With the 4th of July just round the corner, we’re going all-out for one of our favourite American institutions – the boardwalk. Whether it’s the traditional American boardwalk with candyfloss and rides, fish and chips on the pier in Brighton or the sound of samba along the Copacabana, there’s a boardwalk out there for you to explore.
Here are the best of the States’ boardwalks:
Atlantic City Boardwalk – Atlantic City, New Jersey
What was once an attempt to keep sand out of hotel carpets, Atlantic City’s boardwalk has become one of the most renowned. As America’s first boardwalk, it flaunts world-class attractions, hotels and shopping, all along the water’s edge, expanding over several piers. Just off the boardwalk is Atlantic City’s bustling casino industry and exciting nightlife. And thanks to the success of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, interest in Atlantic City’s tumultuous history is at an all-time high, providing visitors with plenty of opportunities to relive the bygone era. Search and compare cheap flights to Atlantic City.
Kemah Boardwalk – Kemah, Texas
A boardwalk in Houston? We know what you’re thinking, but Kemah has become the Galveston Bay area’s most popular entertainment park in a short amount of time. Boasting loads of amusement park rides, including the renowned Boardwalk Bullet roller coaster, the Boardwalk is also open year-round. The Beast is another Kemah favourite, taking passengers out in a speedboat on the bay, and making high-speed turns to ensure that no passenger stays dry. Another plus: there’s plenty of shopping and dining in and around the area. Search and compare cheap flights to Houston.
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk – Brooklyn, New York
Though Coney Island has taken a hit in recent years, selling portions of its beachfront property for development, it still remains an icon. Featured in dozens of movies and home to the original Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the infamous Cyclone roller coaster (which is now a National Historic Landmark), the quirky Mermaid parade and outlandish sideshows, Coney Island’s legacy lives on. Sitting on a vast expanse of sandy beach, it’s an ideal spot to get away from nearby New York City. Search and compare cheap flights to New York.
Wildwood Boardwalk – Wildwood, New Jersey
The Wildwood Boardwalk has become a mega-boardwalk, boasting more rides than Disneyland. It ventures two miles along the Jersey Shore and encompasses five piers. Rides range from 140-foot-high Ferris wheels to 1,000-gallon dumping buckets. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, the Great White is the East Coast’s tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster. And if you’re there during peak summer hours, behold plenty of concerts, monster truck rallies and even sporting events. Search and compare cheap flights to New Jersey.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Santa Cruz, California
One of the few boardwalk parks left on the West Coast, Santa Cruz is still a bustling hotspot. Flaunting more than 35 rides, the boardwalk brings in more than three million visitors annually. Fashioned after popular East Coast boardwalks, like Coney Island and Atlantic City’s, the Santa Cruz boardwalk prides itself on its current successes. While other boardwalks in America have come and gone, Santa Cruz, established in 1907, has stood the test of time. Search and compare cheap flights to Los Angeles.
Venturing overseas? Take a jaunt down one of these international boardwalks, starting with our very own…
Brighton Beach – Brighton, East Sussex
Just an hour from London, Brighton is the perfect mix of beachside fun during the day and a booming club and bar scene at night. Brighton Pier, just off the promenade, has exciting rides, arcades and great bars open late during the summer. Fish, surf or simply people watch, and make sure to see the fire twirlers show off their graceful talent along the walkway during the sunset hours. And of course, your dinner will consist of fish and chips in the sea air.
Promenade des Anglais – Nice, France
Nice isn’t complete without a stop at the Promenade des Anglais, or La Prom for short. Resting along the Mediterranean Sea, La Prom is known for its breathtaking views. Visitors definitely want to rent a seat in the one of the famous blue chairs that looks out over the Bay of Angels or the art deco architecture. And it wouldn’t be a boardwalk if there weren’t plenty of walkers, bikers, and rollerbladers. Search and compare cheap flights to Nice.
Changi Point Coastal Walk – Changi Point, Singapore
A much more subdued version of the typical boardwalk, Changi only stretches for three-quarters of a mile, but manages to cross over exquisite terrain. There are six segments that make up the coastal walk, all owning a distinctly unique environment, such as the forested Cliff Walk and the stilted Kelong Walk which travels over the water. You won’t find fire twirlers or Ferris wheels here, but instead a peaceful atmosphere, evocative of the natural surroundings. Search and compare cheap flights to Singapore.
Copacabana Beach – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Distinct from other beach boardwalks in Rio, the two-toned, wave-shaped walkway of Copacabana is one of the most famous in the world. It travels two-and-a-half miles along the Avenida de Atlantica, which bustles with people walking, biking, rollerblading or jogging. On the beach, there is plenty of activity, from beach volleyball to surfing. From the boardwalk, there are 360-degree views, whether it’s the ocean or the famed Sugar Loaf Mountain. Search and compare cheap flights to Rio de Janeiro.
Gold Coast Oceanway – Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Not your traditional beach boardwalk, the Oceanway is a 22-mile pathway that follows the Gold Coast through several beaches, from the Gold Coast Seaway to the Point Danger Lighthouse. Due to its length, the Oceanway offers an array of environments from quaint surf towns to more cosmopolitan areas, and there are plenty of opportunities to picnic. Visitors can also rent bikes to ride along the path from one point to another. Search and compare cheap flights to Gold Coast.
(Images: Featured boardwalk, h-away, Nice, Chris Wevers; Singapore, edwin.11; Brazil, exfordy; UK, pixelfreund.ch; Australia, Gary Hayes; Houston, soonerpa; Wildwood, Anarchius; Atlantic City, shinya; Coney Island, Jen_Mo; Santa Cruz, Scott Schrantz)
