The Wildwoods, NJ – May 27, 2026 – The Wildwoods beautiful FREE beaches were named the Best Beach in New Jersey in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards contest 2026. This is the third consecutive year that the Wildwoods’ Beaches have been ranked #1 in New Jersey in the contest.
The USA Today 10Best contest featured beaches from across the state, curated by a panel of travel experts, and ultimately voted on by USA Today readers. The Wildwoods’ sparkling, clean beaches, stretching for five miles across the shores of North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest are spacious, offering plenty of room to spread out, and unlike most New Jersey beach destinations, the Wildwoods’ beaches are completely FREE with no beach tags required. They are the perfect spot for swimming, soaking up the sun, and relaxing on a hot summer day. For those looking for some adventure, the Wildwoods’ beaches also serve as an ideal location for surfing, boogie boarding, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
“Being named Best Beach in New Jersey for the third consecutive year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our municipal workers to keeping our beaches clean pristine, and safe. This award is a direct reflection of the unwavering support from our fans and the generations of families who continue to make lasting memories here in the Wildwoods. As New Jersey’s premier vacation destination, the Wildwoods continue to attract visitors with our award-winning free beaches, iconic Boardwalk, and family-friendly atmosphere,” explained Louis M. Belasco, Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement Development Authority Executive Director.
The Wildwoods’ Boardwalk was also voted the 2026 #1 Best Boardwalk in the US in a recent USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards contest for the second consecutive year, further solidifying the resort as a premier beach destination. Also in 2026, USA Today recognized multiple attractions in the Wildwoods including Monsters Mayhem Zone Mini Golf and the Doo Wop Experience Museum, which has been named as one of the Top 10 Best Pop Culture Museums by USA Today for the last four consecutive years. Also, nominated this year is the Pig Dog Beach Bar for Best Beach Bar in the US, and Kona Surf Shop for Best Surf Shop in the US. Results have not yet been tabulated for those two awards.
Throughout the season, the Wildwoods’ beaches host many events, including the Barefoot Country Music Festival June 18-21 and the Wildwoods Airshow September 12 & 13, in addition to championship soccer, lacrosse, baseball, beach volleyball, beach field hockey tournaments, the National Marbles Championships, The Race of Gentleman Vintage Car and Motorcycle Beach Drag Races, Monster Truck Races, Motocross Races, Sand Sculpting Festivals, the Wildwoods International Kite Festival, Ultimate Beach Frisbee Championship, and so much more.
The Wildwoods offer everything a family could ever want in a fun, affordable vacation destination at the New Jersey Shore. With FREE Events, FREE Beaches, FREE Fireworks, and FREE Live Music throughout the summer, the Wildwoods are the best family vacation value at the Jersey shore.
USA Today’s 10Best provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. Created by a team of local travel experts: a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields – and their cities – but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about so the content is constantly updated. For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
