Do muscle cars roaring up the street shooting sparks interest you? How about the longest boardwalk in the United States, complete with seven roller coasters? Do you like beautiful soft sand barrier island beaches, funky diners, amazing fifty's style motels, great clubs and good times? Would you get a kick out of being in the club where the very first rock 'n' roll song was performed for the first time? If the answer is yes, hop into your car and head south on the Garden State Parkway to Exit 4B and you'll be in Wildwood. It's a long drive to Cape May County, but it's worth it to see this very unique piece of Americana.
Wildwood is actually four separate towns; Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood all strung together on barrier islands. They have a year round population of 5,400 residents, which swells to 250,000 in the summer.
When you drive over the bridge into Wildwood you'll know immediately that it's not like anywhere you've ever been before. Most of it was developed as a resort in the 1950's and 60's and a lot of the original buildings remain. The 200 plus motels and diners look like a cross between 'The Jetsons" and "Grease." There's enough neon lighting to make Las Vegas jealous and they have actually opened a Doo Wop Museum with artifacts from buildings and business that have been demolished. The Doo Wop Preservation League is working with the Endangered Historical Places national organization to try and convince developers to refurbish the original architecture rather than tear it down to build new.
In addition to the two miles of boardwalk, complete with candy shops, taffy, sausage sandwiches, souvenirs, amusement parks, clubs and restaurants, there are two large water parks. Splashzone has the world's tallest dumping bucket as well as the largest raft ride on the East Coast. Wildwood also offers free concerts, WWE Raw events, the International Kite Flying Competition, the Marbles Competition, and Muscle Car week-ends, among other things. They have a large new Convention Center that's becoming very popular. There are twelve golf courses in the area, as well as plenty of miniature golf ranges.
The beaches are the widest in New Jersey,and every known water activity is available from fishing to parasailing. Best of all, the beaches are free, no badges needed!
The motels vary in cost and accommodations. Some are very basic, and very reasonable. Many actually have kitchenettes and sitting areas incorporated into them, so guests can bring and prepare basic foods to save a few dollars. Most have pools as well. The upper end of the scale has a fully refurbished fifty's interior and exterior. There's lots of chrome, pink, turquoise and black! One of the motels actually rents beautifully styled Airstream trailers (those funky little silver-bullet-shaped ones) in addition to regular motel rooms. There are also house, apartment, luxury hotel and condo rentals in all price ranges.
Food is available in all types and all prices. The boardwalk serves greasy, sugary, fun foods and then there's the fine dining.
As for those skeptical about the claim regarding the first rock 'n' roll song performance, "Rock Around the Clock," by Bill Haley and the Comets was first heard here in 1954!
Get to Wildwood. You need to experience this unique and wonderful place this summer. It may not be here forever!
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