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With summer just around the corner, the dream of a warm day on the boardwalk is becoming a reality.
As one of the most quintessentially American experiences, boardwalks are more than just a break from the sandy beaches. They offer classic food experiences, various forms of entertainment and gorgeous ocean views.
To determine the best boardwalks in the country, USA TODAY staff consulted a panel of experts before turning to readers for a vote. South Jersey dominated the ranking, taking three of the 10 spots. Another New Jersey spot cracked the top 10 as well.
Best boardwalks in America
The following boardwalks have been ranked as the 10 best boardwalks nationwide, according to the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards:
- Wildwoods Boardwalk — Wildwood, New Jersey.
- Kemah Boardwalk — Kemah, Texas.
- Ocean City Boardwalk — Ocean City, New Jersey.
- Carolina Beach Boardwalk — Carolina Beach, North Carolina.
- Atlantic City Boardwalk — Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Venice Beach Boardwalk — Venice, California.
- Ocean Beach Park Boardwalk — New London, Connecticut.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — Santa Cruz, California.
- Virigina Beach Boardwalk — Virigina Beach, Virgina.
- Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach — Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.
Wildwoods Boardwalk
What started as a 150-yard boardwalk in the 1890s has now turned into a 38-block adventure.
Winning first place in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, the Wildwoods Boardwalk is packed with shops, restaurants and bars. Its water parks and amusement pier feature more than 100 attractions, making it an ideal way to spend a summer day.
This is the second year in a row that the boardwalk won the contest.
Additionally, the Wildwoods Boardwalk took fourth place in the 2017 best New Jersey attraction contest and fourth place in the 2016 best boardwalk competition.
Ocean City Boardwalk
Earning the third spot in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, the Ocean City Boardwalk is a bustling 2.5-mile experience.
The boardwalk offers a variety of fun, ranging from amusement parks, carnival rides and mini-golf courses. It’s also home to the historic Ocean City Music Pier, which has been in operation since the 1920s.
In addition to this year’s award, the Ocean City Boardwalk won eighth place in last year’s boardwalk contest and second place in the 2017 New Jersey attraction contest.
This year, Ocean City also took home seventh place in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for best main street, shouting out Asbury Avenue as a vibrant downtown right near the boardwalk.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
As the world’s longest boardwalk, the Atlantic City Boardwalk consistently ranks among the best boardwalks in the country.
This year, the boardwalk took home the fifth spot in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. The boardwalk also made the list in 2025 and 2016, earning sixth and 10th, respectively.
The boardwalk was first built in 1870, making it the world’s first boardwalk.
Among the classic shops, restaurants and stores are a multitude of notable casinos, giving the Atlantic City Boardwalk a stark difference from many other boardwalks.
Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at [email protected]. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
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