Wildwood in winter is quiet. Most Boardwalk rides and many shops close for the season, but the beach stays free and open, and there’s more to do on and near the island than people expect. Here are nine ideas for an off-season weekend, heaviest on November and December, each with how far it is from Coastal Sands Inn, the Coastal Collection hotel that stays open from mid-October through April. Venue hours below are from each place’s own website and event dates from the Wildwoods event calendar, as of October 25, 2026; winter hours change, so check before you drive.

On the island

1. Walk the beach and the Boardwalk

Wildwood’s beaches are free, with no beach tags, all year. In winter you’ll have miles of wide, empty sand and a Boardwalk with room to walk. Go early to watch the sun come up over the ocean. Want to check conditions first? Our Wildwood webcams page lists the live beach and Boardwalk cams.

2. An event at the Wildwoods Convention Center

The Convention Center, about a quarter mile from Coastal Sands, hosts indoor events through the off-season. This year that includes Christmasween on Saturday, November 14 (noon to 4 p.m.) and the Family Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 12 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Every November date is in our November in the Wildwoods guide.

3. MudHen Brewing Company

The brewery on Rio Grande Avenue, under half a mile away, keeps the off-season busy: a Holiday Kickoff Party on November 21 and HenVille holiday market days on November 29 and December 5, 6, 13, 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More in our MudHen Brewing guide.

4. Holiday lights and tree lightings

From Thanksgiving weekend to mid-December, the island lights its trees: Wildwood Crest at Sunset Lake on December 1, downtown Wildwood in Byrne Plaza after the Jaycees Christmas Parade on December 4, and North Wildwood at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse on December 5. Dates and times are in Christmas in the Wildwoods 2026.

5. Eat out during Restaurant Week

From November 27 to December 6, participating Wildwoods restaurants serve prix fixe menus: $15 breakfast, $20 lunch, $45 dinner. Details on our December Restaurant Week page.

A short drive off the island

6. Cape May County Park & Zoo

Free, and open every day except Christmas, in Cape May Court House on Route 9, roughly 8 miles north of Coastal Sands as the crow flies. Cape May County lists current zoo hours as 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the park opens at 7 a.m.; check the county’s Plan Your Visit page for winter hours before you go. Our Cape May Zoo guide has tips for families.

7. Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum

Historic Hangar #1 at Cape May Airport (usnasw.org), about 5 miles from Coastal Sands as the crow flies, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from March through December, and Monday to Friday only in January and February. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day. The hangar isn’t climate controlled, so dress for the weather inside too.

8. Christmas in Cape May

Cape May’s Christmas Candlelight House Tours run Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., about 20 minutes away by car. Our Cape May Christmas day trip guide has the details. In daylight, the Cape May Lighthouse is nearby.

9. Ferry to Lewes, Delaware

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in North Cape May is roughly 8 miles from the hotel. Sailing times change by season, so check the schedule on cmlf.com for your date. Our ferry day trip guide covers walking on versus taking the car.

Where to stay this winter

Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave, Wildwood, is open from mid-October through April. It’s a short walk from the Convention Center, Byrne Plaza and MudHen Brewing, and a short drive from everything else on this list. Book Coastal Sands

Planning summer 2027? Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn reopen in April. More on the off-season in Open This Winter in Wildwood.

Quick answers

Is there anything to do in Wildwood in the winter?

Yes. The beach stays free and open, and the off-season has Convention Center events, MudHen Brewing’s holiday markets, tree lightings, December Restaurant Week, and nearby trips to the Cape May County Zoo, the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum and Cape May.

Is the Cape May County Zoo open in winter?

Yes. Cape May County says the park and zoo are free and open every day except Christmas; check the county’s site for winter hours.

Is the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum open in winter?

It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March through December, and Monday to Friday in January and February. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Are any hotels open in Wildwood in winter?

Of the Coastal Collection hotels, Coastal Sands Inn at 4110 Atlantic Ave is open from mid-October through April.