The Ocean City, NJ, Boardwalk has been around since 1880, wiped out by storms, burned down in massive fires, and rebuilt more times than most places could survive. And yet, year after year, people still come back.
Why? Because it does what a boardwalk is supposed to do—great food, local shops, and an easy place to walk with unbeatable ocean views.
It’s not overrun with bars or chain restaurants, and that’s not by accident—Ocean City is a dry town, meaning no alcohol is sold anywhere. That keeps the crowd different from what you’d find in Seaside Heights or Wildwood.
Here, you’ll likely find families, day-trippers, and people who have been vacationing here for decades because it still feels like the boardwalk they grew up with.
So, it only makes sense to dive into a bit of its history, where to stop, and everything you need to know before you head on down.
Let’s get into it.
Built to Last: A Quick History of the Ocean City Boardwalk 1875
The Ocean City Boardwalk 1875 wasn’t built for entertainment—it was built for practicality. The first version was nothing more than a wooden walkway designed to keep sand out of the upscale hotels that lined the shore.
Back then, Ocean City wasn’t a tourist-heavy boardwalk town. It was marketed as a Christian seaside retreat, and the boardwalk was just another way to keep things tidy.
That changed fast. Storms wiped out the original version, forcing the city to rebuild it multiple times. Then, in 1927, a massive fire tore through the boardwalk, destroying 30 buildings, including the Hippodrome Pier.
Rather than rebuilding the same way, Ocean City officials made a huge decision—they moved the boardwalk closer to the beach and banned future buildings on the ocean side. And that’s why, unlike other boardwalks, Ocean City has wide-open ocean views instead of a wall of buildings blocking the scenery.
Over the years, hurricanes and nor’easters have knocked out huge sections, leading to even more reconstructions. The most recent major rebuild started in 2013, using durable, long-lasting wood to keep the boardwalk in top shape without losing its traditional look.
At nearly 150 years old, the boardwalk has survived more disasters than most. Other shore towns have let their boardwalks get overrun with chain stores and high-rise developments, but Ocean City still feels like a true Jersey Shore boardwalk.
Where to Eat
There’s food all over the Ocean City Boardwalk, but most people end up rotating between the same handful of places. Not because there aren’t options—there are—but because these spots have been good enough to stick.
Manco & Manco is the boardwalk pizza place. It’s thin crust, made fast, and handed over by the slice. People eat it while walking or sitting on the nearest bench. It’s been around since the 1950s, and most people stop here at least once, even if they don’t think it’s the best.
Johnson’s Popcorn is best known for its caramel popcorn. It’s made in big copper kettles right in front of you, and the smell carries down the boardwalk. You can get a small tub or a giant one, and they’ll stuff it full until the lid barely fits.
Curly’s Fries, as you can probably guess from the name, serves thick-cut fries, fried fresh and dumped into a paper bucket. You can get cheese sauce, vinegar, or stick with salt. They’re ideal for a stroll down the boardwalk, if you ask me.
Brown’s is at the north end of the boardwalk and is mostly known for breakfast, especially the doughnuts. They’re made to order, bagged while they’re still warm, and people line up early for them. If you’re staying nearby, it’s an easy stop in the morning. If you’re not, it might not be worth the walk.
Kohr Bros is a frozen custard stand with a few locations along the boardwalk. The orange and vanilla twist is my go-to. It’s simple and cold and doesn’t melt as fast as regular ice cream, which helps when it’s hot out.
You’ll find other food all over—cheesesteaks, fried Oreos, funnel cake—but if you’re trying to avoid wasting money, start with these. They’ve stuck around for a reason.
Where to Shop
Most people don’t come to the boardwalk to shop seriously, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few places worth walking into. A lot of the Ocean City boardwalk stores are familiar—rows of airbrushed hoodies, bins of 5-for-$20 t-shirts, and souvenir stands that haven’t changed since the ‘90s. You know exactly what you’re getting, and that’s the point.
But every once in a while, something stands out, so here are a few of my personal favorites.
Air Circus has been around forever, and it still pulls people in. It’s full of things you didn’t plan to buy—kites, paddle balls, glow sticks—and somehow, you leave with two of them. Kids love it, but so do grown-ups who grew up walking through it.
Ocean City Coffee Company feels like a break from the boardwalk pace. The coffee’s super good, and the shop, naturally, has the best smell in the world: roasted beans. They also sell coffee beans, so if you’re a fan of their coffee (and I’m sure you will be), you may as well buy some to have at home.
7th Street Surf Shop has a real local identity. So, it’s not a mass-produced beachwear spot in the slightest. If you’re into surfing, they’ll talk to you like you belong there. If you’re not, they won’t make you feel like you walked into the wrong store.
Amusements & Attractions
Two amusement piers anchor the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ, and they’re still a big part of why people come here.
Castaway Cove, right off 10th Street, is the busiest. The rides are packed in, including a looping steel coaster that runs above the boardwalk and a long stretch of smaller ones for kids. There’s no wristband system—everything’s pay-as-you-go—so most people grab tickets for a few rides and move on. At night, it gets much more chaotic, so that’s when the lines pick up, especially for the coaster and the spinning rides.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is farther north, and more spread out. There’s a Ferris wheel that overlooks the beach, a carousel, and mostly low-key rides that lean younger. It’s better for families with small kids or anyone looking for something slower and easier to navigate.
Arcades are scattered along the boardwalk, most of them stocked with claw machines, coin pushers, and older games that haven’t changed in years.
Pro tip: If you’re going with a group, it’s worth checking online first for ride hours and specials.
What to Know Before You Go
Ocean City doesn’t run like every other Jersey Shore boardwalk, and a few things are worth knowing ahead of time—especially if it’s your first visit or you’re showing up during the summer rush.
- It’s dry. No alcohol is sold anywhere in town, not just on the boardwalk. Restaurants don’t serve it, and you won’t find a liquor store tucked behind the shops. Some visitors are surprised by that—especially if they’re used to other shore towns.
- Parking can be a pain. Meters run out fast, private lots aren’t cheap, and traffic builds up on weekends by mid-morning. If you’re coming in for the day, aim to get there early or be ready to walk a few blocks.
- Mornings are for bikes. You can ride on the boardwalk until noon. After that, bikes are off-limits, and it turns into a slow, crowded walk. Early mornings are quieter and way more enjoyable if you’re trying to avoid the heat or the stroller gridlock.
- Cash still matters. A lot of stands take cards now, but not all. Arcades are hit or miss, and even some food spots still have cash-only windows. Bring some, or you’ll end up hunting for an ATM with a $4 fee.
- The boardwalk doesn’t shut down right after summer. A bunch of shops stay open through the fall, especially on weekends. Events like block parties, Halloween parades, and First Night in January bring people in long after the beach season ends.
Final Thoughts on the Ocean City Boardwalk
As we’ve discussed today, Ocean City’s boardwalk doesn’t have bars, clubs, or high-rise noise—and that’s the beauty of it. It’s simply an ideal place to walk, eat, browse, and maybe hop on a ride if the line’s not too long.
Some of it’s dated, some of it’s great, and most of it hasn’t changed much in years. Thus, if you’re into that, you’ll have a blast. If not, there are plenty of other shore towns that will gladly sell you a $19 drink in a bucket.
So, will you be heading down to Ocean City anytime soon?
