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America's best boardwalks

There are more than 60 boardwalks dotting America’s coastlines, ranging from iconic destinations that have lured seaside-goers for over a century (Coney Island, N.Y.) to newer attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement park built overlooking Galveston Bay outside of Houston. For those who also love boardwalk foods, advanced planning for summer trips to these tourist haunts can mean the d
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has the only oceanfront amusement park on the West Coast with two rides officially recognized as National Historic Landmarks: the hand-carved Looff carousel (built in 1911) and the wood-framed Giant Dipper roller coaster (built in 1924).
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has the only oceanfront amusement park on the West Coast with two rides officially recognized as National Historic Landmarks: the hand-carved Looff carousel (built in 1911) and the wood-framed Giant Dipper roller coaster (built in 1924).Courtesy of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk / Today
By Itineraries

There are more than 60 boardwalks dotting America’s coastlines, ranging from iconic destinations that have lured seaside-goers for over a century (Coney Island, N.Y.) to newer attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement park built overlooking Galveston Bay outside of Houston. For those who also love boardwalk foods, advanced planning for summer trips to these tourist haunts can mean the difference between frozen fries or terrific meals that match the allure of the beach.

Slideshow: See where to find America’s best boardwalks

Generations of visitors to Ocean City Beach in Maryland consider a stop at Thrasher’s French Fries, open since 1929, part of the beach-going tradition. Locals grab a bucket of the fresh, crisp twice-fried potatoes and douse them with apple cider vinegar before finding a spot on the sand.

Saltwater taffy might be the quintessential boardwalk sweet, and Marini’s at Santa Cruz Beach, Calif., still makes theirs from the original 1915 recipe. Visitors watch the taffy as it’s cooked in copper kettles, pulled, then individually wrapped in wax papers using a 1920s "Model K" Kiss candy machine.

Star chefs are a newer appeal on the boardwalk. The new Revel Resort in Atlantic City hopes to draw foodies this summer with nearly a dozen restaurants from some of the most talented chefs on the East Coast. At American Cut, NYC-based "Iron Chef" Marc Forgione upgrades surf 'n' turf with chili lobster and a 28-day aged rib-eye chop, and Philadelphia’s Jose Garces runs three spots, including an outpost of his upmarket tapas spot, Amada, with ocean views.

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