Help! My ten year old just asked, "Mom, what is a boardwalk?" He's used to the outer banks and the Caribbean. Anyway, can anyone recommend a clean, quiet, uncrowded beach that would be within driving distance of a great touristy, great for kids boardwalk? I'd like the town to have single family homes for rent, also. Am I asking too much? Does such a place exist? I HATE Ocean City, Maryland! Thanks....

Longport in south NJ was usually less crowded than others, and it's within driving distance of Ocean City, NJ boardwalk, which is probably the best for kids in the area. Cape May is quite nice, as well, but really no place will be too sparse of people!

We love Ocean City NJ

Another vote for Ocean City, NJ. The best family boardwalk! You can rent a house- but you probably won't have a pool- unlike the outer banks. If you want an uncrowded beach for the day- you could drive down to the south end (or rent there) where it will be much less crowded. Then "walk the boards" in the evening. You can also rent bikes and ride on the boardwalk in the morning.

Rehobeth Beach, Delaware might work for you. Lots of single family stuff, but more expensive than OBX beaches.
One of your problems is going to be that there is a certain mutual exclusivity when combining the concept of "boardwalk" with "uncrowded".
BTW; YOU may hate O.C., MD, but your 10-year-old son would absolutely LOVE it.

Hi;
Try Seaside Heights, NJ boardwalk, arcades, rides all the things that a ten year old would like. Plus many nice places to rent!

Stay in Cape May, NJ for the "clean, quiet and uncrowded" part, then drive a few minutes north to Wildwood for the boardwalk.

Your son will LOVE Rehoboth, and you will find it quite lovely and different from that overcrowded, high-rise zoo of Ocean City, MD. Apples and oranges.