Five Mile Beach - The Wildwoods Map

Description:

Description: This map shows where the island is located in New Jersey.

Five Mile Beach is a barrier island located along the southern New Jersey coast, approximately 30 miles south of Atlantic City. The island measures approximately five miles in length and less than a mile in width, with a total area of about 4.5 square miles. It is part of Cape May County and faces the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west.

The island comprises five distinct municipalities: North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, and Diamond Beach. These communities, collectively known as "The Wildwoods," have a permanent population of approximately 15,000 residents, though this number increases dramatically during the summer tourist season when it can reach over 250,000 people.

Five Mile Beach is renowned for its expansive beaches, which are among the widest on the East Coast and stretch up to 1,500 feet from boardwalk to shoreline in some areas. Unlike many New Jersey beaches, Wildwood Beach and North Wildwood Beach are free to access, making them popular destinations for beachgoers. The natural width of these beaches has allowed for numerous recreational activities including beach sports, concerts, and festivals without impacting regular beach usage.

The iconic Wildwood Boardwalk spans approximately 2 miles and features three amusement piers: Mariner's Landing, Adventure Pier, and Surfside Pier. These piers house over 100 rides and attractions, including several roller coasters and a 156-foot-tall Ferris wheel. The boardwalk is also known for its distinctive tram cars, which have been operating since 1949 and are famous for their "Watch the tram car, please" announcement.

The Wildwoods are particularly noted for their collection of mid-20th century architecture, specifically the "Doo Wop" or "Googie" style motels built during the 1950s and 1960s. These colorful structures, characterized by angular roofs, bright neon signs, and futuristic designs, have been preserved through the efforts of the Doo Wop Preservation League and the Doo Wop Experience Museum. In 2006, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated The Wildwoods as a national "distinctive destination" due to this unique architectural heritage.

Access to Five Mile Beach is provided by three bridges: the George Redding Bridge connecting to Wildwood, the Middle Thorofare Bridge linking to Wildwood Crest, and the Grassy Sound Bridge leading to North Wildwood. The island hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the New Jersey State Firefighters Convention, the National Marbles Tournament, and various music festivals that attract visitors beyond the traditional summer season.