- Every Friday in the summer%2C the city shoots off fireworks at 10 p.m. at Pine Avenue.
- At 150 feet tall%2C the Giant Wheel is a relaxing way to end a summer weekend.
- Sunset Lake%2C located on the bayside in Wildwood Crest%2C is a sight to see once 8 p.m. comes along.
When Jerseyans plan their trips for those long summer weekends at the Shore, they tend to choose the same cities over and over again for the same reasons they have had for the last 20 years — Long Branch for a laid-back beach day, Point Pleasant for fun for the family and Seaside Heights when all one needs is a cold drink.
Each shoreside city has its own personality, quirks, upsides and downsides — no town is exactly like the next, even if it is only one more exit down the Parkway.
Wildwood, however, which goes back to the doo-wop days of the '50s and '60s, can't really be boxed into one category but instead sits finely in the middle, conveniently close to loud-mouthed Atlantic City, quiet Cape May and family-oriented Ocean City. So what does this make Wildwood?
Wildwood doesn't need to fit into a box because it has such a hodgepodge to offer that there is no reason not to visit. If you haven't crossed Wildwood off your summer hit list yet, here are all of the reasons why this Shore town can fit everyone's beach-need list and what you can do during your long weekend stay.
1. Gaze at the fireworks on Wildwood Beach
Every Friday in the summer, the city shoots off fireworks to declare the weekend at 10 p.m. at Pine Avenue, visible from most outposts in the area. If it's too rainy on Friday, then they are displayed on Sunday at 9 p.m. Plus, since Wildwood beaches are long, there's always enough room for everyone.
2. Bike the Wildwoods boardwalk
Joining three municipalities to make up the Wildwoods (North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest), the boardwalk itself stretches for two miles, which is where you'll find four piers equipped with boardwalk games and rides. The boardwalk then extends both directions onto sand to the north and pavement to the south, making it ideal for an hourlong bike ride. The ride will include the quiet tourism of Wildwood Crest as well as the local friendliness of North Wildwood while also getting the insanity of Wildwood on the boards themselves until 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. on weekends. You can rent a bike for one hour for $6 at Sportland Bike Rental, just a block off the boardwalk at 435 E. 24th Ave., North Wildwood.
3. Visit The Original Fudge Kitchen
All over Wildwood and other Shore towns, you'll spot various shops sporting fudge in all shapes, sizes and colors. Don't do it. Just go to The Original Fudge Kitchen at 2200 Boardwalk in North Wildwood. Even if you're just picking up one of their widely distributed samples, the Original Fudge Kitchen is worth a stop. For $11.50 per pound, the fudge runs a little expensive, but a sweet piece in the hot sun is worth it, especially for the vanilla marshmallow.
4. Watch the sun disappear at Sunset Lake
Sunset Lake, located on the bayside in Wildwood Crest, is a sight to see once 8 p.m. comes along. Arrive about a half-hour to an hour before the sun actually goes down and you can watch the sun disappear behind the lake among the various waterfowl, gazebos and boats scattered about this clean area. Bring along some drinks, a blanket and relax on one of the nearby benches. It's the perfect way to end the evening before beginning your pilgrimage back home on Sunday.
5. Snap a photo by the iconic 'Wildwoods' sign
This famous sign marks the center of Wildwood Crest in the popular district where you can snap photos of family and friends posing behind the oversized letters and beach balls — a great stop when you're biking the boardwalk and on your way back to grab your daily fudge fix.
6. Hop on the Giant Wheel at night
Even though the line gets long, it's for a good reason — checking out the sights and sounds of the Wildwoods from high above in your Giant Wheel cart in Morey's Piers is worth the wait. Built in 1985 and standing 150 feet tall, the iconic and oversized wheel is a romantic and relaxing way to end a summer weekend trip to Wildwood — if you're not afraid of heights.
7. Ride the rickety rides at Morey's Piers
You can't hang out on the piers and resist on going on just a few rides, especially the Zoom Phloom log flume decorated in a doo-wop theme, the giant swings and "IT," a cheesy yet stomach-dropping carnival ride that is a worthy opponent for the bravest roller-coaster lovers. Similar to most shoreside amusem*nt parks, rides at Morey's Piers run expensive — the best value for a casual rider is probably the Super Value Package that includes 65 tickets for $55 and has no expiration date, with rides ranging from 5 tickets to 12 tickets depending on the type of ride.
8. Sway your way down Old New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood isn't known for its nightlife, especially compared to nearby Atlantic City or Seaside Heights, but it has a few bars and clubs worth visiting, including Keenan's Irish Pub, a large indoor and outdoor casual bar; Echo's, an indoor dance club; and Flip-Flopz, a bar, club and grill that also features live music on Saturdays. Luckily, these three bars are neighbors, saving you lengthy cab rides on Saturday night.
9. Grab dinner specials at Boathouse Restaurant
If you are seated between 4 and 5:30 p.m., you can pick up a Sunset Special, or two entrees for $25 any night of the week, at this seafood restaurant on 506 W. Rio Grande Ave. with a view of Sunset Lake. Even if you don't nab the specials, you can still get some stellar seafood at Boathouse Restaurant — especially the broiled crab cake, hot clams casino, steamed mussels, stuffed flounder or twin lobster tails.
10. Laze around on the beaches
Another great reason to visit Wildwood — the beaches are free. There is a catch, however: You will need to survive the long hike from "under the boardwalk" to the five-mile stretch of beach on the other side. Throughout the season, Wildwood beaches are host to various activities, including championship soccer, lacrosse and hockey tournaments, the National Marbles Championships, monster truck races, Motocross races, sand-sculpting festivals, headline concerts and the Wildwoods International Kite Festival.
Jenna Intersimone's "Life Aboard The Traveling Circus" column appears Tuesdays. Her "Life Aboard The Traveling Circus" blog is at LifeAboardTheTravelingCircus.com. Tweet her at @JIntersimone or email her at JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com.
