Here’s Where to Take the Most Affordable Beach Trip in NJ, According to NASDAQ

The Jersey Shore can be pricey—but one town just got a national shoutout for its affordability. The Wildwoods was named one of the Most Affordable Beach Trips on the East Coast for 2025 by NASDAQ’s GoBankingRates, calling it a standout for families looking for a classic summer vacation on a budget. It has free beaches, budget-friendly stays, and plenty of kid-friendly fun.

Ranking No. 3 out of the Top 5, The Wildwoods is made up of five areas: North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood and Lower Twp. – which means 5 miles of free beaches. Score! If you have a fishing pole or a boogie board, enjoy swimming, fishing, crabbing and walking along the shoreline (sunrise is our favorite time). There’s a dog-friendly beach and dog park at Glenwood Avenue Beach.

You can walk or bike along the 2-mile boardwalk – recently named the best in the U.S. according to USA Today readers – or check out free festivals, street fairs, outdoor concerts, fireworks shows on Friday, and nighttime movies. Byrne Park, Fox Park and the Wildwoods Convention Center have a full lineup of events and attractions year-round – everything from sports card shows and marble tournaments to food fests (pay as you go) and car shows. Returning faves are the International Kite Festival, farmers markets downtown, boardwalk craft fairs, Memorial Day ceremonies, the New Jersey Jeep Invasion and the PigDog PuppaPalooza Pooch Pool Party & Beach Walk at Morey’s Piers.

One of the biggest announcements for 2025 is the return of the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow in September. Eleven headlining acts will soar high above the beach, doing flyovers and performing aerobatic stunts. You can pick your spot anywhere along the beach since admission is free.

Or to beat the heat, check out the supercool Doo Wop Museum Experience, which is lit up by neon signs, and has nostalgic items from the Doo Wop and Rock ‘n’ Roll eras of the ’50s and ’60s. Admission is free, but you could get tickets for the Neon and Mid Century Architecture Tour, which takes you around town to see real-life snapshots from the museum.

Morey’s Piers has three areas with rides, restaurants, snack shops, an arcade, carnival games, a roller coaster, a water park and shopping. Fun fact: the Wildwoods have more retail shops and restaurants than the Mall of America!

The section of North Wildwood has a charm all its own, with a beautiful seawall to walk with the kids or the dog; and along the way you can peek inside the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, which overlooks the ocean.

Here are some tips from the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority about how to keep family fun affordable this summer:

• Plan to visit in May, June, September or October for lower hotel/motel rates, nice weather and less crowds.
• A midweek stay from Sunday to Thursday usually has more affordable hotel and vacation rental rates, too.
• Look for holiday sales from Morey’s Piers and Splash Zone Waterpark.
• The free Wildwoods Family Value Coupon Book has over $300 in money-saving coupons.
•  There’s also a contest to win one of two free family vacations this year.

The 5 Most Affordable Beach Trips on the East Coast in 2025, according to NASDAQ’s GoBanking Rates:

1. Virginia Beach, Virginia
2. Ocean City, Maryland
3. Wildwood, New Jersey
4. Wareham, Massachusetts
5. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

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