5 Iconic Boardwalks in the US
Couple of things say summer like the sun, the shoreline, and the boardwalk. Fixed with merchants, arcades, and stores loaded with various knickknacks, boardwalks are an apparatus of the American sea culture. Each late spring, a huge number of individuals run to promenades to encounter the one of a kind sights, sounds, and experiences.
As a salute to all things boardwalk, here are the main 5 that are scattered all through the United States.
5. Oceanfront Boardwalk, San Diego, CA
If you’re an outdoorsy person, this boardwalk is perfect for you. The three-mile boardwalk runs along Pacific and Mission beaches and has plenty of space for surfing, kayaking, biking, and beach volleyball. Want to rent a fun beach toy? Head over Hamel’s Surf Shop. If you want to catch some amusement, the Belmont Park amusement park is perfect with the Giant Dipper roller coaster and other terrifying rides.
Pro Tip:
- If the heat is getting a bit too much, stop by The Plunge, an Olympic-size indoor pool.
- The FlowRider is a artificial wave pool for beginning surfers and the FlowBarrel is a continuous 10-foot barrel wave for the real surfers.
4. Huron Boardwalk, St. Ignace, MI
Constructed over the past 35 years, this is a gorgeous location, with a boardwalk lined by spruce and maple trees. The boardwalk hugs the scenic shore for a mile, all the way from Kiwanis Beach Park to American Legion Memorial Park. Small shops dot on one side and the majestic Lake Huron sits on the other. In the National Historic Landmark Museum of Ojibwa Culture, you can learn about a birch-bark canoe and handmade Native American crafts.
Pro Tip:
- The coconut-laced German chocolate fudge at Murdick’s Fudge Kitchen is absolutely to die for.
3. Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah, TX
This boardwalk is a perfect throwback to the sights, sound, and even energy of a traditional carnival. It’s a half-mile-long, family-oriented boardwalk centered around a beautiful amusement park, complete with a thundering wooden roller coaster, a massive 65-foot Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a stunning reproduction of an 1863 Central Pacific train. On top of that, the park includes an African elephant and gorilla animatronics in a rainforest exhibit, a stingray petting tank, a 140-passenger speedboat ride, and an aquarium-themed restaurant. Given the fun atmosphere with many interesting attractions it might serve as inspiration for those who own their own dock to start making customizations.
Pro Tip:
- If you’re roasting in the heat, you can cool off in the Dancing Fountains, which is 75 water jets that spray water 10–12 feet into the air.
2. Long Beach Boardwalk, Long Beach, WA
This is a nature lovers, bird lovers paradise. A true gem in the forest. The half-mile wooden boardwalk crosses sandy dunes, and careful observers will spot bald eagles, red-backed sandpipers, and rare snowy plovers. If you’re a history buff, you’ll be pleased to know that the boardwalk crosses paths with the Discovery Trail, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored.
Pro Tip:
- Make sure you prepare appropriate food. There is no snack bar, so bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the many picnic tables.
- The World Kite Museum features a dizzying array of 1,500 kites, including military kites from World War II, Chinese dragon kites, and bird- and horse-shaped Indonesian kites.
1. Ocean City Boardwalk, Maryland
Located at the southern tip of Ocean City, Maryland, this three-mile boardwalk is usually packed with people on summer evenings. Featuring a grand variety of shops, eateries, amusements, night life and lodging, this boardwalk is the perfect mix of history, culture, modern convenience, and fun. If you need to stay overnight, there are an array of Ocean City hotels available!
Pro Tips:
- You absolutely must try Thrashers French fries, complete with a dousing of vinegar.
- Antique rides, like the Herschel-Spellman carousel built in 1902 provide amazing vintage ambience.
- The Life-Saving Station Museum gives you an inside look at the history of shipwrecks and the rescue teams that came to their aid.
Your Next Vacation
Now that we have given you a taste for, promenades, shorelines, and smashing surfer art, better reserve your spot now, as hotels in these destinations fill up quick. You can arrange a boardwalk outing each year, taking you across the nation, giving you access to both lovely scenes and showy carnivals, not to mention some of the best food on the planet!.