1. Wildwood, Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Wildwood is one of the most popular and kitschiest boardwalks in the country. The Doo-Wop architecture evokes a nostalgic, honky-tonk atmosphere along the five-mile, free beach -- rated the top beach in New Jersey. The two-mile stretch of boardwalk has everything you could want, from funnel cakes to game houses and enough amusement rides to rival Disneyland. Great White, one of the more popular rides, is one of the tallest and fastest wooden rollercoasters on the East Coast. The boardwalk features three amusement piers and two water parks with waterslides and 500-gallon bucket dumping. A festive strip of arcades, shops and restaurants are also along the boardwalk. Kite flying is also big at Wildwood; the beach holds the International Kit Festival over Memorial Day weekend.
Recommended Hotels: Adventurer Oceanfront Inn or The Starlux Hotel
2. Coney Island Boardwalk, New York
One of the country's most famed boardwalks is one of the country's oldest: Coney Island. The 2.7-mile beach gives New Yorkers respite from the confines of a concrete city. Coney Island hosts a carnival-style boardwalk with Tickler (a spinning roller coaster), a corkscrew coarse that kids drive through called Air Race and 17 other rides. Freakshow performances feature sword swallowers, fire-eaters and snake charmers. The Coney Island Museum teaches visitors about the history of the boardwalk and the ever-evolving American Popular Culture. For lunch, visit the famous Nathan's Famous and taste some of the most popular hot dogs in the nation.
Recommended New York Hotels: Hotel Elysee or Casablanca Hotel
3. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California
Santa Cruz Beach, deemed the "Coney Island of the West," offers a Carnival-style boardwalk with Giant Dipper roller coaster (circa 1924), Looff Carousel (both historical monuments recognized in the U.S. Distinguished%252529. This is one of the few carousels where riders on the outside grab rings and throw them into a clown head's mouth, the sound of bells ringing when a child gets it in. Newer rides are also at the boardwalk, like the Double Shot free-fall ride and Haunted Castle, built in 2010. Families can grab chocolate dipped foods (even bacon!), make nut clusters and munch on English toffee at Marini's Candies. In the summer evenings, visitors enjoy free concerts on Friday nights.
Recommended Hotels: Sunset Inn or Hampton Inn Santa Cruz
4. Chicago Navy Pier, Illinois
Not all beaches are on the ocean; Chicago enjoys a lakefront location on Lake Michigan -- a body of water so big it seems like an ocean missing only the huge waves. Baby waves are perfect for young children, and older children can engage in sailing, kayaking or swimming. Built in the early 1900s, and the largest pier of its time, Navy Pier has 50-acres of parks, promenades and attractions. Family-friendly events and entertainment are always happening on the Pier. Pier Park is on the upper deck with a Ferris wheel of 150 feet, a musical carousel with 36 animals, an old-fashion Wave Swinger and a miniature golf course. A giant, anchored Aeroballoon takes up to 18 people at a time, showing beautiful views of the skyline at a thrillingly high altitude. Kids can walk through a funhouse maze or play miniature golf, too. There's something for everyone! If you need to get out of the sun, break for a movie the IMAX Theater or see live performers at the Family Pavilion Stage. Make sure to visit on a Wednesday or Saturday night during the summer to witness a larger-than-life fireworks show.
Recommended Hotels: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago or The James Chicago
5. Old Orchard Beach Pier & Boardwalk, near Portland, Maine
Old Orchard hosts the only beachfront amusement park left in New England in Maine's famed Coastal region. Palace Playland offers a huge arcade, a carousel and Kiddieland for young ones. Thrill-seeking children can ride the Galaxi Coaster or Gondola Ferris Wheel. Funtown/Splashtown U.S.A. is an amusement and water park for families. Home to Maine's only wooden rollercoaster, the theme park has many rides, slides, pools and arcades. Maine Indoor Karting offers a premier go-kart course for kids between the ages of 8 and 15; a miniature golf course is also in this facility. The boardwalk's summertime entertainment continues onto a wooden pier where local lobster and fries are served with a splash of malt vinegar, followed by black raspberry ice cream. Families can watch taffy in the making at Dickinson's Candy Factory, offering 27 festive flavors. During the summertime, family-friendly events are put on by the town, such as fairs, fireworks and free concerts.
Recommended Hotels: Hidden Pond or Bar Harbor Inn
6. Kemah Boardwalk, near Galveston, Texas
Families at Kemah, near Galveston, Tex., step into the old world of carnivals, riding on wooden roller coasters, a 65-foot Ferris wheel, a double-decker carousel, a reproduced 1863 Central Pacific Huntington Train and a dozen more free-swinging, spinning and dropping rides. Animatronics of elephants and gorillas live in the rainforest exhibit, and a tank allows children to pet stingrays and ride in a 140-passenger open speedboat. Young kids especially like riding the Red Baron airplane ride and playing in the Dancing Fountains, 75 water jets that shoot water 10 to 12 feet in the air. The summer fair atmosphere runs all year long. When hunger strikes try out, head to Aquarium -- a theme restaurant that serves high-quality seafood amid large fish tanks.
Recommended Galveston Hotels: Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center or Hotel Galvez & Spa
7. Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia
Virginia Beach is home to a three-mile boardwalk that evokes a nautical theme with an Old Coast Guard Station, the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and sea-centric sculptures like a 34-foot statue of King Neptune (God of the Sea). Right across from the pier, the small 15th Street Amusement Park offers a carnival atmosphere with rides like the wild, spinning Skyscraper that shoots you up into the air. Kids also gravitate toward the Hurricane, Music Express, Comic Storm and Inverter. Families also love the four-seat surrey bikes, which can be ridden along a bike path parallel to the promenade to small, peaceful parks off the beach. When you need a bite to eat, sample the local blue crab at Crab 31 Restaurant. Live music venues are also along the boardwalk and beach.
Recommended Hotels: Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront or Ocean Beach Club Resort
8. Mission Beach -- Pacific Boardwalk, San Diego
Like the city of San Diego, Ocean Front caters to outdoorsy people with Hamel's Surf Shop offering kayaks, surfboards, bikes and beach toys. Surfers have an alternative at FlowRider, a man-made wave generator machine that is easier for beginners to learn on. FlowBarrel also creates 10-foot waves for pros. A few minutes from the boardwalk, Belmont Park is an amusement park with The Giant Dipper roller coaster, a carousel and arcades. Sometimes, after most of the day at the beach, you just want to get out of the sun! This is where The Plunge, an Olympic-size indoor pool, comes in handy.
Recommended Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad or Loews Coronado Bay Resort
9.Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach has a mile-long boardwalk in the center of its 60-mile stretch of beach and is chock full of golf courses and mini golf amid high-rise hotels. A newly renovated 11-acre section of the boardwalk hosts events like the Beach Life Festival. Monday nights typically see a kid's carnival atmosphere with inflatable bounce houses, face painters, jugglers, stilt artists and balloon artists. Live concerts and strolling musicians or bands are often on the boardwalk. Pier House Restaurant offers oceanfront dining and a kids' menu with games and tasty comfort food. Set off the boardwalk, Family Kingdom Amusement Park is the area's only seaside theme park, offering more than 30 rides that include a wooden roller coaster, a waterslide called Log Flume and a 110-foot freefall Slingshot Drop Zone. Oceanfront Waterpark is across the street, showcasing waterslides, pools, kiddie slides, waterfalls and a lazy river.
Recommended Hotels: Holiday Shores Motel or Harbourgate Marina Club
10. Long Beach Boardwalk, near Seattle, Oregon
Away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle is a quiet coastal area filled with rugged beaches. Two centuries ago, the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored this beach. Guests can take the exact 8.5-mile Discovery Trail -- part of which crosses right beneath the boardwalk. Like the age-old explorers, nature-loving families will be happiest at this boardwalk. It offers a quiet, subdued atmosphere with bald eagles, red-backed sandpipers and snowy plovers flying overhead. A giant gray whale skeleton is on display, often flocked by curious kids. The World Kite Museum has 1,500 kites on display, including military kites from WWII, Chinese dragon kites and horse-shaped Indonesian kites. With no snack bar on the beach, it's important to pick up sandwiches in town before you get there.
Recommended Hotels: Holiday Shores Motel or Harbourgate Marina Club
11. Ocean City, Maryland
A three-mile boardwalk, Ocean City is a popular destination for families who want games, arcades, rides and more. Antique rides include the Herschel-Spellman carousel built in 1902. The Life-Saving Station Museum lets guests peak into the history of rescue teams and shipwrecks. Families can ride trams up and down the boardwalk. During the evenings, the beach comes alive with performers. Monday and Friday nights, families can watch free movies on the beach in the summertime. Also in the summer, the beach hosts a Family Beach Olympics event on Tuesday evenings. Make sure to try some famous Thrasher's Fries, with a splash of malt vinegar.
Recommended Hotels: Francis Scott Key Resort or Park Place Hotel
For more ideas for family vacations check out:
- 10 Best Caribbean Family Resorts
- 10 Best Beaches for Families
- 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts
Share tips and tricks on our Family Beach Vacations forum.
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