Whether it’s a day at the beach or a week-long vacation, the Wildwoods have dozens of businesses and accommodations that are pet friendly.
The Wildwoods, NJ – March 18, 2024 – The Wildwoods, NJ are thrilled to welcome vacationers and their four-legged friends for a vacation experience that’s sure to please. Whether it’s a day at the beach, or a week-long vacation, the Wildwoods have dog beaches, dog parks, and dozens of businesses and accommodations that are pet friendly.
Dog-Friendly Beach and Recreational Attractions
From May through October, four-legged friends have a special, designated beach area to call their own at Glenwood Avenue in Wildwood. Just to be safe, all dogs must be licensed, must always be leashed, except inside the enclosed beach dog park, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their four-legged friends. North Wildwood beaches allow dogs during the summer season, anytime when lifeguards are off duty (lifeguard hours 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.).
The Wildwoods Dog Beach has been named one of the Top 10 ‘Best Dog Friendly Beaches in the US’ in the 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest sponsored by USA TODAY. USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with BringFido.com to nominate the 20 most dog-friendly beaches in the nation. The Wildwoods Dog Beach received the second highest number of votes, ranking it #2 overall in the U.S.
Tails wag as dogs make their way across the Boardwalk and onto the sand as they approach the 25-foot-tall red Fire Hydrant Sculpture at the beach Dog Park – right at the entrance to the Dog Beach. The Dog Park is completely fenced in, so there is enough room for dogs to run and stretch their legs. It is separated into two sections – one for large breed dogs and the other for small breed dogs. As with the Dog Beach, all dogs entering the Dog Park must be licensed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their four-legged friends.
Picture your four-legged pal dashing on the beach with ears flapping in the ocean breeze, and the pure joy radiating from their playful antics. With designated dog-friendly beaches and a commitment to cleanliness, The Wildwoods offer endless fun under the sun, where splashing, digging, and fetching become the order of the day. The block-and-a-half-long, 190-yard-wide area is open from 6 a.m. until dusk, and this section of the beach is well equipped with pet amenities including drinking water stations, doggie play stations, shade structures, and signs reminding doggy owners to clean up after their loved ones with free plastic bags provided.
Additional dog-friendly recreational attractions throughout the Wildwoods include Sunset Lake, the Sea Wall in North Wildwood, and the Wildwoods Bike Path.
Dog-Friendly Businesses
Several Wildwoods establishments welcome four-legged patrons to dine outdoors with their families. Morey’s Mariner’s Pier is home to the PigDog Beach Bar, a laidback atmosphere accessible via Raging Waters Water Park, the beach, and the Boardwalk. Both family and dog-friendly, this new breed of beach bar is serving up tasty barbecue classics, cocktails and a mix of domestic options and warm weather imports. For more information, visit www.moreyspiers.com/food/pigdog.
MudHen Brewing Company is another Wildwoods eatery accommodating four-legged travelers. Big or small, short, or tall, all dogs are welcome to dine, while on a leash of course, with their owners in its spacious outdoor dining area.
In addition to PigDog Beach Bar and MudHen Brewing Company, several other Wildwoods restaurants and eateries allow dogs to dine outdoors with their owners. Please call ahead to the establishments to inquire about their dog policy before dining.
Dog-Friendly Activities and Events
The Wildwoods love dogs, and we’ve picked four summertime national dog holidays to celebrate here with your furry friend:
- National Pet Week – May 5-11, 2024
- Pet Appreciation Week – June 2-9, 2024
- All-American Pet Photo Day – July 11, 2024
- National Dog Day – August 26, 2024
- National Dog Week – September 22-28, 2024
If you’re someone who loves the open sea and everything it has to offer – fishing, crabbing, whale, and dolphin watching – but you don’t want to leave your best friend behind on dry land, you need not worry. Several Wildwoods sightseeing charter boats and fishing/crabbing boats allow you to bring your dog on board. Please remember to outfit your pet with an appropriate life jacket to keep them safe during your day at sea.
The July 4th Patriotic Pooch Parade joins in the march of the Independence Day Parade through the island starting at 8th and Atlantic Avenues in North Wildwood. Dogs of all shapes and sizes parade along the streets of North Wildwood dressed in patriotic garb alongside decorated bicycles. Prizes are awarded for the best-dressed pooches.
Your pooch can enjoy a walk on the beach followed by a paddle in the pools of Raging Waters Water Park at Morey’s Piers during the Morey’s PigDog PuppaPalooza annual event in September. The day starts with a Doggie Dash – a 1-mile or 5k beach walk/run with your favorite canine – followed by a day frolicking at Raging Waters water park on Mariner’s Pier. Throughout the day, the famously dog-friendly PigDog Beach Bar will host “Yappy Hour” specials for you and your “fur”iends. Also, in attendance at PigDog will be Beacon Animal Shelter with items to auction and pups to adopt. Visit www.MoreysPiers.com/events for more information.
Dog-Friendly Accommodations
When you’re on vacation, it’s often hard to find accommodations to suit the entire family. Below is a list of pet-friendly places in the Wildwoods. Please call to confirm that the hotel/motel of interest welcomes dogs. Also visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com/plan-a-vacation/places-to-stay and select the ‘pet-friendly’ tab on the left to see all the pet-friendly places to stay.
Some pet-friendly hotels/motels are:*
Admiral Resort Motel
7200 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest
609-522-7704
Brittany Motel
3710 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood
609-522-0257
Esplanade Suites
230 East Taylor Avenue, Wildwood
609-522-7890
Hotel Cabana
423 East 23rd Street, North Wildwood
609-536-9330
The Hen Houses
156 E. Taylor Avenue, Wildwood
609-899-8811
Island Breeze Motel
411 East 26th Avenue, North Wildwood
609-522-2700
Jade East Motel
510 East 4th Avenue, North Wildwood
609-522-1867
Madison Resorts (Select rooms at Royal Tower)
7201 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest
609-884-7011
Monaco Motel
4211 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood
609-522-2269
Red Horse on the Lake
7705 New Jersey Avenue, Wildwood Crest
609-522-1667
Rus Mar Motel
5010 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest
609-522-0101
Sandy Shores Resort
2511 Atlantic Avenue, North Wildwood
609-522-7422
Skylark Resort Motel
3917 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood
609-522-5082
The Shore House
422 E. 16th Avenue, Wildwood
609-602-1769
Tide Winds Motel
231 E. Davis Avenue, Wildwood
609-522-0901
*Pet policies are subject to change. Please check with the property for the latest policy on pets.
For more information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
###
