night during the summer.
Flickr/Xmascarol For real. Boardwalk Parades are held every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights during the summer. They start at 7:30 p.m from 16th & Boardwalk and proceed south down the way. Seriously, how can you not love a city that puts on a parade most days of the week?
- Not to mention free fireworks every Friday that rival Disney’s.
Flickr/Sneakerdog You know that feeling you get on the Fourth of July as you’re watching fireworks shimmer overhead on the beach? Imagine getting that feeling every single week. For free. Every Friday night at 10 p.m. throughout the summer, the skies above the boardwalk light up with a fireworks show that puts the Magic Kingdom to shame. The 2018 fireworks shows start on June 22 and will continue through Labor Day weekend. There’s no charge to watch them, so pull up a beach blanket and enjoy.
- And rollercoasters that will make you literally scream with excitement.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey Wildwood’s legendary pier offers over 100 rides and attractions that will have your head spinning. Day and night, you can hop on a death-defying rollercoaster, get a bird’s eye view of the pier from the Ferris wheel, or just enjoy a spin on an old-fashioned merry-go-round.
- Did we mention the waterparks? Because there are three epic waterparks.
Google/Frédéric Couturier Yes, three. Everything from waterslides to aquatic obstacle courses area available here. Splash down into massive pools or simply float your way to bliss in a lazy river ride. There are endless ways to have a blast in the water here.
- You can see the sights on a vintage tram.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey The famous Sightseer Tram Cars have been operating during the summer season since 1949. They’ll pick you up and drop you off anywhere along the two-mile stretch of boardwalk for just $3.50 per person. It’s a fuss-free way see the sights in style.
- Wildwood and Cape May have an incredible past.
Google/Mark Bouck Victorian elegance meets modern glamor in Cape May City, just a quick drive from Wildwood. Right off the bat, you’ll be enchanted by the rows of grand 19th-century mansions that look like something straight from a movie set. In fact, there are almost 600 preserved Victorian buildings here.
- And this peninsula is pretty much a seafood paradise.
Google/Washington Inn As you might expect from the location, the entire Cape May peninsula is blessed with access to supremely fresh and delicious seafood. This means that you’ll likely have some of the tastiest fish, oysters, and lobster of your life here. Head to places like Matthews Seafood Market (408 Washington Street Mall, Cape May) to sample the catch of the day, or dine out somewhere ritzy like The Washington Inn (801 Washington St., Cape May) for a romantic meal.
- Not to mention it’s a wine-lover’s dream.
Google/Cape May Winery Wine aficionados – or simply anyone who appreciates a delicious vintage – shouldn’t miss a trip to Cape May Winery. There, you can sample a wide variety of wines in their beautiful tasting room or join the staff on a winery tour. Enjoying a glass in their outdoor seating area is the perfect way to cap off the day…or start it. (711 Town Bank Rd., Cape May)
- Plus, this place has white-sand beaches like those you fantasize about.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey Forget the Caribbean – Cape May is a beach destination like no other. Head to curiously named Poverty Beach for stunning sands and surf, or try Sunset Beach for a romantic picnic on the shore. Of course, you’ll never be far from the shore while wandering down Wildwood’s boardwalk.
- In fact, Wildwood’s beaches offer way more than sunbathing.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey They’re an ideal spot to do some surfing, boogie boarding, power boating, or even jet skiing. You’re also likely to spot people out on the waves enjoying a spot of sailing, kayaking, or parasailing.
- Basically, this city is like a playground for all ages.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey It doesn’t matter if you’re eight years old and visiting for the first time or 80 years old and reliving old memories, this seaside town offers something for everyone.
- Once you visit Wildwood on Cape May, you’ll think of any reason to stay.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey Is it weird to book back-to-back vacations in the same place? We don’t think so.
You’d need a whole year to truly appreciate everything Wildwood and Cape May have to offer, but there’s no time like the present to get started. Click here to find out more about visiting Wildwood and to plan your dream getaway by the sea.
Facebook/Wildwoods, New Jersey
This gorgeous seaside resort community is just what a beach town ought to be. Located on the coast of New Jersey’s Cape May, this colorful city absolutely buzzes with activity during the summer and has a vintage vibe that will make you feel like you’ve dropped into a scene from Grease.
Google/Matt Ulmer
Wildwood got its start as a resort spot in the late 1800s, but things really boomed in the 1950s and 1960s. Everywhere you look, you can spot traces of the fantastic, whimsical architecture of the doo-wop era. There are also plenty of your favorite boardwalk games, food vendors hawking everything from cotton candy to fried Oreos, flashy vintage diners, and ocean vistas that will make you swoon.
That’s right. Wildwood hosts an incredible 180 events and festivals throughout the year. Stop by for events like the International Kite Festival, the New Jersey State BBQ Championships & Angelsea Blues Festival, and even a Baby Parade that’s been going strong since 1909. Best of all, most of these festivals and events are free! Plus, where else can you watch monster trucks race on the beach?
Flickr/Xmascarol
For real. Boardwalk Parades are held every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights during the summer. They start at 7:30 p.m from 16th & Boardwalk and proceed south down the way. Seriously, how can you not love a city that puts on a parade most days of the week?
Flickr/Sneakerdog
You know that feeling you get on the Fourth of July as you’re watching fireworks shimmer overhead on the beach? Imagine getting that feeling every single week. For free. Every Friday night at 10 p.m. throughout the summer, the skies above the boardwalk light up with a fireworks show that puts the Magic Kingdom to shame. The 2018 fireworks shows start on June 22 and will continue through Labor Day weekend. There’s no charge to watch them, so pull up a beach blanket and enjoy.
Wildwood’s legendary pier offers over 100 rides and attractions that will have your head spinning. Day and night, you can hop on a death-defying rollercoaster, get a bird’s eye view of the pier from the Ferris wheel, or just enjoy a spin on an old-fashioned merry-go-round.
Google/Frédéric Couturier
Yes, three. Everything from waterslides to aquatic obstacle courses area available here. Splash down into massive pools or simply float your way to bliss in a lazy river ride. There are endless ways to have a blast in the water here.
The famous Sightseer Tram Cars have been operating during the summer season since 1949. They’ll pick you up and drop you off anywhere along the two-mile stretch of boardwalk for just $3.50 per person. It’s a fuss-free way see the sights in style.
Google/Mark Bouck
Victorian elegance meets modern glamor in Cape May City, just a quick drive from Wildwood. Right off the bat, you’ll be enchanted by the rows of grand 19th-century mansions that look like something straight from a movie set. In fact, there are almost 600 preserved Victorian buildings here.
Google/Washington Inn
As you might expect from the location, the entire Cape May peninsula is blessed with access to supremely fresh and delicious seafood. This means that you’ll likely have some of the tastiest fish, oysters, and lobster of your life here. Head to places like Matthews Seafood Market (408 Washington Street Mall, Cape May) to sample the catch of the day, or dine out somewhere ritzy like The Washington Inn (801 Washington St., Cape May) for a romantic meal.
Google/Cape May Winery
Wine aficionados – or simply anyone who appreciates a delicious vintage – shouldn’t miss a trip to Cape May Winery. There, you can sample a wide variety of wines in their beautiful tasting room or join the staff on a winery tour. Enjoying a glass in their outdoor seating area is the perfect way to cap off the day…or start it. (711 Town Bank Rd., Cape May)
Forget the Caribbean – Cape May is a beach destination like no other. Head to curiously named Poverty Beach for stunning sands and surf, or try Sunset Beach for a romantic picnic on the shore. Of course, you’ll never be far from the shore while wandering down Wildwood’s boardwalk.
They’re an ideal spot to do some surfing, boogie boarding, power boating, or even jet skiing. You’re also likely to spot people out on the waves enjoying a spot of sailing, kayaking, or parasailing.
It doesn’t matter if you’re eight years old and visiting for the first time or 80 years old and reliving old memories, this seaside town offers something for everyone.
Is it weird to book back-to-back vacations in the same place? We don’t think so.
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