New Jersey: Wildwood, One of the Best Beaches on the Coast.
Wildwood, a coastal island city in southeast New Jersey, is the perfect place for a good vacation especially if, like my family, you’re into building things with sand. Wildwood is the place where my family grew up making summer vacation memories.
Here’s the scoop. Simeon Church theFamilyTravelFiles.com contest winner shares comments about Wildwood. Home to the best beach in the world, the sandy surface of Wildwood’s beach extends from the boardwalk for almost a quarter mile before ceding to the sea. (No worries, there are walking paths down to the beach.) The sand is like no other because it is so fine and clean. It’s great for playing in or just sunning. Wildwood is home to a 1.65 mile long boardwalk which is covered with stores and attractions nearly the whole length. It also has three piers of rides, water parks, and other fun family attractions.
There’re many things to keep one occupied while in the Wildwoods (Plural because it is actually three communities along the southern shore). It is the place to play volleyball or almost any sport on the beach- there’s plenty of room! There are convenient volleyball courts right on the beach.
The boardwalk is always exciting. During the mornings ride any type of bike, long board, or surrey, and in the evening eat at many famous places or spend the night riding on thrillers - The Slingshot or the Great White. If you want to get off the boards, great restaurants include Urie’s Waterfront restaurant, Beach Creek Bar & Grill, or Duffers mini-golf – the place to play a game of golf and then have any type of ice cream imaginable all made right at the store.
We continue to enjoy ourselves every year because the possibilities are endless, the memories are priceless, and that’s why for me Wildwood is the best beach in the world!
Editor’s note. Throughout the year we invite kids ages 10 to 18 to “Tell Mom” in their own words about a recent family vacation experience. We share the best with our readers. Simeon Church was selected as one of the winners in theFamilyTravelFiles.com contest for young travel writers - contest prompt “The best beach in the world is….”
FTF Staff Comments and Family Vacation Planning Details
The Wildwoods in New Jersey. 
Vacationing on the Jersey Shore is a tradition for many because it’s definitely a family friendly place where memories are nurtured. The eclectic chaos of the endless string of beach communities provides grandparents with the comfort of iconic landmarks while grandkids connect with the latest craze and parents just sigh remembering when. Everyone who has been to the Shore has a favorite spot. Mine is Ashbury Park – nowhere near the Wildwoods which is on the southern tip of the state.
Make it happen: Wildwoods Tourism Authority call toll-free 1-800-992-9732, (609) 846-2657 or
www.wildwoodsnj.com FREE Concerts in the Wildwoods Throughout the Summer. I know where there is music fun will follow. During the summer season the calendar is loaded with free concerts almost every night of the week plus free Friday night fireworks and FREE events and festivals. Here’s the scoop. The concert series features some of the region's best acts and top live entertainment to be found at the Jersey shore. Venues include North Wildwood's Lou Booth Amphitheatre, the Fox Park Amphitheatre in Wildwood and the Centennial Park Amphitheatre in Wildwood Crest.
A beach with a boardwalk – perfect! Wildwoods Beaches span more than five miles offering free access to the sea. For beach fun the area has been dubbed # 1 in the state. No one will ever be bored. The famous Wildwood Boardwalk (see American kitsch in the dictionary) spans 38 blocks (about two miles) with its carnival-like atmosphere helps anchor the area symbolizing the “Good Old Days” yet connecting with the today. It’s the place to find yummy funnel cakes, cotton candy, and salty curly-fries. Three amusement piers divide the oceanfront providing thrilling roller coasters with ocean views; three waterparks mark their places in the sun; the in between space is filled with shops, arcades, and plenty of eateries.
Discovery: It is the home base for countless events and festivals including International Kite Festival, Pirate Festival, the Baby Parade, and the annual National Marbles Tournament.
Bonus points: All summer long Every Thursday is Family Fun Night and a family-friendly tram makes getting from one end of the Boardwalk to the other easy.
Make it happen. Morey’s Piers 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260. (609) 522-3900 or
www.moreyspiers.comPretend it’s a pirate’s life. 
Any seacoast community worth its salt must have a pirate ship for local color and Woodland is no exception. The Dark Star Pirate Cruise is cousin to The Starlight Fleet Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin-Whale Watching Center (Atlantic Star provides dolphin-whale watching tours as well as sunset dinner cruises). The Dark Star adventure is enhanced by clever bunch of swashbuckling buccaneers. On board guests learn to speak like a pirate, hunt for treasure, and defend the ship. There’s storytelling, face painting, treasure hunting, a water cannon battle, music, dancing and plenty of pretending just for the fun of it.
Bonus points: Each new crew member gets a pirate eye patch.
Make it happen. Dark Star Pirate Cruises 6200 Park Blvd Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260. Toll-free 1-800-979-3370,(609) 729-3275 or
www.darkstarpiratecruises.com Content provided by Simeon Church a winner of the FTF Young Writers Contest. Additional location comments by Nancy Nelson-Duac, Editor FTF. Images provided by Simeon Church as well as Wildwoods Tourism Authority. Copyright 2012.
