No doubt Enoch "Nucky" Thompson would be proud. Considering Nucky Thompson (Based on former real-life Atlantic City political figure Enoch L. Johnson) is the protagonist in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, he would surely enjoy the popular boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach, which is on nj.com's list of Big 6 New Jersey Boardwalks.
Point Pleasant Beach's boardwalk first appeared in the summer of 1890. Then along came Charles Jenkinson, who stared carving out his own boardwalk empire in the 1920s by buying beachfront parcels of land. Soon the Jenkinson's Pavilion came about in 1928 and it had a bandstand, a massive dance hall, food booths and what has been referred to as the largest saltwater pool along the Jersey Shore.
Soon Jenkinson added carnival-type attractions and rides, and soon tourists were flocking by train to Point Pleasant Beach from all over New Jersey and New York as the town became a massive summer attraction for holiday makers.
The Point Pleasant Beach of today isn't really all that different. Beach goers sport bikinis now, as they dress down for a day at the beach, as opposed to dressing up like they did in the '20s. Today you'll find the Jenkinson name on just about everything around the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.
It's a very much a kid and family-friendly town with many different rides (including a roller coaster, crazy bus, carousel, bumper cars), an aquarium, various arcades and a popular mini golf course.
There are also adult pursuits like hanging out and enjoying a cold beverage at one of the beachfront watering holes and restaurants. There's Martell's Tiki Bar, the Pavilion Beach Bar and the North Inlet Bar. In addition, people can dance the night away at Jenks Club, a vibrant nightclub on the shore.
If you're down on the boardwalk on a Friday night during the summer, you'll be able to catch a movie on the beach, so bring something comfortable to sit on and a sweater to keep the evening chill off.
Suffice it to say, today's Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk is something Nucky Thompson would be glad to have within his Boardwalk Empire.
Posted by Shawn Clayton on
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