Wildwood is like Miami Beach

GETTING THERE
By car: This is the only reasonable way to get to Wildwood; it’s the third-to-last town along the shore, and the drive takes about three hours from New York. Get on the NJ Turnpike South to the Garden State Parkway South, and follow that 120 miles to NJ-47 S, which takes you right into town.

By bus: For those of you devoted to public transport, NJ Transit runs buses from Port Authority via Atlantic City. The trip from New York takes nearly five hours and costs $33.75 each way.

WHAT’S MIAMI BEACH ABOUT IT?
Almost 100 ’50s- and ’60s-era motels throughout the Wildwoods (consisting of Wildwood proper, plus its two neighbors, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood) bear the architectural style now known as “Doo-Wop”—think Miami Beach Art Deco with a dash of psychedelia and two dashes of The Jetsons. You’ll never look at neon signs the same way again.

WHAT’S JERSEY ABOUT IT?
After sunset, the Wildwood boardwalk fills with tattooed teenagers wearing outfits you can’t get away with in the suburbs—and probably a shade gauche for South Beach. Any news that Wildwood is going upmarket hasn’t reached this crowd.

THE BASICS
Your Wildwood experience is best spent walking around and soaking up the semithrowback architecture and vibes of a town that, in its heyday, had more than 100 music clubs in the American Bandstand tradition. The motels and other sites are being plowed over at an alarming rate to make room for condominiums, so Doo-Wop is not necessarily here to stay.

Where to eat/drink: The Wildwood restaurant scene reflects the town's longtime South Philly Italian influence (i.e., plenty of red sauce). Locals all have their favorites, but a good many prefer Gia (3001 Pacific Ave at Glenwood Ave, Wildwood; 609-729-5959), with its delicious classics and money-saving BYOB. For more good eating, it's hard to beat grilling your own burgers next to the motel pool. If you're too lazy for self-service, order something safe at the Doo-Wop Diner (4010 Boardwalk, between Spencer and Youngs Aves, Wildwood; 609-522-7880) and revel in the ’50s revivalism and excellent people-watching. Top off any meal with great homemade ice cream from Cool Scoops (1111 New Jersey Ave at 12th Ave, North Wildwood; 609-729-2665).

The Wildwood bar scene is about as un-Miami as you can get: dank nightclubs and packed-to-the-gills pubs. Until the glamour arrives, grab a margarita at Juan Pablo’s (3801 Pacific Ave at Garfield Ave, Wildwood; 609-729-6500).

Where to stay: Definitely try out one of the Doo-Wop-style motels (that's why you're here, right?). These places vary widely in quality and price. The jewel is the StarLux (305 E Rio Grande Ave at Atlantic Ave, Wildwood; 609-522-7412), renovated in 2005 and worth a visit to the lobby even if you balk at its unmistakably luxe prices. Save a few bucks by heading south to Wildwood Crest and staying at the equally time-warped Caribbean Motel (5600 Ocean Ave at E Buttercup Ave, Wildwood Crest; 609-522-8292).

YOU HAVE TO SEE…
The widest beach in New Jersey. At points a half mile in girth, the sandy outlay is impressive for its size and relatively pristine state. Best of all, since it can accommodate more or less anyone who wants to visit, access is free and beach tags are not required. Remember to wear your flip-flops, because the ten-minute walk from the Boardwalk to the ocean can be brutal when the summer sun has been baking the sand all day.