Step onto the Wildwood Boardwalk today and you’re walking through over a century of amusement park history. From the legendary Hunt’s Pier to the modern Morey’s empire, this stretch of Jersey Shore has been America’s playground for generations.
The Golden Age of Hunt’s Pier
Hunt’s Pier dominated Wildwood’s skyline from 1957 to 1985, becoming synonymous with classic boardwalk thrills. The pier stretched 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, featuring the iconic Golden Nugget Mine Ride and the towering Skua dark ride. Families would spend entire summers riding the Haunted Castle and cooling off in the Keystone Kops water ride.
The pier’s most famous attraction was arguably the Jungleland dark ride, where visitors journeyed through animatronic jungles complete with roaring lions and charging elephants. These elaborate dark rides set the standard for boardwalk entertainment that still influences Wildwood’s attractions today.
Local Tip: Many Hunt’s Pier artifacts are displayed at the Wildwood Historical Society Museum on New Jersey Avenue. It’s a fascinating stop for anyone interested in the pier’s golden era.
The Rise of Morey’s Piers
When Hunt’s Pier closed in 1985, the Morey family stepped up to preserve Wildwood’s amusement park legacy. Starting with Surfside Pier in 1969, the Moreys had already proven their commitment to family entertainment. After acquiring the Hunt’s Pier location, they transformed it into the adventure-themed Adventure Pier.
Today, Morey’s Piers operates three distinct piers along the boardwalk, each with its own personality. Surfside Pier caters to families with younger children, Mariner’s Landing offers classic boardwalk rides, and Adventure Pier delivers heart-pounding thrills like the Great White roller coaster and the SkyCoaster.
Evolution of Boardwalk Entertainment
The transformation from Hunt’s elaborate dark rides to Morey’s modern thrill machines reflects changing tastes in amusement park entertainment. Where Hunt’s focused on storytelling through immersive dark rides, Morey’s embraces both nostalgia and innovation with attractions like the Giant Wheel, which offers stunning ocean views, and cutting-edge rides like the Great Nor’Easter suspended coaster.
The piers have maintained the classic boardwalk atmosphere while adding modern safety standards and accessibility features that welcome families of all ages and abilities.
Preserving the Memories
While the rides have evolved, the spirit of Wildwood’s amusement park history lives on. Many longtime visitors still share stories of Hunt’s Pier adventures, and Morey’s has honored this legacy by incorporating vintage elements throughout their attractions. The classic carousel horses, traditional games of chance, and the unmistakable sounds of the boardwalk create continuity between past and present.
Local Tip: Visit during weekdays for shorter lines and better photo opportunities. The piers look spectacular at sunset when all the lights start twinkling against the ocean backdrop.
Your Perfect Amusement Park Base
Staying at Coastal Collection Hotels puts you within easy walking distance of all this boardwalk history and excitement. Our five locally-owned properties — from the Coastal Sands Inn to Sunset Beach Hotel — offer the perfect home base for exploring the piers. After a day of rides and games, you can easily walk back to your comfortable room, and in the morning, you’re steps away from Wildwood’s free beaches for a relaxing start to another adventure-filled day.
Whether you’re here for the nostalgia of classic boardwalk entertainment or the thrills of modern amusement parks, Wildwood’s rich history of family fun continues to create memories that last a lifetime.
Stay Steps from the Action.
Five locally-owned Wildwood hotels plus private cottages — all within walking distance of the boardwalk, beach, and Morey’s Piers.