A cool sea breeze and bright lights against the evening sky give boardwalks their signature nostalgic feel. Fried foods and festivities only add to the enjoyment.
The country’s coastlines have plenty of incredible boardwalks and piers for groups to visit. These places teem with fun, whether visitors choose to enjoy amusement park rides, sample mouthwatering boardwalk treats, or peruse the shops and many other sights.
We recommend delighting in a combination of experiences at these boardwalks and piers across the country.
Navy Pier
Chicago
Stretching 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is one of the Windy City’s biggest attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. Originally opened to the public in 1916, the pier was a successful venue for commerce until the 1940s. It served several other purposes for the city until it was reimagined as an entertainment district and renovated in the ’90s. It’s been a highly successful draw for locals and tourists. In addition to rides, it has dozens of shops, attractions and activities.
“Navy Pier is the lakefront treasure of Chicago,” said Erika Taylor, vice president of arts, culture and engagement at Navy Pier. She added, visitors get “a really great taste of the entire city.”
Some of the most popular activities for groups are the cruises that depart from the pier. Groups can opt for a sightseeing cruise of the Chicago skyline or an architecture-themed cruise highlighting some of the city’s coolest structures along the Chicago River. There’s also the park itself, which features rides like the Centennial Wheel, a historic carrousel and a drop tower in addition to other games. Shopping is another evergreen favorite; visitors can stroll along the pier and browse the stores for gifts, apparel, sweets, art and other eclectic goodies.
At mealtimes, travelers can opt for some of Chicago’s famous foods, such as deep-dish pizza, at grab-and-go stands. Group-friendly restaurants include Chef Art Smith’s Reunion, Harry Caray’s Tavern and Ciccio, which serves corned beef among other Italian favorites.
If they time it right, groups can catch some of the park’s free programming. Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the park hosts spectacular evening fireworks displays, and groups will frequently find live bands and movies in the park.
Coney Island
Brooklyn, New York
One of the East Coast’s most historic and best-known boardwalks can be found on Coney Island, a beachfront neighborhood and park in Brooklyn. It’s often called the birthplace of amusement parks and has amassed a broad range of thrilling rides and attractions. At about an hour’s drive from Manhattan, it’s a great way for groups visiting New York City to spend a summer afternoon — or a full day — at the beach.
Technically, Coney Island’s boardwalk is called the Riegelmann Boardwalk. It’s 2.7 miles long and serves as an access point into Coney Island’s multiple amusement parks and attractions. Luna Park is home to the Coney Island Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster first opened in 1927. It’s the second-steepest wooden coaster in the country and an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, even inspiring the name for Brooklyn’s minor league baseball team. The adjacent Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is home to the Wonder Wheel, the neighborhood’s oldest ride. There’s also a historic carousel, the Phoenix Roller Coaster, the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster, a skating rink and a go-cart course.
Dozens of restaurants and food stands line the boardwalk and the surrounding blocks. Coney Island is known for its hot dogs, and Nathan’s Famous is widely considered the signature vendor. It’s the site of the International Hot Dog Eating Contest, held annually on July 4. But there’s also Paul’s Daughter, a restaurant known for carnival food such as cotton candy and fries, and Ruby’s Bar and Grill, which has traditional bar fare.
To learn about the history of the beloved neighborhood and boardwalk, groups can visit the Coney Island Museum. They can also catch any one of its programs, from Flicks on the Beach to Friday Night Fireworks.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, California
Watching the sun set over the ocean is one of the most rewarding parts of visiting a boardwalk on the West Coast. And with its laid-back atmosphere and gorgeous weather, Santa Monica, California, is just the place to do that. The Santa Monica Pier has been one of the city’s greatest treasures since it was constructed in 1909 and gained popularity as a fishing pier. Now, it’s home to many iconic photo ops, such as the neon Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign and the marker for the end of Route 66.
The pier’s biggest attraction is Pacific Park, an amusement park with 12 rides, including the Pacific Wheel (the first solar-powered Ferris wheel and a great photo-op) and the West Coaster. Traditional carnival games are found throughout the park. The pier also has a historic carousel, an arcade and the Heal the Bay Aquarium, a little aquarium dedicated to protecting and preserving marine life at the pier. There are plenty of street performances and even historic walking tours to entertain groups.
The pier’s eateries include plenty of traditional carnival foods, like corndogs, funnel cakes, popcorn and cotton candy, as well as seafood at restaurants like The Albright and Bubba Gump Shrimp. But there’s also a Mexican twist to the pier’s food scene, with restaurants like MariaSol Cocina Mexicana, Churro Man Company and Pier Tamales. An old-fashioned soda fountain and a Japanese-style hotdog kiosk add to the eclectic assortment of beach foods. Groups may also enjoy a visit to the food court, where a wide variety of tastes can be accommodated.
For a bonus boardwalk experience, groups can head a couple miles down the beach to the Venice Beach Boardwalk, which is known for its arts and culture scene.
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach’s Boardwalk and Promenade is pretty much synonymous with a visit to the South Carolina city. The 1.5-mile stretch on Ocean Boulevard is packed with entertainment, and with plenty of motorcoach parking, it’s exceptionally group friendly.
“It is very nostalgic; it’s kind of like walking down memory lane,” said Sandy Haines, director of group tour sales at Visit Myrtle Beach. “It’s a wooden boardwalk that is color-themed with beachy, rustic colors, and we have murals along the way.”
One of the boardwalk’s most iconic attractions is the SkyWheel, which opened in 2011. The 187-foot-tall Ferris wheel has enclosed climate-controlled gondolas. Groups can hop in and ride to the top for unparalleled views of Myrtle Beach and the ocean during any season. If they’re looking to do a little shopping, the must-visit location on the boardwalk is the Gay Dolphin, a family-owned gift shop opened in 1946 with multiple levels of trinkets and gifts for any traveler. Additionally, arcades on the boardwalk feature everything from pinball to Skee-Ball, and Ripley’s Crazy Golf is a great place for groups to try their hand at mini-golf.
There’s no shortage of eateries either. Peaches Corner, one of the oldest restaurants on the beach, is known for its foot-long hotdogs and ice-cold beers. Bummz Beach Café is another favorite for seafood, sandwiches and burgers. Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery is a wonderful way for travelers to cool off and indulge their sweet tooth.
For live entertainment beyond the arcades and artists along the boardwalk, groups can stop into a live music bar such as The Bowery, where the band Alabama got its start.
Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah, Texas
Groups visiting the Gulf Coast don’t have to forego a great boardwalk. Kemah Boardwalk, across the bay from Galveston, Texas, has been delighting visitors for decades with the attractions decorating the 60-acre entertainment complex. It’s home to 14 amusement park rides, including a zip-line attraction and a 54-room boutique hotel called the Boardwalk Inn.
“The beautiful views of Galveston Bay are obviously a big draw for people,” said Jacob Bigger, general manager of the Kemah Boardwalk. “It’s scenic and it’s quite relaxing.”
Events are another huge draw for the boardwalk. They are held year-round and include everything from a traditional, German-themed Oktoberfest (complete with stein-holding contests) to a summer concert series featuring many genres of music. Halloween and Christmas are celebrated with Boo on the Boardwalk and Jingle on the Boardwalk, respectively. There are also retail shops, carnival games and a dinner yacht that is available for public and private cruises.
Like other destinations on the Gulf Coast, the Kemah Boardwalk is known for its great seafood. It has six full-service restaurants, all featuring picturesque views of the bay. Visitors can opt for any type of cuisine, from steaks to sweets. The Flying Dutchman Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a popular choice for seafood and burgers, while Aquarium Restaurant is renowned for the underwater-themed dining experience and massive fish tank. When it comes to carnival food, some of the boardwalk’s most popular treats include massive turkey legs and funnel cakes stuffed with Oreos and topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar and chocolate sauce.
Groups looking to explore more of the Houston and Galveston area can purchase the Adventure Pass, which gives them access to Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, Galveston’s Pleasure Pier and the Kemah Boardwalk.
