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Wildwood

Wildwood is a common place name, but the most prominent geographic usage in the provided results refers to Wildwood, New Jersey, a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Wildwood is a common place name, but the most prominent geographic usage refers to Wildwood, New Jersey, a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is a resort community on the Jersey Shore and part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The name also has a general English meaning for a natural, uncultivated wood or forest.

Geography and setting

Wildwood is located on the Jersey Shore in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of a coastal resort area often referred to collectively as the Wildwoods.

Local character

The city is described as a resort town with beaches and a boardwalk. Travel sources also note its mid-20th-century ‘Doo-Wop’ architecture and seasonal tourism. Canadian visitors are part of the seasonal tourism mix for the Wildwoods, including trips from Quebec noted in travel coverage of the area.

Name and usage

In general English, wildwood refers to a natural woodland or forest, especially one left in an uncultivated state. This meaning is documented in multiple dictionaries.

The wider Wildwoods area includes several neighboring municipalities and attractions such as historic museums and the Wildwood Boardwalk. These features contribute to the area's tourism identity.

Key facts

  • Wildwood, New Jersey, is a city in Cape May County.
  • The city is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area and the broader Philadelphia combined statistical area.
  • Wildwood is a resort town known for beaches and a boardwalk.
  • The term wildwood also means a wood or forest unaltered or unfrequented by humans.
  • The Wildwoods region commonly includes Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and West Wildwood.
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Canadian context

Canadian visitors are part of the seasonal tourism mix for the Wildwoods, including trips from Quebec noted in travel coverage of the area.[8]

Frequently asked questions

What is Wildwood?
Wildwood most commonly refers to Wildwood, New Jersey, a city in Cape May County, and also to the common noun meaning a natural, uncultivated wood or forest.
Where is Wildwood, New Jersey?
It is on the Jersey Shore in Cape May County, New Jersey, in the United States.
Is Wildwood a resort town?
Yes. Travel and local tourism sources describe Wildwood as a resort town known for beaches and a boardwalk.
What does wildwood mean in English?
It means a wood or forest growing in a natural or uncultivated state, often unfrequented by humans.
What towns are included in the Wildwoods?
The Wildwoods commonly include Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and West Wildwood.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildwood,_New_Jersey
    Supports: Identifies Wildwood as a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, and places it within the Philadelphia combined statistical area.
  2. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildwood
    Supports: Defines wildwood as a wood unaltered or unfrequented by humans.
  3. TheFreeDictionaryhttps://www.thefreedictionary.com/wildwoods
    Supports: Gives the meaning of wildwoods as an uncultivated forest or wooded area.
  4. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/wildwood
    Supports: Defines wildwood as a wood growing in the wild or natural state.
  5. Expediahttps://www.expedia.com/Wildwood.dx10401
    Supports: Describes Wildwood, New Jersey, as a resort town with beaches, a boardwalk, and Doo-Wop architecture.
  6. Wikivoyagehttps://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Wildwood_(New_Jersey)
    Supports: Describes the Wildwoods as a resort area including Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and West Wildwood, and notes Canadian visitors from Quebec.
  7. Wildwoods, NJ tourism sitehttps://wildwoodsnj.com/so-much-to-do/historical-cultural-attractions/
    Supports: Describes the Wildwoods' historic attractions and Doo-Wop architecture.