Guide To The Shore: The Boardwalks
A trip to the Jersey Shore just isn't complete without a stroll down the boardwalk. Whether you're craving vinegar fries, salt-water taffy, and ice-cream; want to ride on the carousel, log flume and roller coaster; or need to shop for souvenirs like t-shirts, flip-flops and hermit crabs, the boardwalks at the Jersey Shore have everything you're looking for! –Veronica Dudo
Ocean City's Boardwalk has been named one of the six best boardwalks in the U.S. by the Travel Channel. This family-oriented resort's 2.5-mile promenade has something for everyone. From 6th to 14th Streets, there are family amusement parks—like Gillian's Wonderland Pier and Playland's Castaway Cove—with rides, go-karts, arcades, mini-golf, two movie theatres, a water park and traditions like Thursday "Family Nights," with free concerts.
Shops are speckled along the boardwalk, offering brand name clothing, Ocean City resort wear, jewelry, vacation essentials, books and antiques, as well as novelty and specialty items. And a boardwalk visit wouldn't be complete without homemade fudge, caramel popcorn, pizza and funnel cake!
The Ocean City Boardwalk is also home to the Music Pier, an historic boardwalk auditorium and the site of many concerts in all musical genres. Other popular OC activities are their parades—from the Baby Parade and the Miss New Jersey Parade to the Vintage and Classic Cars Parade, the entourage of excitement rolling down the boardwalk is always a "shore" bet.
Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. from June 1st to Columbus Day weekend, and all day during the remainder of the year. Helmets are required in New Jersey for all riders under 17 years old. For more information about bike and surrey rentals, visit www.bikeocnj.org.
Avalon's Boardwalk is about half of a mile long and stretches from 21st Street to 32nd Street. Motorized bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and mopeds are not permitted on the boardwalk at any time, but regular bikes are allowed between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Located at 29th Street on the boardwalk is an arcade, pizzeria, restaurant, and ice cream parlor. There is also a playground and skate park for children to enjoy. The skate park is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until dusk, and on Sunday from noon until dusk.
Atlantic City'sworld-famous Boardwalk was the first to be built in the United States and is featured in the board game Monopoly. For more than 150 years, the resort has been a destination where visitors come to escape everyday responsibilities and enjoy the many activities the boardwalk has to offer. Each year millions of people visit the boardwalk, which features an electrifying and eclectic mix of family fun, entertainment attractions and adult gaming. The Atlantic City Boardwalk is just over four miles long and has plenty of options to fill your days and your nights with shopping, dining, arcades, amusements and gaming choices.
This unique boardwalk at the Jersey Shore is the only one with casino-hotels, restaurants, shops and eateries lining its wooden way. Two distinct destinations on the boardwalk include the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and Boardwalk Hall. The museum showcases exhibits of all things "bizarre" from the world of science, including illusions, hands-on interactive displays and videos.
Historic Boardwalk Hall is a unique venue built in 1929 and offers shows by music headliners like Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera and Justin Bieber.
Bicycling is permitted on the boardwalk from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. from May through September, and from 6 a.m. to noon from October through April.
Throughout the years, the boardwalk has seen fireworks shows, parades, concerts, contests, holiday celebrations, marathons, festivals and shows. Visitors can splurge on a number of seaside snacks for sale, including pizza, fries, steak sandwiches, frozen treats and of course, boardwalk favorites like saltwater taffy, fudge and hot roasted peanuts.
Several piers connect to the boardwalk, including Garden Pier, which is home to the Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center; and Steel Pier, which is home to a bevy of rides such as a carousel, go-karts, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars, a roller coaster and a Ferris Wheel.
A visit to the Atlantic City Boardwalk wouldn't be complete without riding in the city's famous "Rolling Chairs," which debuted in 1887 and have become a piece of resort history.
Sea Isle's Boardwalk runs from 29th Street to 57th Street and is approximately a mile and a half long. This "boardwalk" isn't made of boards; instead, it has a blacktop and is known as the Promenade. It's perfect for roller-blading, skate boarding, walking, jogging or just enjoying the sights and sounds at the beach. Shops and eateries, such as Denunzio Brick Oven Pizza, Spinners Pizza Ice Cream & Grill and A Touch of Class, can be found along the walkway.
Ventnor City's Boardwalk is 1.7 miles in length and connects to the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Many people enjoy walking, jogging, or bike riding along the walk in this residential community. The picturesque boardwalk is lined with beautiful homes and condominium complexes. Bike riding is permitted from 6 a.m. to noon and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May 31st through Labor Day. In the off-season, bike riding is restricted to daylight hours.
The Ventnor City Fishing Pier extends from the boardwalk out over the ocean and is located at Cornwall Avenue. The fishing pier offers seasonal rates for fishing or sightseeing.
The Ventnor City Beachfront Park, adjacent to the Boardwalk at New Haven Avenue, offers spectacular views of the beach and Atlantic Ocean.
Tennis courts are located off of the boardwalk, on Atlantic Avenue between Suffolk and Somerset Avenues. Ventnor City has seven tennis courts available for use during the summer months from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cape May's Boardwalk, also known as the "Promenade," runs almost one and a half miles parallel to Beach Avenue and is paved. Here, the tranquility of the shore is at its best. There are stores and restaurants near the center of town, and at just about any time of day, people can be found walking, jogging or biking along the boardwalk. There are restroom facilities, along with candy stores, ice cream parlors, food vendors, shops and arcades. Many events are also held on the Promenade, such as art shows and flea markets. At the end of the promenade sits a covered pavilion overlooking the Cove Beach.
Wildwood's Boardwalk has been ranked one of the top 10 boardw
alks by Forbes Traveler. Stretching 2.5 miles and packed with arcades, restaurants, shops and over 100 rides and attractions, there's tons of excitement from beginning to end. In accordance with the resort's Doo-Wop theme, the 38-block boardwalk has a relaxed old-fashioned atmosphere.
"Watch the tram car please! Watch the tram car please!" That announcement introduces what has become a fixture at the resort since the 1940s—the tram car. The bright yellow mode of transportation is iconic in the Wildwoods, taking passengers on sightseeing tours and creating fond memories for many.
Rides, world-class roller coasters, fun-filled water parks, pools and water slides adorn the boardwalk in Wildwoods. One of the most popular is Morey's Piers, which is comprised of three piers: Mariner's Landing Pier, Surfside Pier and Morey's Pier. All three are packed with amusement rides. There are also two beachfront water parks: Raging Waters Waterpark and Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club.
Additionally, the boardwalk boasts countless stores, souvenir shops and eateries offering up a mouth-watering mixture of goodies like fresh roasted nuts, fudge, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, cotton candy, hamburgers, steaks and fresh seafood.
The Wildwoods Convention Center, which holds meetings, conventions, weddings and concerts, is also located on the boardwalk.
While going for a stroll beside the clear blue Atlantic or just enjoying a morning bike ride (until 11 a.m., that is!), the salt air refreshes visitors day or night. And with an assortment of neon lights, tasty treats, arcades, games and amusements, it's no wonder the Wildwoods Boardwalk has been called, "two miles of smiles."
