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 Bar on the Boardwalk, Hours & Line Dancing
Wildwood’s Honky Tonk Saloon is the country music bar on the Wildwood Boardwalk at 3800 Boardwalk, in the Boardwalk Mall: a restaurant, bar, arcade, live music and line dancing in one place. It calls itself Wildwood’s first and only honky tonk bar, and its posted hours this fall run Wednesday through Sunday, with Friday night line dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. Here are the posted hours, what to expect, and the hotel that’s open within a short walk all winter.
Wednesday and Thursday 4 to 11 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, closes 9 p.m. (check the site for opening time)
Hours are from honkytonkww.com, checked November 2, 2026. Boardwalk hours change with the season, so check the site or call before a late-night trip, especially early in the week.
What to expect
Live country music and line dancing. Friday nights are the line-dancing night; the bar’s events page lists the bands.
Food and a full bar. The menu is posted as a PDF on its website.
An arcade inside, which the bar lists alongside its restaurant and live music.
Reservations: you can request one through the website for a group.
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, is the Coastal Collection hotel open from mid-October through April. The Honky Tonk at 3800 Boardwalk is about a fifth of a mile away, so you can walk back after the last song. Book Coastal Sands
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.
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
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 Summer Guide
Planning a Wildwood, NJ vacation for next summer? Whether you’re a first-timer or a shore regular, here’s our guide to the best things to do in Wildwood, from the Boardwalk and the free beaches to Cape May day trips. Most of this list is summer-only; coming in the off-season, see things to do in Wildwood in winter.
Sunset Beach Hotel, 4300 Ocean Ave, Wildwood. One of the five Coastal Collection hotels.
1. Hit the Boardwalk
Wildwood’s boardwalk runs about 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 marinas around the Wildwoods, including Otten’s Harbor. 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. From mid-October through April, Coastal Sands Inn is the one that is open; the other four reopen in April.
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.
