You can’t visit the Wildwoods without being immersed in its doo wop influences: Madison Resorts has retro-style hotel rooms, there are ’50s and ’60s motif motels along Atlantic Avenue, and portraits of Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker are painted on murals downtown.
The biggest dedication to the musical genre can be found at the Wildwoods By the Sea Doo Wop Experience Museum, a must-visit since Wildwood is known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.
For the third year in a row, the museum was voted among the country’s Best Pop Culture Museums in USA Today’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards. This year it ranked 6th, up one spot from last year.
“The Doo Wop Experience Museum represents the heart of the history and culture of the Wildwoods. To be recognized repeatedly for a piece of pop culture so dear to the town is a true honor. The museum offers a deep dive into all things doo-wop, from the neon signs, mid-century architecture, artifacts, furniture, culture, and music from a bygone era in American history, it’s perfectly at home in the Wildwoods,” John Donio, president of the Doo Wop Preservation League, says in a statement about the national recognition.
We met John during a recent visit to the museum, and he told us about the preservation of Wildwoods’ musical and cultural history.
Whether it’s the afternoon or evening, you can’t miss the neon signs outside the museum on Ocean Avenue (tip: drive by at night to see the signs glow in all their glory). The building was home to the former Surfside restaurant from Wildwood Crest that was saved and relocated by the Doo Wop Preservation League in the early 2000s.
Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re transported to your grandparents’ house. Parents will marvel at the nostalgic items, like the menu from Zaberer’s, Tiffany lamps, red carpet, a Jetsons-esque Super Wawa sign, the Casbah and Playpen signs, stylish ashtrays, a Wurlitzer jukebox, hanging bicycles, caricatures, and old-time kitchen appliances.
Sometimes you’ll see Randy the neon artist working on restoration projects.
For a deeper dive into the museum’s history, there’s a slide wall where you can take your own self-guided tour; videos chronicle the history of the era.
Don’t leave without stopping at the malt shop for a milkshake and snacks.
You can also sign up for the Neon and Mid Century Architecture Tour to see mid-century architecture while sightseeing around the Wildwoods on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June to August. Rumor has it a trolley tour may be added to the mix, too.
The Doo Wop Experience Museum is located at 4500 Ocean Ave. in Wildwood. Hours are 6-9:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays in the spring and fall; the summer season runs from June 18 to September 1, open from 4-9:30 pm Tuesdays to Thursdays, and from 6-9:30 pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The museum is currently closed and will reopen Mother’s Day weekend. The museum is located across from the Wildwoods Convention Center and next to Fox Park, where the bandshell offers outdoor concerts and events during the summer.
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Check out the museum on our Instagram page.
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