Morey’s Piers Wildwood — Everything You Need to Know for 2026
Morey’s Piers is the heartbeat of Wildwood — three waterfront amusement piers packed with over 100 rides, two waterparks, and enough boardwalk energy to keep your family busy for days.
Paradise Inn, 235 E Wildwood Ave, Wildwood.
The Three Piers
Adventure Pier — Home to The Great White roller coaster and thrill rides for adrenaline seekers
Surfside Pier — The Great Nor’easter coaster plus family rides and the iconic Giant Wheel
Mariner’s Landing — The Sea Serpent coaster, plus kid-friendly rides and Raging Waters waterpark
Tips for Families
Buy your wristbands online for discounts. Go in the morning or after 5pm to beat the longest lines. Bring water — the boardwalk gets hot in July and August. And don’t skip the waterparks — they’re the best way to cool down between rides.
Where to Stay for Morey’s Piers
Coastal Collection Hotels are all within walking distance of Morey’s Piers. Wake up, walk to the boardwalk, ride all day, walk back. No parking fees, no traffic, no hassle. Five hotels and Airbnb rentals with pools, clean rooms, and family-friendly vibes.
Best Seafood in Wildwood NJ — A Local’s Guide to Fresh Catches
You can’t visit the Jersey Shore without eating seafood — and Wildwood has some of the best. From casual boardwalk spots to waterfront dining, here’s where to get the freshest catches in the Wildwoods.
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood.
Top Seafood Spots
The Reef — Waterfront dining with a modern menu featuring locally sourced seafood and seasonal ingredients. This is the upscale option.
Ship ‘N Shore Bar — Overlooking Ottens Harbor Inlet, great for casual fish and chips with a cold beer and a view.
Coastal Blue — Seaside-chic ambiance near Diamond Beach. Consistently rated one of the best restaurants in the area.
Boardwalk Classics — Don’t sleep on the boardwalk’s own seafood stands. Fresh crab fries, fried clam strips, and lobster rolls are summer staples.
Insider Tips
Go early for dinner (5-6pm) to avoid the summer rush. Most waterfront spots don’t take reservations, so timing matters. And check daily specials — the freshest catches rotate based on what came in that morning.
Stay & Eat in Wildwood
Coastal Collection Hotels puts you walking distance from all of these spots. Book your room, leave the car parked, and eat your way through Wildwood’s seafood scene on foot.
Dogtooth Bar & Grill — Wildwood’s Go-To Spot for Drinks and Food
Dogtooth Bar & Grill sits right in the heart of Wildwood and draws both tourists and locals with its cocktails, cold beers, and a menu that covers everything from burgers to seafood to pasta.
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood.
Why Locals Love It
Dogtooth isn’t just for tourists — it’s where Wildwood locals actually go. The cocktails are well-made (their margaritas are legendary), the food is solid, and the vibe is relaxed enough for a casual lunch or lively enough for a Saturday night out.
Great for Families & Groups
The menu is broad enough that everyone in your group will find something. Kids, adults, picky eaters — Dogtooth handles it. Pair it with a walk on the boardwalk afterward and you’ve got a complete evening.
Steps from Coastal Collection
Staying at Coastal Collection Hotels means Dogtooth — and dozens of other Wildwood favorites — are all within walking distance. That’s the beauty of being right in the center of the action.
Honky Tonk Saloon Wildwood — Country Music on the Boardwalk
Wildwood’s first country bar, Honky Tonk Saloon, has quickly become one of the hottest nightlife spots on the Jersey Shore. Located at 3800 Boardwalk — right at the corner of Atlantic and Schellenger — it’s impossible to miss and even harder to leave.
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood.
What to Expect
Think massive center bar, space for line dancing, live country music daily, plus an arcade section for when you need a break from two-stepping. Whether you’re a country fan or just looking for a fun night out, Honky Tonk delivers an energy that’s uniquely Wildwood.
The Perfect Night Out in Wildwood
Start with dinner on the boardwalk, catch a sunset on the beach, then head to Honky Tonk for live music and dancing. That’s a Wildwood summer night done right.
Stay Close to the Action
Coastal Collection Hotels — five hotels and Airbnb rentals in Wildwood, all walking distance to the boardwalk and Honky Tonk. No driving, no Uber, just walk back to your room when the music stops.
MudHen Brewing Company — The Best Brewery Near Wildwood’s Boardwalk
If you’re visiting Wildwood and love craft beer, MudHen Brewing Company is a must-stop. Located on the main strip heading onto the island, MudHen has been one of the most popular spots in the Wildwoods since opening in 2018 — and for good reason.
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood.
What Makes MudHen Special
MudHen isn’t just a bar — it’s a full brewpub experience. They brew 8-12 rotating beers on-site, so there’s always something new on tap. The food menu goes well beyond typical bar fare, and they host live music year-round, making it a destination whether you’re visiting in July or October.
Perfect Before or After the Boardwalk
MudHen’s location makes it an easy stop on your way to or from the beach. Grab lunch before hitting the boardwalk, or wind down with craft beers after a day of sun and rides at Morey’s Piers.
Where to Stay Near MudHen
Coastal Collection Hotels puts you within easy reach of MudHen and everything else Wildwood has to offer. Five locally-owned hotels plus private Airbnb rentals — all walking distance to the beach and boardwalk, with modern rooms and family-friendly amenities. Coastal Sands Inn stays open through the winter; the other four hotels reopen each April.
Best Family Hotels in Wildwood NJ — Why Coastal Collection Stands Out
Searching for the best family hotels in Wildwood, NJ? With dozens of options on the island, it’s hard to know what you’re getting until you’re there. Here’s why families keep coming back to Coastal Collection Hotels.
A guest balcony at Paradise Inn, 235 E Wildwood Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.
Five Properties, One Standard
Coastal Collection isn’t one hotel — it’s five locally owned hotels, each with its own character. All five list an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, a microwave and refrigerator in the rooms, and on-site parking:
Coastal Sands Inn — Outdoor pool, suites and family rooms, and the one Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April
Beachside Resort — Rooms with two king beds for families, kitchenette studios and a pool-view room type
Paradise Inn — Rooms with two queen beds and suite-style rooms at 235 E Wildwood Ave
Sunset Beach Hotel — Suites, efficiency rooms with kitchenettes, and accessible rooms at 4300 Ocean Ave
Sunrise Inn — A quieter, laid-back stay with two-double and king rooms
What Families Love About Us
Location, location, location — Every hotel is a few blocks from the beach and the Boardwalk, and each has on-site parking, so the car can stay put.
Free WiFi, fridge & microwave — Pack snacks, store leftovers, keep the kids connected
An outdoor pool at every hotel — When the ocean waves are too much for little ones
Clean rooms — Read our guest reviews on Google and judge for yourself
Free beaches — Beaches in Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest need no beach tags. That’s money back in your vacation budget.
What Guests Are Saying
In their reviews, guests often mention the cleanliness, friendly staff, location and value at Coastal Collection properties. We’re not the biggest hotel group in Wildwood, but we might be the most personal.
Book for Summer 2027
The best rooms go first — especially for July 4th week and August weekends. Lock in your family’s Wildwood vacation now.
Wildwood vs Cape May: Which Is Better for Families?
Short answer: Wildwood if your family wants rides, a free and very wide beach, and lower prices; Cape May if you want Victorian streets, quieter beaches and a slower pace. The two towns are about 20 to 25 minutes apart by car, so plenty of families stay in one and day-trip to the other. Here is how they compare, point by point.
Beachside Resort, 3700 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.
Wildwood vs Cape May at a glance
Wildwood
Cape May
Beach cost
Free, no beach tags
Beach tags required in summer
Beach size
Very wide; a long walk from the Boardwalk to the water
Narrower, quieter
For kids
Morey’s Piers rides, beachfront water parks in summer, arcades, the tram car
Cape May Lighthouse, trolley and carriage rides, quieter beaches
Food
Boardwalk pizza, fries, custard; casual, no reservations
More sit-down and fine dining
Evenings
Neon, rides and the Boardwalk until late
Porch-sitting, the Washington Street Mall, early nights
Where you stay
Classic motels and family hotels, many with pools
Victorian B&Bs and inns
Price
Lower, especially after Labor Day
Higher in season
The beaches
Wildwood’s beaches are free, and so are the beaches in North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. No beach tags. They are also some of the widest on the Jersey Shore, which means room to spread out but a real walk with a wagon. Cape May requires beach tags in summer (daily, weekly and seasonal), and its beaches are smaller and calmer. Our post on why Wildwood beaches are free has the history.
For kids
Wildwood is built for kids. Morey’s Piers has rides for every age, the beachfront water parks open for the summer, and the Boardwalk is one long arcade. See our rides for kids under 5 guide. Cape May is better for a slower day: climbing the Cape May Lighthouse is a rite of passage. For animals, the free Cape May County Zoo is in Cape May Court House, about 15 minutes north of Wildwood, a separate outing from Cape May; see our zoo guide.
Food and evenings
Cape May wins on white-tablecloth dinners. Wildwood wins on pizza by the slice, boardwalk fries and eating on a bench while the kids ride one more ride. After dark, Wildwood lights up; Cape May winds down.
Budget
Free beaches and lower room rates make Wildwood the cheaper week, and the gap widens after Labor Day, when rates drop and the beach is still free.
Our honest advice
Stay in Wildwood and spend a day in Cape May. You get the free beach and the rides, plus a Victorian afternoon or a lighthouse climb when you want a quieter day. Our Cape May lighthouse day trip guide covers the drive.
For a Wildwood base, Coastal Collection runs five family-owned hotels a short walk from the beach and Boardwalk, each with an outdoor pool; compare them on the Wildwood hotels page. Sunset Beach Hotel suits couples near the Convention Center end, Coastal Sands Inn is the simple value pick, and Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn sit near downtown. Families who want the rides close by usually pick Beachside Resort, about an eight-minute walk to Morey’s Mariner’s Pier. Book Beachside Resort direct.
Quick answers
Is Wildwood or Cape May better for families?
Wildwood is better for families who want rides, water parks and free beaches. Cape May is better for a quieter trip built around nature and history.
How far is Cape May from Wildwood?
About 20 to 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Do you need beach tags in Wildwood?
No. Wildwood beaches are free. Cape May requires beach tags in summer.
Top 10 Things to Do in Wildwood, NJ — Your 2026 Summer Guide
Planning a Wildwood, NJ vacation this summer? Whether you’re a first-timer or a shore regular, Wildwood packs more fun per square mile than almost anywhere on the Jersey Shore. Here’s your complete guide to the best things to do in Wildwood in 2026.
Sunset Beach Hotel, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.
1. Hit the Boardwalk
Wildwood’s boardwalk stretches over two miles and features three amusement piers — Morey’s Piers — with over 100 rides, waterparks, and attractions. From roller coasters to the classic Ferris wheel, it’s the heart of Wildwood summers.
2. Enjoy Free Beaches
Unlike most Jersey Shore towns, Wildwood’s beaches are completely free — no beach tags needed. The wide, sandy beaches give you plenty of room to spread out, play volleyball, or just relax.
3. Morey’s Water Parks: Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis
Perfect for families with younger kids. Morey’s Piers runs two water parks on the Boardwalk, Raging Waters at Mariner’s Pier and Ocean Oasis at Surfside Pier, with water slides, lazy rivers and kids’ splash areas: an all-day destination when you need a break from the ocean. (Splash Zone closed for good after the 2025 season; see our Wildwood water parks guide.)
4. Explore the Doo Wop Architecture
Wildwood is famous for its preserved mid-century modern “Doo Wop” motels and architecture — a neon-lit trip back to the 1950s and 60s. Check out the Doo Wop Experience Museum for the full history.
5. Fishing & Watersports
Deep sea fishing charters, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and kayaking are all available from the Wildwood marina. Book early for peak summer weekends.
6. Live Music & Nightlife
From beach bars to live concert venues, Wildwood’s nightlife scene has something for every vibe. The boardwalk comes alive after dark with entertainment for all ages.
7. Sunset at Sunset Beach
Head to nearby Sunset Beach in Cape May Point for one of the most spectacular sunsets on the East Coast. The nightly flag ceremony is a moving tradition.
8. Cape May Day Trip
Historic Cape May is just 20 minutes south — perfect for a day trip. Victorian homes, whale watching tours, fine dining, and the Cape May Lighthouse are all must-sees.
9. Wildwood Events & Festivals
From the International Kite Festival to fireworks nights and car shows, Wildwood hosts events all summer long. Check the local calendar before your trip to catch something special.
10. Stay at Coastal Collection
Make Coastal Collection Hotels your home base for all of it. Five hotels plus Airbnb rentals in Wildwood — all walking distance to the beach and boardwalk, with modern rooms, pools, and the personal touch of a locally-owned hotel group.
Enjoy Yoga on the Beach at 9:00 a.m. daily from May 22 through September 7, and then every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays through September 27, on the beach at Burk Avenue behind the Wildwoods Convention Center. Bring a beach towel or mat. Classes for all levels and ages! $8/cash or Venmo per class or $5 for age 12 and under.
Reconnect with your body, breath, and nature in this unique traditional Hatha Yoga class, thoughtfully infused with Qi Gong, healing therapies, and a wide range of modifications to support all levels and abilities. Whether you’re new to yoga or deep in your practice, you’ll be guided through mindful movement, deep breathing, and grounding postures — all set to the soothing rhythm of the sun, surf, and sand. This is more than a yoga class — it’s a healing, rejuvenating experience for body, mind, and spirit.
Ahoy, young buccaneers! Get ready to set sail for a day of swashbuckling fun at North Wildwood’s annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day on May 16, 2026! Don your finest pirate attire and join the lively parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. at 26th Ave. and the Boardwalk. Costume judging takes place at 10:45 a.m. The adventure continues as the procession leads to the sandy shores of 20th Ave., where a thrilling treasure hunt awaits all mateys aged 12 and under. This family-friendly and free event is the perfect opportunity to embrace your inner pirate and search for hidden treasure! For more information, contact the North Wildwood Recreation Department at 609.522.2955 or visit NorthWildwood.com.
