Friends were discussing Wildwood recently and the opinion that it was unsafe was voiced. I've been there several times and never felt unsafe, but I haven't been out after 9:30 probably. There were times in Wildwood's past that big crowds of teens would roam the boardwalk - is it still like that?

Wildwood is right where I-75 and the Florida Turnpike meet. There's not much there except a lot of franchise restaurants and a handful of motels. It's pretty safe, but if you're driving a semi, I'd make sure the doors are all securely locked.

The only crowds of teens you're likely to see will be around the KFC about the time they're closing up for the night.

I assume you are speaking of Wildwood, NEW JERSEY as opposed to Wildwood, FLORIDA (sorry, Patrick)....

I would ask you to think about the nervous little nellie who told you it is "unsafe"....these days, big crowd of ADULTS roam the boardwalk but whether it is teens or adults..what does THAT have to do with safety?????

Or has your "friend" heard about ugly women being raped or something?

My family has gone to Wildwood for the past few years. The boardwalk is fine, crowded with families, and feels perfectly safe to me and kids. But, like Suki, we probably leave by 10pm or so. And the streets/sidewalks behind the boardwalk look kind of run down and creepy.

Sorry about that Patrick - I should have been more specific.

Intrepid, actually I think she heard about an ugly woman being stabbed. What's ugly got to do with anything? Where did that come from?

The context of this discussion among my friends was whether it would be wise to let teens (over 18) stay out till midnight or so down there.Any other opinions?
Thanks.

Surely no one thought my answer was serious? I could easily tell you weren't talking about the Wildwood in Florida. But I sure didn't know where the Wildwood you were talking about is located.

My post was to remind you that it always makes sense to include a state or location in your post or preferably in your title. There's no way for people clicking on to the US board to know where specifically you're talking about. Just a friendly reminder for next time.

I knew where you were talking about. Wildwood NJ is all the rage with architecture nuts who are embracing the 1950s. I'd like to go there and see what the big deal is, even if it's a den of murder and mayhem. They're saying it's the next South Beach.

And we're all laughing because everyone knows Wildwood, FL is the next South Beach

I have to laugh at this, because even coming form SoCal I knew automatically, from the subject line, that this post was about Wildwood, NJ . Wildwood, NJ has a rather nasty reputation that has spread as far as the left coast. Whether or not it is deserved is the question, and was what prompted me to even click on this thread.

Wow, I must have missed something. We stayed in Wildwood Crest last summer and were on the Boardwalk almost nightly and never had a problem and never felt even remotely uncomfortable.

Laughing at all the replies...especially the one about Wildwood as the next SOBE. Hmm...that could take awhile.

I think it's safe there, and reasonably safe in the late night hours if you take proper care.

Growing up in NJ, Wildwood has always been a summer vacation destination for many families in NJ & Philly area. I't filled with 50's style (IMO cheesy) over the top designed motels & efficiencies. I think they're generally clean and well priced though, and the beach is wide and clean there too.

It's a good family destination.

Wildwood Crest is at the southern end and is a bit nicer.

My SIL takes her family there and they have a great time without breaking the bank.

Some of the architecture including the neon signs on the fifties-era buildings are pretty cool. There just aren't that many of them. I did read that several very good restaurants opened in Wildwood recently so whatever hard times it did fall upon may be reversing.

I've already admitted I'm not familiar with Wildwood, N.J., but tpatricco, I'd be willing to bet you wouldn't be laughing half so hard if you had been to the real South Beach about 4 or 5 years before the renovations started taking place!!!

Patrick - you might be laughing if you did know Wildwood. I'm speechless thinking about Wildwood being the next South Beach!

Suki - Wildwood does attact a lot of teenagers. It did even back when I was a teenager. (Which I'd like to think was not long ago, but the real number reflects it was really quite a few years ago). I haven't been there recently past 9:30 at night, so I really can't comment any more than that. In my opinion, there are nicer places to go in NJ if you want a boardwalk, like Ocean City or Pt. Pleasant. Just my 2 cents.

Wildwood has what is believed to be the largest collection of doo-wop architecture in New England, basically post-war 1950s modernism. It's also referred to fondly as rat-pack architecture. And everyone's heard the usual tacky and cheesy

I don't know if Wildwood will ever reach such heights as SB because that type of architecture is all over the Southern coastline from SC to TX. Unfortunately, we're tearing it down with abandon to put up huge 30-story condos and mega-hotels. One such place in Florida where they're trying to preserve doo-wop is Treasure Island near St. Pete. They're having a heck of a time with chamber-types and developers who want things all new and shiney, but they are having successes too, thanks to national and local efforts and support to preserve our past.

Hi TandooriGirl -

I don't believe that New Jersey is in New England.

TG, you really added to the discussion by introducing the doo-wop architecture info. My husband is an architect so I do find it interesting that Wildwood NJ is getting national exposure. One point though: NJ isn't considered part of New England, but rather one of the mid-Atlantic states. But I know you know that.(I would add a smiley face here if I only knew how).

I have to admit we picked Wildwood to stay sight unseen and for the price-it was central to both Phili and NYC and we had a great time, but it is all those things mentioned - the doo wop architecture (i.e. cheesy) is a hoot and the boardwalk is full of teenages,many who seemed to be eastern European, which we couldn't figure out how that happened. But we travelled to Cape May, Ocean City and liked those places for a future stay. We're not picky though and have been known to stay in Madiera Beach Fla at Wits End which would fit right in in Wildwoods-I guess we like the 50s kitsch!

Suki: smiley face is a ( and a : next to each other.
This is with credit to Ira who told me how. If you click on my name and look at my Paris trip report, there is his answer. I printed up the info so I can just look at the sheet of all the symbols.

My southern face is red and it's not sunburnt It doesn't matter that I'd pulled that New England designation from an article on doo-wop -- I really did not know. What a place to snaffu on geography -- a travel web site!

Tuki & Shaz, thanks for pointing that out