Fourth of July Weekend: Ten Things to do in Wildwood Crest
The furthest south of the three Wildwoods, Wildwood Crest is continuously voted one of the top shore areas in southern New Jersey. Located beyond the famous Wildwood boardwalk and known for its family atmosphere, “The Crest” provides the quietest vacation of all the Wildwoods and is blessed with lovely newer condominiums as well as hotels that cater to those who are looking for a restful holiday, even on the Fourth of July. That said, however, there’s still plenty to do while visiting Wildwood Crest on Independence Day weekend. Here’s a list of 10 ideas to make your holiday weekend even more enjoyable.
1. Listen to the Music – The weekly Wildwood Crest Summer Music Series starts around Memorial Day and continues all summer, including concerts on or around the July Fourth weekend. Musical performers vary greatly from week to week and there’s something for everyone. Held at the borough’s Centennial Park or other locations throughout town.
2. Stay in Shape – Don’t let those extra fries and hot dogs go to your waist! Join other Wildwood Crest 4th of July visitors for some outdoor exercise, offered daily through the end of the summer. For just a few dollars a class, you can enjoy pilates, yoga, Zumba, and a host of other fun group fitness activities.
3. Visit the “Best Family Beach” – TripAdvisor and other similar sites and publications have recently named Wildwood Crest the “Best Family Beach” in New Jersey. So pack up the kids and head to the sand. This free beach is clean and the crowd is kid-friendly.
4. Head to the Boardwalk – Even though the Wildwood boardwalk doesn’t extend into The Crest, it’s still a favorite place for visitors to enjoy during their time down the shore. Play the games of chance, visit the quirky shops, stop for a pound or two of fudge, or just enjoy doing some people watching. A great way to spend the evening!
5. Ride your Bike – Wildwood Crest boasts a beautiful oceanfront bike path that’s ideal for riders of all ages. You can bring your own wheels or rent them at one of several spots in The Crest. For a fun experience, choose a surrey – a four-wheeled vehicle that seats 2 to 4 people. This way, everyone can help pedal!
6. The Spirit of Doo-Wop – The Wildwoods were all the rage in the 1950s and, as such, much of the architecture reflects the spirit of that era. Join the Doo-Wop Preservation League for a tour of neighboring Wildwood and the two dozen or so hotels that still demonstrate this wild-and-crazy 50s architecture. Bring your camera!
7. Visit the Piers – Wildwood’s Morey’s Piers, within walking distance of the crest, are full of fun things for all ages to enjoy. The rides there are stellar as are the other attractions, and spending Fourth of July there is super cool, especially when the sun goes down and everything twinkles with tiny lights. Take the whole family!
8. Take a Pirate Cruise – Dark Star Pirate Cruises offers a little boy’s dream and plenty of fun for the rest of the family as well. Climb aboard, me hearties, and enjoy a great cruise that includes stories about sunken treasure, lessons in pirate lingo, and much more. Book your Fourth of July journey in advance so you don’t miss out!
9. Get Patriotic – Before the fireworks begin, Wildwood Crest hosts an annual “Patriotic Show” at its Centennial Park Pavilion. Bring your chairs and blankets and the whole family for a night of true American fun. Pack a picnic dinner, too!
10.Sky Rockets – Wildwood Crest doesn’t have their own fireworks display, but everyone at the Crest can simply head to the beach to enjoy those launched by neighboring Wildwood, usually at about 9 pm on the 4th of July. It’s a fantastic display you won’t want to miss.