New Jersey Shore: Find Your Favorite Boardwalk
New Jersey’s iconic boardwalks are some of America’s most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors annually. The state has over 1,000 miles of coastline, but only a handful have been designated as “boardwalk” areas.
New Jersey’s Boardwalks offer something for everyone – whether you want to enjoy family fun time or go on an adventure-filled day trip. Some of these beaches are known for their nightlife, while others are better suited for relaxing by the water and enjoying the great views. Regardless of which beach appeals to you, finding a spot to relax and unwind will be easy.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of options available. There are hotels located right along the shoreline, and many of them offer views of the ocean. If you prefer staying somewhere quieter, motels and inns are available.
If you’re planning to visit during the summer, expect to see many people enjoying themselves. Many of these beaches are packed with families who come to spend time together. Others are filled with college students who flock to the area to party all weekend long. Whatever your reason for visiting, make sure to bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen!
Atlantic City Boardwalk
The Atlantic City Boardwalk runs from the southern end of the city’s main beach to the northern end of its second beach and was built between 1936 and 1938. The Boardwalk is one of only two remaining WPA-built structures in Atlantic City, the other being the Atlantic City Convention Center.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk attracts about 3 million annual visitors, making it the largest amusement park in the world. The Boardwalk features several fun rides and thrill rides, including roller coasters, bumper cars, Ferris wheels, carousels, and kiddie rides. In addition to the rides, the Boardwalk offers shopping, dining, live entertainment, and arcades.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is located in the heart of Atlantic City. The hotel has a casino, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, an outdoor pool, spa services, and more. The property features 1,000 guest rooms and suites, including over 100 suites with balconies or terraces overlooking the Boardwalk. The hotel also offers a variety of meeting spaces for up to 500 guests.
Atlantic City Miniature Golf
The Atlantic City Miniature Golf Course is a 9-hole, par 3 course located at the Boardwalk. The course was designed by Gary McCord and opened in 1989. It has been voted one of the top 10 courses in New Jersey by NJ Monthly Magazine.
Central Pier Arcade and Speedway
The high-tech arcade has over 100 games, including pinball machines, air hockey, skee ball, pool tables, darts, foosball, and more. There is a large selection of food item such as pizza, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, etc. They also have a full bar with beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty drinks.
Steel Pier
The Steel Pier was built in 1898 and soon gained fame for its entertainment shows featuring the world’s best performers. Today, the Steel pier offers amusement games, entertainment, boardwalk fare food, and helicopter flights.
Garden Pier Boardwalk
The Garden Pier Boardwalk is a 1.5-mile long, open-air walkway that runs along the Hudson River in New Jersey. The pier was built in 1894 by the New York and Long Branch Railroad Company to serve as an access point for passengers traveling between New York City and Atlantic City. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.
The Garden Pier Boardwalk is home to the Atlantic City Aquarium, which houses over 300 species of fish and marine life. The aquarium also includes exhibits dedicated to sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, and stingrays.
Atlantic City Historical Museum (ACHS)
The Atlantic City Historical Society was founded in 1978 to preserve the history of Atlantic City. The museum is located at 611 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Today, the museum contains thousands of historical objects related to the history of Atlantic City and the surrounding area.
Atlantic City Art Center (ACC)
The mission of the Atlantic City Art Center is to exhibit art at its best.
The ACAC has been serving as an exhibition space for artists since it opened in 1969 and is located at the end of Boardwalk Hall Pier, which extends out into the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the most unique locations in the world for viewing art. The ACAC is open year-round, with special events throughout the summer months
The ACC also promotes cryptocurrency trading as artists can earn some extra income by following their passions. As Bitcoin rises in value, so too does its trading volume.
Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk (Jenkinson’s)
Along the Point Pleasant boardwalk, there are so many things to see and do! Located in the heart of a busy tourism area, the boardwalk is easily navigated using the free brochures provided at each station.
All along the southern stretch of the boards (where the action is,) you will find arcades, wheels of chance, games of skill, food, rides, and gift shops.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is located at the northern end of the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk. The aquarium has a large collection of marine animals, including sharks and stingrays.
Martell’s Tiki Bar
For decades, the legendary Tiki Bar has been at the heart of the Point Pleasant Beach community and most of the Jersey shore.
With an island atmosphere, Martell’s Tiki Bar is known for merriment with themed bars, great food, tropical cocktails, and a dance floor that has been consistently voted “Best of the Best” for Monmouth and Ocean counties.
The Beach Bar at Seaside Park has hosted some of New Jersey’s most popular bands for years.
Jenk’s Club
At Jenks’ Club, the evening is yours. Enjoy the Atlantic breeze as you dance, sip drinks, and enjoy time with friends.
The club has a full bar with over 100 different types of beer on tap. The menu features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, pasta dishes, seafood, and more.
Castaway Cove Mini Golf
Castaway Cove offers an 18-holer for golfers who want to play a pirate-themed course. A course allows golfers to explore the cave dwellings of the pirate lair. The second course takes place outdoors and above the shipwreck. The courses feature multiple channels for watching movies, including a stream channel and a waterfall channel.
Manasquan Inlet
The Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk ends at the Manasquan Inlet, which is a prime fishing area. This is where you’ll see countless commercial fishing boats, recreational boaters, and party boats.
Avalon Boardwalk
Cape May County’s Avalon Boardwalk is perfect for short jaunts as it is only about a half-mile long. Bicycles are allowed, but only between 5:00 and 10:00 AM—a great choice for a quieter boardwalk that is easy to navigate.
“There is an arcade, a pizzeria, an ice cream shop, as well as a playground and skate park.”
Ocean City Boardwalk
The Ocean City Boardwalk is a popular destination for both tourists and local residents. The boardwalk was constructed in the 1920s and has undergone renovation since 2008 to make it safer and more accessible for tourists. It’s not just for tourists; it’s also home to many shops and restaurants that stay open year-round. The boardwalk is two and a half miles long and is known for having a clean, well-kept shoreline.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
The Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is a fairly new amusement park that opened in the summer of 2016. It was built on top of the old pier, which had been closed for many years and was being used as a storage facility. The new pier has an area with a large slide, a small play structure, a climbing wall, and numerous rides. There’s also an old-school glass house that continues to amuse and delight those who get lost inside.
OC Waterpark
The new water park at the Oasis of the Seas is a great addition to this ship. The slides are fun and challenging, but not too scary for little ones. There’s also an interactive play area with plenty of activities for kids.
Dining options on board include three main dining rooms, two specialty restaurants, buffet-style eateries, casual eateries, and bars and lounges.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
The Seaside Heights Boardwalk is a boardwalk in the borough of Seaside Park, New Jersey. It runs along the beach from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway and is one of the longest boardwalks in the United States. The boardwalk was built in 1925 as part of the construction of Seaside Heights. In 2007, the boardwalk received $2 million worth of renovations, including new lighting, benches, trash receptacles, and landscaping.
The Seaside Heights Boardwalk is home to Casino Pier (see below).
Casino Pier at Breakwater Beach
The Casino Pier is a historic pier located in the city of Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was built in 1891 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 20, 1974. The pier has been home to many famous performers, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and more.
You’ll find many nostalgic rides at Casino Pier, including bumper cars and Disk’O, as well as a huge Ferris wheel. There are arcade games, mini-golf, and midway games.
Ashbury Park Boardwalk
Devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ashbury Park Boardwalk now thrives. Located in the borough of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey, it boast rides, games, shops, restaurants, and more.
Ashbury Park features several roller coasters, including the Skycoaster, the world’s first steel looping coaster; the Thunderbolt, a wooden roller coaster; and the Big Dipper, a family ride featuring a drop. Other rides include the Super Loop, a spinning roller coaster; the Tilt-A-Whirl, a classic carousel; the Giant Slide, a giant slide; and the Fun House, a haunted house attraction.
In addition to its rides, Ashbury Park Boardwalk offers a variety of food and drink vendors, live music performances, and carnival games.
The Jersey Shore Boardwalk is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Jersey. There are plenty of things to do at this beachfront attraction, such as visiting the famous boardwalk shops, eating some delicious food, and enjoying the beautiful views from the ocean.