Is it really summer in New Jersey if you haven’t been to the boardwalk? With spring almost here and Jenkinson’s open for the season, we’re planning our beach days, arcade stops and where to grab boardwalk fries. Inspired by a recent Travel + Leisure ranking, we’re looking at the New Jersey boards we love to return to every year for rides, snacks, beach access and all the other Shore traditions that keep us coming back.
Asbury Park Boardwalk: Best for music and food
Asbury Park tops the list, thanks to a boardwalk scene that mixes live music, eclectic shopping and great food.
The Grand Arcade and Convention Hall is a hot spot during pop-up market weekends. Music can be heard from The Stone Pony or Wonder Bar. The Silverball Retro Arcade is a fun throwback spot for pinball and the Asbury Splash Park is a great spot to cool off with the kids.
Aside from food trucks that line sections of the boards, grab a matcha to go at Offshore Coffee Co., a burger at Mutiny Beach, a Korean taco at MOGO (when the pop-up accompanies the Cookman Avenue storefront) and a cookie-filled milkshake at Sweet Tooth.
Pro tip: Dogs aren’t allowed on the boardwalk, but they can run straight for the sand at the Asbury Park Dog Beach, open from mid-May through September.
Ocean City Boardwalk: Best for classic family fun
Coming in at number 2, Ocean City’s Music Pier is a huge draw year-round. Although the historic Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closed, you can still hit up the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Playland’s Castaway Cove (Ocean City’s oldest amusement park has 32 rides), OC Waterpark & Adventure Golf, and four other mini golf spots.
There are tons of festivals and events here, everything including Easter Bunny photos, sports and comic books shows, family fun runs, block parties, farmers markets, sand sculpting contests and even hermit crab races.
Named one of the coolest cities in New Jersey by the Discoverer, foodies come to OC for Shriver’s authentic saltwater taffy, Johnson’s Popcorn, JiLLy’s French Fry Factory and Manco & Manco Pizza.
Pro Tip: The city has a smartphone mapping tool so you can find parking in real time, a huge bonus for families who have to lug their beach chairs, wagon and cooler to find their perfect spot on the sand.
Avalon Boardwalk: Best for a quieter Shore day
No. 3, Avalon, has a half-mile-long boardwalk that runs from 21st Street to 32nd Street, though the town is known as 7-Mile Beach. You’ll see lots of water lovers out on the ocean, either swimming, kayaking, on stand-up paddleboards or surf fishing.
This isn’t a commercial boardwalk, so there’s lots of room to stroll, push a carriage, walk a dog or bike along the boards.
Happenings include weekends dedicated to music, arts, nature, beach walks and historical tours; an Art & Authors celebration; a Summer Solstice Festival; and the Arts & Seafood Festival.
Pro Tip: Avalon offers free sunscreen in partnership with the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. Look for yellow dispenser stations along the beach.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk: Best for younger kids
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant ranked 4th for its kid-friendly attractions. With everything from the Adventure Lookout Ropes Course and virtual 7D Dark Ride to the interactive Fun House and arcades, the boardwalk is packed with options on the daily. The amusement park area has 28 rides, including bumper cars, a mini Ferris wheel, tea cups, and a train that travels around the park.
Aside from all the cute creatures at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, special programs for littles include Penguins & Pajamas, yoga, Seal-abrations, and Junior Keepers programs.
Get some grub from Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Joey Tomato’s or Little Mac’s. No trip is complete without an ice cream cone from Kohr’s.
Come summer, pack a beach chair for the free outdoor movies and concerts on the beach.
Pro Tip: Try to arrive early, because before 8 am, you can find free parking off of Ocean Avenue – but those street spots fill up quickly.
Wildwood Boardwalk: Best for rides and nostalgiaÂ
The boardwalk through The Wildwoods ranked No. 5 on the T+L list, stretching from Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and the seawall in North Wildwood, through Morey’s Piers’ three areas in Wildwood, down to the hotel-friendly Wildwood Crest section.
Along the bike path, check out the schedule at the Wildwoods Convention Center; or walk across the street to the Doo Wop Experience Museum (did we mention it’s free?), which was recently voted the No. 1 Pop Culture Museum in the country by USA Today.
Morey’s Piers offers three areas of 100+ amusement park rides and attractions, a water park and grab-and-go boardwalk snacks. Throughout the year, Morey’s is home to tons of events – everything from beach football, hockey and wrestling, to the Bier Run and Oktoberfest, to festivals for nearly every holiday on the calendar.
If you’ve got everyone in tow – including pets – head to the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach so everyone can get their zoomies out. And don’t forget to pack your cowboy boots and hat for line dancing (or just a BBQ dinner) at Honky Tonk Saloon. The next morning, head to MudHen Brewing’s Station House for their mega brunch.
Upcoming events include the Barefoot Country Music Fest in June, the sand sculpting competition in July, and the Thunder Over The Waves Air Show in September. There are lots of free events, fireworks, concerts and movies throughout the summer, too.
Pro Tip: The Wildwood Historical Society and George F. Boyer Historical Museum is worth a visit, even though it’s downtown. You’ll see thousands of photos and artifacts that go back to the 1800s, from doo-wop vinyl record albums to pieces of The Wild Mouse and Giant Slide to the dolphin sign from the Dolphin Restaurant to mementos from Castle Dracula.Â
8 of the Best New Jersey Boardwalks, According to Travel + Leisure (2026):
1.      Asbury Park Boardwalk
2.      Ocean City Boardwalk
3.      Avalon Boardwalk
4.      Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
5.      Wildwood Boardwalk
6.      Atlantic City Boardwalk
7.      Seaside Heights Boardwalk
8.      Sea Isle City Promenade
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
The Country’s Best Boardwalk is in New Jersey, According to USA Today Readers
These Are New Jersey’s Best Boardwalks
Mini Vacations in New Jersey: 5 Short But Sweet Getaway Ideas
