8 Florida Beaches with Boardwalks For A Brilliant Beach Day
There’s no better way to beat the heat than spending an afternoon at the beach. While sun and sand are enough of a draw on their own, some of Florida’s best tourist spots bring something extra for visitors to explore.
This list of Florida beaches with boardwalks and piers offers a whole host of fun—from meandering, oceanside nature walks to bigger commercial areas designed for dining and shopping. Like all things in the Sunshine State, there’s always something for everyone!
1. Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Hollywood, FL
Yes, that’s right. The Hollywood boardwalk is actually a broadwalk.
It was named in part due to its sheer size! A 15 minutes drive south of Ft. Lauderdale, the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is a 2.5-mile-long (and 30 feet wide) oceanfront promenade that frequently makes it on lists of the top boardwalks in the country.1 And we can see why!
Established during the swing and bling of the glamourous 1920s, the Broadwalk has kept its timeless charm, becoming even more popular with the passing years. The wide path means plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the ocean-level views. You’ll find all manner of joggers, cyclists, and strolling tourists along the walkway. Most are headed to one of three beachfront parks along the boardwalk or to spend a couple of fun hours exploring the 30+ boutiques or 50 restaurants.
2. Pier 60
Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Beach is home to a 1,080-foot fishing pier and recreational park, collectively known as Pier 60. The boardwalk is also home to local cafes, a telescope, inflatable water slide adventures, and playgrounds.
During the summer, you can check out the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival—a huge sand sculpture festival featuring artists from around the world building massive designs over a month-long celebration.
The main event is the boardwalk’s best-known attraction: Sunsets at Pier 60, a free, family-friendly street festival that operates year-round. The fun starts two hours before sunset and lasts two hours after sundown. The nightly celebration features local artisans selling handcrafted wares, street performers, and (of course) the beautiful sunsets over the ocean. Some nights, you’ll even be treated to live music and outdoor film screenings!
3. Miami Beach Boardwalk
Miami, FL
This 40-block pathway starts at Miami’s Indian Beach and then takes visitors all the way down to the iconic South Beach. Soak in the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean or sneak in some people watching as the boardwalk trails pass by the impressive luxury hotels and pedestrian malls. (Miami is nothing if not vibrant!) The boardwalk is frequented by cyclists, so be mindful of them on the paths. On the southern half of the boardwalk where it connects with Ocean Drive, you’ll also find playgrounds, workout equipment, and even volleyball courts. It offers multiple spots for easy beach access. Overall, it’s a great way to get around the area on foot!
4. Times Square
Fort Myers Beach
Located at the foot of Fort Myers Pier, Times Square is a downtown shopping district in Fort Myers Beach, right along the beachfront. While relatively small, the area is packed to the brim with shops, restaurants, and excursions.
You can charter a boat to go sailing, view marine life, or find the best fishing spots along the coast. The area is designed for family fun, so you can be sure to find activities that appeal to all ages during your visit!
A surprising number of restaurants and other establishments offer live music on a nightly basis. If the sound of music appeals to you, be sure to check out the Sunset Celebrations held every Friday night in Times Square. For even more entertainment, you’ll find the area is home to several street performers who come out in the afternoons and evenings to enchant and amuse anyone who cares to listen.
5. Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier
Daytona Beach
Arguably the most famous beach in Florida, Daytona Beach is also home to an old-fashion boardwalk that combines arcades and amusement attractions with modern shopping and dining options. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier have everything from slingshot attractions and go-karts to an old-school Ferris wheel.
From May to September of each year, you can check out Daytona Beach Bandshell Summer Concerts & Fireworks which hosts amazing street performers, weekly fireworks, and free concerts on the weekends!
The boardwalk is the location of the most recognizable landmark of the beach—the Daytona Beach Pier. Originally built in 1925, the iconic pier stretches over 1,000 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean and was once home to a thriving casino and dance hall. Now home to a restaurant, it’s impossible to miss for any beachgoer. More importantly, it’s been a well-loved fishing spot for almost a century!
6. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
Madeira Beach
Originally a turn-of-the-century fishing village, John’s Pass is now home to one of the best-known tourist spots in Pinellas County, Florida. As the entertainment district of Madeira Beach, John’s Pass appeals to visitors of all ages.
There are over 100 merchants in the village, offering everything from unique local shops and restaurants to parasailing and dolphin-watching adventures. One of the area’s biggest draws is the ocean adventure offerings. You can take a lunch or dinner cruise, go pleasure sailing, or even set sail on a floating tiki bar. There’s also a pirate ship that offers a “swashbuckling adventure” for all ages including water gun battles, treasure hunts, face painting, and limbo contests.
7. St. Pete Pier
St. Petersburg, FL
Spread across 26 acres in the heart of Tampa Bay, St. Pete Pier is a newer attraction in the area attached to Spa Beach, an expanded area where you can swim, kayak, or play beach volleyball on the newly expanded shoreline. The boardwalk area has unique restaurants, bars, and outdoor eateries that offer a variety of cuisine—including a modern tiki bar!
While there isn’t a dedicated shopping area or many stores, they have an outdoor marketplace where regional and local vendors set up to sell everything from jewelry, original art, apparel, and specialty foods. There’s still plenty more to do here, including a splash pad and fishing deck. St. Pete Pier is also home to the Tampa Bay Watch Discover Center where you (and your children!) can learn about the aquatic ecosystems, explore aquariums featuring seahorses and lionfish, and even feed some turtles while you’re there!
8. Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Pensacola Beach
When it comes to Florida beaches with boardwalks, Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is probably the smallest boardwalk on our list—but don’t underestimate it! Part of the greater Pensacola Beach area, this boardwalk is located on Santa Rosa Island and has shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and live entertainment each night in the form of street performers. The boardwalk itself is located on the ultra-white sands of Santa Rosa Sound, directly across from Casino Beach.
One of the biggest icons of the area is “The Shell,” a giant landmark and the centerpiece of the stage at the Quietwater Beach Amphitheatre. Nearby, you can find Quietwater Beach, a shallow, calm outlet where parents frequently swim with small children. A free trolley runs the length of the island, taking visitors from various hotels or hotspots with a convenient stop at the boardwalk.
From stellar sunsets to oceanfront shopping districts, these beachside boardwalks don’t disappoint! However, there are so many amazing boardwalks across the state! What others would you include on our list? And which beaches on our list have you visited? Let us know in the comments below!
See you on the boardwalk!
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Photo: Unsplash
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