Wild Weekend in the Wildwoods
It’s no secret I love Wildwood, and while not located in Central Jersey, it’s an easy weekend away from the center of the State if you’re looking for a getaway that makes you feel like you’re, well - away.
More Philly than Jersey (think Silver Lining’s Playbook), this town loves the Eagles, cheesesteaks and Trump but like it or not, there is so much to do here. Great restaurants , Doo-Wop history and the neon to prove it (even Wawa and Acme have redo 1950’s neon signs), free beaches, tons of weekend events on the boardwalk and more, give this town it’s charm and reputation. An added bonus is that you’re a 10 minute drive into Cape May if you weirdly exhaust all that Wildwood has to offer.
Of course I’m secretly biased having been coming here for years, but to kick off the TRAVEL section of my blog, I’m starting off with one of my favorite weekend jaunts. It’s a solid 2-hour drive and a straight shot down the GSP, and great all year long. Need a break from Central Jersey? This is your relief.
Below are 2 of my favorite itineraries for a weekend away in Wildwood:
SUMMER WEEKEND
Friday
Arrive, unpack and unwind; Head to Two Mile Landing for cocktails, an awesome seafood dinner in a basket and a sunset view. While admittedly it’s not my favorite food on the island, it is my favorite vibe.
Head to Duffer’s after for some super fun mini-golf and best ice cream in the world. Around 10pm fireworks go off from Morey’s Piers, so head over to the beach to watch the show!
Saturday
Wake up and head to Marvis Diner (now with 2 locations) for breakfast OR go to Bagel Time and get bagel sandwiches to go.
If you’re a yoga junkie (like me), plan around going to Yoga on the Beach with Charla at 9am. For $7.50, you can take yoga right at the water’s edge in a large group, led by Charla, and located at Burk Ave behind the Convention Center.
Take a walk or rent a bike (or a 4-6 person bike!) from Green’s and take a ride along the bike path south to the south end of Wildwood Crest (starts at Cresse Avenue) OR ride on the boardwalk to North Wildwood and check out the surf at the northern tip where the bridge to Stone Harbor resides.
Find a snack either at home, or at one of the many options in town including Primo Subs or any of the many places along the boardwalk.
Head to the beach for the afternoon. Head home whenever and take an outdoor shower (if it’s an option) or get cleaned up and head to 1 of 3 of my favorite places for dinner:
Beach Creek Restaurant: my favorite pick on the island for food; also a lovely view at the marina with a Tiki bar in the back if you have to wait for a table.
Boat House Restaurant; close to Beach Creek, another top notch seafood restaurant with an awesome view
MudHen Brewery: lively atmosphere, great food and live music; if you’re there during St. Patricks Day, you’ll be sure to witness some Irish madness, kilts and bagpipes
If there’s any energy left in the tank, head to the boardwalk and if you’re a rollercoaster junkie like me, treat yourself to a ride on the Great White. It’s an old school wooden roller coaster that really slays especially for a boardwalk coaster. Then walk the boardwalk experiencing the weirdness and madness that it has to offer. If you’re still up for a snack, Curly’s Fries will be sure to hit.
Sunday
Wake up and have a lazy Sunday breakfast at either Jersey Girl Diner or make the trip to Flight Deck Diner (located at the Cape May Airport).
Enjoy more beach time if that’s your jam or take a walk/bike ride up to Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and explore their gardens. It’s located in North Wildwood and you can also double header that with a walk over to the North Wildwood beaches to check out the surf. The view here is gorgeous and you can see all the way over to Stone Harbor.
Before heading home, enjoy lunch at either MudHen Brewery (if you didn’t make it there yet) or DogTooth Bar and Grill for fantastic food (the fried pickles at MudHen hit and the Crab Corn Chowder at DogTooth is a personal fave).
OFF-SEASON WEEKEND
If you’re heading down off season, I highly recommend either going in October, or around the holidays. Admittedly, a lot of things close off season but there still is tons to do, and personally, I prefer the off season to high season.
Friday
Arrive, unpack and unwind. Grab dinner at Poppi’s Pizza (which is also BYOB!) and if it’s a bit on the cooler side, sit out back near one of the heat lamps. This spot is lovely with an outdoor courtyard and offers great Neapolitan pizza , apps and delicious salads.
If you’re there in October, enjoy Oktoberfest events at the boardwalk and enjoy the crisp Fall air. If you’re looking for a livelier night, head over to MudHen which is a three-ring circus most nights and generally has a lot going on with a large outdoor courtyard, stage for live music and outdoor bar.
Saturday
Wake up and either head to Key West Cafe for breakfast or Vegas Diner (both open year round).
If the weather permits, rent bikes and take a ride around the island wearing your favorite hoodie. If you’re a jogger, run the boardwalk from the Wildwood Crest Arch to the North Wildwood Arch and back (4-miles roundtrip).
If you’re there around the holidays, take a ride into Cape May (‘the Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort’) and enjoy the Washington Street Mall - a quaint stretch of road lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, etc. and then take a walk through Congress Hall checking out the decor and vibe. You can spend hours perusing through Cape May experiencing their iconic Victorian homes and rich history.
Spend the afternoon visiting one of the local wineries. My personal favorite is Cape May Winery where you can sit outside if weather permits, or grab a table inside by the fire and enjoy their awesome wines. If you’re feeling a little peckish, they offer amazing appetizers like cheese plates, homemade hummus platter and more.
Head home, relax and plan for a fun night out. Head out to Surfin’ Pig in North Wildwood or upstairs at Swine Bar for dinner and cocktails overlooking the bay. Both are great, but offer very different cuisine and vibes. Surfin’ Pig offers a more laid back vibe whereas Swine Bar is a little more upscale. Choose your adventure.
Sunday
Wake up and head down to West End Garage in Cape May for coffee and baked goods and some really interesting shopping. You can get lost in this unique shopping Mecca which originally was a garage and gas station.
When you’ve exhausted your West End Garage shopping, make the short drive over to Beach Plum Farms to check out their market, farms, animals and more. I personally love it here so much - many local restaurants source their produce from here and they also offer a lot of locally made products in their market. This truly is a hidden gem of NJ. If you’re here in October, enjoy their Fall at the Farm events and take in that Autumn vibe.
Head back up to Wildwood and if you’re looking for a quick lunch before heading home, stop into the Crest Tavern for a quick bite. This is a friendly local, year round package store and bar offering really good food and down-home vibe.