The Wildwoods

New Jersey's Fantasyland of Fun for Family & Friends

Wildwood, NJ, March 27, 2008 - Whether it's because it has New Jersey's best beach, or because there is New Jersey's best Boardwalk, or simply because it's very affordable and there is an amazing selection of fun things to see and do amidst a resort delighting the eyes with whimsical aqua, pink and orange "Doo-Wop" architecture, the Wildwoods have become renowned as the gem of vacation destinations of the Jersey Shore.

More than nine million visitors flock to the Wildwoods every year, taking advantage of New Jersey's largest - free - beach and cavorting along its two-mile Boardwalk, which boasts more rides than Disneyland.  Beyond the beach and Boardwalk, there is an abundant array of fishing and water related recreational activities, great golfing, including former PGA and LPGA tournament courses, innumerable shops and restaurants for those hungering for fashion or food, `50's era "Doo-Wop" architectural tours and more than 175 festivals and events to entertain young and old throughout the year.

Located on the southern New Jersey coast within a tank of gas of nearly one-third of the nation's population, the Wildwoods and its neighboring Cape May County region are a mecca for anyone interested in seashore related excitement.  The wide, white-sand beaches stretch for five miles lining the shores of North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, and unlike most seashore resorts today, are free of charge.  Besides sun bathing and swimming, there are deep-sea and back bay fishing, surf fishing, clamming, crabbing, scuba diving, surfing, boogie boarding, power boating, jet skiing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, parasailing, windsurfing, whale watching and a wide variety of tours and programs exploring the back bay areas that separate the island from the mainland. 

The two-mile long Boardwalk is renowned as the largest and most fun-filled along the East Coast, and served as a model for creating a Boardwalk-style attraction at Disneyland in California.  There are spectacular amusement piers, world-class roller coasters, interactive waterparks, carnival-style midway games, arcades and a myriad of shops and eateries.  If thrills are sought after, ride names like Tornado, Inverter and Spin Out give a hint of what's to come.  For roller coaster aficionados, choices include the Sea Serpent, the Nor'Easter - an inverted looping coaster - and the Great White, the tallest ad fastest wooden coaster on the East Coast.  Kiddy rides include a caravan of trucks, buggies, boats, trains and planes, along with flying elephants, teacups, giraffes, mini-Ferris wheels and carousels.  The waterparks are filled with waterslides, hydrochutes, raft rides, tube floats, lazy rivers, rope swings and spas - just about any way to get wet and wild.  Those seeking a more tranquil experience can enjoy a 140-foot Ferris wheel, flying kites, a sky ship and a cycle monorail for leisurely rides and breathtaking views.

Away from the water, there are abundant restaurants and the area is a shopper's dream come true with hundreds of eclectic shops, services and boutiques to choose from, everything from the most stylish clothes and accessories, home decor, jewelry, florists and gourmet foods, to surf shops, sportswear, hobbies, bridal and formal wear, collectibles and art.  Culinary fare ranges from fine dining to Boardwalk finger food, everything from seafood, steaks, chops, French, Italian and cybercafés, to pizza, ice cream, hot dogs, burgers and barbecue.

For golfers, there are more than a dozen courses just a few minutes drive from the island catering to all skill levels and budgets, including courses highly regarded by Golfweek, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, and former PGA and LPGA courses.  Some of the more popular include Wildwood Golf & Country Club, Cape May National Golf Course, Shore Gate Golf Club, Stone Harbor Golf Course and Avalon Golf Club.
 
It is no surprise that the golfing is so good, since the Cape May County region is filled with spectacular scenic countryside and pristine wetland areas teeming with wildlife, including the Cape May Wetlands (Marmora) Wildlife Management Area and the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, providing ample opportunities for those exploring ecological and environmental interests or the avid hunter. 

Whatever time of year you visit the Wildwoods, there is always something going on.  From fishing tournaments, fireworks and foreign car shows, to monster trucks, marbles championships and music, the calendar of events in the Wildwoods offers fun for all ages. 

The 260,000 sq. ft. Wildwoods Convention Center hosts a variety of conventions, expositions and events, including marquee names such as the Harlem Globetrotters, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Raw Live and some of today's most popular concert headliners.  There also are boat and fishing shows, cheerleading and gymnastic championships, art & craft shows and fraternal organization conventions such as the New Jersey State Firemen's Association, New Jersey Elks, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW.  Plus the National Marbles Tournament is held every year, an International Kite Festival, food festivals of virtually every taste, film festivals, motorcycle rallies, monster truck beach bashes, special family fun nights, fireworks every Friday during the summer and a variety of community sports and education programs open to both residents and visitors.

When the sun goes down the fun goes on, as the nightlife in and around the Wildwoods is as diverse as the people who visit the resort.  From waterfront restaurants with casual deck dining and bay breezes, to jazz clubs, disco, Motown, alternative 40's, reggae and Irish, the entertainment in the Wildwoods continues to the wee hours of the morning.  In addition, the whole family will enjoy Sunset Cinema's Movies On The Beach - first run movies shown on a giant 60-foot outdoor screen under the stars on the beach next to the Convention Center throughout the summer.

With so much to see and do, it is no wonder that the Wildwoods long have been New Jersey's favorite vacation destination for family and friends.


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About the GWTIDA

The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority was formed in 1993 to consolidate the tourism economy of its three founding municipalities, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood. The Authority operates the Wildwoods Convention Center and acts as the island's destination marketing organization overseeing the development, research, planning, marketing, advertising, promotion, public and media relations encompassing the tourism, meeting and convention industry in the Wildwoods. Additionally, the GWTIDA funds, assists with and hosts more than 160 annual special events to enhance the visitor experience and extend the tourism season, including the Thunder On The Sand Race Series, Family Nights On The Boardwalk, Fireworks, Pirates Weekend, Classic Car Shows, International Kite Festival, Irish and Italian Festivals and the National Marbles Tournament, among others. For more information on the Wildwoods, contact the GWTIDA at 1-800-WW-By-Sea (800-992-9732) or visit its web site, www.wildwoodsnj.com.