The Wildwoods, NJ are bursting with attractions, from the beach and boardwalk to amusement piers, over 160 events and festivals, beach concerts and live entertainment, boating, watersports, bike paths, and much more – making the resort destination one of the most sought-after places to vacation at the New Jersey Shore.
Consistently named among the country’s top beaches, the Wildwoods are known for their five-mile stretch of FREE, soft white sand, known as sugar sand, offering plenty of room for summer beach activities. Beachgoers can choose a relaxing day in the sun, or more action-packed activities like surfing, boogie boarding, boating, jet skiing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. A dog-friendly beach and dog park at Glenwood Avenue Beach ensures visitors can bring along their four-legged friends.
In addition to the award-winning free beaches and over 160 events and festivals held each year, the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk is a summer “must” for visitors. This ‘2-1/2 miles of smiles’ features three amusement piers with over 100 rides and attractions, three beachfront waterparks, arcades, carnival games, shops, and eateries. In fact, the Wildwood have more retail shops and restaurants than the Mall of America.
What are the major new events for summer 2026?
PigDog Regatta and Beach Party
August 21
https://www.gwcoc.org/2026-pigdog-regatta-beach-party/
New Businesses Opening in 2026
The Wildwoods are buzzing with a flurry of exciting new developments and business ventures, including:
New Accommodations
The Wild Resort
A new Wildwood Boardwalk hotel named The Wild Resort will be located at Glenwood Avenue and the Boardwalk. The entire facade of the Boardwalk’s retail stores will undergo renovations to include a hotel lobby and cafe on the Boardwalk, with a second-floor restaurant and pool, and hotel rooms and luxury suites with private balconies overlooking the ocean.
Mahalo Resorts
Mahalo Resorts, formerly the Ocean Holiday Motel, is under construction. For more information on Mahalo Resorts, visit mahaloresorts.com/mahalo-diamond-beach/.
New Dining Restaurants – Bars – Quick Bites – Coffee Shops – Takeout Establishments
Baypoint Marina & Tiki Bar: Montgomery Avenue & The Bay, Wildwood, NJ
Shore Ave Coffee Company: 2106 Boardwalk, North Wildwood, NJ
shoreavecoffeeco.com
Additional New Location!
Returning!
The Salty Mermaid: 2507 Delaware Ave, North Wildwood, NJ
New Attractions
New Shops, Salons and Services
Coastal Cruiser – Hop on Hop Off Shuttle in Wildwood at Atlantic Ave & E Cedar Avenue in Wildwood and MudHen Brewing Company in Wildwood
https://www.thecoastalcruiser.com/
Additional New Location!
Boardwalk Renovations
This winter, the Wildwoods’ historic and famed Boardwalk has once again undergone a transformation with rehabilitation projects in North Wildwood. This marks a significant step towards enhancing the iconic Boardwalk experience for residents and visitors alike.
Pacific Avenue Downtown Development
The commercial corridor along Pacific Avenue in Wildwood is continuing to evolve as well, thanks to a five-year designation from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). NPP provides funding to assist with economic and community development projects designed to help revitalize the designated area of Downtown Wildwood and ensure future economic success. This designation includes an initial $125,000 grant that, pending future years’ budget approvals, will be awarded at the same level of funding annually through 2026.
The designation is centered around the Pacific Avenue Downtown Business District between Taylor Avenue and Byrne Plaza. The NPP also includes technical assistance from the state’s team of placemaking and community development professionals. Projects are created by the designation’s Stakeholder Team, which solicits feedback from the community – in the form of a survey and several focus groups – to help plan the projects for implementation. These developments will enable Pacific Avenue to establish greater economic security and viability, creating an attraction that is inviting for families, while also being bikeable and walkable. The Downtown District is just two blocks from the Wildwoods’ beach and Boardwalk and is a prime location for developers seeking to build commercial, residential, and hotel properties.
