3 NJ boardwalks ranked among US top 15, according to national travel site
It’s just New Jersey’s incredible beaches that are getting national acclaim as the summer starts. The boardwalks that help make those beaches special are getting noticed as well.
TrendingTravel.org recently posted a list of the 15 best boardwalks in the United States. Garden State boardwalks made up a fifth of the list, with three making the cut. Atlantic City, Wildwood and Seaside Heights were all among the 15 featured on the list.
Atlantic City’s boardwalk was the first on the list – though to be fair, the list was alphabetical. When NJ.com ranked the best boardwalks in the state back in 2018, AC clocked in at No. 6. Here’s what Trending Travel had to say about the boardwalk Bruce Springsteen made famous with one of his best songs:
Even if this list was not alphabetized, the AC’s boardwalk deserves to be mentioned first. After all, it was America’s first, opened way back in 1870. On top of that, it’s one of the longest and among the East Coasts’ most famous boardwalks. Extending over 4 miles, the iconic pedestrian pathway connects several of the AC’s top attractions, like casinos, retail shopping, piers and the famed Boardwalk Hall. Lastly, if it gets too hot, the beaches are just footsteps away.
Seaside Heights, the boardwalk made famous (well, infamous) by the MTV hit “Jersey Shore” was the next Garden State entrant. It came in at No. 4 on NJ.com’s list. Trending Travel also took note of the boardwalk’s TV history:
With so many boardwalks along the Jersey Shore, it’s a shame to leave some out. Of course, there are hotspots, like Long Branch and Asbury Park. That’s also not to mention Point Pleasant. However, there’s something special about the 2.1-mile wooden boardwalk in Seaside Heights. First of all, it connects to Casino Pier, among the nation’s top amusement parks. If that’s not enough, Seaside Heights was also the setting for MTV’s popular realty TV show Jersey Shore.
Wildwood, which was No. 2 on NJ.com’s list, was the last New Jersey boardwalk mentioned by Trending Travel. The site praised Wildwood’s lengthy boardwalk, as well as its amusement park:
Last but certainly not least, is yet another famous boardwalk along the Jersey Shore. Dating back to 1890, the original wooden boards are obviously gone. However, in its place is an impressive walkway, stretching across 38 blocks. Along the two-mile pathway is everything one would expect in a nationally recognized destination. Indeed, there are souvenir shops, snack bars and Morey’s Piers, one of the best amusement parks in the country. What’s more is the Sightseer Tram service, as well as a popular Doo Wop museum.
The New Jersey boardwalks were in good company. Others on the list include Daytona Beach and Hollywood Beach in Florida, Jones Beach in New York, Ocean City in Maryland and Mission Beach in San Diego.
Those are nice, but they ain’t Jersey.
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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.