Daytona Beach Boardwalk facts for kids
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk is a super fun place right on the beach in Daytona Beach, Florida. It's a long concrete path filled with exciting shops, restaurants, and amusement rides. Imagine walking along the ocean, playing arcade games, and maybe even riding a Ferris wheel! It's a popular spot for families and visitors to enjoy the sun and the sea.
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What is the Daytona Beach Boardwalk?
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk is more than just a walkway. It's a lively area that includes a concrete path, which was first built in the late 1920s. Later, in 1938, a cool bandshell and decorative coquina stone features were added. Coquina is a type of rock made from crushed shells and sand, common in Florida.
Fun Things to Do
The Boardwalk is open every day and has lots of things to see and do. You can find many stores, including the City Walk shopping and entertainment complex. There are also hotels, gift shops, and places to play arcade games. If you're hungry, you'll find plenty of restaurants.
Exciting Rides and Entertainment
The Boardwalk offers both outdoor and indoor rides. You might enjoy a Ferris wheel for great views, or the Slingshot and Hurricane rides for thrills. There are also go-carts for racing fun. In the summer, you can often catch free concerts at the Daytona Beach Bandshell, which is at the north end of the area.
The Daytona Beach Pier
Just south of the Boardwalk, you'll find the Daytona Beach Pier, also known as the Main Street Pier. It was built a long time ago in the late 1800s by Thomas Keating. The pier stretches 1,000 feet out into the Atlantic Ocean, offering great views and a chance to walk over the water.
How the Boardwalk Got Its Name
When the Boardwalk was first created, it was actually called "the Broadwalk." This was because it was a wide, broad path made of cement, not wooden boards like some other boardwalks. You can still find old records that call it the Broadwalk.
A Name Change Story
The name changed to "Boardwalk" because the editor of the local newspaper decided to start calling it that. He thought "Boardwalk" sounded better for advertising, especially since Daytona Beach wanted to be known as a fun beach destination, similar to Atlantic City. The new name quickly became popular and stuck!
Looking to the Future
In 2015, there was talk about possibly making the Boardwalk even bigger. Officials in Volusia County were looking into plans to expand this popular attraction, which would add even more space for fun and activities.
A Roller Coaster's History
For a while, the Boardwalk had a roller coaster called the Sand Blaster. However, in 2018, there was an incident where the roller coaster went off its tracks. After an investigation, it was found that the coaster was going too fast. Because of this, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ordered the coaster to be taken down, and it was removed from the park in 2019.
