Wildwood Crest is a summer vacationer’s dream. Enjoy both family activities and adult nightlife in this small resort community on New Jersey’s southern shores.
The 5-mile (8-kilometer) white-sand beach is a highlight, free to access from early morning to late evening. Find your spot on the beach and plant an umbrella. Then swim, sunbathe, collect shells and build sandcastles, all under the watchful eye of the lifeguards that are on patrol from mid-morning to early evening. Watch exciting lifeguard competitions several times during the summer.
After relaxing on the beach, enjoy some of the other activities on offer. Burn calories at daily Zumba, kickboxing, Pilates, yoga and aerobics classes at the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier or Centennial Park for a small fee. Visit an amusement or water park.
Walk the 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) boardwalk. Rent bikes to tour the area or participate in a mini-triathlon competition. If you have the energy, try surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, fishing and crabbing, ultimate Frisbee, soccer-tennis or kite flying.
There are history and culture options too. View the replica Vietnam Memorial, Wyland’s Whaling Wall, or the doo-wop district, home of Chubby Checker and the Twist.
Visit the Sunday farmer’s market or one of the many festivals, including Christmas in July with crafts, Santa, and a boat parade crabbing festival and seafarer’s festival. Show off your talents at the sand sculpting, sidewalk chalking, or nightly talent competitions, all free to enter. Or, register your little one in the Baby Parade, a free annual event since 1909.
The Jersey Shore comes alive with evening entertainment options. Enjoy the nightclub and pub scene. Or, grab a blanket and take the family to a free Saturday concert under the stars. Watch a first-run movie on an outdoor screen (for a fee).
To access beach and city attractions, use metered parking on some streets or one of the many user-pay parking lots. Be sure to follow parking requirements to avoid being towed or paying high fees. Dolly the Trolley provides free evening service along the boardwalk.
Wildwood Crest, NJ
Where to stay in Wildwood Crest
Diamond Beach
Visitors highly recommend Diamond Beach for its beaches, and you can make a stop by Five Mile Beach while you're in town.
Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024
Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024
Reviewed on May 27, 2024
Reviewed on Jun 3, 2024
Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024
Reviewed on May 27, 2024
Popular places to visit
Centennial Park
Explore the great outdoors at Centennial Park, a lovely green space in Wildwood Crest. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in this family-friendly area.
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
Explore the great outdoors at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, a lovely green space in Wildwood Crest. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Lakeview Docks
Explore the waterfront in Wildwood Crest with a trip to Lakeview Docks. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.
Reviews of Wildwood Crest
5/5 - Excellent
Love Wildwood Crest!
4/5 - Good
Beautiful location.
5/5 - Excellent
Beaches were clean and easy to get to. Beautiful town.
5/5 - Excellent
My wife and I go to Wildwood every year once or twice and we always find something interesting to see or do. Also we found great restaurants like Little Italy where the food and the attention is really good
5/5 - Excellent
Nice area
4/5 - Good
Wildwood Crest is a nice town with great food. After Labor day, most of the shops and restaurants close up for the year, but there are still some great places open.