19 Vintage Images of Boardwalks

Nostalgia All History Lifestyle February 25, 2025

Boardwalks have long since been a symbol representing times of leisure, entertainment, and nostalgia. They were originally built dating back to the late 19th century. Their purpose was to protect various seaside towns from encroaching sand. However, they quickly took on a life of their own, as being hubs for amusement park rides, arcade shops, and restaurants. We’ll take a look at some of the most notable, vintage images of boardwalks as they were then.

1. Bathing by the sea in front of the hotels Traymore and Marlborough-Blenheim, Atlantic City, NJ.

A black and white photo of a crowded beach scene from the early 1900s. People are dressed in period swimwear and formal clothing. Large buildings and a boardwalk are visible in the background, and umbrellas dot the sandy shore.
u/freddiefreelance/via reddit

Everyone dressed up so nice back then.

2. A very busy Coney Island on July 4, 1949.

Aerial view of a crowded beach and boardwalk. Thousands of people are gathered, with many sunbathing and relaxing on the sand. The boardwalk is filled with people walking. The ocean is visible in the background. The scene is in black and white.
u/loki010/via reddit

To say that this was a very busy day is almost an understatement in its own right.

3. Atlantic City, New Jersey during its prime in the 1930’s.

A bustling 1938 boardwalk scene with people walking near signage for Steel Pier, advertising events like Miss America judging and various performances. Shops and attractions are visible, including a famous soda sign and a restaurant.
u/marinekingprime/via reddit

A lovely day for a walk around the boardwalk, indeed.

4. The Jersey Shore’s Boardwalk at Asbury Park in 1905. 

Black and white photo of a crowded boardwalk by the beach. Men, women, and children are dressed in early 20th-century clothing. A group of women gathers with umbrellas, while others stroll along the wooden path. Telephones poles and buildings are visible.

Take a look at all those lovely sun umbrellas.

5. The Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1905.

Crowded boardwalk scene by the beach, featuring people in early 20th-century attire, some walking, others pausing to chat. A large brick building is on the right, with telephone poles running alongside the ocean on the left.
u/maui7000/via reddit

The hats on the gents really tie the whole nostalgic vibe together.

6. Boardwalk and beach, Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1905.

Black and white photo of a crowded beach boardwalk in the early 1900s. People in period clothing stroll, sit, and gather along the boardwalk, with a beach on the left and ocean piers in the distance.
u/maichaelconfoy/via reddit

Perhaps one of the quieter days on the boardwalk.

7. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California, May 1972. 

A bustling beach scene with people enjoying the sand and waves. In the background, there is an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and other attractions. The sky is clear, and the ocean waves gently lap the shore.
u/dcowan/via reddit

Even though its colorized, the nostalgic aesthetic is still very much on point.

8. Steel Pier during the 1910s, Atlantic City New Jersey. 

A historic black-and-white photo of Steel Pier, featuring a grand building with arches and towers. People in early 20th-century clothing stroll along the boardwalk, with the ocean and sandy beach visible in the background.
u/deleted/via reddit

Not every day you get to see an old-fashioned steel pier on a bustling boardwalk.

9. Vintage Ocean City End of Boardwalk circa 1960’s and Boardwalk circa 1970’s.

Vintage street scene with people walking and a small white train driving down the road. Storefronts display various signs, including one for Thrasher's French Fries. The atmosphere is lively and bustling.
u/venturin/via reddit

This is a beautiful shot.

10. Vintage Ocean City, Maryland.

A young girl sits in a red and white coin-operated airplane ride outside "The Family Amusement Center." The background shows arcade machines and a photo booth. The scene has a nostalgic, retro vibe.
u/venturin/via reddit

Beachside arcades are just the best.

11. Vintage Coney Island 2004 Grill House, Boardwalk.

People are walking past a bustling boardwalk food stand with colorful signs advertising items like hot dogs and soda. Flags and banners decorate the building. The scene captures a lively, casual outdoor atmosphere.
u/panman341/via reddit

You can almost smell the grill house through the screen.

12. The Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1960s.

A crowded boardwalk scene with people walking along the wooden planks under a clear sky. Numerous signs for Schmidt's, Danny's Restaurant, and Boshul Coffee are visible. The beach and amusement park rides are in the background.
u/botevilgaze3/via reddit

There must’ve been all kinds of fun rides at the arcade.

13. Wildwood, New Jersey Boardwalk in 1972.

u/anonymous/via reddit

Those broiled lobster rolls were probably delicious.

14. A lovely couple strolls the Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1940’s.

A black and white photo showing a couple walking confidently on a boardwalk. They are dressed in vintage 1930s style, with the man in a suit and fedora and the woman in a tailored dress with a hat. The background shows a blurred crowd and buildings.

Oh, to hear just a bit of their life story as a couple.

15. A fun day at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk in 1992.

A man in sunglasses and a hat poses with two small children inside a large shark mouth prop by the ocean. The children smile, one with their hand raised. The scene is bright and playful, creating a humorous impression of being inside a shark's mouth.
u/itskellyd/via reddit

Definite cool dad award for this guy.

16. South Philly teens on the Wildwood Boardwalk in 1993.

Five young men stand on a sidewalk in casual 90s attire, including T-shirts and baseball caps. They pose confidently with a sunny street and store signs in the background.
u/anonymous/via reddit

You’ve got to keep your eye out for those beachside boardwalk tough guys.

17. Seaside Heights Boardwalk in 1987.

People are walking along a busy boardwalk with shops on either side, including a candy shop and a games arcade. A man holds a stuffed toy while others are engaged in various activities, creating a lively seaside atmosphere.
u/charli0dee0/via reddit

The guy in the blue polo shirt won big that day.

18. Famous aviator Amelia Earhart on an Autoped on the Venice boardwalk in 1935.

A person in a leather jacket and light pants stands on a motorized scooter on a beach. The background includes a clear sky and blurred structures or vehicles in the distance.
u/anonymous/via reddit

Amelia Earhart with the wildly impressive boardwalk fit that day.

19. Frank Sinatra on the boardwalk in Miami during 1968.

A group of men in suits walks along a wooden deck beside a beach. They are accompanied by others in casual attire, including a man in green swim shorts seated with women. The ocean is visible in the background.

Frank Sinatra looks like he was on some kind of mission that day.

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