Wildwoods, NJ
Location Reports
Spectacular amusement piers, world-class roller coast- ers, interactive water parks, family atmosphere,
carnival-style games of chance, shops and irresistible food make the Wildwoods Boardwalk a summer “must” for nearly nine million visitors each season.
Another of the Wildwoods boardwalk’s popular attractions is the Sightseer Tram Cars, transporting visitors from one end of the famous wooden way to the other. As the boardwalk continues to grow, it remains a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the Jersey shore.
Situated on a barrier island off the Cape May County peninsula, the Wildwoods are a natural favorite for those who enjoy fishing, boating and water sports.
The waters of the Wildwoods are rife with flounder, weakfish, tautog, bluefish and striped bass. Throughout the warmer months, visitors and locals alike enjoy taking the entire group out for a day of boating and fishing. The bayside of the island is filled with boat slips and marinas where boat owners keep their vessels, as well as where charter and party boat operators dock their boats.
Charter and party boat captains in the Wildwoods offer a variety of excursions, ranging from night fishing trips for bluefish or drumfish; to full-day excursions in quest of tuna, marlin and swordfish; to a Mississippi River-style paddleboat jour- ney for those who prefer to take in the sights rather than catch “the big one.”
Another maritime activity favored by those in the Wildwoods is crabbing, which is primarily done in the marshy areas and back bays of the island.
For thrill-seekers, the Wildwoods offers high-speed water excursions aboard large speedboats that race along the shores, giving passengers an exhilarating and often refreshing glimpse of the island and its environs from the ocean.
For the more independent thrill-seekers, personal watercraft vehicles (Wave Runners) can be rented by the hour or day along the beach and bay. Windsurfing is another popular activity, especially in Wildwood Crest’s vast Sunset Lake, which has ample space and wind without the wake of the ocean. Parasailing along the coastline is yet another option.
Cyclists will find a free bike route that runs nearly the entire length of the five-mile island, beginning at Rambler Road in Wildwood Crest. The beachside bicycle path runs north to the start of the board- walk at Cresse Avenue, where bicycles are permitted until 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. on weekends and holi- days. Cyclists can continue along a path on the beach through the Mulberry Grove to the Sea Wall in North Wildwood.
Bikes and associated equipment can be rented at reasonable rates from many bike shops throughout the Wildwoods.
In the summer months, free concerts are performed Monday evenings at the Crest Pier Recreation Center in Wildwood Crest; Wednesday evenings at the Sunset Lake Gazebo-by-the-Sea in Wildwood Crest; Thursday and Saturday evenings at the Lou Booth Amphitheater in North Wildwood; and Sunday evenings at the Fox Park Amphitheatre in Wildwood, across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. A wide variety of music is presented, ranging from famous recording acts and oldies groups to big band sounds.
The boardwalk offers free children's entertainment on Thursday evenings dur- ing the summer as part of “Family Fun
Night.” Friday nights in the Wildwoods feature a free fireworks show that can be viewed from the beach, boardwalk or anywhere on the island.
Other free-to-attend events in the Wildwoods include comics, sports cards, toys, stamps and postcard expos; many street fairs and food and music festivals, plus classic car shows, monster truck races and motorcycle rallies.
The Wildwoods also offers several histor- ical museums with either free admission or a small optional donation. Inside, these museums tell the celebrated history of the five-mile island, from its origins to present day. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse offers visitors award-winning English gar- dens to stroll through for free, while the Wildwood Historical Society's Boyer Museum chronicles the great history of the Wildwoods.
The National Marbles Hall of Fame high- lights the rich history of the National Marbles Tournament, a true slice of Americana that is held annually on Wildwood’s beaches.
The Wildwoods also offers the largest collection of mid-20th century architec- ture in the country, known as Doo Wop architecture. Visitors are encouraged to stop in at the Doo Wop Preservation League’s Doo Wop Experience Museum to learn more about Doo Wop and what made the Wildwoods famous back in the ‘50s. Afterward, take a stroll or drive around the island to see the bright neon signs, vibrant architecture and colorful motel names, up close and personal, which make up the Doo Wop ambiance for which the Wildwoods has become famous.
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 57
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