North Wildwood: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026
Residents near Anglesea balance packed tavern nights along the inlet against bone-chilling coastal winds once vacationers clear out.
- 1 day
- Anglesea, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, Russo's
- 3 days
- + Vegas Diner, North Wildwood Beach, Anglesey Pub
- 7 days
- + Keenan's Irish Pub, Westy's Irish Pub, Owen's Pub
North Wildwood anchors the northern shore of the island with historic fishing roots, inlet taverns, and wide sandy beaches.
Originally incorporated under the name Anglesea, the community grew around commercial fishing before adopting its present title from local flora. Voters later rejected an initiative to revive the founding name to protect municipal commerce. The neighborhood around Hereford Inlet Lighthouse preserves that maritime heritage, while nearby streets host taverns and the East Coast Irish Fall Festival.
Read on
Living here year-round exposes stark seasonal swings that weekend visitors miss. Summer brings dense boardwalk crowds, tram cars, and reduced sales tax through a joint urban enterprise zone covering local merchants. Midwinter reverses this completely as nor'easters bring biting coastal winds and freezing temperatures. Residents rely on bicycles, local cabs, and quiet residential lanes once seasonal traffic clears.
- Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
- Irish Fall Festival
- Anglesea Entertainment District
- Urban Enterprise Zone
- Winter Nor'easters
- The municipality was first incorporated as Anglesea before adopting its current name.
- The local Irish Fall Festival ranks as the largest event of its kind along the East Coast.
- The city participates in a joint Urban Enterprise Zone that lowers sales tax for eligible merchants.
- Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is situated within the municipal limits.
Getting there and staying
- 01Enable cellular roaming or connect to local mobile networks upon reaching the area.
- 02Obtain cash in United States dollars from an automated teller machine to cover local fares and boardwalk amusements.
- 03Take an NJ Transit bus or call a local taxi from companies such as Checkers or Caribbean.
- 04Arrive at your lodging and check in at your reserved motel or summer rental.
2 sources · As of November 3, 2026
Visa and practicalities
Choose a passport
Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.
Internships, au pair and study programmes have a different visa category and a different set of documents. Applications go through CMO International Programmes.
IEC international programmes- Wildwood Crest operates as a dry municipality where the sale of alcohol is prohibited.
- Local police strictly enforce alcohol consumption laws, making taxis the recommended transit choice at night.
- Parking meters and municipal lot fees are enforced during the summer peak season.
2 more rules
- Advance reservations are recommended for taking vehicles on the regional ferry during the summer months.
- Participating merchants in the joint urban enterprise zone offer a reduced sales tax rate.
Where is North Wildwood located?
North Wildwood is on the Jersey Shore in Cape May County, New Jersey. It forms part of a barrier island shared with Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. The community belongs to the Ocean City metropolitan area within the broader Philadelphia region.
Source: Wikipedia · WikivoyageWhat historical landmarks are located in North Wildwood?
North Wildwood is home to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. The settlement originally operated under the name Anglesea before adopting its present municipal identity.
Source: Wikipedia · WikipediaWhat major annual events take place in North Wildwood?
North Wildwood hosts the Irish Fall Festival each autumn. The event is recognized as the largest Irish festival on the East Coast.
Source: WikipediaWhat weather should visitors expect in North Wildwood?
The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold, windy winters. Ocean breezes temper summer afternoons, though extreme heat and humidity can occur. Precipitation falls throughout the year, and storm activity peaks during late winter.
Source: WikipediaHow do visitors travel around North Wildwood without a car?
The barrier island is flat and walkable, with many people opting to travel by bicycle or skateboard. Local taxis, regional buses, and a tram car operating along the boardwalk provide additional connections.
Source: WikivoyageAre bars and alcohol permitted in North Wildwood?
North Wildwood permits alcohol sales and has a cluster of pubs and bars around the city entrance. In contrast, the neighboring town of Wildwood Crest is dry and prohibits alcohol sales.
Source: WikivoyageWhy do some stores in North Wildwood have lower sales tax?
Portions of North Wildwood participate in a joint Urban Enterprise Zone alongside neighboring municipalities. Participating merchants offer a reduced sales tax rate to encourage local commerce.
Source: WikipediaWhat types of accommodation are common in North Wildwood?
The Wildwoods are recognized for a high concentration of Doo-Wop motels. Visitors also frequently rent vacation houses for weeks or entire seasons.
Source: Wikivoyage4 sources
Getting here
When to go and itineraries
- 09:00Hereford Inlet LighthouseExamine the historic beacon grounds and view the inlet gardens.
- 12:00Russo'sPick up sandwiches for lunch near the water.
- 14:00North Wildwood BeachWalk along the oceanfront and take in the sea breeze.
- 18:00Anglesey PubDine and sample drinks in the historic Anglesea district.
- 10:00AngleseaExplore the historic borough area and residential avenues.
- 13:00The Vegas DinerStop for a sit-down meal at this local establishment.
- 17:00Keenan's Irish PubSpend the evening at this local tavern at the entrance of town.
Stay longer on a programme
Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in United States: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.
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Frequent questions about North Wildwood
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