Wildwood has been known for its beaches, boardwalk and neon-lit Doo Wop architecture.
But long before the resort became synonymous with summer vacations and thrill rides, it was one of America’s great music towns — a place where aspiring singers got their first big break and legendary performers played to packed ballrooms.
Now, visitors can experience that history in an entirely new way.
The City of Wildwood has launched the Wildwood Virtual Music History Tour, an interactive experience on the Let’s Rallie app that guides users through the island’s storied musical past, highlighting the venues, hotels and clubs that helped shape American popular music.
From the sounds of doo-wop and early rock ‘n’ roll to disco and country music, the self-guided tour invites users to explore the places where musical history was made, all from the convenience of their smartphones.
The tour stretches from Park and Pacific avenues to Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk, tracing a route through some of Wildwood’s most iconic entertainment districts.
Along the way, participants can learn about the hotels, bars, lounges and clubs that once hosted performers who would later become household names.
During the 1950s and ’60s, performers flocked to the island’s clubs and dance halls, often playing several venues in a single summer season. The resort’s thriving nightlife scene became a launching pad for singers and bands looking to make it big.
The island’s musical legacy is perhaps best captured in songs like Bobby Rydell’s “Wildwood Days” and Charlie Gracie’s “On the Way to Cape May,” both of which are featured in the tour’s playlist.
Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said the project is about more than nostalgia.
“This has been a great opportunity to preserve our island’s music history in a fun and interactive way,” Troiano said when announcing the initiative. “We’ve had many firsts here.”
The mayor pointed to entertainer Tony Orlando, who got his start at Wildwood’s Rainbow Club when he was just 15 years old, as one example of the city’s influence on the music industry.
Using the Let’s Rallie app, participants can travel through the city while listening to music, reading historical information and discovering stories behind venues that many visitors pass by without realizing their significance.
The experience also encourages exploration. Users can physically visit the sites and “check in” through the app, turning the tour into a scavenger hunt of sorts.
Those who complete stops along the route will be entered for a chance to win a pair of general admission tickets to the 2027 Barefoot Country Music Fest.
The project was made possible through funding from the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners via the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage, with additional support from the New Jersey State Historical Commission and the Neighborhood Preservation Program. The effort also involved contributions from local historians and preservationists, including the George F. Boyer Historical Museum and the Doo Wop Preservation League.
Wildwood’s music story is still being written. Every summer, concerts and festivals continue to draw thousands of visitors to the island, including the ever-growing Barefoot Country Music Fest.
Yet the new virtual tour serves as a reminder that today’s music scene stands on the shoulders of decades of performers, promoters and venues that helped put Wildwood on the map.
For visitors looking for a break from the beach, the Wildwood Virtual Music History Tour offers something different: a chance to stroll the same streets where stars once sang, danced and launched careers — and to discover that behind every neon sign and vintage motel lies another chapter in the soundtrack of Wildwood.
The following songs are included on the listening tour:
- Three Coins in The Fountain by Frank Sinatra
- What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye
- Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets
- The Twist by Chubby Checker
- Keep a Knockin’ by Little Richard
- Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood
- Surfin’ USA by The Beach Boys
- Need a Favor by Jelly Roll
- I Love Rock N’ Roll by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- Your Song by Elton John
- Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
- The Way You Look Tonight by Tony Bennett
- O Sole Mio by Mario Lanza
- Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte
- And More!
Download the Let’s Rallie App at https://app.letsrallie.com/events/wildwood_music_history_tour on desktop, Iphone, or Android smartphones.
Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.
