Food scene
Surfside West Diner
5308 New Jersey AveDelicious and creative breakfast and friendly owners.
Delicious pastries, try the famous apple fritters. Arrive early, they will sell out.
26 locals recommend
Britton's Gourmet Bakery
5600 Pacific AveDelicious pastries, try the famous apple fritters. Arrive early, they will sell out.
Excellent atmosphere, out in the marsh, on the bay. Fresh seafood and burgers. Indoor or outside.
62 locals recommend
Two Mile Landing Restaurants
1 Fish Dock RdExcellent atmosphere, out in the marsh, on the bay. Fresh seafood and burgers. Indoor or outside.
A little cafe
8700 New Jersey AvenueGood coffee, pastries and some sandwiches.
Carini’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
9854 Pacific AveFamily style, pizza and pasta.
Small market and deli, close to The Little Cafe, you can order dinners when they open ( rotisserie chicken with sides, etc) for pick up at dinner time.
Sun Crest Market
8507 New Jersey AveSmall market and deli, close to The Little Cafe, you can order dinners when they open ( rotisserie chicken with sides, etc) for pick up at dinner time.
Lizzy's Ice Cream
6305 New Jersey AveIce cream just a few blocks away.
We have had Mexican food all over the U.S. and up and down the coast of California and this is our favorite by far. Try the enchiladas Rojas ! All of the food is awesome.
El Alebrije Mexican Food
6300 New Jersey AveWe have had Mexican food all over the U.S. and up and down the coast of California and this is our favorite by far. Try the enchiladas Rojas ! All of the food is awesome.
Doo Wop Drive In
6201 New Jersey AveGood cheese steaks, burgers and fries, out door covered dining or take out.
Great little surf shop with boards ( and rentals) skateboards, wetsuits and women’s , men’s and kids clothing.
Wild Ocean Surf Shop
5011 Ocean AveGreat little surf shop with boards ( and rentals) skateboards, wetsuits and women’s , men’s and kids clothing.
Kona Surf Company
103 E Rio Grande AveBig local surf shop.
Great little surf shop with board rentals, lessons and camp! Very close to the house. Friendly owners snd great service with some clothing and beach supplies.
Ocean Outfitters
6101 New Jersey AveGreat little surf shop with board rentals, lessons and camp! Very close to the house. Friendly owners snd great service with some clothing and beach supplies.
This location has a small restaurant upstairs on the bay called George’s ( they also have a location in Cape May) and you can also book a fishing trip or a pirate boat excursion. It also has a public dock where many locals crab.
15 locals recommend
Starlight Fleet - Cape May & Florida
6200 Park BlvdThis location has a small restaurant upstairs on the bay called George’s ( they also have a location in Cape May) and you can also book a fishing trip or a pirate boat excursion. It also has a public dock where many locals crab.
Royal Grille
6801 Ocean AvenueTake out or eat in, next to the beach, breakfast, lunch and dinner, casual and good.
Crusader Oceanfront Resort and Restaurant
6101 Ocean AveBreakfast and lunch, on the bike path.
Alosi's Bistro
5901 Ocean AvenueGreat food, dine indoors or next to the pool. They also have a take out window
The same family catching the seafood on their boats is the one cooking and serving it to you. The food is simple, excellent , fresh and local. You can take out at the counter or dine on the dock under the tent. BYOB
17 locals recommend
H&H Seafood Market
956 Ocean DrThe same family catching the seafood on their boats is the one cooking and serving it to you. The food is simple, excellent , fresh and local. You can take out at the counter or dine on the dock under the tent. BYOB
Very good and inexpensive diner food ( especially early bird) with a salad bar. A local establishment for at least 40 years.
15 locals recommend
Vegas Diner & Restaurant
1307 New Jersey AvenueVery good and inexpensive diner food ( especially early bird) with a salad bar. A local establishment for at least 40 years.
Local and fresh, more than twenty years in this location, take out or eat at the outside picnic tables.
32 locals recommend
Rick's Seafood House
435 W Spruce AveLocal and fresh, more than twenty years in this location, take out or eat at the outside picnic tables.
The best food and view anywhere on the boardwalk, plus a bar. Family friendly and offers indoor upstairs seating and outside covered seating.
9 locals recommend
Capt'n Jack's Island Grill
BoardwalkThe best food and view anywhere on the boardwalk, plus a bar. Family friendly and offers indoor upstairs seating and outside covered seating.
Excellent sandwiches and some dinners, like rotisserie chicken and store made meatloaf with sides and a salad. Beach supplies and a small grocery store.
22 locals recommend
Russo's Market
901 Ocean AveExcellent sandwiches and some dinners, like rotisserie chicken and store made meatloaf with sides and a salad. Beach supplies and a small grocery store.
Great food and the best view, in easy walking distance from the house.
10 locals recommend
George's Place Wildwood Crest
6200 Park BoulevardGreat food and the best view, in easy walking distance from the house.
Great food, ask for Stella as your waitress then leave her a good tip!
George's Place Cape May Ocean St
315 Ocean StreetGreat food, ask for Stella as your waitress then leave her a good tip!
Excellent fresh food ( they have their own fishing fleet) with multiple dining options including the deck, the market, the indoor/ outdoor raw bar, the Schooner sailboat and the indoor, upscale but still family and wallet friendly , restaurant and bar.
171 locals recommend
The Lobster House
906 Schellengers Landing RdExcellent fresh food ( they have their own fishing fleet) with multiple dining options including the deck, the market, the indoor/ outdoor raw bar, the Schooner sailboat and the indoor, upscale but still family and wallet friendly , restaurant and bar.
Poppi’s has great food, including pizza and although it is in a very busy area of Wildwood it has a beautiful and private garden patio among it’s multiple indoor and outdoor seating options. It is also close to Dogtooth bar and grill and Mudhen brewery, both of which are good and casual dining options.
59 locals recommend
Poppi's Brick Oven Pizza & Kitchen
4709 New Jersey AvePoppi’s has great food, including pizza and although it is in a very busy area of Wildwood it has a beautiful and private garden patio among it’s multiple indoor and outdoor seating options. It is also close to Dogtooth bar and grill and Mudhen brewery, both of which are good and casual dining options.
Excellent food with indoor and dock side seating in Wildwood. The owner books some amazing bands so come for the food and stay for a drink and some music on the dock.
61 locals recommend
Beach Creek Oyster Bar & Grill
500 W Hand AveExcellent food with indoor and dock side seating in Wildwood. The owner books some amazing bands so come for the food and stay for a drink and some music on the dock.
Local favorite with indoor and outdoor dining and bar options and live music at night.
46 locals recommend
Rusty Nail
205 Beach AveLocal favorite with indoor and outdoor dining and bar options and live music at night.
MudHen Brewing Company
127 W Rio Grande AveFresh, delicious food, great location! Open at 6:30 am for breakfast, also open for lunch and dinner. Formerly Rita’s Deli The name of the new cafe derives from the battle of Turtle Gut which occurred in that location during the revolutionary war. Wildwood Crest was two islands then, divided by Turtle Gut creek which went from the ocean to the bay on that street.
Turtle Gut
7609 New Jersey AvenueFresh, delicious food, great location! Open at 6:30 am for breakfast, also open for lunch and dinner. Formerly Rita’s Deli The name of the new cafe derives from the battle of Turtle Gut which occurred in that location during the revolutionary war. Wildwood Crest was two islands then, divided by Turtle Gut creek which went from the ocean to the bay on that street.
Owen's Pub
119 East 17th AvenueGreat food and beer, excellent prices, cozy atmosphere.
This is casual, attached to the movie theater ( which is the only theater for miles around) but also has an upscale menu and prices due to the owners only serving the highest quality burgers, made fresh. There is a bar and tables and it is always lively. You can bring your food and drink into the theater.
Harbor Burger Bar
271 96th StThis is casual, attached to the movie theater ( which is the only theater for miles around) but also has an upscale menu and prices due to the owners only serving the highest quality burgers, made fresh. There is a bar and tables and it is always lively. You can bring your food and drink into the theater.
The beach
The beach at Rambler road includes the life guard station, a surfing beach, public bathrooms, bike rentals, a free splash pad and exercise area and a huge playground and fields.
The beach in Wildwood Crest is clean and safe and free and has lifeguards through mid September. The surfing beaches are at Cardinal road and at Rambler road. No smoking and please bring all trash and recycling to the multiple trash and recycling cans on the beach. No pets are allowed on the beach during lifeguard hours which are 9 to 5.
13 locals recommend
Wildwood Crest Beach New Jersey
The beach in Wildwood Crest is clean and safe and free and has lifeguards through mid September. The surfing beaches are at Cardinal road and at Rambler road. No smoking and please bring all trash and recycling to the multiple trash and recycling cans on the beach. No pets are allowed on the beach during lifeguard hours which are 9 to 5.
The boardwalk
The Wildwood boardwalk is famous for its multiple piers with many rides,two beachfront and beautiful water parks attractions, food and shops. It is a melting pot which attracts people from all walks of life.
If you have children with you they will love the rides on the boardwalk. There are multiple rides for toddlers and small children in the fronts of Mariners Landing and Moreys Pier. In the back are rides for older children and adults. Prices have gone up this year but the best deal is the wristband for $92 which allows one person to ride all the rides on all three piers for one day plus gives you a pass for both water parks which can be used on any day and can even be used the following season.
120 locals recommend
Morey's Piers and Beachfront Water Parks
3501 BoardwalkIf you have children with you they will love the rides on the boardwalk. There are multiple rides for toddlers and small children in the fronts of Mariners Landing and Moreys Pier. In the back are rides for older children and adults. Prices have gone up this year but the best deal is the wristband for $92 which allows one person to ride all the rides on all three piers for one day plus gives you a pass for both water parks which can be used on any day and can even be used the following season.
Sightseeing
The Wildwoods are all about making the kids ( and the kid in all of us) happy by going to the beach, splash pad, playgrounds and the boardwalk while Cape May offers more shopping, dining and sightseeing. It is a Victorian beach resort with more original Victorian homes in one town than in any other place in the U.S. The Washington street outdoor “mall” and the Beach ave promenade have many shops and restaurants which appeal to a variety of tastes. Cape May has legendary beach bars like Harry’s and the Rusty Nail and upscale restaurants like Peter Shields and Mayer’s Tavern. You can spend $$$$$ or just walk the streets near the Washington street mall and Congress Hall, looking at all of the incredible Victorian homes. Further to the north by about five blocks you will also find a large collection of homes from the 1920’s. We recommend you find a place to park then walk from there, don’t try to drive through town in summer, it is usually packed.
195 locals recommend
Cape May
227 Beach AveThe Wildwoods are all about making the kids ( and the kid in all of us) happy by going to the beach, splash pad, playgrounds and the boardwalk while Cape May offers more shopping, dining and sightseeing. It is a Victorian beach resort with more original Victorian homes in one town than in any other place in the U.S. The Washington street outdoor “mall” and the Beach ave promenade have many shops and restaurants which appeal to a variety of tastes. Cape May has legendary beach bars like Harry’s and the Rusty Nail and upscale restaurants like Peter Shields and Mayer’s Tavern. You can spend $$$$$ or just walk the streets near the Washington street mall and Congress Hall, looking at all of the incredible Victorian homes. Further to the north by about five blocks you will also find a large collection of homes from the 1920’s. We recommend you find a place to park then walk from there, don’t try to drive through town in summer, it is usually packed.
This smaller lighthouse has the advantage of being able to tour the light keeper’s house and grounds. It is next to the North Wildwood sea wall which allows for an easy and interesting walk in either direction from the lighthouse.
34 locals recommend
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
111 N Central AveThis smaller lighthouse has the advantage of being able to tour the light keeper’s house and grounds. It is next to the North Wildwood sea wall which allows for an easy and interesting walk in either direction from the lighthouse.
This park includes the CMP lighthouse which you can climb for a fee or look at from below. It also has multiple easy and free hiking paths through the marsh and dunes. Carry in and carry out all your food as there are pavilions in which to eat but no place to get food anywhere in CMP. However during summer there is usually an ice cream truck in the parking lot.
54 locals recommend
Cape May Point State Park
Light House AvenueThis park includes the CMP lighthouse which you can climb for a fee or look at from below. It also has multiple easy and free hiking paths through the marsh and dunes. Carry in and carry out all your food as there are pavilions in which to eat but no place to get food anywhere in CMP. However during summer there is usually an ice cream truck in the parking lot.
West Cape May is in walking distance from Cape May but is a separate borough. It is laid back and includes South Meadows, Beach Plum Farm, Willow Creek Winery, West End Garage, Beach Plum bakery, Enfin Farms pop up bread stand, Reas Farm and market ( pick your own blackberries in season) the WCM farm market on Tuesdays in summer, Ripple and Root gift shop, Jakes Pizza, Ostaras coffee, Chez Michel bakery and many more restaurants including but not limited to, Exit Zero Filling Station, Black Duck, Sapore , Bella Vida and Pannicos.
9 locals recommend
West Cape May
West Cape May is in walking distance from Cape May but is a separate borough. It is laid back and includes South Meadows, Beach Plum Farm, Willow Creek Winery, West End Garage, Beach Plum bakery, Enfin Farms pop up bread stand, Reas Farm and market ( pick your own blackberries in season) the WCM farm market on Tuesdays in summer, Ripple and Root gift shop, Jakes Pizza, Ostaras coffee, Chez Michel bakery and many more restaurants including but not limited to, Exit Zero Filling Station, Black Duck, Sapore , Bella Vida and Pannicos.
Just a few blocks south from the house is Sunset Lake. You can rent a SUP or small boat, launch your own, fish, watch the sun set, listen to music during the summer and stop at Rita’s market for a sandwich. Local kids have been known to swim off the dock here but be careful, the water gets deep quickly on high tide.
Sunset Lake Park
Just a few blocks south from the house is Sunset Lake. You can rent a SUP or small boat, launch your own, fish, watch the sun set, listen to music during the summer and stop at Rita’s market for a sandwich. Local kids have been known to swim off the dock here but be careful, the water gets deep quickly on high tide.
Free concerts during the summer on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Bring your own chair and blanket. Ice cream trucks often stop by.
15 locals recommend
Centennial Park
East Fern RoadFree concerts during the summer on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Bring your own chair and blanket. Ice cream trucks often stop by.
Byrne plaza hosts free concerts and a farmer’s market during the summer, look online for the schedule.
7 locals recommend
Byrne Plaza
3400 Pacific AveByrne plaza hosts free concerts and a farmer’s market during the summer, look online for the schedule.
If you would like an easy ocean front walk that doesn’t involve dodging bicycles, try starting on the sea wall at 2nd and JFK in NW and walking all the way over to St.Demetris church. You will catch locals meeting for a chat and reading the legendary ( and free) Sun newspaper ( @wildwoodsunbythesea). You might even see the famous editor of that paper, Dorothy Kulisek, who loves to greet the sun and share her photos with us. You can watch the surfers at the beginning of the wall and the fishermen and women towards the end. There are also multiple dining options as you get closer to Anglesea, including the Star Diner.
13 locals recommend
North Wildwood Sea Wall
200A John F Kennedy Beach DrIf you would like an easy ocean front walk that doesn’t involve dodging bicycles, try starting on the sea wall at 2nd and JFK in NW and walking all the way over to St.Demetris church. You will catch locals meeting for a chat and reading the legendary ( and free) Sun newspaper ( @wildwoodsunbythesea). You might even see the famous editor of that paper, Dorothy Kulisek, who loves to greet the sun and share her photos with us. You can watch the surfers at the beginning of the wall and the fishermen and women towards the end. There are also multiple dining options as you get closer to Anglesea, including the Star Diner.
Sunset beach is free and is the perfect place to watch the sun set! However it also has mini golf, a gift shop, a Gem Shop and a sandwich shop that has outdoor seating almost directly on the beach. Close by is a WWII lookout tower which you can climb for a small fee. You can also see the famous ( and mostly sunk) concrete ship and find “Cape May Diamonds “ both on the beach and in the Gem Shop.
77 locals recommend
Sunset Beach
Sunset BlvdSunset beach is free and is the perfect place to watch the sun set! However it also has mini golf, a gift shop, a Gem Shop and a sandwich shop that has outdoor seating almost directly on the beach. Close by is a WWII lookout tower which you can climb for a small fee. You can also see the famous ( and mostly sunk) concrete ship and find “Cape May Diamonds “ both on the beach and in the Gem Shop.
Shopping
If you are looking for fun and inexpensive home decor and decorations look no further than the Wicker Warehouse.
Warehouse Wicker
521 W Rio Grande AveMaggie’s Boutique - Wildwood
3415 Pacific AvenueMarvis Diner
4900 Pacific AveThis boutique has a variety of price points, from lower to higher and appeals to a variety of age groups. It tries to only stock ethically made and sustainable clothing, made in the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Canada and many other places by independent designers.
It has some bathing suits and cover ups that range in size from xs to 3x. It also has one rack of contemporary vintage in case you forgot to pack a sweater, blouse or denim.
It is the sister store of Vagabond Boutique in Old City, Philadelphia.
Vagabond Cape May
This boutique has a variety of price points, from lower to higher and appeals to a variety of age groups. It tries to only stock ethically made and sustainable clothing, made in the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Canada and many other places by independent designers.
It has some bathing suits and cover ups that range in size from xs to 3x. It also has one rack of contemporary vintage in case you forgot to pack a sweater, blouse or denim.
It is the sister store of Vagabond Boutique in Old City, Philadelphia.
Fun on a rainy day at the beach.
The Harbor Theater and Harbor Burger restaurant are great rainy day or evening options. The restaurant is a part of the theater and you can bring your food and drinks in to watch the wide variety of first run movies! Before or after, stroll 96th street, Stone Harbor’s only shopping area and have some ice cream at Springer’s, a local favorite.
Harbor Square Theatre
271 96th StThis is the best rainy day or evening option especially with kids. It’s a movie theater, restaurant with bar, game room, virtual golf and giant bowling alley all in one place! You don’t have to attend a movie however, to enjoy all the rest Cape Square has to offer.
Cape Square Entertainment
This is the best rainy day or evening option especially with kids. It’s a movie theater, restaurant with bar, game room, virtual golf and giant bowling alley all in one place! You don’t have to attend a movie however, to enjoy all the rest Cape Square has to offer.