Major city · United States
Wildwood Crest
Go for 2–3 nights if you want a wide, free beach and a quiet base; skip it if you want bars — the borough is dry.
Wildwood Crest is the residential southern third of the Wildwood barrier island in Cape May County, New Jersey. Its beach is among the widest on the Jersey Shore and free to enter, the streets are flat and walkable, and the motel stock is 1950s–60s Doo-Wop. It is a dry borough: no alcohol is sold or served inside its limits. Most visitors come for the beach, so two to three nights covers it; the boardwalk and nightlife are a short ride north in Wildwood.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun, early Sep (beach weather, fewer crowds); Jul–Aug peak
- avoid Nov–Apr (most seasonal businesses closed)
- Airports
- ACY · PHL
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Wildwood Crest911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wildwood Crest, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet residential beach town; the real risks are rip currents, summer traffic and unlocked cars.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportACY Atlantic City International (About 40 mi north; closest airport with commercial service, car rental on site).
- Getting aroundThe borough is flat and walkable; Atlantic Avenue runs its length and numbered cross streets lead east to the beach.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry at a local bakery2026 estimate to check.US$6–12
- Sit-down mealCasual dinner, main course2026 estimate to check.US$18–30
- Street or quick mealBreakfast or lunch diner plate2026 estimate to check.US$12–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate to check.US$10–25
- Budget bedWeekly shore rental (per night equivalent), a night, per roomUS$300
- Mid-range bedFamily motel double room, a night, per roomUS$230
- High-end bedFamily motel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$340
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ACY Atlantic City International (About 40 mi north; closest airport with commercial service, car rental on site) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 65 mi north; more flights, wider car-rental choice)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best*
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Sep (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Wildwood Crest: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The borough is flat and walkable; Atlantic Avenue runs its length and numbered cross streets lead east to the beach. Bikes are practical and rentals are available near the southern end of Atlantic Avenue; bikes are allowed on the Wildwood boardwalk before 9 AM in summer. A free sponsored golf-cart shuttle runs along Atlantic Avenue in season. Taxis and rideshare work but can be slow on peak summer weekends.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 10–25 min
Walk, bike or short drive north on Atlantic Avenue
Rides, piers and the island's nightlife; the closest fix if you want a bar.
Cape May
goDoor to door: About 25–35 min
Drive south on NJ Route 47/Garden State Parkway area roads
Victorian seafront town about 10 mi south; pair with a lighthouse stop.
Door to door: check
Drive north via the Garden State Parkway
Boardwalk town; also dry, so plan accordingly. Drive time not confirmed in sources — check before you set out.
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge — Two Mile Beach Unit
goDoor to door: check
Short drive south, then walk in from the parking area
Undeveloped shoreline and shorebird habitat; no vehicles on the beach. Travel time not confirmed in sources — check.
Stone Harbor
cautionDoor to door: check
Drive north on the island chain
Worth a half-day; traffic on summer weekends eats the margin. Drive time not confirmed in sources — check.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Atlantic Avenue motel strip
The main commercial corridor; most family motels and motor inns sit on or within a block of it, a few blocks from the beach.
Southern end (Atlantic Ave 8500–9100)
Oceanfront resorts and larger motor inns with direct beach access; quieter, longer walk to the Wildwood strip.
Crest Station area (around 5900–6200)
Central business district: cafés, bakery, diner-style spots; walkable to the beach at numbered cross streets.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$150–250 excl. bed
- High
- US$280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Family motel double room1 × 3 nights × US$230 | US$690 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$190 | US$1,140 |
| Beach tags2 × US$0 · Wildwood Crest beaches are free to enter. | US$0 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$25 · 2026 estimate to check. | US$50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · 2026 estimate to check. | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$191 |
| Trip total≈ US$350 per person per day, bed included | US$2,101 |
2026 estimate to check. Peak July–August rates run higher; June and early September are cheaper.
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Bed and rental prices are 2026 estimates to check. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry at a local bakery2026 estimate to check. | US$6–12 |
| Breakfast or lunch diner plate2026 estimate to check. | US$12–20 |
| Casual dinner, main course2026 estimate to check. | US$18–30 |
| Bike rental, hourly / daily2026 estimate to check. | US$8–12 / US$25–35 |
| Kayak or paddleboard rental, hourly2026 estimate to check. | US$20–35 |
| Garden State Parkway toll, one-way segmentVaries by segment and payment method; confirm current tolls before you drive. | check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate to check. | US$10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The borough is dry: no alcohol is sold or served inside Wildwood Crest; bars are north in Wildwood.
- Rip currents are a real risk on this coast — swim only in lifeguard-supervised zones during staffed hours.
- Petty theft from parked cars rises in peak season; keep valuables out of sight.
- Beach parking is on residential side streets, not in lots; arrive before mid-morning in July–August.
- Most motels and seasonal businesses close after Labor Day; a few run into October.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Wildwood CrestWildwood Crest
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Wildwood Crest; consulates are in New York and Philadelphia.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NJ Transit Route 308, Atlantic City → Wildwood Transit Center: fare varies by zone; check njtransit.com
- Taxi Wildwood Transit Center → Wildwood Crest: short ride south; ask the fare before you get in
- Garden State Parkway Exit 4B toll: check current tolls before you drive
Say or show
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- Is this the road to the boardwalk? — Is this the road to the boardwalk?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Do you have a table for two? — Do you have a table for two?
- Where is the nearest pharmacy? — Where is the nearest pharmacy?
The borough is dry — no alcohol for sale or public consumption inside its limits.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wildwood Crest. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun, early Sep (beach weather, fewer crowds); Jul–Aug peak · avoid Nov–Apr (most seasonal businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares