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Kick Scooting on the Boardwalk between Ventnor City and Atlantic City
>> Whether you kick scoot, walk, ride a bike, skateboard, or roller blade, you'll absolutely enjoy doing so on the Atlantic City and Ventnor City boardwalk. As of 2011, it is in excellent condition and better yet, is perfectly flat.
The boardwalk, marked as a red line on the map below, provides access to everything you could possibly desire for a thrilling day on the Atlantic Ocean shore. There is so much to see and do, in fact, you might even want to stay a week in the vicinity. For more detailed information, read Day trip to Atlantic City from New York City, an article I wrote for www.Littleviews.com.
This article describes a portion of the boardwalk that begins on Fredericksburg Avenue in Ventnor City and ends at my favorite outdoor Atlantic City restaurant, Flames; an area that might be unfamiliar to many tourists.
While activities along Ventnor boardwalk do not include dining or gambling, they do include beach play, swimming, bike riding (as well as walking, jogging, etc.), volleyball, hobie cat sailing, kayaking, surfing, rowing, and fishing off Ventnor's magnificent long pier.
The entire distance of boardwalk from Fredericksburg Avenue (see the starting point in the picture below), to Atlantic City's far eastern inlet is a little over 5 miles long. Approximately 1.7 miles of the boardwalk is in Ventnor City, and approximately 3.5 miles is in Atlantic City.
Permissible hours for biking, skateboards, and inline skating differ slightly between the two cities, however, the main restrictions occur between June 1 and Labor Day. Kick scooters are not included in these restrictions.
We have to admit that kick scooting on the boardwalk during the hottest months is, well, hot. We plan on enjoying numerous wonderful days in the area during the fall. No matter what your mode of sightseeing mobility is, however, traveling along the entire length of the boardwalk is a trip worth taking.
For detailed information about Ventnor City boardwalk activities, as well as information on dining and shops, see its website at www.VentnorCity.org.
It is easier to see the beach in Ventnor City than in Atlantic City because high sand dunes do not obscure its view from the boardwalk.
Long, high boardwalks in Ventnor City are used to connect residential areas with the main boardwalk. Along the way on both sides you see bikes, rolling baskets, and strollers casually parked along the boardwalk's railing, many without locks. The atmosphere in this area is very casual!
We love "human powered" kick scooting, but I imagine that the electric scooter with a seat that's pictured below makes short work of distances.
The high boardwalks in Ventnor City supply plenty of shaded areas for kids to play, something they really couldn't do under the Atlantic City boardwalk.
As you can see in the picture below, the boardwalk is in beautiful condition. It runs in a straight line to Atlantic City, and continues this way almost to the end of the trail. At this writing, there are no deep cracks in the wood to catch thin tires, whether on kick scooters, bikes, or roller blades. The surrounding area is very kept up, making it a pleasure to traverse.
As you travel east toward Atlantic City, you begin to see rougher, natural dunes. Both cities post signs describing the types of wildlife you might see in the area.
The architecture in Ventnor City consists of stately-looking dwellings that feature traditional Jersey Shore porches, single family homes, and a few high-rise apartments buildings. There are also a few notable mansions. The most interesting mansion is named "Acorn-by-the-Sea." Almost all surfaces surrounding this house are filled with statues.
Acorn-by-the-Sea is one of several owned by the family of Daniel M. Tabas. Mr. Tabas, who was born in Atlantic City and died in 2003, was influential in developing Downingtown, a city near Philadelphia. For more information, read The Free Library's Article on Mr. Tabas.
Another interesting property goes by the name 5300 Boardwalk. It is a condo that appears to have been created from an old resort property. It's beautifully maintained, with a popular outdoor pool and other amenities. After a price run up during our recent real estate bubble, many of these beach front condo units are now quite affordable. If you are in the market for a vacation home, and want a combination of quiet, ocean life near to big city entertainment, I suggest you check it out!
Eventually you reach Ventnor City's city limits where Atlantic City begins at approximately Montgomery Avenue and the boardwalk.
The atmosphere immediately changes once you enter Atlantic City. This portion of the board walk features some simple, single family residents and a few older motels that have been converted into condos.
The city as we think of it and all of its casinos really begins at the ACH Hotel, which changed ownership from the Hilton group in June 2011. The Hilton name on this iconic building (see below) will be changed in the future.
Even though Atlantic City is filled with giant hotels and the hope that you will spend money in them, its beach is free to everyone and, unlike other Jersey Shore beaches, there are no beach fees. If you want to enjoy a day on the sand, its periodically located outdoor showers and restrooms make the visit exceptionally pleasant.
Although there is no beach equipment rental that I know of, there are plenty of shops where you can buy bodyboards, surfboards, bathing suits, towels, and beach toys. If you bring your own things, consider transporting them in a rolling beach cart.
Parking is very easy and fairly inexpensive at $15 a day in all large, ocean-front casino lots. Our lot of choice is for the Trump Taj Mahal, with its easy-to-identify, very glitzy entrance on Pacific and S. Virginia Avenues.
Although we covered the entire boardwalk during this visit in both directions, I'm ending this article at my favorite Atlantic City outdoor restaurant, the Flames Restaurant (609 344-7774), which is a relatively short distance form former Atlantic City Hilton, which is now the ACH Hotel.
While its food is good (they actually have menu items for vegetarians), its location cannot be beat. It is the only outdoor restaurant on the hotel side of the boardwalk with a large, umbrella-lined, wind-swept patio in addition to its very cozy indoor seating. I love it here!
The picture below shows the Flames Restaurant building, which over the years has become an iconic sight.
Links
- Day trip to Atlantic City from New York City: Article written by Karen Little on Atlantic City.
- www.VentnorCity.org: Information on Ventnor City, including where to get permits for beach use and fishing.
- www.AtlanticCityNJ.com: This is Atlantic City's official website. The site is easy to navigate and is filled with information. If you have any questions, their friendly tourist guides are always happy to answer. It is a wonderful place to visit, and access to the beach is always free, whether you are just a sun-loving tourist, or are into gambling.
- Map of Atlantic City's outdoor showers, handicap access ramps, and restrooms: What more information could you need for a day in the sun? That said, you need to bring your own beach equipment as there are no rental stations (at least, that I know of).
- Flames Restaurant Review on Yelp*: Flames Restaurant on 2641 Boardwalk in Atlantic City does not have a website, however this Yelp* review does a good job describing it.
- The Free Library's Article on Mr. Tabas: Learn more about the owners of the mansion, Acorn-by-the-Sea, on the boardwalk in Ventnor City.
Questions? Just ask!
Karen Little
Article and photographs by Karen Little. First published on www.LetsKickScoot.com on 9/3/2011. All rights reserved.
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