Wildwood Crest, the Best of Both Worlds

Wildwood Crest, the Best of Both Worlds

Wildwood Crest is a far cry from its rowdy neighbor, Wildwood, but that's just what most visitors like about this laid back beach that is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2010. It is truly the best of both of the beach worlds, since you can find quiet, undisturbed beach space here in Wildwood, then make the short hop to Wildwood for some crazy action.

Wildwood Crest used to be full of an eclectic mix of motels, but today, the beachside is pretty much dominated by upscale condominiums, but there are still plenty of hotels. The town now caters to quiet, beach strolling, nature loving types. (Even the ones who sneak over to Wildwood for the rides on Saturday night.) And maybe one of the best features of this great New Jersey beach town is the free beaches.

The town is so committed to the beauty of the beach and to nature that part of the lower township beach has been closed off for many years for the protection of many different native birds, such as the Piping Plover and the Sanderlings. The area where they nest is protected, but there is a nature trail that you can take that travels through the dunes, allowing visitors to explore this sheltered area of the beach.

But this emphasis on peace, quiet and nature does not mean there is nothing to do in Wildwood Crest. You can rent a boat or a jetski or take a parasail ride in the Sunset Lake area, fish off the dock at Crest Harbor. If you want to swim in a pool instead of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean (why would you?), there is even a municipal pool in town.

There are free concerts at the Crest Pier, and festivals, craft shows and seafood celebrations all summer long. When you use a term like "quiet" in the Wildwoods, it's all relative, so compared to the practically non stop action of Wildwood, this kind of entertainment is a bit tame.

And of course, you can expect lots of centennial events in honor of the town's 100th anniversary celebration. The kickoff weekend is on May 29. You can check out the upcoming events on the centennial site.