Curious Parents Places to Go

Summer Fun

Boardwalks Equal Fun & Fitness
By Carol Reed

“On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City….” the old song goes. Atlantic City was the original “queen.” But, other boardwalks line the coast as well. Each has its own distinct personality and each offers different attractions and ambience.

Asbury Park: Northern New Jersey is the home of Bruce Springsteen. The town and boardwalk are undergoing a facelift, but there is a bleak magnetism here that will soon be gone. Try to catch it while the old buildings still exist, like “Madame Marie’s” brightly painted fortune telling booth made famous by Bruce. The old Casino Pier with its verdigris brass rococo trim is closed. It once contained a skating rink, roller derby, and amusements. The Casino has been a backdrop for the “Soprano’s” TV show and in the movie “City by the Sea.” Bring your camera to capture a landscape soon to be gone. In the next few years, the city promises shops, arcades, and goodie stands.

Ocean City NJ: Very family friendly, clean, and safe Ocean City has the modern “IT” boardwalk for the wholesome crowd. Enjoy relatively gentle amusement rides, water slides, or play miniature golf. “Graze” on Philly cheese steaks, pizza, fudge, and freshly made caramel-candy popcorn. Watch salt water taffy and fudge being made. Ocean City is a “dry town,” and alcoholic beverages are not sold within the town limits. Shop in clean and classy boardwalk stores and boutiques. Several “surfer” shops feature clothes and surfing equipment. The ocean side Music Pier offers variety for the whole family, from live music to silly contests, like a “dog beauty pageant.” The Flower Show, the Miss New Jersey Pageant, and the famous Ocean City Pops call the Music Pier home. Art and craft exhibits line the boards in warm weather. Dress is casual-preppy.

Atlantic City: The long-time standard for boardwalks is now a conglomeration of casinos, dollar stores, food, music, glitz and kitsch. Folks come from all over the East Coast, as well as from overseas. Several casinos have beachside “Tiki” bars with outdoor entertainment and light meals, which are open in nice weather. Atlantic City has one of the only remaining free beaches in New Jersey, but facilities for day-trippers are limited. Shopping can be pricey in the designer stores. Along the boards, however, shopping can be downright inexpensive for souvenirs. Reasonably priced snacks such as fries, burgers, pizza, ice cream, and salt-water taffy can be readily purchased as you walk. The Tropicana has a newly opened boardwalk mall with reasonable “sit-down” meals including a “rib joint.” Of course, each casino boasts several gourmet/trendy restaurants where reservations are required and dress is more upscale. There are a few amusements for children with the old Steel Pier offering rides and helicopter tours. The casinos offer indoor arcades. If you tire of strolling, old-fashioned rolling chairs can whisk you from place to place. Dress ranges from grunge to semi-formal. Miss America still rules in September…watch the boardwalk parade for free.

The Wildwoods: A long, amusement oriented boardwalk that appeals to families and to groups of teens. Lots of sound and lights, lots of food –especially Italian, and many games of “skill” with prizes. It is very popular and can get crowded. Morey’s Piers and Mariner’s Landing offer fun for thrill seekers as well as for the kiddies. Roller coasters are extravagant and impressive. There is a large water park with changing facilities and plenty of refreshments. There are arcades with state-of-the-art video games and old-fashioned ski-ball. Dress is casual, with shorts, tee shirts, jeans and the like.

Seaside Heights: (Northern NJ) Seaside is known for its many games and wheels of “chance” where prizes range from stuffed animals to televisions, bicycles, and more. Food is the second most popular item, with the famous “sausage sandwich” topping the bill. The aromas are irresistible and food stands are everywhere. Although the boardwalk is not long, there are oceanfront arcades and amusement rides at the Fun Town Pier and Casino Pier with a water park for all ages. There is also the Doubleplay Indoor Batting Center and miniature golf as well. A vintage carousel dating from 1920 is located at Sherman Street. Ride on antique horses and listen to a genuine Wurlitzer organ. Souvenirs are reasonable and include the usual tee shirts, surfer items, and beach toys. Crowds can be large in summertime, so hold on to the little ones. Reasonable parking is found in the municipal lot that is within walking distance of the boards. The crowd comes mainly from “North Jersey” and New York. Dress is trendy-casual.

Avalon has a small, family-oriented boardwalk with small shops, ice cream stands and arcades. The city is interested in conserving its natural setting, so there are no big amusement rides. Dress is summer-casual.

Carol Reed is a middle school teacher & freelance journalist who specializes in travel writing. Carol’s journeys have taken her as close to home as the New Jersey Pines & as far as the islands in the Caribbean, New Zealand & Australia.