Ocean City is the quintessential boardwalk carnival for the East Coast. Perfect for families, Ocean City has roller coasters, arcades, water parks and even sky diving. And the beach itself isn’t bad either. Ocean City has great water for fishing and boating.

Yes, Maryland is famous for its crab, but there’s no shortage of food choices in Ocean City. Eat carnival-style hot dogs and French Fries on the boardwalk, have a two-scoop ice cream cone at one of the beach’s many ice cream parlors, and of course there’s always the all-you-can eat fresh seafood buffets.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a seaside amusement park complete with carnival rides, arcades, mini golf and all the funnel cakes that you can eat. Great for families and the eternally young-at-heart, this California beach boardwalk transports you back to the days of the Beach Boys – no fuss, just fun by the seashore.

Carnival-style rides with names like ‘Logger’s Revenge’ and ‘Wipeout’ are sure to inspire the thrill-seeker in the group. For the more traditional, the Ferris Wheel and the Haunted House are no-fail classics. And no trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk would be complete without a ride on the famous 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster or the hand-carved carousel from 1911 – both are National Historic Landmarks.