Piers, Parks, and More by the Shore

The English poet John Keats once wrote “… on the shore / Of the wide world I stand alone, and think / ‘Til love and fame to nothingness do sink.”

Keats likely composed these lines on the Isle of Wight, where he lived and worked between 1817 and 1819. Keats’ “shore” might have been a real place, inspired by a moment of reflection along England’s south coast. Or it might have been purely a metaphor for the universe as a whole and the (in)significance of trivial, fleeting things like fame in the face of far weightier matters.

Many a poet and traveler have been inspired by the shoreline. Just the thought of one might make you want to slow down, watch and listen to the lapping waves, and think about your place in the world. Or, maybe not.

Youth groups aren’t always big on quiet reflection. Which is why, fortunately, many of the shorelines around North America are populated with colorful, thrilling attractions designed for kids of all ages. From ocean piers to lakeside parks, your group is sure to find just the right attraction for them.

MIDWEST

Chicago, Illinois’ Navy Pier has been many things in the 100-plus years it has stood guard at the spot where Lake Michigan flows into the Chicago River. It opened in 1916 as a municipal pier as part of architect Daniel Burnham’s Master Plan of Chicago and has served as a shipping terminal, cultural center, training facility for the U.S. Navy, and more. Today, it continues to offer a variety of attractions and experiences that make it the most-visited attraction in Illinois.

“Navy Pier often is a first introduction to Chicago, and we hope that visit sparks curiosity, inspiration, and a sense of connection to the city,” says S.J. Luedtke, chief marketing and experience officer at Navy Pier. “From the lakefront views and cultural experiences to attractions and public spaces, the pier showcases many of the things that make Chicago unique.”

Jutting out 3,300 feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the longest public pier in the world. Along its length you’ll find varied attractions such as the Centennial Wheel—a favorite for its scenic views, says Luedtke—a Shakespeare theater, embarkation points for sightseeing cruises, myriad food and drink options, rides and games, and more. One of the newest attractions is a roller rink, the first in the pier’s history. Depending on the time of year you visit, the pier frequently offers cultural celebrations, live performances, and seasonal events.

“With group-friendly amenities and a central location to one of the country’s greatest cities,” adds Luedtke, “Navy Pier is an easy and memorable addition to any Chicago itinerary.”

If your group is after some thrills, look no further than another Great Lakes destination near Cleveland in Sandusky, Ohio. Part of the Six Flags family of amusement parks, Cedar Point is home to some of the tallest, fastest, and most thrilling roller coasters in the world. Take Top Thrill 2, for example, topping out at 420 feet and reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour, it is the tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster ever built. While the coasters are typically what excite visitors the most, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“This is definitely no average group trip,” says Marcie Pindzia, group sales account executive. “We’re proud of our diverse offerings to accommodate the specific objectives of our youth group visitors.”

Besides the record-setting thrill rides, there also are educational programs, performance opportunities for bands or other stage groups, and live entertainment. Students and chaperones alike will appreciate the park’s family-friendly atmosphere and views of Lake Erie from the upper level of the park’s Grand Pavilion—or “chaperone heaven,” Pindzia says. And groups that book directly through the park’s team receive special pricing.

For groups that are looking for a more laid-back experience, or just a change of pace by getting out into nature, the Midwest has plenty on offer. Just in the state of Michigan, consider a scenic ferry journey to Mackinac Island, where groups enjoy Victorian-era charm and preserved history. Or, take a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore near Traverse City, featuring iconic dunes and other landforms just waiting to be explored.

NORTHEAST

It’s hard to find more activities on one 5-mile island than you’ll find at The Wildwoods along the Jersey Shore. This barrier island is well known for its beaches—famous for a soft variety of white sand called sugar sand—but that is only the beginning. Groups can experience more than 160 events and festivals each year, visit one of the largest seaside amusement parks in the world at Morey’s Piers, and stroll the iconic 2 1/2-mile Wildwoods Boardwalk.

“We’re proud so many continue to celebrate The Wildwoods and our boardwalk as one of the crown jewels of the Jersey Shore,” says Louis M. Belasco, executive director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, in a prepared statement.

Student groups will find another inviting seaside stroll in Ocean City, Maryland, where a 3-mile boardwalk is the center of summer fun and activity. Ocean City is both affordable and easily accessible, as many group-friendly hotels are conveniently located right along the boardwalk. Your tourgoers will find themselves mere steps from arcades and rides, maritime and coastal history, and classic seaside treats like caramel corn from Fisher’s Popcorn and delicious ice cream from Dumser’s Dairyland.

“It’s hard to choose just one favorite on the Ocean City Boardwalk with so many experiences to enjoy,” says Ashley Johnson, convention sales manager for Ocean City. “Whether you’re a foodie or a thrill seeker, there’s something for everyone. Often, it’s the simple moments like walking the boardwalk with friends and taking in the ocean views that create the strongest connections and lasting memories.”

SOUTHEAST

In St. Petersburg, Florida, the St. Pete Pier is more than just what you might imagine. There is of course the centerpiece pier; situated on a site dating back to the 1800s but redesigned and refreshed in 2020 into a 26-acre destination known as the Pier District. This is a destination well-suited to groups with multiple options for dining and activities. There is a beach for splashing or playing volleyball as well as a park that offers the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. There also is a free tram running approximately every 10 minutes to bring your group out to the Pier Head, where unmatched views of the coast await.

In the nearby community of Clearwater sits Pier 60, a 1,080-foot fishing pier that also includes a park and recreational area nearby. For groups that want to have the experience of ocean fishing, there is an on-site bait shop with a knowledgeable staff able to assist. A shaded playground is always a hit with young visitors, and they might even be able to spot a dolphin or a manatee swimming nearby. Both of these destinations in the St. Pete-Clearwater region allow easy access to the adjoining wealth of attractions in what is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Sunshine State.

“Over the years, visitors have discovered that St. Pete-Clearwater offers much more than its award-winning beaches,” says Steve Grimes, chief marketing officer of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, in a prepared statement. “Our recent surveys have shown us that increasingly people are enjoying the white sand beaches and our inspired dining options, world-class museums, outdoor adventures, and vibrant nightlife.”

WEST

California is home to some of the oldest and longest piers in the U.S., and one of its most iconic is found near Los Angeles in Santa Monica. Santa Monica Pier is technically two piers—one is original to the pier’s opening in 1909, and the other was added alongside it in 1916 in order to add an amusement park.

Today, the piers are known jointly as one iconic attraction “welcoming millions of visitors each year,” says Aleksandr Sigalus, the director of global business development for Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “The Pier is an ever-popular destination for groups to experience the National Historic Landmark Santa Monica Pier Carousel, local seafood spots, and amusement park fun, including the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, overlooking the ocean.” Pacific Park is a bona fide movie star, having appeared in hundreds of films and television shows as a convenient shooting location near Hollywood. Groups also will find mini golf, pickleball courts, coastal cuisine, and convenient hotels, among many attractions.

For groups visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, piers and boardwalks can be found throughout the region. San Francisco alone has dozens, and of the ones open to the public, Pier 39 is perhaps the most iconic. One of the most-visited destinations of any kind in the city, Pier 39 is home to incredible views in both directions: out to San Francisco Bay and back to the city’s iconic skyline. Groups will find up-close looks at sea lions, iconic San Francisco cuisine, local wildlife at the Aquarium of the Bay, and much more.

These coastal destinations all provide enough variety to fill out and enrich any itinerary or class trip. Some groups find poetry in the sea, while some find thrills aboard a roller coaster. However your students want to dive in, there’s certainly a seaside destination somewhere fit for every group’s particular taste.

By Todd Kortemeier

Main Image: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio; Credit: Cedar Point/Branden Morris