List of boardwalks in the United States

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This is a list of boardwalks in the United States by state. Boardwalks can be found around the world, but they are especially common along the East Coast of the United States.

Many of the original boardwalks in the United States have developed to be so successful as commercial districts and tourist attractions that the simple wooden pathways have been replaced by esplanades made of concrete, brick or other construction, sometimes with a wooden facade on the surface and sometimes not. Indeed in many parts of the U.S. today the term boardwalk often carries more the connotation of a waterfront, pedestrian, entertainment district than the original meaning of a wooden path. One of the earliest such boardwalks was designed in New Jersey and opened June 26, 1870, in Atlantic City.[1]

List

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Alaska

Eskimo villages of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska — Today, 10 feet (3.05 m) wide heavy-duty boardwalks are common in villages throughout this part of Bush Alaska. Tuntutuliak was the first village to receive them in the mid-1990s by way of a government funded program to determine whether they would be a worthwhile investment elsewhere. Before the existence of these boardwalks, a much narrower, lower, and less extensive system of boards and boardwalks served delta villages.[citation needed]

California

Newport Beach, California

Newport Beach's boardwalk is a concrete path running 2.9 miles from 36th Street to between E and F Streets on the Balboa Peninsula. It passes McFadden Square and Newport Pier, and Balboa Pier. The speed limit along the path is 8 MPH, to prevent conflicts among bicyclists, pedestrians, skateboarders and rollerbladers.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California

The Santa Cruz boardwalk, opened in 1907, is the oldest amusement park in California and the home to two national historic landmarks: the Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk no longer actually has any wooden boardwalks.

Venice Beach, California

This 2.5 kilometer boardwalk has a pedestrian walk, bike path, rollerskater and skateboard ramps, and restaurants. Venice Beach is famous for Muscle Beach, where bodybuilders work out. Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger worked out on Muscle Beach and made Gold's Gym famous in the 1980s.

Delaware

Bethany Beach, Delaware

Bethany Beach's boardwalk, while not as long as Rehoboth Beach's, connects the summer seaside resort's broad, sandy beach to motels, restaurants, and vacation homes. In 2011, Bethany Beach banned smoking on the beach and boardwalk.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach boardwalk

This mile-long boardwalk connects summer tourists with Rehoboth Beach's main attractions during the summer months, including high-end resorts, numerous shops, arcades, eating establishments and family amusement center. The town's main street, Rehoboth Avenue, intersects with the boardwalk.

Florida

Bay Lake, Florida

In Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, there is a resort with a boardwalk overlooking an artificial lake.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • Lakefront
  • Casino Boardwalk

Bossier City, Louisiana

Maryland

The boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland.

Ocean City, Maryland

This three-mile (5 km) long boardwalk is at the heart of downtown Ocean City, Maryland. Located at the eastern end of U.S. Route 50, it supports two amusement parks, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, as well as arcades, shops, restaurants, hotels, time-shares, and condominiums.

Massachusetts

Sandwich, Massachusetts

The Sandwich, Massachusetts boardwalk does not, strictly speaking, lead along the beach. Instead, it begins in a parking lot and leads through the salt marshes and out to the beach. It was destroyed in 1991 by Hurricane Bob and was then rebuilt through donations made by the townspeople. In turn, family names were carved into the planks of the boardwalk, and it is still used to this day. The boardwalk crosses a creek, where at high tide, visitors can jump off the bridge into the water.

New Hampshire

Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

This boardwalk is largely a tourist attraction. In fact, it is widely used for common shops where tourists can purchase souvenirs and trinkets to remember their trip.

New Jersey

New Jersey is the location of most of the boardwalks in the U.S., with nearly every town and city along the Jersey Shore area each having one boardwalk with various attractions, entertainment, shopping, dining, miniature golf, arcades, water parks with various water rides, including water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, etc., and amusement parks hosting various rides and attractions including roller coasters, carousels, Ferris wheels, bumper cars, teacups, etc. The first boardwalk in the world is in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Asbury Park's boardwalk is in the process of revitalization and has recently been connected to the neighboring town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

The boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey outside the Trump Taj Mahal.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

The amusement area in Keansburg, New Jersey houses vintage rides from the 1920s.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk was the first boardwalk in the United States, having opened on June 26, 1870.[1] The Boardwalk starts at Absecon Inlet and runs along the beach for four miles (six kilometers) to the city limit. An additional 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the Boardwalk extend into Ventnor City. Casino/hotels front the boardwalk, as well as retail stores, restaurants, and amusements. Several piers extend the boardwalk over the Atlantic Ocean. Garden Pier houses the Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center. The four story "Pier at Caesars" entertainment complex opened in July 2006. This boardwalk gained fame due to the board game Monopoly, which was based upon the trading and dealing of real estate in Atlantic City; in the game, Boardwalk is the most expensive property to purchase and develop, but also yields the greatest rent payoffs to its owner. Notable attractions include the Boardwalk Hall, House of Blues, and the Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum.

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed the northern part of the boardwalk fronting Absecon Inlet, in the residential section called South Inlet. The oceanfront boardwalk in front of the Atlantic City casinos survived the storm undamaged.[2][3]

The Boardwalk has been home to several piers over the years. The first pier, Ocean Pier, was built in 1882.[4] It eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished. Another famous pier built during that time was Steel Pier, opened in 1898, which once billed itself as "The Showplace of the Nation". It now operates as an amusement pier across from the Trump Taj Mahal. Captain John Lake Young opened "Young's Million Dollar Pier" as an arcade hall in 1903, and on the seaward side "erected a marble mansion", fronted by a formal garden, with lighting and landscaping designed by Young's longtime friend Thomas Alva Edison. Young's Million Dollar Pier, Atlantic City's largest amusement pier during its time",[5] was transformed into a shopping mall in the 1980s, known as "Shops on Ocean One". In 2006, the Ocean One mall was bought, renovated and re-branded as "The Pier Shops at Caesars" and, in 2015, it was renamed "Playground Pier." Garden Pier, located opposite Revel Atlantic City, once housed a movie theater, and is now home to the Atlantic City Historical Society and Arts Center.[6] Two other piers, an amusement pier named Steeplechase Pier and a Heinz 57-owned pier named Heinz Pier were destroyed in the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane.[7] Steeplechase was rebuilt after the hurricane, and survived into the casino era. The "Steeplechase Pier Heliport" on Steel Pier is named in its honor.[8] The last of the four piers still standing is Schiff's Central Pier, which is the only one still offering the same attractions it did when it opened – a few stores, and the playcade, having reopened in 1990 after an $8 million renovation.[9]

Panoramic view of Playground Pier.

Keansburg, New Jersey

Keansburg, New Jersey is regarded locally as a boardwalk town, with one of America's oldest shoreside amusement parks housing vintage rides dating back to the 1920s, but the amusement area fairway is now asphalt.

Ocean City, New Jersey

The 2.5 mile (4 kilometers) boardwalk in Ocean City has classic attractions and many newer additions. The 140-foot (42 m) Ferris Wheel can be seen from miles around, with views of Ocean City and the surrounding communities from the top. Other rides include roller coasters, carousels, bumper cars, water rides, and 11 miniature golf courses. Shops sell souvenirs and snacks, such as cotton candy, popcorn, pizza, and ice cream. Other boardwalk activities include enjoying the sunrise with a leisurely walk, a brisk jog, a bike tour, a ride on a surrey cart, or a meal at one of the many ocean front cafes .

Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

The Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk is located about seven miles (11 km) north of the Seaside Heights boardwalk. The promenade extends from the Manasquan Inlet in the northern end of the borough to the border with Bay Head in the south.

Seaside Heights, New Jersey

The 1-mile (1.6 km) long promenade is full of game stands, pizzerias, souvenir shops, beach gear stores, arcades and ice cream parlors drawing families, teenagers and adults alike. The Seaside Heights boardwalk was bookended by two 300-foot-long (91 m) piers that featured amusement rides, carousels, log flumes, roller coasters, Ferris wheels and more. One of these piers was the world-famous Casino Pier, home to a 1913 circa merry-go-round, the Niagara Falls log flume and the Jet Star roller coaster. The other was the Funtown Amusement Pier home to the Tower of Fear, Seaside's tallest Ferris wheel and a go-kart track. Across from Casino Pier is the redeveloped Jenkinson's Breakwater Beach waterpark (formerly WaterWorks). Many of the businesses were still family-owned and operated and had been almost as long as the boardwalk has been around.

The boardwalk was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 but has since been rebuilt.

File:Wildwood Stores North of BwkChapel.jpg
Wildwood, New Jersey boardwalk, from the front of the Boardwalk Chapel.

Wildwood, New Jersey

The 2-mile (3.2 km) long boardwalk has a total of three amusement piers plus a myriad of other carnival games, souvenir shops, food stands, water parks, and lots of rides including world-class roller coasters. The Boardwalk started out as a mere 150 feet (46 m). It has actually been moved closer to the ocean twice. Today, the boardwalk stretches for 38 blocks from 16th Ave in North Wildwood to Cresse Ave in Wildwood Crest. The Wildwood Boardwalk is said to have more rides than Disneyland. Kiddie rides include a convoy of airplanes, trucks, dune buggies, boats, and trains, along with bouncy giraffes, flying elephants, teacups, mini-Ferris wheels, and a traditional carousel to round out the mix. The Boardwalk piers also boast several water parks and a lot of other rides, and six roller coasters, including four major ones.[not in citation given][10] In 2008-2009 a section of the boardwalk was rebuilt.

New York

Coney Island boardwalk on a foggy night.

Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York

Riegelmann Boardwalk, located along the southern shore of Brooklyn along the Atlantic Ocean, Coney Island is known for the amusement parks along the 2.51 mile boardwalk. Many of its most famous parks no longer exist, but the boardwalk still hosts the Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel, as well as the New York Aquarium. A recent addition to the boardwalk is KeySpan Park, home of the minor-league Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team.

Jones Beach, New York

The 2 miles (3.2 km) long Jones Beach Boardwalk runs along the central section of the 10 mi (16.1 km) Jones Beach State Park, created during the administration of Robert Moses and opened in 1929.[11][12] It is accessible from the mainland via the Meadowbrook State Parkway or the Wantagh State Parkway. Apart from a few amenities such as a two bathhouses and several refreshment stands, the boardwalk is much less commercialized compared with other boardwalks in the region. The historic Boardwalk Restaurant, built in the 1930s and rebuilt in 1966[13] was demolished in 2004 pending redevelopment by Trump Entertainment Resorts.[14] It is expected to open in 2014.[15] The Boardwalk Bandshell, originally adjacent to the restaurant, was moved from the east to the west side of the central mall and still serves as a popular venue for summertime beachside concerts.[13]

Long Beach, New York

Long Beach, nicknamed "The City By the Sea" and once known as "The Riviera of the East", boasts a 2.2-mile (3.5-km) boardwalk east of New York Avenue, which was planned and developed in 1906-1907 by Tammany Hall-connected real estate developer and former New York senator William H. Reynolds. In an effective publicity stunt, Reynolds had a herd of elephants marched in from Coney Island's Dreamland amusement park, ostensibly to help build the boardwalk.[16][17][18][19]

Rockaway, Queens, New York

Rockaway boardwalk, 1903

The Rockaway Boardwalk is 5.5 miles long running from Beach 9th St. in Far Rockaway to Beach 126th St. in Rockaway Park at the edge of Belle Harbor.[20] While several unconnected sections were first built at the end of the 19th century, the entire length was completed in the 1930s. Today, a few sections have been rebuilt in concrete. Some sections of the boardwalk such as Edgemere and Arverne offer access to mostly uncrowded beaches. Other sections include playgrounds and bathroom facilities and tend to be very crowded, such as Far Rockaway and especially Rockaway Beach with its many eateries and bars. The sections of Beach 67th to 69th in Arverne and Beach 87th to 91st in Hammels are designated as surfing beaches. The boardwalk and its 170 acres of beaches is maintained by the NYC Parks Department and policed by the NYC Parks Enforcement Patrol. The Rockaway Boardwalk and beaches are notable in that their entire length is accessible to beach-goers by subway.

South Beach, Staten Island, New York

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk along South Beach is two and one-half miles long, which is the fourth largest in the world. Visitors enjoy strolling and bicycling throughout the year. From October to May, fishing is also permitted. The boardwalk was built in 1935, replacing an existing commercial boardwalk and tourist area that had been ravaged by fires, economic loss and the Great Depression. The boardwalk is part of a New York City public park that stretches from the Fort Wadsworth and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Miller Field. Both Fort Wadsworth and Miller Field are federal parks.[21]

South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The 1.2 mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, finished in 2010, was recognized later that year by National Geographic as the nations's #3 boardwalk behind the ones at Atlantic City and Coney Island.[22]

Texas

Kemah, Texas

The Kemah Boardwalk is a hotel and restaurant destination in Kemah, Texas, USA, which also features a small selection of amusement rides. The main attractions of the 35-acre (140,000 m2) complex, which opened in 2001, are its many restaurants overlooking Galveston Bay, recreational sailing, and rides. The area was developed by Landry's, which owns all of the restaurants on the boardwalk. Activities include shopping and midway games, as well as a miniature train that traverses the entire area. Additional attractions include a 36-foot (11 m) carousel a 65-foot (20 m) Ferris wheel and a new wooden roller coaster.

Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia's 3-mile (4.8 km) boardwalk features restaurants, entertainment, and many sporting events.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Today in History: June 26 at the Library of Congress
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Atlantic City Experience: 100 Years of the Garden Pier, Atlantic City Free Public Library. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  7. ↑ Flynn, Ed. "The Heinz Pier in Atlantic City a 'variety' of fun", Northjersey.com, March 7, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ Steeplechase Pier Heliport. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ Keough, W. F. "CENTRAL PIER RIDES AGAIN / A.C. GETS A FAMILY AMUSEMENT CENTER ", The Press of Atlantic City, June 3, 1990. Retrieved August 23, 2013. "Central Pier, vacant since the dawn of casino gaming, will re-open its doors Saturday in an $8 million effort by its owners to re-create one of the resort's most famous pre-casino attractions – its amusement parks. Visitors who plan to test the rides later this week at the city's oldest pier will be treated to the screaming upside-down rush of a Super Loop, or the musical lure of a merry-go-round by the sea."
  10. ↑ http://www.moreyspiers.com/
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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