Wonderful Wildwood, New Jersey

The Jersey Shore boasts some of the mostthe beach and new rides jutting out from its piers.
crowded vacation destinations going. However, oneHistoric Cape May, home to more than 600 Victorian
popular resort, The Wildwoods, is truly a happeninghouses, is only four miles to the South and a great
place and well worth the trip despite theplace to visit when you tire of the boardwalk scene.
crowds.Much of this venerable beach communityAtlantic City is one hour to the north and is a
took off in the 1950s with the opening up of thefrequent side trip destination, especially on rainy days.
Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic CityAlternatively, you can also escape to the county zoo
Expressway. Many of the hotels still gracing the areafor the day in the town of Cape May Court
still reflect that fifties look: tail fins, big hair, Elvis, andHouse.The best time to go to the Wildwoods is
more. Old hotels with a bit of tackiness to be sure,during July and August as the water temperatures
but still a fun place to check out.The boardwalk is acan be too cold before that time. Still, most hotels
two mile trek laced with all kinds of stores sellinghave outdoor heated pools which you may prefer to
saltwater taffy, t-shirts, trinkets, games, rides, junksalt water.The resort is changing as many old
food, you name it. If you don't like to walk, trambuildings are being torn down and replaced by condos.
cars will take you to the end or to any point inPreservationists are attempting to maintain the family
between. Soon, you will hear the familiar "watch thewelcoming theme of the resort, so it remains to be
tram car" recording emanating from the cars and allseen what the resort's future will be. In the
you have to do is flag one down, hop on, and you'remeantime, grab a beach towel and your sunblock and
off.The beach is free, by the way. And, it is veryhead over to wonderful, Wildwood, NJ!Born and
wide particularly by NJ standards. Most people familiarraised in New Jersey, Matt is no stranger to the
with the Jersey Shore know that many beaches areJersey Shore having spent summer weeks on Long
razor thin. This beach has sand added to it constantlyBeach Island as a child. Later in life, with a family of
and naturally by compliant tidal waters; it is at least 1his own, the Keegans added Wildwood to their
4 mile from boardwalk to surf [in low tide, thatitinerary. This summer he hopes to return to
is].Wildwood now boasts a convention center built onWildwood despite relocating to North Carolina.