Welcome to Wildwood
A resort city in New Jersey’s Southern Shores region, Wildwood sits on a barrier island known for its sparkling, sandy beaches, perfectly preserved architecture, and family-friendly vibe. It’s the main town in a cluster of beach towns collectively known as the Wildwoods, with much of the action taking place along the Wildwoods Boardwalk – a traditional stretch lined with amusement piers, souvenir shops, and salt-water taffy stands. Add loads of ways to enjoy the water, exciting nightlife, and a year-round string of events and you have ample reasons to enjoy a stay in one of the town’s vacation rentals. So, pack your bags. You’ll go wild for Wildwood.
Plan your stay in Wildwood, NJ rentals
From landing your perfect vacation rental to deciding where to stay, what you need to know about renting vacation homes in Wildwood is coming up.
Wildwood vacation rentals
While there’s loads of choice among Wildwood rentals, condos are the most readily available option. Many will put you right in the heart of town and within steps of the boardwalk, though if you’re dead set on scoring a stay in a condo rental with a pool – and why not? – you’ll want to check out the options near Surfside Pier. They’re fabulous! Traditional cottage and bungalow rentals are also available, of course, as are Wildwood house rentals with space for the whole family. And for those bringing a dog to Wildwood, pet-friendly rentals and playing surf-side at Maple Avenue’s Wildwood Dog Beach make for the perfect combination.
Best times to stay in Wildwood, NJ vacation rentals
Wildwood is at its busiest in July and August, though the official summer season lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With Wildwood summer rentals so popular, it’s best to nab these a couple of months in advance rather than hang out for a last-minute deal. Those often come in early fall – something of a best-kept secret but packed with events like the Wildwood Irish Weekend and the Boardwalk Classic Car Show. Winter vacations might be spent enjoying the Wildwoods’ Family Holiday Celebration – a double weekend of fun, festivities, and Christmas cheer.
Where to stay in Wildwood
Lots of the rentals here are close to the Wildwoods Boardwalk, though you’ll need to head beyond downtown if you want to stay in a beachfront pad. Vacation rentals in Wildwood Crest or North Wildwood, Wildwood’s two neighboring communities, can be good options if ocean views are top of your wish list. Then come the homes that pepper the back-bays of Cape May; a stay in a vacation rental on the water at Sunset Lake just one of the ways to enjoy an idyllic change of scenery in the Wildwoods.
Top things to do on a Wildwood vacation
So, you’ve booked the perfect rental for you and yours. When you’re not making memories poolside with family and friends, activities abound in Wildwood. Here are some of the very best things to do when you visit.
Explore the beach, boardwalk, and piers
Wildwood’s white-sand beaches take center stage over the summer months and little wonder. They’re among the widest beaches on the Jersey Shore and offer a nice flat approach into the sparkling waters of the Atlantic. For a change of pace, you can head to any of the town’s four amusement piers, perhaps to ride the roller coasters at Morey’s Pier or make a splash at the Raging Waters Water Park. Rounding things off is the boardwalk, this wooden walkway peppered with great places to shop, eat, and enjoy a spot of shade. Get around Wildwood’s trio of delights in style on the Sightseer Tram Car.
Peek into Wildwood’s neon-lit past
The Wildwoods are famous for the fantasy-like Doo Wop architecture of the mid-century. You can check out the 1950s charm at some of the properties along Wildwood’s Ocean, Pacific, and Atlantic Avenues, but a fun side-trip comes courtesy of the Doo Wop Motel District in Wildwood Crest. There are more than 50 vintage motels to admire here, each boasting their own whimsical theme, vivid colors, and retro signs. Peek into the past back in Wildwood at Fox Park’s Doo Wop Experience, a museum where a “neon garden” displays the glowing remains of the motels that have long since met the wrecking ball.
Curious about Cape May County
While there’s no shortage of entertainment to be had in Wildwood, rentals here are also your ticket to explore Cape May County. First up might be a jaunt to the Jersey Shore’s southernmost tip where the town of Cape May proper boasts a reputation as America’s oldest seaside resort, not to mention National Historic Landmark status and oodles of Victorian charm. Plus, it’s just 20 minutes’ drive along the Garden State Parkway from most of the rentals in Wildwood. Hang a right instead to discover the double delights of the Seven Mile Beach towns of Avalon and Stone Harbor.