The accolades keep coming for North Wildwood! Just a few months after Priceline named one of the five towns of The Wildwoods its destination for “Where to Travel Next,” Tripadvisor ranked it as one of the fastest-growing domestic vacation destinations.
North Wildwood is loved for its quaint, quiet and retro feel. Its landmark Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has a few flights of stairs you can climb to get to the lookout over the seawall, plus outdoor grounds and gardens that are open to the public until dusk.
After your self-guided (free!) tour, head back toward the seawall, which is ideal for walking with a stroller or your pup. It goes 1 mile in either direction along the inlet and then the Atlantic Ocean.
For more sightseeing, check out the buildings around town that incorporate doo-wop, space age and tropical elements that were popular when The Wildwoods were redeveloped in the 1950s. Some are private homes, like a Queen Anne home on E. 22nd Street; or public buildings like the Lollipop Motel.
The best way to see all of North Wildwood (and the Wildwoods in general) is aboard the fun World Famous Sightseer Tram Car. The historic yellow and blue boardwalk train has been around since 1949 and takes you along the entire length of the boardwalk. You’ll hear, “Watch the tram car, please!” and know you’re on your way.
Along the boardwalk, a family tradition is ordering a soft-serve vanilla ice cream cone at Kohr Bros., which is at the Gateway 26 merchandise casino and entertainment center. If you stay the weekend, the Montego Bay Resort has an indoor water park with water slides and an adventure playground.
The Vegas Diner & Restaurant is a classic Jersey diner with an 8-page menu that features all the classics, plus South of the Border dishes, chef full-course meals and a kid’s menu. Maui’s Dog House is another foodie destination known for its hot dogs with 29 different toppings. Seaport Pier is a beachfront bar and grill that’s family friendly, the spot for live music – and has a private swim club on the boardwalk!
There are lots of events held year-round at the north end of the island. Summer is the premier time to visit, and the Independence Day Family Parade brings hundreds of families who decorate their bikes, strollers, pet carriers and themselves in patriotic gear. Come fall there is the annual North Wildwood Trunk-or-Treat Block Party in October; plus the Family Holiday Beach Bonfire, Christmas in North Wildwood, Greater Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade and Santa Paws pet parade come holiday time.
Tripadvisor’s 2025 Annual Summer Travel Index named various U.S. and global hotspots that are growing in popularity. Analysts used data from the online Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey (which was administered in six countries) and behaivoral data from Tripadvisor itself that shows that Gen Z and Millennials are 38 percent more likely to travel both domestically and internationally compared to Gen X and Boomers. The younger travelers prefer an “experience” vacation where they want to be active vs. relaxing.
Here are TripAdvisor’s fastest-growing domestic destinations for 2025:
- Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- Isle of Palms, South Carolina
- Big Sur, California
- North Wildwood, New Jersey
- Dewey Beach, Delaware
- York Beach, Maine
- Moran, Wyoming
- St. Augustine Beach, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida
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