Nothing embodies the excitement of a classic vacation quite like a beach town boardwalk.
In coastal destinations around the country, boardwalks join the sand and surf as integral parts of the visitor experience. And they’ve been a part of that tradition for decades.
“Boardwalks are iconic features of beach destinations,” said Danna Lilly, director of sales for the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They give people a chance to experience the nostalgia of what they may have known in the past.”
Here’s a look at some of the best-known boardwalks around the country.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
When you think of the term boardwalk, what comes to mind more readily than Atlantic City? Famous in both fact and fiction, it combines a long history with proximity to some of the country’s most highly populated areas.
“Atlantic City was America’s first playground,” said Jim Wood, CEO of Meet Atlantic City. “And that history continues today with over 25 million people enjoying the most famous boardwalk in America each year.”
This historic boardwalk goes back nearly a century and a half, with the first permanent version constructed in 1870 as a means of keeping sand off hotel carpets. The current version is more than four miles long and 60 feet across at the widest point. Made up of thousands of two-by-fours seated on concrete and steel pilings, it attracts so much foot traffic that the boards must be replaced about every 12 years.
Today, the beaches are guarded throughout the summer by the country’s first lifeguard organization. Unlike some beaches, the water is safe thanks to a stringent state water-quality program. And even if they don’t venture into the water, guests can stroll along the expanse, ride a bicycle or tour the boardwalk on one of its famous rolling chairs.
Among the many attractions on the boardwalk is the Steel Pier Amusement Park, now undergoing a $4 million project to build the world’s largest observation wheel, which is scheduled to open later this year. Also being upgraded is the Pier Shops at Caesars, with a new owner slated to announce some exciting new concepts this year. Other attractions include the Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and the third tallest in the country; the Jimmy Buffet Entertainment Complex, which features Margaritaville and Landshark Bar and Beach Bar Casinos; and historic Boardwalk Hall, where at night the outside facade is transformed into a free 3-D light and music show with different themes for different seasons. Hundreds of restaurants and beach bars can also be found up and down the boardwalk.
