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- The United States Is Filled With Fun, Vacation-Worthy Boardwalks!
Summary
- Boardwalks in the US offer a variety of attractions like specialty boutiques, carnival rides, and restaurants, making them a popular tourist destination and ideal for leisurely strolls.
- From Venice Beach in Los Angeles to the Atlantic City Boardwalk, there are many notable boardwalks in America that attract both locals and visitors with their fun-filled and family-friendly attractions.
- Whether it's Daytona Beach, Santa Cruz, or Myrtle Beach, boardwalks offer something for everyone, including concrete promenades, amusement park rides, and breathtaking views of the water.
Uniting ocean shores to busy streets, boardwalks are an appealing tourist attraction due to their abundance of specialty boutiques, carnival rides, and restaurant collections. What's more, boardwalks offer an expansive view of the water, which makes for an ideal leisurely stroll. Whether it's day or night, winter or summer, many boardwalks around America attract locals and visitors alike. Specifically, these boardwalks in the US are notable for their fun-filled and family-friendly attractions!
UPDATE: 2023/08/23 13:36 EST BY NOAH STAATS
The United States Is Filled With Fun, Vacation-Worthy Boardwalks!
This article has been refreshed with new boardwalks to visit in the US, as well as tips for each location. Whether someone's on the West Coast or East Coast or simply wants to tour some historic landmarks, the United States is filled with these beach-side structures!
12 Venice Beach Boardwalk
- This is one of Los Angeles' most famed boardwalks and features food and shopping.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a two-mile promenade stretching parallel to Venice Beach and has become a must-see stop for anyone in Southern California. This is a two-mile promenade boasting a collection of local and name-brand establishments, as well as plenty of space to walk, bike, or rollerblade.
11 Daytona Beach Boardwalk
- Features a concrete promenade for snacks and entertainment.
One notable boardwalk in the US is the Daytona Boardwalk. On the sunny beach of the city lies the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, which consists of the concrete promenade installed in the late 1920s, followed by the bandshell and coquina embellishments which were completed in 1938. This is a great place to spend the day in Daytona, as well as catch a live performance or event.
10 Atlantic City Boardwalk
- This is one of the oldest and most notable boardwalks in the United States.
Arguably one of the most famous (and oldest) boardwalks in the US, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is always buzzing. Tour the boardwalk like a local or explore it like a tourist; either way, there are a ton of things to do here! Jam-packed with casinos, shops, and restaurants, the Atlantic City Boardwalk provides stunning views of the Jersey Shore. Besides shopping and playing casino poker, have some family-friendly fun at Steel Pier, Atlantic City's oldest theme park.
9 Virginia Beach Boardwalk
- This boardwalk spans three miles and has biking/rollerblade paths and pedestrian walkways.
Spanning three miles, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk is full of sun and fun. Equipped with separate paths for bikers, rollerbladers, and strollers, this boardwalk is packed with shops, local cafes, and monuments. Take a photo with King Neptune in front of Neptune Festival Park, stroll along the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, and have the kids run around at JT's Grommet Island Park. This year-round boardwalk also hosts various festivals and community events, especially in the summer!
8 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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- This boardwalk has been in operation since 1907 and offers free admission.
Standing tall since 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of California's most prominent attractions. This family-friendly boardwalk also offers free admission and provides affordable ride tickets, making it a budget-friendly must-see when visiting California! Enjoy activities from mini-golf to bowling, or catch thrills while riding the historic Giant Dipper or Looff Carousel. Spend the entire day at the boardwalk, which comes with a collection of eateries and souvenir shops.
7 Myrtle Beach Boardwalk And Promenade
- This boardwalk runs 1.2 miles, hosts festivals and events, and boasts amusement park rides.
Situated in South Carolina, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade is one of America's newest boardwalks. Constructed in the mid-2010s, this boardwalk already hosts a collection of festivals and events. Running for about 1.2 miles, the boardwalk boasts a mix of shops, eats, resorts, and thrilling rides. Visitors can scare themselves silly at Ripley's Haunted Adventure or capture panoramic views of Myrtle Beach while being 200 feet above sea level on the Skywheel!
6 Galveston’s Historic Pleasure Pier
- There are carnival games, rollercoasters, shops, and restaurants here.
Constructed in 2012, Galveston's Pleasure Pier overlooks the expansive Gulf of Mexico, offering a mix of rides, shops, and restaurants over the water. From carnival games to family-friendly rides, this new boardwalk is a fun affair for all ages! Coaster lovers will love riding the Iron Shark Rollercoaster, a thrilling ride that travels up to 52 mph, complete with a 100-foot vertical drop. Alternatively, the Pleasure Pier also hosts the Giant Galaxy Wheel, a colorful Ferris wheel that displays dancing lights during motion!
5 Navy Pier
- This is one of the most-visited sights in Chicago and once held the title for the world's longest pier.
Regarded as one of Chicago's top attractions, this Streeterville attraction was once the world's longest pier at 0.6 miles (or about 3,300 feet). Overlooking Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a year-round attraction in the city. Also known as the People's Pier, visitors often ride the Centennial Wheel on Navy Pier, a 200-foot Ferris wheel that offers a panoramic view of Chicago.
4 Ocean Front Walk
- This boardwalk spans two miles and is perfect for those wanting to check out Muscle Beach.
Situated on Venice Beach, Ocean Front Walk is one of Santa Monica's most prominent attractions, and with good reason. Though it only spans two miles, this boardwalk attracts 10 million visitors yearly! This bustling attraction is often packed with street performers, specialty shops, restaurants, vendors, and tons of people. When in Ocean Front Walk, visitors can watch glass walkers, admire street jugglers, get a temporary tattoo, grab a refreshing smoothie at a juice bar, and watch people flex their biceps at Muscle Beach, all in one day!
3 Ocean City Boardwalk
- This boardwalk spans three miles and is Maryland's prime attraction.
Spanning three miles, the Ocean City Boardwalk is Maryland's prime attraction. Housing museums, golf courses, and tons of family-friendly activities, this Maryland Boardwalk also has several historic sites like its museums and vintage carousel. Providing fun for all ages, the boardwalk offers visitors tons of water excursions, including jet skiing, paddling, fishing, and kayaking. What's more, the Ocean City Boardwalk can even be enjoyed in the winter!
2 Coney Island
- Located in Brooklyn, New York, and features amusement park rides and food.
Brooklyn's Coney Island is a historic attraction that still entertains visitors to this day. This famous boardwalk hosts an aquarium, monuments, museums, and Luna Park, a beachside amusement park! When in Coney Island, be sure to get thrills by riding the Cyclone, an early 20th-century wooden roller coaster.
1 Santa Monica Pier
- Santa Monica Pier offers an amusement park, souvenirs, and plenty of snacks.
Even over a century later, the Santa Monica Pier is one of the top attractions in California! Situated beside Santa Monica State Beach, this iconic pier was initially recognized as a premier fishing spot. To this day, fishing remains one of the most popular activities at Santa Monica Pier, alongside other activities. It's hard to find the pier boring when there are a ton of things to do here! Ride the vintage carousel, shop for beach-themed trinkets at the souvenir shops, or get an adrenaline rush at the West Coaster.