Guidebook for Wildwood
Food Scene
Our favorite spot at the shore, Hooked-Up is owned and run by a fisherman and his family. Order at the walk-up counter where tuna, mahi and swordfish are prepared seared or blackened alongside local veggies, and grab a picnic table by the bay. Don't miss the littlenecks, steamed with tons of freshly chopped garlic, white wine, butter, lemon and parsley.
Hooked Up Seafood
1044 W Rio Grande AveOur favorite spot at the shore, Hooked-Up is owned and run by a fisherman and his family. Order at the walk-up counter where tuna, mahi and swordfish are prepared seared or blackened alongside local veggies, and grab a picnic table by the bay. Don't miss the littlenecks, steamed with tons of freshly chopped garlic, white wine, butter, lemon and parsley.
Get to this Crest bakery early, especially on the weekends, for warm donuts, sticky cinnamon buns and the best apple fritters on earth.
26 locals recommend
Britton's Gourmet Bakery
5600 Pacific AveGet to this Crest bakery early, especially on the weekends, for warm donuts, sticky cinnamon buns and the best apple fritters on earth.
Our go-to for pizza on the island, but don't sleep on the solid Italian and Italian-American hits like chicken parm, arancini and gnocchi with tomato sauce and smoked mozzarella.
59 locals recommend
Poppi's Brick Oven Pizza & Kitchen
4709 New Jersey AveOur go-to for pizza on the island, but don't sleep on the solid Italian and Italian-American hits like chicken parm, arancini and gnocchi with tomato sauce and smoked mozzarella.
Family-friendly ice cream parlor with a baseball theme. Come hungry and bring cash!
22 locals recommend
Fleck's Ice Cream
1600 Bayshore RdFamily-friendly ice cream parlor with a baseball theme. Come hungry and bring cash!
One of the best restaurants in the area, Red Store is BYOB, cash-only and focuses on local ingredients. The charming general store setting with rear garden makes it very popular for breakfast and brunch, but if you only have one big night out dinner, make it here--and make reservations.
14 locals recommend
The Red Store
One of the best restaurants in the area, Red Store is BYOB, cash-only and focuses on local ingredients. The charming general store setting with rear garden makes it very popular for breakfast and brunch, but if you only have one big night out dinner, make it here--and make reservations.
Great food and drinks with a local crowd on the back way into Cape May
66 locals recommend
Lucky Bones Back Water Grille
1200 NJ-109Great food and drinks with a local crowd on the back way into Cape May
A Shore classic! Skip the crowded and touristy Uncle Bill's in Cape May and Wildwood and head offshore to Villas, where this smaller location can usually seat you right away. Pancakes are terrific, Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream is better.
59 locals recommend
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
4001 West AveA Shore classic! Skip the crowded and touristy Uncle Bill's in Cape May and Wildwood and head offshore to Villas, where this smaller location can usually seat you right away. Pancakes are terrific, Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream is better.
Our favorite ice cream parlor on the island. Excellent waffles and ice cream. Bring cash.
16 locals recommend
Hassles Ice Cream
430 E 20th AveOur favorite ice cream parlor on the island. Excellent waffles and ice cream. Bring cash.
The Surfing Pig
231 W 10th AveSeafood and barbecue overlooking the bay in North Wildwood
A North Wildwood classic with a surprisingly large menu and family-friendly atmosphere. Get the wings.
21 locals recommend
Anglesea Pub
116 W 1st AveA North Wildwood classic with a surprisingly large menu and family-friendly atmosphere. Get the wings.
Best Mexican food in the area, run by a husband and wife from Oaxaca.
17 locals recommend
El Pueblo Taqueria
3704 Bayshore RdBest Mexican food in the area, run by a husband and wife from Oaxaca.
Parks & Nature
Our favorite beach on the island, located at the very tip of Wildwood Crest, adjacent a nesting seabird sanctuary. This is one of the few beaches in Wildwood you need to pay to access, but it's worth it for the relative peace and quiet, short beach length (no long walk on hot sand), and amenities, which include a laid-back tiki bar and grill (alcohol for members only). The cost is $7 a day, paid to the employees at the gazebo at the beach entrance.
6 locals recommend
The Club at Diamond Beach
600 E Raleigh AveOur favorite beach on the island, located at the very tip of Wildwood Crest, adjacent a nesting seabird sanctuary. This is one of the few beaches in Wildwood you need to pay to access, but it's worth it for the relative peace and quiet, short beach length (no long walk on hot sand), and amenities, which include a laid-back tiki bar and grill (alcohol for members only). The cost is $7 a day, paid to the employees at the gazebo at the beach entrance.
This bayfront beach in Cape May is quiet on weekdays, dog-friendly, and faces the famous concrete shipwreck. Dedicated parking lot makes access easy, and there's a cafe, gift shop, bathrooms and mini-golf all on site. Go later in the day and linger for the sunset that gives the beach its name.
21 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
This bayfront beach in Cape May is quiet on weekdays, dog-friendly, and faces the famous concrete shipwreck. Dedicated parking lot makes access easy, and there's a cafe, gift shop, bathrooms and mini-golf all on site. Go later in the day and linger for the sunset that gives the beach its name.
Fox Park
Ocean AvenuePlayground and outdoor concerts
Centennial Park
East Fern RoadBig park with bike rentals, playground and free outdoor concerts
Back-bay kayaking trips, salt-marsh safaris, and wildlife education in Stone Harbor
17 locals recommend
The Wetlands Institute
1075 Stone Harbor BlvdBack-bay kayaking trips, salt-marsh safaris, and wildlife education in Stone Harbor
Sunset Lake
Beautiful lake to walk, bike or jog along in the Crest
Shopping
If you're looking for local organic produce, Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May runs a daily farmstand overflowing with beautiful fruits and vegetables. Make a morning of it and have breakfast at their adjacent cafe.
83 locals recommend
Beach Plum Farm
140 Stevens StIf you're looking for local organic produce, Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May runs a daily farmstand overflowing with beautiful fruits and vegetables. Make a morning of it and have breakfast at their adjacent cafe.
Pedestrian mall in the heart of Cape May lined with candy shops, clothing boutiques, galleries and knickknack shops
118 locals recommend
Washington Street Mall
401 Washington StPedestrian mall in the heart of Cape May lined with candy shops, clothing boutiques, galleries and knickknack shops
ACME Markets
5300 Park BlvdLarge supermarket with a fun retro design
A women-run farmstand and bakery on Sunset Boulevard, where the clay oven turns out 20 different kinds of bread. Check their Facebook for hours, which change through the season.
Enfin Farms
609 Sunset BlvdA women-run farmstand and bakery on Sunset Boulevard, where the clay oven turns out 20 different kinds of bread. Check their Facebook for hours, which change through the season.
Kona Surf Company
103 E Rio Grande AveGo-to spot for surf gear and watersports essentials
Market focusing on organic, natural and alternative foods: gluten-free bread, grass-fed beef, essential oils, fair-trade coffee and the like. They also have a cafe window inside serving breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, cold brew coffee drinks, acai bowls and more. Lots of vegan/vegetarian options.
9 locals recommend
Green Street Market
3156 Rte 9 SMarket focusing on organic, natural and alternative foods: gluten-free bread, grass-fed beef, essential oils, fair-trade coffee and the like. They also have a cafe window inside serving breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, cold brew coffee drinks, acai bowls and more. Lots of vegan/vegetarian options.
Entertainment & Activities
Congress Hall
200 Congress PlLuxury spa at Cape May's historic Congress Hall hotel
Morey's Piers and Beachfront Water Parks
3501 BoardwalkThe Boardwalk's main amusement pier
Splash Zone Waterpark
3500 BoardwalkBig and busy waterpark on the boardwalk
Frank Theatres Rio Stadium 12
3801 Rte 9 SLocal movie theater
Cape May County Park & Zoo
707 U.S. 9Cute free zoo in Cape May Courthouse
Sightseeing
World War II Lookout Tower
536 Sunset BoulevardHistorical site from WWII right near Sunset Beach
Site of a historic town that's been transformed into a brewery, restaurant and museum
54 locals recommend
Historic Cold Spring Village
735 Seashore RdSite of a historic town that's been transformed into a brewery, restaurant and museum
Drinks & Nightlife
Fun local brewery with walk-through museum, tasting room and gift shop by the Cape May Airport. You'll see their flagship Evacuation IPA on tap around town.
112 locals recommend
Cape May Brewing Co. Tasting Room & Brewtique
1250 Hornet RdFun local brewery with walk-through museum, tasting room and gift shop by the Cape May Airport. You'll see their flagship Evacuation IPA on tap around town.
Excellent family-friendly brewpub with a roster of a dozen beers all brewed on site. Mud Hen just opened this year and is already a Wildwood classic. Go for dinner, for late-night drinks and live music, or on a cloudy day to sip porters and play games on the outdoor courtyard.
121 locals recommend
MudHen Brewing Company
127 W Rio Grande AveExcellent family-friendly brewpub with a roster of a dozen beers all brewed on site. Mud Hen just opened this year and is already a Wildwood classic. Go for dinner, for late-night drinks and live music, or on a cloudy day to sip porters and play games on the outdoor courtyard.
Total locals' bar with great home-made roast beef sandwiches, turkey clubs and Orange Crushes made with fresh squeezed juice
Ship 'N Shore Bar
434 W Montgomery AveTotal locals' bar with great home-made roast beef sandwiches, turkey clubs and Orange Crushes made with fresh squeezed juice
The best winery in the area. Purchase bottles to go, hang out for a tasting, make a picnic in their gardens or book a reservation at their popular Grill Nights.
132 locals recommend
Cape May Winery & Vineyard
711 Town Bank RdThe best winery in the area. Purchase bottles to go, hang out for a tasting, make a picnic in their gardens or book a reservation at their popular Grill Nights.
Gusto Brewing
3860 Bayshore RdNew craft brewery in North Cape May
Arts & Culture
Cool retro aviation museum by the Cape May airport
41 locals recommend
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
500 Forrestal RdCool retro aviation museum by the Cape May airport