Shriver's Salt Water Taffy
Since 1898Ocean City Boardwalk
Salt water taffy (60+ flavors)
The oldest business on any Jersey Shore boardwalk. Watch taffy being pulled through the front window — a 125+ year continuous tradition.
Ocean City guide →Jersey Shore Boardwalk Shopping
Six boardwalks, 140+ years of taffy, doo-wop era souvenirs, independent boutiques, and the original American outlet. The complete shopping guide.
6Boardwalks
10+Miles of Shops
1880Oldest Shop Year
Each Jersey Shore boardwalk has its own shopping personality — Ocean City leans family-friendly with Shriver's Salt Water Taffy (operating since 1898); Atlantic City pairs historic taffy makers with Tanger Outlets; Asbury Park runs indie boutiques and artist-made goods; Wildwood keeps the doo-wop aesthetic alive; Seaside Heights specializes in classic kitsch. This guide walks each one.
Shops Worth the Trip
Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy
Since 1885Atlantic City Boardwalk
Salt water taffy (invented the category)
Credited with inventing commercial salt water taffy after an 1880s storm flooded a candy cart. Still handmakes in small batches; ships worldwide.
Atlantic City guide →James' Salt Water Taffy
Since 1880Atlantic City Boardwalk
Salt water taffy (pre-dates Fralinger's by 5 years)
Opened in 1880 — technically older than Fralinger's. Intense 140-year rivalry with Fralinger's keeps both shops obsessed with quality.
Atlantic City guide →Jack & Bill's Men's Shop
Since 1964Wildwood Boardwalk
Vintage doo-wop era apparel and souvenirs
A vintage-style boardwalk men's shop. Same family since 1964, same neon sign, same Wildwood-specific souvenirs.
Wildwood guide →Silverball Museum Gift Shop
Since 2009Asbury Park Boardwalk
Pinball memorabilia, band merch, artist goods
More art store than gift shop: pinball posters, Asbury Park band tees (Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Gaslight Anthem), and NJ-made ceramics.
Asbury Park guide →Every Boardwalk, Every Shopping Scene
Ocean City Boardwalk
2.5 miles
Shriver's is the oldest business on the Ocean City boardwalk — operating continuously since 1898. Watch taffy being pulled in the front window, then grab a pound of mixed flavors.
Known for
- • Shriver's Salt Water Taffy (since 1898)
- • Manco & Manco Pizza
- • Watson's Fudge
- • Carousel Restaurant
- • Air Circus kite shop
Shop categories
Saltwater taffyFudgeSouvenirsSurf shopsKitesBoutiques
Best for: Family-friendly shopping with classic boardwalk character
Most shops open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many stay open weekends through October. Winter: limited to year-round anchor stores.
Wildwood Boardwalk
2 miles
The Wildwoods is a National Register Historic District for its doo-wop architecture. Many shops lean into the 1950s-60s retro aesthetic with merchandise to match.
Known for
- • Jack & Bill's Men's Shop (vintage doo-wop era)
- • Cool Scoops Ice Cream Parlor (50s diner)
- • Douglass Fudge
- • Wildwood Historical Society gift shop
- • Hot Spot souvenirs
Shop categories
BeachwearRetro/vintage giftsFudgeSouvenirsSurf shopsTattoo shops
Best for: Retro doo-wop era shopping with more affordable price points
Full season late May through Columbus Day weekend. Many shops closed October-April.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
4 miles (the first and longest in America)
Atlantic City has the original American boardwalk — and the two oldest taffy makers in the country. Fralinger's and James' both opened in the 1880s, and both still make taffy by hand.
Known for
- • Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy (since 1885)
- • James' Salt Water Taffy (since 1880)
- • Playground Pier shops
- • The Walk Outlets (adjacent)
- • Ocean One Pier (seasonal)
Shop categories
Saltwater taffyCasino logo shopsSouvenirsDesigner outletsArt galleries
Best for: Combining boardwalk souvenir shops with nearby Tanger Outlets (The Walk)
Year-round (casino-anchored). Playground Pier open most of the year. Ocean One Pier: summer only.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
1 mile
The most classic T-shirt-and-airbrush shopping on the Jersey Shore. Bring cash — many shops run cash-only deals.
Known for
- • Lucky Leo's arcade + gift shop
- • Casino Pier merchandise
- • Seaside Candies
- • Jersey Shore souvenirs (TV show era memorabilia)
Shop categories
Arcade prizesT-shirtsSouvenirsAirbrush shopsSunglassesHenna
Best for: Classic summer boardwalk kitsch, T-shirts, and arcade-prize style gifts
Memorial Day through Labor Day for most shops. Weekends in May, September, and October. Many closed winter.
Asbury Park Boardwalk
1 mile
Asbury Park has the most boutique-leaning boardwalk shopping scene. Less airbrushed T-shirt shack, more artist-made ceramic mug. Silverball Museum gift shop is legit worth the visit.
Known for
- • Silverball Museum gift shop
- • The Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten merchandise
- • Asbury Park Surf Shop
- • Artist-made goods at Convention Hall shops
Shop categories
Surf shopsIndie/vintage boutiquesArtist-made goodsMusic merchandiseCoffee
Best for: Independent boutiques, surf culture, and live-music merchandise
Year-round — Asbury Park's boardwalk revival has brought year-round shops to Convention Hall. Summer: open every day. Winter: most open weekends.
Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk (Jenkinson's)
1 mile
Jenkinson's-owned shops dominate the boardwalk. The aquarium gift shop has genuinely good kids' merchandise you won't find elsewhere.
Known for
- • Jenkinson's souvenirs
- • Tim's Toy Museum & Gift Shop
- • Seaside Gallery
- • Beach badges + gear at boardwalk shops
- • Jenkinson's aquarium gift shop
Shop categories
SouvenirsToysBeach gearAquarium giftsT-shirts
Best for: Family-friendly shopping anchored around Jenkinson's attractions
Full season Memorial Day through Labor Day. Weekends in May, September, October. Winter: aquarium gift shop stays open year-round.
Tanger Outlets Atlantic City (The Walk)
Two blocks from the Atlantic City boardwalk, Tanger Outlets The Walk runs 100+ outlet stores across two long pedestrian avenues. Coach, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Under Armour, and dozens of others.
Walking from the boardwalk: Enter at Arkansas Avenue between Bally's and Caesars, continue 2 blocks inland. About a 5-minute walk from the ocean. Open year-round, Sunday-Saturday.
Atlantic City guide →Jersey Shore Boardwalk Shopping Tips
Carry Some Cash
Many Seaside and Wildwood boardwalk shops run cash-only deals or give discounts for cash. T-shirt shops, airbrush artists, and arcade prize counters are often cash-only.
Check Seasonal Hours
Most shops close after Labor Day or Columbus Day. For year-round shopping, stick to Asbury Park and Atlantic City — both have year-round boardwalk retail.
Park Once, Walk Both
Atlantic City and Ocean City are 30 minutes apart — pair boardwalks across two towns in one day. Park in Ocean City, then drive to AC for Tanger Outlets in the afternoon.
Ship Taffy Home
Shriver's and Fralinger's both ship directly — buy a taster box on the boardwalk, then ship larger orders home. Saves you schlepping 5 lbs of taffy through the summer heat.
Boardwalk Shopping FAQ
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