Visiting the Wildwoods during the less busy weekdays offers guests a popular value option alongside a jam-packed events schedule, FREE beaches, and affordable vacation options
The Wildwoods, NJ – April 21, 2026 – A trip to the Wildwoods is synonymous with summer fun and unforgettable family memories. With so much to do on the island, families are always looking for ways to maximize their vacation experience, at a price point that they can afford and keeps them returning for generations. With more affordable options than ever before, including completely FREE and affordable events, attractions, and award-winning beaches, packing even more value into your trip is easier than ever. Staying in the Wildwoods during the mid-week means reduced rates on accommodations, less traffic, and less crowds at the attractions.
Travelers to the Wildwoods will be delighted by the new developments on the island that keep popping up each year. Many of the new accommodations, restaurants, and improvements aim to improve the Wildwoods’ experience, including options for value-oriented customers. Not only do many hotels and motels on the island offer mid-week and weeklong packages at reduced rates, but many also offer added-value options, such as all-in-one online booking, inclusive parking and dining packages, oceanfront views and beach access, and more giving families even more options to make their trip to the Wildwoods stretch further.
During a mid-week trip to the Wildwoods, guests can expect to find many of the same events they love during the week as they find on the weekend and staying at one of the more than 11,000 accommodations in the Wildwoods means that added-value packages abound, meaning fully-customizable trips are available for all price points.
Road trips are another popular way to experience the Wildwoods as a cost-saving measure and for the scenic routes visitors find on the way to the Wildwoods. The Wildwoods are within driving distance from many of the east coast’s major cities, including Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and more, offering a scenic trip to the Wildwoods before experiencing the action on the island.
FREE Award-Winning Beaches & Boardwalk
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 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Also in 2025, the Wildwoods’ Boardwalk was voted #1 Best Boardwalk in the country in USA Today’s 10Best 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. The boardwalk offers a myriad of shops, eateries, arcades, and carnival games, plus three exciting amusement piers with over 100 rides and attractions, and two beachfront waterparks.
The Wildwoods’ Boardwalk has also won numerous travel and tourism awards throughout the years, including being named “One Of The Top Ten Boardwalks” by National Geographic , “One of America’s Best Boardwalks” by Smart Travel, “One Of The Best Boardwalks In America” by CNN Travel, “One Of America’s Best Seaside Boardwalks” by Trending Travel, ‘20 Best Beach Boardwalks in America’ by Reader’s Digest, and the ‘Favorite Boardwalk in New Jersey’ by New Jersey Family. The Boardwalk was also named among the ‘The 20 Most Iconic Boardwalks in the US’ By INSIDER, MSN.com and BEST TRAVEL TALE.
Over 160 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, 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 Wildwoods’ Airshow taking place Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. Additional FREE events taking place throughout the year including Sports Cards, Toys, Comics, and Collectible Shows; ethnic street fairs celebrating Latino, Irish, and Italian heritage; food and music festivals, 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.
In addition to the Wildwoods renowned events, the island also hosts a FREE fireworks show Friday nights at 10 p.m. throughout the summer. 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,
2026 Wildwoods ULTIMATE FREE Family Vacation Contest
Two lucky winners will have the chance to experience all the thrills and relaxation of the Wildwoods with a FREE vacation of a lifetime by entering the 2026 Wildwoods ULTIMATE Family Vacation Contest.
Enter for a chance to win the ULTIMATE family vacation packed with fun for all ages. The contest offers two, 5-day, 4-night vacations for up to four people. There are two drawings, one in the spring, and one in the fall, with the lucky winners being notified on May 25, 2026, and on October 26, 2026, respectively.
This year’s contest is bigger and better than before, with a total prize package nearly double the size of previous years. With all amenities included, the total prize package is worth nearly $5,000. Each winner will enjoy a Wildwoods vacation for four that truly has everything you could want in a vacation experience, including:
- A four-night mid-week stay for four guests at the beautiful Madison Resort in Wildwood Crest
- Four General Admission Tickets to the Barefoot County Music Fest
- Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterpark combo ride and waterpark passes for four guests
- Shopping gift certificate of $125 to Wildwood Customs: A One Stop Boardwalk Shop
- A 90-minute Back Bay Boat Cruise for up to six guests aboard Sandbar Joe’s Wildwoods Cruises
- $50 gift cards to MudHen Brewing Company, Poppi’s Brick Oven Pizza & Kitchen, and Dogtooth Bar & Grill, courtesy of MudHen Hospitality
- A $50 gift card to Lime Ricky World Arcade & Ice Cream Bar
- Bike rental or surrey rentals for four people courtesy of Surf Bike Rental or Ocean Cycles
- Dragon’s Lair Blacklight Mini Golf admission for four guests
- Sightseer Tram Car passes for one round-trip ride for four guests’
- Free parking at the Wildwoods Convention Center Lot daily for one vehicle for four days during your stay
The Wildwoods offer everything a family could ever want in a fun, affordable vacation destination. With FREE Beaches, FREE Events, FREE Fireworks, FREE activities, and FREE Live Music throughout the summer, the Wildwoods offer the best family vacation value at the Jersey shore. For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
