Major city · United States
Wildwood, New JerseyWildwood
Go for 2–3 nights in June or early September: free beaches, boardwalk rides and Doo-Wop motels, at lower rates than July.
Wildwood is a barrier-island resort on Cape May County's southern tip, built around a free beach and a boardwalk with three amusement piers. The season runs Memorial Day to Labor Day, July is peak, and June or early September give the same weather with fewer people and cheaper rooms. Two or three nights covers the boardwalk, the beach and a day trip; a car makes the rest of the shore easy.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun, early Sep
- avoid Jul (peak crowds and rates), holiday weekends
- 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, New Jersey911 ▾
- 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, New Jersey, 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
- SafetyWildwood is a busy family resort and generally safe in season; the real risks are rip currents on the ocean side…
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 45 min north by car; rental cars on site.).
- Getting aroundThe island is walkable end to end, but most people drive or bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealSit-down seafood dinnerBefore tax and tip; tip 18–22%.$25–45
- Street or quick mealBoardwalk pizza slice$4–7
- BeerDraught beer at a bar$6–9
- Budget bedWeekly beach rental (per night), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedDoo-Wop motel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedDoo-Wop motel double room, a night, per roomUS$340
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
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 45 min north by car; rental cars on site.) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 2 h by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
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
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
not flagged
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
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul. 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 Mar (10 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Wildwood, New Jersey: 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)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 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 island is walkable end to end, but most people drive or bike. The boardwalk tram car runs pier to pier for a few dollars one way. Three local taxi firms cover the Wildwoods and arrive in about 5 minutes; NJ Transit buses also serve the island.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cape May
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive NJ Route 47 south, about 15 min
Victorian streets, lighthouse and the Cape May–Lewes ferry terminal.
Ocean City, New Jersey
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive the Garden State Parkway north, about 30 min
Dry town with a family boardwalk; good for a half day.
Wildwood Crest
goDoor to door: About 10–30 min
Walk or bike south along the beach, or drive 5 min
Quiet beaches and the original family motels.
Stone Harbor and Avalon
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive the Garden State Parkway north to exits 10–13
Small-town beaches and birding at the Wetlands Institute.
Sea Isle City
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive the Garden State Parkway north, about 25 min
Promenade and a quieter boardwalk.
Atlantic City
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Drive the Garden State Parkway north, about 45 min
Casinos and shows; a full evening, not a quick stop.
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.
Wildwood boardwalk area
Walk to the piers, rides and beach; loudest at night, parking is paid in season.
North Wildwood
Quieter, near the inlet beach and the bar strip; 20–30 min walk to the main piers.
Wildwood Crest
Most residential and quietest; family motels, dry town, a short drive or tram ride south.
West Wildwood
Bayside, cheapest and calmest; you need a car for the beach.
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
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Doo-Wop motel double room1 × 3 nights × US$190 | US$570 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$170 | US$1,020 |
| Boardwalk pier wristband, one day2 × US$60 | US$120 |
| Boardwalk tram car, one way2 × US$4 | US$8 |
| Beach bike rental, one hour2 × US$8 | US$16 |
| Parking near the boardwalk, one day1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$175 |
| Trip total≈ US$322 per person per day, bed included | US$1,929 |
July and holiday weekends run higher; June and September lower.
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boardwalk pizza slice | $4–7 |
| Funnel cake or frozen custard | $6–10 |
| Cheesesteak or sandwich | $10–16 |
| Sit-down seafood dinnerBefore tax and tip; tip 18–22%. | $25–45 |
| Draught beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| Boardwalk ride ticket (single) | $2–10 |
| Parasailing, per person | $50–65 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking near the boardwalk is metered and paid from Memorial Day to Labor Day; arrive before 9 AM on summer weekends.
- The beach is wide — in places the water is a long walk from the street; 1st Street in North Wildwood has the shortest sand.
- Most rides and boardwalk shops close outside the summer season; the beach stays free and open all year.
- Wildwood Crest is a dry town: no alcohol sales there.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Wildwood, New JerseyWildwood
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Wildwood; nearest consulates are in New York and Philadelphia.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boardwalk tram car, one way: about $4
- Taxi across the island: $10–20
- Garden State Parkway toll, Exit 6 to the island: a few dollars in cash or E-ZPass
Say or show
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the beach entrance? — Where is the beach entrance?
- Is a lifeguard on duty? — Is there a lifeguard on duty?
- One wristband, please — One wristband, please
- Check, please — Check, please
US plug types A and B, 120 V. Tipping 18–22% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
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, New Jersey. 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 · avoid Jul (peak crowds and rates), holiday weekends · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for ACY and PHL: rental-car desks, drive times, taxi fallback.
- Four sleep clusters with walking times to the piers: boardwalk, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood.
- Pier and ride pages with season dates and ticket-vs-wristband maths.
- Boardwalk eat pages with last orders and cash-only flags.