Boardwalk Sweets and Taffy

No Atlantic City trip is complete without a bag of salt water taffy. Legend says the name came about in the 1880s, when a flooded candy shop on the Boardwalk had its stock soaked by a storm and the shopkeeper jokingly sold the result as salt water taffy. Whether or not the story is true, the product became the city's signature confection, and several family-run candy shops have been making it for generations. Along with taffy you will find fudge, caramel apples, chocolate-dipped treats, brittle and frozen custard, all sold at windows and counters along the Boardwalk.

Watching taffy being made is part of the fun. At the traditional shops, machines stretch and fold the candy in the window, and you can see batches being cut and wrapped. Flavors range from classic vanilla, chocolate and peppermint to more adventurous options, and shops sell it by the pound in boxes, bags and gift tins. Many offer free samples, so you can try a few before choosing. Prices are usually modest, and a box makes a popular gift for friends and family back home.

Beyond taffy, the Boardwalk is a sweet-tooth paradise. Fudge shops slice thick slabs to order, caramel corn shops send sweet smells across the planks, and cones of frozen custard or soft serve are the perfect treat after a beach afternoon. Chocolate shops offer dipped fruit, pretzels and truffles, and funnel cake stands keep the old fair tradition alive. If you want a sit-down dessert, restaurants and casino cafes serve ice cream sundaes, milkshakes and cakes, often until late at night. Sweets are easily found at any hour, which fits the city's spirit.

A few tips help you buy well. Taste before you commit, since flavors and textures differ between shops, and ask about the freshest batches. Taffy keeps well in a cool, dry place, but heat and humidity can make it soft and sticky, so avoid leaving a bag in a hot car.

If you are flying home, pack it in your carry-on or a sealed container. For allergies, ask staff about nuts, dairy and shared equipment, because many shops handle several products in the same space. Consider buying a mix of flavors for a gift box and keeping a small bag for the walk.

This is also a great low-cost activity with children, who love the colors, the smells and the machines. Turn it into a game by letting each child pick one flavor to try. Combine your candy tour with a walk to the pier, a swim and an arcade stop for a classic Jersey Shore afternoon. It is the sort of experience that costs little and tends to become a core memory, which is why the shops have survived storms, booms and busts. Support them if you can, and leave a little room for dessert.

Turn your candy hunt into a mini tasting tour. Visit two or three shops, buy a small amount at each and compare how soft, chewy or flavorful each version is. Ask which flavor is the shop's favorite and which sells best, as the answers often surprise you. Vintage tins and boxes make nice keepsakes, and some shops will ship gifts for you. If you are traveling in cooler months, the shops are quieter, the staff have more time to chat and you may catch a demonstration without a crowd.