Boardwalk A boardwalk is a wooden path for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles . Boardwalks are often found along beaches , but they are also common as paths through wetlands , coastal dunes , and other sensitive environments . Although boardwalks can be found around the world , they are especially common along the East Coast of the United States in North America , where they have many of the functions of a city street and are often tourist attractions themselves . The first boardwalk was designed in New Jersey and opened June 26 , 1870 , in Atlantic City . Famous boardwalks The Boardwalk in Atlantic City , outside the Trump Taj Mahal Wildwood Boardwalk — From the front of the Boardwalk Chapel Atlantic City , New Jersey — The Boardwalk starts at Absecon Inlet and runs along the beach for four miles ( six kilometers ) to the city limit . An additional one and one half miles ( two kilometers ) of the Boardwalk extend into Ventnor City . Casino/hotels front the boardwalk , as well as retail stores , restaurants , and amusements . Several piers extend the boardwalk over the Atlantic Ocean . Garden Pier houses the Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center . The four story `` Pier at Caesars '' entertainment complex opened in July 2006 . This boardwalk gained notoriety due to the board game Monopoly , which was based upon the trading and dealing of real estate in Atlantic City ; in the game , Boardwalk is the most expensive property to purchase and develop , but also yields the greatest rent payoffs to its owner . Wildwood , New Jersey — The 2 mile ( 3 kilometer ) long boardwalk has a total of five amusement piers plus a myriad of other carnival games , souvenir shops , food stands , waterparks , and world-class roller coasters . The Boardwalk started out as a mere 150 feet ( 45 meters ) . It has actually been moved closer to the ocean twice . Today , the boardwalk stretches from 16th Ave in North Wildwood to Cresse Ave in Wildwood Crest . The Wildwood Boardwalk is said to have more rides than Disneyland. [ citation needed ] Kiddie rides include a convoy of airplanes , trucks , dune buggies , boats , and trains . Flying elephants , teacups , bouncing giraffes , mini-erris wheels , and a traditional carousel round out the mix . Children are said to line up for their chance to sit in the driver 's seat of the bumper car ride. [ citation needed ] Ocean City , New Jersey — The 4 kilometer ( 2.5 mile ) boardwalk in Ocean City has classic attractions and many newer additions . The 140-foot ( 42 meter ) Ferris Wheel can be seen from miles ( kilometers ) around , with views of Ocean City and the surrounding communities from the top . Other rides include rollercoasters , bumper cars , water rides , and tens of miniature golf courses . Shops sell souvenirs and snacks , such as cotton candy , popcorn , pizza , and ice cream . Other boardwalk activities include enjoying the sunrise with a leisurely walk , a brisk jog , a bike tour , a ride on a surrey cart , or a meal at one of the many ocean front cafes . Seaside Heights , New Jersey - This 1 mile long , action-packed boardwalk in one of the most famous in the world and probably the third most visited in New Jersey . The promenade is full of game stands , pizzerias , souvenir shops , beach gear stores , arcades and ice cream parlors drawing families , teenages and adults alike . The Seaside Heights boardwalk is bookended by two 300-foot long piers that feature amusement rides , carousels , log flumes , roller coasters , ferris wheels and more . One of these piers is the world-famous Casino Pier , home to a 1913 circa merry-go-round , the Niagara Falls log flume and the Star Jet roller coaster . The other is the Funtown Amusement Pier home to the Tower of Fear , Seaside 's tallest ferris wheel and a go-kart track . Across from Casino Pier is the redeveloped Jenkinson 's Breakwater Beach waterpark ( formerly WaterWorks ) . Point Pleasant Beach , New Jersey - About 7 miles from Seaside Heights , the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk ( frequently known as Jenkinson 's Boardwalk ) is similar to the boardwalk found in Seaside Heights , but is a bit more subdued . The promenade extends from the Manasquan Inlet in the northern end of the borough to the border with Bay Head in the south . Right in the middle is the Jenkinson 's Amusements/Jenkinson 's Boardwalk area brimming with rides , games , carnival food , miniature golf , fun houses , souvenir shops , and the excellent Jenkinson 's Aquarium . The Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk is the first `` real '' boardwalk ( with rides , food , games , entertainment ) on the Jersey Shore coming from the north and attracts many weekenders from North Jersey and New York City . Coney Island , Brooklyn , New York — Riegelmann Boardwalk , located along the southern shore of Brooklyn along the Atlantic Ocean , Coney Island is known for the amusement parks along the boardwalk . Many of its most famous parks no longer exist , but the boardwalk still hosts the Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel ferris wheel , as well as the New York Aquarium . A recent addition to the boardwalk is KeySpan Park , home of the minor-league Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team . The boardwalk in Asbury Park Asbury Park 's boardwalk is in the process of revitalization and has recently been connected to the neighboring town of Ocean Grove , New Jersey . Hampton Beach , New Hampshire — This boardwalk is largely a tourist attraction . In fact , it is widely used for common shops where it is possible for tourists to purchase souvenirs and trinkets to remember their trip . Sandwich , Massachusetts — This boardwalk does not , strictly speaking , lead along the beach . Instead , it begins in a parking lot and leads through the salt marshes and out to the beach . It was destroyed in a powerful storm and was then rebuilt through donations made by the townspeople . In turn , family names were carved into the planks of the boardwalk , and it is still used to this day . Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk , Santa Cruz , California — This boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California and is the home to two national historic landmarks — the Looff Carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster . The boardwalk was opened in 1907 . Toronto , Ontario , Canada — The Beaches neighbourhood has a boardwalk along its scenic Lake Ontario shoreline . It runs 3 kilometers from Ashbridge 's Bay in the west to the R.C. Harris Filtration Plant in the east . Venice Beach , California — This 2.5 kilometer boardwalk has a bike path , rollerskaters and skateboard ramps , restaurants , sunglasses , and plenty of tourists . Venice beach is famous for muscle beach , where body builders work out . California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger worked out on Muscle Beach and made Gold 's Gym famous in the 1980s . Keansburg , New Jersey 's boardwalk houses one of America 's oldest amusement parks , which houses vintage rides dating back to the 1920s . Virginia Beach , Virginia 's 3-mile boardwalk features restaurants , entertainment , and many sporting events . Marsh boardwalk in Point Pelee , Ontario , Canada Other boardwalks An isolated village in rural SW Alaska . Eskimo villages of the Yukon - Kuskokwim Delta , Alaska — Today , 10 foot ( 3 meter ) wide heavy-duty boardwalks are common in villages throughout this part of Bush Alaska . Tuntutuliak was the first village to receive them in the mid 1990s by way of a government funded program to determine whether they would be a worthwhile investment elsewhere . Before the existence of these boardwalks , a much narrower , lower , and less extensive system of boards and boardwalks served delta villages . See also Plank road External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to : Boardwalks The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Travel Channel — Best American Boardwalks Ocean County Boardwalks The Star Ledger — Photograph Gallery `` New Jersey Boardwalks '' Categories : Articles with unsourced statements | Transport infrastructure | Footpaths Boardwalks 