Promenade
A promenade (or esplanade in American English) is infrastructure for walking, often by a body of water. Unlike a simple path, a promenade is developed infrastructure deliberately constructed for mass numbers of pedestrians walking. Typically it is by a beach of a seaside resort and if wooden in construction, called a boardwalk.
Understand
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Promenades are infrastructures constructed for pedestrians. These are especially aimed at tourists. Typically commercial retail shops face onto promenades for foot traffic, which is called footfall. Often promenades are by oceans, the sea, lakes or occasionally riverfront. Pleasure piers are often attached to promenades.
Get in
editTransport on promenades is mostly by foot. Certain vehicular access is usually prohibited by law and vigorously enforced should you seek to breach this provision. Typically vehicles prohibited include:
- Car
- Motorcycle
- ATV
Accessing promenades to enter, can be by any of these means, but not travel on the promenades themselves. Segways may or may not be permitted, so check first. Law enforcement may access them in any vehicles, so do not obstruct them. Typical vehicles allowed include:
- Strollers
- Prams
- Rollators
- Wheelchairs
Stay healthy
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Promenades can sometimes permit bicycles and cycling. You can sometimes hire a bike for travelling. Pedestrians are particularly likely to be sympathetic to children on small bicycles or scooters. Rollerskating and rollerblading is usually okay provided you do not cause a nuisance. Mobility scooters are okay if required but may encounter narrow paths and even steps.
Other non-transport issues
editSeagulls are a nuisance especially if you are eating food and they swoop to steal it. Swimwear is usually acceptable dress during the day (but not necessarily in cafes), but you may wish to wear shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking. Beach huts may be attached to promenades, often these are privately owned which you should respect. Public toilets and even public showering facilities may be available in a building constructed for this purpose.
Stay safe
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Promenades are usually safer than equivalent areas that do not form part of the promenade. Local law enforcement police often patrol promenade areas. Like any tourist areas, beware of pickpocketing or scams, theft can even happen in cafes. Hawkers often frequent promenades. After dark, some promenades have bars and can get lively. Safe seafront promenades can become unsafe due to waves and advisory warnings may be issued, so observe them. Lifeboat launches can occur across promenades.
Destinations
editAmericas
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- Atlantic city boardwalk, New Jersey, USA
- Coney Island, New York, USA
- Galveston Seawall, Texas, USA
- Miami, Florida, USA
- Santa Monica Pier, California, USA
- Venice Beach boardwalk, California, USA
- Puerto Vallarta, Malecon, Mexico
- Havana, Malecon, Cuba
- Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema, Brazil
