Page 20 - 2023 Southern NJ Vacationer

BOARDWALKS & PROMENADES
Saltwater taffy, rolling chairs and tram cars
THE ‘BOARDS – Ocean City, the Wildwoods and Atlantic City – are the quintessential summer experience – a carnival of exciting rides and the irresistible smells of popcorn, pizza and cotton candy, all set against a backdrop of sea and sand.
Boardwalks have been part of New Jersey’s Southern Shore for more than a century. The Atlantic City Boardwalk holds the distinction as the first, the oldest and the longest “walk” dating to 1870. Wildwood and Ocean City quickly followed with boardwalks of their own in the early days of the 20th century.
Fast forward to today, some things have changed and some things have stayed the same. Isn’t that how life goes?
From its modest beginnings in 1903, the Wildwood Boardwalk is now home to piers that extend hundreds of feet toward the ocean with the largest concentration of amusement attractions in the country.
Morey’s Piers on the Wildwoods’ Boardwalk is operating three amusement piers in its second half century of roller coasters, kiddie rides and water parks. King Kong still reigns on Surfside Pier and yummy Boardwalk fare is still part of the Boardwalk experience on all the piers.
In recent years, the Wildwoods Boardwalk has become alcohol-friendly, forever changing the dining experience for Mom and Dad. On Moreys Mariner’s Amusement Pier, beers
and brauts are menu favorites at Wilhelm’s Bier Garten. While Stubborn Bros. on Surfside Pier, famously named after owners Will and Jack Morey after they couldn’t agree on a name, serves up ice cold brews and ocean views.
The ubiquitous tram cars are still rolling along – the familiar sound of “watch the
tram car, please,” – replaced rolling chairs on the Wildwood Boardwalk many years ago and traverse the 38 blocks between Cresse Avenue and North Wildwood, a stretch of Boardwalk lined with shops, discount stores, pizza places, sub shops, and arcades.
The Wildwoods Convention Center is right in the middle of the action on the
18 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER