A Blast from the Past: The BryMax Brothers Visit the Doo Wop Museum in Wildwood, NJ

When you stroll through Wildwood, New Jersey, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve stepped into a time capsule. Neon lights buzz above retro motels, palm trees made of plastic sway in the breeze, and diners look like they’ve been ripped from a 1950s postcard. Tucked right into this technicolor dream is the Doo Wop Experience Museum, a free attraction that the BryMax Brothers recently explored.

Located at 4500 Ocean Avenue across from the Wildwoods Convention Center in Fox Park, the museum is open seasonally. During the summer (from June 17 to August 28), you can swing by Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4 to 9:30 PM, or on Fridays through Sundays between 11 AM and 9:30 PM. In the spring and fall, they open on select Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 9:30 PM. Admission is free, though donations are welcomed.

What Is “Doo Wop” Anyway?

But what exactly is “Doo Wop”? While most people think of the music, a smooth blend of rhythm and blues with catchy syllables like “shoo-bop” and “doo-wop” made famous by street corner harmony groups, the term also represents a bold architectural movement from the mid-20th century. Think futuristic rooflines, vibrant neon signage, boomerang patterns, and pastel colors straight out of a Jetsons episode. Wildwood became a hub for this style in the 1950s and 60s, and the town has proudly held onto it ever since.

The Doo Wop Experience Museum itself was once a classic Jersey Shore diner. Today, it’s been transformed into a colorful homage to the era, filled with vintage furniture, classic signage, old-school appliances, and even a few retro bicycles. Outside, the Neon Garden lights up at night with rescued motel signs from Wildwood’s heyday, giving visitors a glowing taste of the past.

 Fun Facts from the Doo Wop Museum

• 🏛️ The museum is housed in what used to be the classic Surfside Diner.

• 💡 The term “Doo Wop” was first used in the 1990s to describe Wildwood’s retro motel architecture.

• 🌴 Wildwood has the largest collection of mid-century resort architecture in the entire country.

• 🚌 Summer trolley tours leave from the museum to explore Wildwood’s most iconic Doo Wop motels.

• 🌟 The Satellite Motel sign in the Neon Garden was rescued and restored after being nearly lost to demolition.

• 🛏️ Over 200 motels in Wildwood still rock original Doo Wop designs with neon lights and funky rooflines.

Max was especially taken with the bicycle displays, saying, “I really liked some of the old bicycles they had on display, those big white-wall tires were just cool.” Meanwhile, Bryson was captivated by the kitchen appliances. “The bright colors on the appliances were crazy."- he laughed.

Inside, the museum features more than just artifacts, it tells the story of Wildwood’s love affair with its Doo Wop identity. It celebrates the funky flair of the town’s architecture and how residents and preservationists have fought to keep it alive. You can even hop on one of their evening trolley tours, which departs from the museum and guides visitors through Wildwood’s historic motel district, highlighting some of the most iconic and quirky examples of Doo Wop design still standing today. Ask for times, as they differ throughout the seasons.

What makes this spot even more special is that Wildwood continues to live and breathe Doo Wop. From hotels to Wawas, many local businesses lean into the aesthetic with neon signage, retro fonts, and bold colors. The town embraces its throwback charm, making the entire area feel like a living museum.

If you're planning a trip to the Jersey Shore, don’t miss this gem. It's perfect for families, nostalgia lovers, design geeks, or anyone who just wants to soak in some retro vibes. Before you go, check out this fun little video of the BryMax Brothers as they explore the museum and share their favorite moments from the trip. You’ll see just how much charm is packed into this colorful corner

Now, if you’ve heard the local legend about Tuffy the Lion, rumored to have his taxidermy head hidden somewhere in the museum, don’t get your hopes up. We asked, and sadly, Tuffy’s not there. Just another Wildwood myth floating on the salty breeze. Our hunt for Tuffy continues.....