The 10 Best Boardwalks Across the United States

If you grew up in Northern California, you know the Giant Dipper—the rickety, heart-in-your-throat wooden rollercoaster rattling along Santa Cruz’s vintage beach boardwalk. But the rides are only half the story. This bohemian surf town an hour south of San Francisco hums with a funky, free-spirited energy—street musicians on Pacific Avenue, murals splashed across alley walls, organic cafés and surf shops spilling over with tie-dye. Since 1907, the boardwalk has anchored it all with timeless thrills like the Cyclone, Double Shot, and WipeOut. You can pop into Neptune’s Kingdom for mini-golf and arcade snacks, brave the Fright Walk’s underbelly, or step straight onto golden sand where the waves roll in. Surfing itself made its U.S. debut here in 1885, when three Hawaiian princes carved the San Lorenzo River mouth on redwood boards—cementing Santa Cruz’s legend as a place where tradition and counterculture ride the same wave.

A classic East Coast escape, Ocean City’s 2.9-mile boardwalk captures the best of summer: glowing Ferris wheels, the sweet scent of funnel cakes, saltwater taffy shops, and endless people-watching. At its heart is Trimper Rides, which has anchored the fun since 1890, making it the nation’s longest-running family-owned amusement park, with a 1912 antique carousel still twirling. No trip is complete without a bucket of Thrasher’s fries, piled high and doused in salt and apple-cider vinegar. Beyond the boardwalk, Ocean City shows off a cultural side with a performing arts center, ocean-view dining, and plenty of nightlife. And when you need a break from it all, 10 miles of wide, sandy beach await.

Come Labor Day, the energy cranks up for one last hurrah of the season. Family-friendly highlights include Sundaes in the Park—with a dazzling fireworks finale; Sunset Park Party Nights; and the quirky Octopus Hunt on the Boardwalk.

Where the Atlantic Ocean meets Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach takes summer seriously—and nowhere more than its iconic boardwalk. Since the 1880s, when visitors strolled the planks in long skirts and straw hats, the 3-mile stretch has been the city’s stage. Today it hums with hotels, shops, neon-lit rides, and a steady parade of bikers and strollers, all under the watchful eye of King Neptune’s 34-foot bronze statue. And when you’re ready to slow down, 38 miles of beach await—perfect for one last swim, surf, or sun-soaked siesta before summer takes its final bow.

Sure, the Centennial Wheel may be the standout of Navy Pier, soaring to nearly 200 feet, but this 3,300-foot-long Chicago playground stretching into Lake Michigan has much more going on. Opened in 1916 as “Municipal Pier” (and even doubling as a WWII military base), today it’s all about summery good vibes: carnival rides, the immersive “FlyOver” experience, live Shakespeare, boat cruises, and a beer garden with a view. Throw in seasonal festivals, outdoor movies, and endless people-watching, and you’ve discovered an amazing spot to bid summer its grand farewell.

Over Labor Day weekend, the season goes out with a bang with the last fireworks show of the summer—watch them from the world’s largest rooftop patio at Offshore Rooftop. Wrapping it up, “Live on the Lake!” offers its final shows of the season, with performances throughout the weekend.

Labor Day began in New York City in 1882, when 10,000 workers marched from Union Square to Bryant Park, ending with a picnic. Today, there’s no better place to honor that spirit than Brooklyn’s Coney Island—the epitome of funnel-scented, rollercoaster-clacking fun. Sun lovers have ventured here since the early 1800s, though the iconic 2.7-mile-long Riegelmann Boardwalk wasn’t built until 1923, luring millions to stroll, sunbathe, and snack on Nathan’s hot dogs. Two amusement parks—Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel—along with several other rides add to the enduring seaside fun. Labor Day marks the season’s grand finale with the last Friday night fireworks, karaoke on the boardwalk, and headliner concerts at the Coney Island Amphitheater.

A perennial favorite, this lively seaside hotspot features a sleek, 1.2-mile boardwalk that consistently lands on the “best in the U.S.” lists. Stroll the laid-back northern stretch, where ocean breezes and open views invite you to slow down. As you head south, the energy builds—suddenly you’re in the thick of arcades, souvenir shops, and beach bars pouring frozen cocktails. The 187-foot SkyWheel towers overhead, its neon glow lighting up the skyline. With live music, gift shops, and fireworks to keep the retro-meets-modern energy going strong, it’s the perfect stage for saying farewell to summer.

Two extravagant fireworks shows are planned for the Labor Day weekend, at Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach, accompanied 5. live music. There’s also the finale of Hot Summer Nights series at Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Plyler Park and Waves of Praise Gospel Fest in Pavilion Park.

“You should have seen the Atlantic Ocean in those days,” recalls Lou Pascal—Burt Lancaster’s wistful character in the 1980 film Atlantic City.  “It was somethin’ then.” He’s remembering the city’s golden era, the 1920s to ‘40s, when America’s first boardwalk—built in 1870 to keep sand out of hotels and trains—was the nation’s ultimate summer playground. While the glory days may have faded, Atlantic City still knows how to put on a show. All summer long, its 5-mile boardwalk thrums with casinos, concerts, dining, mini-golf, tram rides, and that timeless stretch of beachside fun. Come Labor Day weekend, visitors pour in for one last taste of summer along its storied shores.

As summer draws to a close, Long Beach on Washington’s Evergreen Coast feels like an endless summer postcard. Claiming the title of the “world’s longest beach” at 28 miles, it’s a stretch made for kite-flying, barefoot walks, and golden-hour sunsets. This old-school beach town also brims with nostalgia—arcade games, go-karts, kitschy shops, and a wooden boardwalk. But Long Beach has its quirks too: locals will regale you with tales of Jake the Alligator Man, a mummified half-man/half-alligator, on display at Marsh’s Free Museum. Yet the true finale here is at the table: Pacific oysters, razor clams dug fresh from the sand, and Dungeness crab pulled straight from steaming pots.

Think 1960s beachy fun and Seaside, Oregon, pops into mind. This throwback boardwalk town has it all—a 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade (aka “the Prom”) skirting soft sands, arcades and bumper cars at Funland, and plenty of taffy and ice cream at sweet shops galore. As the sun sinks into the Pacific, the whole place glows with a golden seaside magic. What more could you want for a retro-perfect seaside escape? Oh, you can also feed the seals at Seaside Aquarium (one of the West Coast’s oldest, opened in 1937), shop your way down Broadway Street, or hike the Tillamook Head Trail to spot the wave-battered “Terrible Tilly” lighthouse.

Maine’s premier seaside playground since the 1880s, Old Orchard Beach—affectionately called OOB—gives off Jersey Shore vibes with its neon glow and boardwalk buzz. At its heart is Palace Playland, New England’s only beachfront amusement park, featuring 30 rides (including the new Sea Viper roller coaster) and the state’s largest arcade. The real showstopper, though, is the 600-foot pier jutting into the Atlantic, lined with lobster shacks, a nightclub, and souvenir stalls. Over the years, everyone from Frank Sinatra to Charles Lindbergh to Stephen King has flocked here to breathe in the salty air and munch on salty French fries. Add in the rare, 7-mile sandy stretch of beach—once a racetrack and makeshift airstrip, now dotted with umbrellas and beach towels—and you’ve got the quintessential place to toast summer’s end.