Tag Archives: boardwalk

Venice Beach: Down By the Boardwalk

venice beach pic

Whether you are looking for snow cones, inexpensive sunglasses or guys flexing at Muscle Beach, just about anything and everything can be found at the Venice Beach boardwalk.

Known for its sidewalk art displays and t-shirt shops, the energy at the boardwalk never lets up. With endless dining options and street cafes such as James Beach or Hash at Hotel Erwin, visitors can choose to dine in or on the go from endless street vendors and walk-in locations.

Along with endless dining options, the Venice Beach boardwalk is known for its shopping, from t-shirt shops to stands filled with sunglasses as well as a plethora of vintage clothing stores.

Not only is the boardwalk known for dining and shopping, but it has become famous for street performers and art displays. Whether it’s a palm reader, henna tattoo artist or someone painting portraits on the spot, all artists alike come to Venice beach to display their talents for all that travel the boardwalk to witness.

Crowds and parking to even access the boardwalk can be a nightmare on the weekends. Many private parking lots will grant you all day access for a fee. As far as visiting hours, most will tell you to visit when it is light out because the boardwalk can take on a different vibe at night.

Ohhs, Ahhs, and Eeks! at the New York Aquarium

From hair raising encounters with toothy reef sharks to meeting the adorably playful penguins and just about everything in between and underwater – you’ll see sea lions, sea otters, giant walruses that weigh in at over 1200 pounds, and octopuses – the New York Aquarium will make you go ohh!, ahh!, and eek! Tickle a starfish or a horseshoe crab at one of the two Touch Pools. See California sea lions dance, swim, and sing, er- bark at the Aquatheater musical show; if you are lucky you may even get a kiss from one of these sweet west coast creatures. Or for a real jolt, experience a day in the life of our aqueous friends in 4-D – 3-D is so last year – at the Planet Earth: Shallow Seas show. Or better yet, stop by the Alien Stingers exhibit to explore the many types of spine chilling tentacles. Whatever you go to see, and you should probably see and do it all, you won’t have a complete Coney Island experience until you have visited the New York Aquarium. It’s the only aquarium in New York City and it features over 8,000 creatures waiting to befriend (or eat!) you.