The carousel costs four tickets. . Along the boardwalk, youll also find a variety of tasty treats thatll take you back to your childhood, like crispy fry buckets at Chickies & Petes, ice-cold lemonade from Bobs, caramel corn from Johnsons Popcorn, and an array of freshly made fudge and saltwater taffy at Shrivers. Wash it down with a perfectly balanced tart but sweet lemonade and it's a combo made in boardwalk dining heaven. Spinning, roaring, stomach-churning rides. All 18 boardwalks in New Jersey, ranked from worst to best 1. Ocean City Boardwalk: The best boardwalk for families with teens and younger children - See 1,894 traveler reviews, 499 candid photos, and great deals for Ocean City, NJ, at Tripadvisor. Asbury Parks one-mile-long boardwalk is teeming with top-notch shopping, drinking, dining, and entertainment. Bike rentals are available from 6 to 10 am. Come visit us at the Lucky Snake Arcade for an unforgettable experience! Hit the Shore. The perfect balance of old-school and touristy. The citys oceanfront asphalt-covered promenade stretches from 29th to 57th Streets, and travelers can easily spend an afternoon here. And let us know what we got wrong in the comment section. We have hundreds of games and activities to choose from. Photo taken at Moreys Piers, Wildwood Boardwalk Best boardwalk in NJ for families - Tripadvisor Kids Can Create Giant Sand Sculptures in Wildwood Crest However, there are no great rides here. - See 1,907 traveler reviews, 539 candid photos, and great deals for Ocean City, NJ, at Tripadvisor. Bobby Olivier may be reached [email protected]. If you're 2, though, the fire trucks warrant 5 stars our toddler was still talking about it days later. Call 1-800-VISITNJ for free publications. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our. If you're looking to set up camp right in the middle of the boardwalk action, head to the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th street beaches. #salsavaya @salsacycles @revelatedesigns, A post shared by Karl Weiss (@hungusbrews) on Jun 24, 2018 at 6:27am PDT. Nice tribute to the soldiers that fought in the . RELATED: 7 Great Jersey Shore Lighthouses to Visit With Kids Jenkinson's Aquarium is open year-round for winter-time fun. Another exciting attraction along the Atlantic City boardwalk isRipleys Believe or Not! Ocean Ave from 1st to 20th Ave, Belmar NJ (GSP exit 98). Head straight to one of the many destinations atMorey's Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, where you can take a turn on the nostalgic carnival rides, get an adrenaline rush on one of the extreme roller coasters, try your hand at a variety of entertaining games and get wet and wild at one of the water parks. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In the land of Jersey boardwalks, Ocean City simply can't be beat! The offerings were limited, though. When youre hungry, the Boardwalk Bar & Grill has seafood, salads and pasta. Ocean City Music Pier hosts a summer concert series at the height of the season, with performers this year including Kristen Chenoweth, Kimber Sprawl, Michael James Scott, and more. Kids love the rides, games, mini golf, skeeball, batting cages and more! After much consultation with my Jersey peers, I went with three big hitters: For these big three, I compared several categories: food, top rides, unique attractions and beach access. Yeah, it's pretty awesome. With a lid on, the sticky corn could last a week before losing its snap --- although our bucket only lasted two days before it was completely devoured. Asbury Parks boardwalkis lined with unique shops, eclectic restaurants, arcades and cafes. Photo taken at the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. . 8/19/22 - By Andy Fenwick Asbury Park's current and continuing turnaround amazes anyone who remembers this New Jersey beach town's disrepair in the late 1980s. Visiting Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk with Kids: Top 30 Things To Do Asbury Park's beach and boardwalk beckon families and day-trippers. Shawn Michaels Casino Pier (Seaside Heights) "Don't be fooled by the name: Casino Pier is a family-friendly destination. Among the best boardwalk eats are Douglass Candies, The Chillin Pineapple, Doo Wop Diner, and Hassles. Johnson's Caramel Corn: This is the kind of sweet, salty crunchy delight I continued to think about well after our massive, family-sized bucket was gone. Iconic. Marriott's Fairway Villas. Upset stomachs were a given, as well as a budget for Tums. At Fodor's she created the first Southern Africa and African Safari guidebooks, which in turn has led to more than a dozen trips to southern and eastern Africa, including gorilla trekking in Uganda and a comically unfortunate horseback ride in the Kalahari Desert. Crowded, but not overrun. The loaded BBQ fries and trash can nachos will be a hit with the kids. Checking out the Atlantic City Boardwalk today! Coin Castle is one of the best arcades on the boardwalk with Skee-Ball, crane machines, slots, video games, and more; meanwhile, the yet-to-open water park, SeaSpray Park, is sure to make a splash in the best way possible. Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, Saltwater Taffy, shops, and the sea line the Ocean City Boardwalk in New Jersey. Atlantic City, New Jersey. 20 Things To Do in Atlantic City With Kids - Mommy Poppins Ocean City: Considered the most family-friendly boardwalk. Stop by Martells Tiki Bar sans kids for a strawberry daiquiri or tequila sunrise. Ride your bike on the boardwalk from 5am-noon. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Photo taken at the Seaside Heights boardwalk, Seaside Heights Boardwalk Whirling, twirling and thrilling, this was the most action-packed of the boardwalks I visited. We said back then that if you were there for the boardwalk, you had come to the right place. Laura, born and raised in New Jersey, is a mom to a 4-year-old daughter, with a baby boy on the way in July. This year, bonfires on the beach are back on different nights throughout the summer. Go figure. The Silverball Museum has more than 6,000 pinball machines you can marvel at and play for an admission fee (no quarters required). Explore the shore! New Jersey Korean War Memorial. Its a decent mix of people. She has worked as an editor at both Frommer's and Fodor's travel guides, editor at large for Bonnier's Travel Group (Islands/CTL/Saveur) and was a media spokesperson for both Fodor's and Travelocity. The jam-packed boardwalk stretches for 2.5 miles, with shops, arcades and attractions on both sides of the walkway. While youre in the area, head to nearby Margate City to see Lucy the Elephant, a National Historic Landmark. With its family-friendly amusements, live music performances and an alcohol-free atmosphere, this is an ideal beachfront spot to take the kids. Ocean City, NJ (GSP exit 30N or exit 25S). This boardwalk is exactly what you'd expect from New Jersey's version of Las Vegas. Kids Can Create Giant Sand Sculptures in Wildwood Crest, This NJ Hotel Was Named One of the Most Romantic, Peddlers Village Scarecrows in the Village Kickoff Weekend. Stepping into Eds Funcade (which has two boardwalk locations) feels like youve traveled back in time with its bright lights and old-school games, including ample claw machines and Skee-Ball. As long as you can get a funnel cake hot from the fryer, covered with powdered sugar and eaten out in the sunshine, it's hard to complain. The list is not in any special order, just the "eight" selected. The family fun at Jenkinson's Boardwalk is endless. MTV's "Jersey Shore" gave this place a bad name, but as far as boardwalks go, it's hard to beat the sheer amount of attractions. Anyone over the age of 10 will probably prefer bigger thrills. It revs up a 120-foot slope, it reels over three separate 360-degree turns and then it goes backwards and does it all again. Walk it or ride aboard a Sightseer Tram Car. If you walk far enough down the bustling Atlantic City boardwalk, you'll find yourself on its much more chill little sister, Ventnor City. Take a morning bike ride with a view or a serene stroll at sunset. Lou Russo Published: July 6, 2023. AC has the oldest (built in 1870) and longest boardwalk in America. Marriott's Fairway Villas are a perfect place to take an off-the-beaten-path trip to Atlantic City. Come for the rides (there are kiddie rides for the little ones and coasters for the big kids! #vacation #atlanticcity #oceanview, A post shared by Jessica (@thejbird182) on Jul 19, 2018 at 9:36am PDT. Keansburg Amusement Park and Boardwalk This lesser-known Jersey Shore boardwalk is full of family fun and amusements. The good news is that reputable personal injury lawyers work on contingency. In the name of research, most of our group walked nearly five miles on each boardwalk (the 2-year-old either ran full speed or rode in the stroller), enduring a record-setting heat wave and then epic rainstorms. (Ride tickets are $1 each, or 50 for $40; most little kids' rides cost three tickets.). In the past, I've seen everything from a Mummer's Parade marching along the boards to an a cappella group performing in one of the covered pavilions. Seaside Heights is a hotbed of entertainment and attractions, and the Casino Pier& Breakwater Beach Waterpark is just the start of the action happening along the one-mile boardwalk. If you plan on staying the night, snag a room at the sleek Asbury Ocean Club, which boasts an incredible outdoor pool and bar area. Check here before booking an award fare. It's a type of tomato pie, meaning the sauce is on top of the cheese. Just some planks and a few lamps overlooking the small beach in Allenhurst, barely 1,000 feet long. 29 Dennis Street, 732-846-3216. Post-dinner, stop for dessert at Sundae Best, which has two locations (one in town and one right on the boardwalk). The Casino Pier also has an amusement park with state-of-the-art rides, classic boardwalk amusement rides and childrens rides. There are big dunes protecting the beach here, so you'll have the best views from up high on the Ferris wheel. If you want to feel the sand between your toes, you'll need to buy a beach badge for daylight hours access between Memorial Day and Labor Day ($5 per day; many beaches in New Jersey also require a fee to enter). Get there early or around sunset for the best experience. Wildwood, NJ (GSP exit 4N or exit 4B-S). Box 460, Trenton, NJ 08625. Families also will love playing a game of, Get Travel Ideas Directly from NJ Destinations. I could not convince even the toddler to try the "walking nachos" (a kind of Fritos pie made with Doritos and served in a metallic convenience store bag). The Best Boardwalks To Visit This Summer in New Jersey Summer in the Garden State means hitting the boards for some epic family fun! Out on Steel Pier, you're limited to state fair-style funnel cakes, sausage and peppers, and some vaguely Mexican options. When hunger calls, grab a bite (or a cocktail) at local mainstays like Seahorse, The Break, Dawgs on the Boardwalk, The Iron Whale, Marucas Tomato Pies, Stella Marina, or Asbury Oyster Bar. A post shared by BoneXRay (@raymonddavern) on Jul 14, 2018 at 2:22pm PDT. Step outside the resorts and casinos to take a ride on a rolling chair along the boardwalk the way they did back in 1880! Take the kids to the historic Gillians Wonderland Pier or Playlands Castaway Cove, both of which have nostalgic attractions, including an array of coasters and swings. This bustling, two-and-a-half-mile boardwalk is home to rides, games, and attractions galore, many of which can be found at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. It's hard to argue with this kind of nostalgia. The beginnings of the famed Atlantic City boardwalk date back to 1870, and families have been making memories there ever since. In the casinos, you can find restaurants ranging from Nobu to several outposts by Gordon Ramsay. Theres a handful of big-name casino hotels situated along this four-mile stretch, such as the aforementioned Ballys, Tropicana, and Caesars. Like Las Vegas, the prime restaurants and entrainment all take place in the windowless confines of the towers where you can never really tell what time it is. This is a fun option, but not appealing to my group of six people since it would have cost me several hundred dollars beyond my boardwalk budget. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit, Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter. Aquatic enthusiasts of all ages should also check out Jenkinsons Aquarium, which features animals such as penguins and Atlantic sharks, as well as a touch tank where visitors are able to interact directly with the wildlife and workshops for children of all ages. The 30 Best Restaurants in New Jersey | New Jersey Monthly Today it offers sightseeing trips down the coastline and around Atlantic City (prices from $75 per person), giving visitors a one-of-a-kind glimpse of New Jersey's golden shores. Ventnor City Boardwalk. Neither looked appealing enough to risk losing lunch or limb. Boardwalks are quintessential to the Jersey Shore experience. Drive down the Garden State Parkway (GSP) or take NJ Transit to visit New Jersey's most famous boardwalks. Now its a great mix of young (Mogo, APYC, new restaurants coming to the northern end) and old (Madam Maries, Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre). Nothing looked great, to be honest, and we had trouble committing to eating any of it. In fact, this boardwalk is home to one of the best family amusement parks in New Jersey. So which boardwalk reigned supreme? We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Ocean City is a dry town, a carryover from an age of "blue laws" that regulated alcohol sales and consumption. Congratulations to America's first boardwalk, Atlantic City, for being named the best in America. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Photo by Josh Kinney Ocean City's beaches are clean and well-kept. Belmar, New Jersey. Please try again. Two of the main draws are Gillian's Wonderland Pier and JiLLy's Arcade. ", You might not love the ubiquitous Wildwood tram car's ear worm jingle, but it's an unmissable (and convenient) part of a visit to the boardwalk, and the winner for the "only here experience.". My teen equated the experience to being in a pinball machine, if you can picture being pulled all the way back and then ricocheted through tight turns, curves, and spins. Spring Lake Boardwalk Spring Lake's non-commercial & wide stroller friendly boardwalk along the beach seems to go on for miles. We've ranked the beaches, and now we're ranking the 18 New Jersey oceanfront boardwalks taking general quality, parking availability, food and drink accessibility, and crowd into consideration. Spring Lake offers low-key fun within close proximity to Asbury Park's more lively scene. Its a historic shore town known for its sandy shore, ongoing development, music and art scene. As the restaurant turns 40 in September, the food is contemporary, ranging from scallops with charred corn, oyster mushrooms and saffron aioli to fresh house-made pastas and prime rib-eye steaks dry-aged in house 45 days, pan-seared and served with saffron aioli. Families also will love playing a game of miniature golf, exploring the Fun House, going on the 7D Dark Ride or listening to legendary Frank Sinatra tunes at Sinatra House. 19 of the best boardwalks in America | CNN Here's what happened. Most people go to AC to gamble, but the 168-year-old Atlantic City boardwalk is the oldest and longest in America, and you should see it at least once. 5. Museum, where visitors can marvel ateverything from the worlds smallest production car to real shrunken heads. You know you want to sneak onto N.J. beaches for free. Walk down toward the Manasquan Inlet for a respite. Embrace the classic and kitschy summer vibes at these Jersey Shore boardwalks. Theres a great carousel for the young and young-at-heart that evokes the nostalgic history of Long Branch. With 38 blocks of fun, over 100 rides, three beachfront waterparks, arcades, mini-golf, go-carts and escape rooms, this boardwalk is truly a summer paradise for families. ), the Skee-Ball, video games, batting cages and of course tons of games up and down the boardwalk. As a born-and-bred New Jersey resident, I grew up going "down the shore" (how any authentic Jerseyian refers to the beach), spending days jumping the waves and evenings heading to the boardwalk. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Gillian's Wonderland Pier,Playland's Castaway Cove andOC Waterpark are excellent attractions, while there is an abundance of classic food options, including Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard. Whats the best part of going to the beach? While you're here, don't miss the historic Steel Pier,built in 1898. The two taffy fans in the group proclaimed the molasses and sour cherry flavors the best of the bunch, but not every piece tasted fresh. Post your comments below and maybe challenge yourself to visit all eight of these locations this summer.