The Wildwoods remain the best value family vacation destination at the Jersey Shore, offering numerous FREE attractions and events throughout the year
The Wildwoods, NJ – June 26, 2025– A vacation in the Wildwoods offers a myriad of FREE activities for visitors of all ages to experience an escape to the Jersey shore without breaking the bank. The Wildwoods are known for being the best value family vacation destination at the Jersey Shore.
The seaside destination is bursting with FREE attractions, including FREE, sprawling, white sand beaches, a two-mile, world-famous Boardwalk, FREE events and festivals, FREE outdoor concerts, FREE Friday Night Fireworks, FREE Movies Under the Stars, FREE live entertainment, FREE scenic bike paths, fishing, crabbing, nature trails, must-see landmarks, and much more – making the resort destination one of the most sought-after vacation destinations at the Jersey Shore.
1. The Wildwoods FREE Award-Winning Beaches
The Wildwoods’ five-mile island has appealed to vacationing families for more than a century. One of the reasons families choose the Wildwoods is for the island’s expansive clean, safe beaches with plenty of room to spread out. The Wildwoods beaches remain FREE for all visitors – removing the hassle of purchasing expensive beach tags each season. In 2025, the Wildwoods’ beaches were voted the #1 Best Beach in New Jersey in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Wildwoods’ beaches are an opportunity to clear the mind and enjoy the calming benefits of ‘Beach Therapy’. The award-winning, spacious stretches of sand are the perfect place to relax, recharge, and reunite with friends and family. The beaches also give visitors an opportunity to get some exercise and partake in the thrill of all the exciting watersports offered throughout locations on the island, including surfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more!
2. The Wildwoods World-Famous Boardwalk
In 2025, the Wildwoods’ Boardwalk was voted #1 Best Boardwalk in the country in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Otherwise known as ‘two-and-a-half miles of smiles,’ the iconic, 38-block Wildwoods Boardwalk is one of the destination’s most exciting attractions for strolling, jogging, and biking. There’s no better way to take in the incredible views of the lively Boardwalk, beach, and ocean. There is a myriad of shops, eateries, arcades, carnival games plus three exciting amusement piers with over 100 rides and attractions, and three beachfront waterparks.
3. FREE Events
Taking place almost every week throughout the summer on the five-mile island are FREE-to-attend block parties, craft shows, family outdoor movie nights under the stars, farmer’s markets, and many food and ethnic festivals. A wide variety of FREE entertainment can also be found almost every night of the week throughout the summer, including spectacular Friday Night Fireworks and live outdoor concerts featuring national recording artists, oldies groups, dance, big band music, and more!
The Wildwoods’ Calendar of Events is full of FREE fun events and festivals for the whole family. FREE-to-attend events in the Wildwoods include the ‘Thunder Over the Waves Airshow’ taking place September 5 & 6, and additional events happening throughout the year including Sports Cards, Toys, Comics, and Collectible Shows; ethnic street fairs celebrating Latino, Irish and Italian heritage; food and music festivals including the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s Weekend, the Seafood and Music Festival, and New Jersey State BBQ Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival; National Marbles Tournament; Baby Parade; International Kite Festival; Classic Car Shows; and much more! You can view more than 160 events and festivals at WildwoodsNJ.com
4. Downtown Byrne Plaza FREE Events & Festivals
Byrne Plaza, located on Pacific Avenue between Oak & Cedar Avenues in Wildwood, hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, most of them FREE to attend, including a weekly FREE Farmers Market during the summer, as well as Music in the Plaza, Fitness in the Plaza, and Free Family Movies Nights. Parking is always free at the Plaza. Visit DOOWW.com
5. FREE Wildwoods Boardwalk Friday Night Fireworks
Enjoy an awesome FREE fireworks show Friday nights at 10 p.m. The fireworks are launched from the beach at Pine Avenue and are synchronized to music that plays over the Wildwoods Boardwalk Sound System. Fireworks are visible anywhere on the boardwalk, June 27- August 29.
6. ‘Bikeability’
Another FREE way to experience the Wildwoods is by bicycle. Recharge, exercise, and enjoy the beautiful sea air and scenery by hopping on your bike and taking part in the Wildwoods exclusive version of ‘Bikeability’. Enjoy a scenic, leisurely, 12-mile round-trip route with plenty of fresh air and breathtaking views starting at the far southern end of the island along the Dunes Bike Path in Wildwood Crest. Travel along the path up onto the iconic Wildwoods’ Boardwalk, and through North Wildwood’s Muhlbury Bike Path to the North Wildwood Sea Wall. You can also ride your bike along the Wildwoods’ streets and Downtown, with special “bikes only” lanes available around the entire island.
7. The Wildwoods Sign
The nine-foot brushed aluminum letters and blue background that make up the dramatic, 80-foot-long, 19-foot-high sign – coined ‘the Hollywood sign of the East Coast’ – is a must-see New Jersey icon and a Wildwoods landmark. The Wildwoods Sign, along with its brightly colored, giant cement beach ball bollards, was unveiled in 2008 and has welcomed millions of visitors to pose in front of it for a once-in-a-lifetime photograph.
The entryway sign that boldly states ‘The WILDWOODS’ was designed by Philadelphia architect Richard Stokes. Its prime location has not only made it a FREE major tourist attraction for photo opportunities but has also become the ideal backdrop for major outdoor events, weddings, class pictures, TV broadcasts, press conferences, and much more. The sign is also broadcast live worldwide on the WildwooodsNJ.com EarthCam webcam for viewing year-round, 24-7.
8. Doo Wop Experience Museum & Self-Guided Doo Wop Architecture Tours
The Wildwoods offer the largest collection of mid-20th century architecture in the country. This iconic style is known as ‘Doo Wop Architecture.’ Brimming with cool artifacts, fun memories, fascinating history and bright neon lights, a Doo Wop Experience and Neon Sign Garden is a celebration of architecture, design, music, pop culture and everything else that made Wildwood famous in its heyday of the 1950s and 1960s. Admission is FREE, with donations accepted. Summer museum hours June 17th through August 28th are Thursdays and Sundays 4:00-9:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00-9:30 p.m. New Back to the 50’s Neon Night and Mid-Century Architecture Trolley Tours are available for a fee.
Visit: Doo Wop USA
Take a FREE self-guided tour on foot or by car to view the island’s unique aesthetic up close and personal. The bright neon signs, vibrant architecture, and colorful motel names make up the Doo Wop ambiance for which the Wildwoods are famous and gives the destination its unique flair. As we like to say, “As Art Deco is to South Beach, Doo Wop is to the Wildwoods.”
9. Fishing and Crabbing
Fishing is a great way to have fun and enjoy the island’s unique seaside environment for FREE. A fishing pier on the Intracoastal Waterway at Sweetbriar Road in Wildwood Crest – known locally as “the back bay” – is a popular fishing spot for island natives and visitors alike. The beaches along Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood are also a popular spot for surf fishing enthusiasts to enjoy.
Crabbing is another beloved shore activity common in the tidal marsh areas along the west side of the island. Those looking to catch their evening crab feast are frequently spotted along the wetlands area entering the island; at street ends; or on docks along the back bay.
10. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Park, Gardens, & Gift Shop
Listed on the State and National Historic Register, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was built in 1874 and served as a beacon of safety to 19th century mariners. Today this historic structure is cherished by residents and visitors alike. The English Cottage Style Gardens surrounding the Lighthouse feature over 170 plant varieties. Exploring the Lighthouse Park, Gardens, and Gift Shop is FREE. The lighthouse still serves as an active navigational aid maintained by the United States Coast Guard. Tours of the Lighthouse are available for an entry fee. For current hours and more information, visit: HerefordInletLighthouse.com
11. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Located on the corner of Ocean and Burk Avenues, the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is an exact half-size replica of the official Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This attraction offers ample opportunity for individuals to reflect and pay respect to the heroes of the Vietnam War who made the ultimate sacrifice. The memorial also offers an important educational opportunity for people of all ages.
12. FREE 4-day/3-night Vacation Package Worth Over $2,000
Enter to win a FREE 4-day/3-night stay for up to four people at a participating Wildwoods hotel-motel of his choice, plus Morey’s Piers Amusement/Waterpark Passes, Splash Zone Waterpark Passes, Boardwalk Tram Car Passes, A gift card to Trio – An American Gastro Eatery , Bike or Surrey Rentals from Surf Bike Rental or Ocean Cycles , Dragon’s Lair Blacklight Mini Golf Passes, parking passes for four days at the Wildwoods Convention Center Parking Lot, and more. With all amenities included, the total giveaway package is worth over $2,000. Everyone who fills out the entry form on the WildwoodsNJ.com contest website is eligible to win. No purchase is necessary. Only one entry per person is allowed. Multiple entries will invalidate your entries, and you will not be eligible for the contest. Winners for the fall drawing will be notified on October 24, 2025, for the fall drawing and can be used for the 2026 Summer season. Prizes must be claimed via email or phone within 30 days of the contest drawing, or the winner will forfeit the prize. Prizes are subject to change without notice. To enter the contest, visit WildwoodsNJ.com/win-a-family-vacation.
13. FREE Online Hotel Reservation System
The Wildwoods’ FREE online hotel reservation system on the Wildwoods official tourism website, WildwoodsNJ.com, allows visitors to conveniently book accommodations at a range of Wildwoods hotels and motels via the Book Your Stay webpage. Visit: Book Your Stay.
With so much to see and do for FREE, the possibilities for fun are endless – making the Wildwoods truly the ultimate and most affordable vacation experience at the Jersey Shore.
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