Atlantic City is a tourist destination that hosts over 27 million visitors a year from all over the world and from nearby states, all hoping to have a great visit and some hoping to win big! It’s a city with many different attractions. It’s family friendly and boasts huge and luxurious hotels and casinos with top entertainment. Some people refer to Atlantic City as Las Vegas East.
There are many reasons to visit A.C. One would be for the beautiful beaches with soft warm sand. Another for the mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets over the majestic Atlantic. Or maybe for water activities like surfing, fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling or diving. These are just a few of the many activities Atlantic City has to offer. Then there’s the history and culture that will captivate you and make your visit unforgettable.
Getting To and From Atlantic City
Airplane
Atlantic City International Airport is located 9 miles from the center of the city. The airport is serviced by Spirit, American and Sun Country airlines. The schedules change regularly, but as of this writing, Spirit offers non-stop to and from Boston, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, and 6 cities in central/northern Florida. American offers non-stop to and from Philadelphia and points beyond. Sun Country offers flights non-stop to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul and points beyond. Call (609) 645-7895 for more information.
From the airport you can a take a taxi, a rental car (Avis, Budget or Enterprise) or a bus to get to the city center. There is also shuttle and limousine services available as well as Uber and Lyft. Taxi service is available curbside. See the taxi desk at the airport or call 609-645-7895 ext. 4725.
If leaving AC to catch a flight at Philadelphia International Airport, there is train service, car rental or shuttle/limo services available. Philadelphia airport is located 60 miles west of Atlantic City.
Train
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You can take a NJ Transit train from Philadelphia to Atlantic City for about $10 one-way, and travel time is approximately one and a half hours. From the Atlantic City rail terminal, you can travel to your casino/hotel or your destination by taxi, bus or jitney. NOTE: Both the A.C. Jitney Association and N.J. Transit provide free shuttle service each way between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and all casino locations in the city.
If you are traveling from New York City, you can take Penn Station to Trenton which is connected to RiverLine service going to Pennsauken Transportation Center. From here, you can take a train going to Atlantic City. The one-way ticket cost is about $21.
Car
If you are driving from South Jersey or Philadelphia you can take either Route 30 (White Horse Pike), Route 40 (Black Horse Pike) or the Atlantic City Expressway to city center, the Marina district or Brigantine. Driving from New York? You can take the Garden State Parkway that connects with the Atlantic City Expressway 10 miles away from the center of town.
If your plan is to drive to Atlantic City Gas Buddy will let you know what current gas prices are in the area.
Bus
If you will be traveling by bus, Greyhound charges roughly $20 one way to and from Philadelphia, $40-60 one way to and from New York, and $40-50 one way to and from Washington, DC.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit offers many options to get from Philadelphia to Atlantic City and back.
How to Get Around Atlantic City
Public Transportation
Atlantic City Public Transportation – aka ‘getting around town’! You can get around the city by hiring a rolling chair on the boardwalk at a cost of $5.00 for 1 or 2 passengers up to 5 blocks or $30 for 30 minutes or $40 for an hour (approximately).
Another boardwalk option is the electric tram car which runs the entire length of the boardwalk so it’s a great sightseeing option. Tram cars operate 7 days a week (weather permitting) from 10am-10pm Sun-Thur and 10am-11pm Fri-Sat. The fare is $4 one way ($2 for children under 12) and $10 for an all-day pass ($5 for children under 12).
Off boardwalk you can take a Jitney which is a 13-passenger local minibus that will take you to the city’s landmarks or anywhere within city limits for $2.50. This is an iconic travel option, having served Atlantic City for more than 100 years. Jitneys run 24/7 and stops are located on each block corner of Pacific Avenue.
NJ Transit buses are another option, and they go a little further from the boardwalk.
NOTE: Both the A.C. Jitney Association and N.J. Transit provide free shuttle service each way between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and all casino locations in the city.
Taxi
You can take a taxi outside casinos or book them by phone. A local taxi charges no more than $13 plus tips for places within the city.
Car Rental
From the airport, you can rent a car if you prefer to drive or visit any rental agencies in the city. Besides the boardwalk, which is pedestrianized, getting around Atlantic City is pretty easy, but since public transportation is a bit limited, driving a car makes more sense if you’re planning to see landmarks outside the city like Lucy the Elephant which is in nearby Margate City, a 2-mile drive from Atlantic City.
If your plan is to drive to Atlantic City Gas Buddy will let you know what current gas prices are in the area.
When to Visit Atlantic City
Summer – if planning to visit and enjoy the beach in summer, March thru August is the peak season with temperatures averaging between 70 and 84 degrees depending on the month. You can expect a cool breeze from the ocean to calm the summer heat.
Late Summer – if you visit between September and late October you can take advantage of the city’s less crowded attractions and steep discounts in shopping malls and hotels.
Year Round – any time of the year is ideal to visit Atlantic City because there are so many things to do both inside and outside. Some winter days can be beautiful, but others cold and windy, so if you don’t like the cold you can plan to stay inside and you won’t run out of things to do. Just plan ahead and do your research before visiting and you’ll enjoy yourself and have an unforgettable experience.
Reasons to Visit Atlantic City
Try Your Luck In One of the 9 Casinos
Gambling has been synonymous with Atlantic City since it was legalized in New Jersey in the 1970s. Atlantic City is home to the luxury casino hotels below:
- Resorts
- Hard Rock
- Ocean
- Bally’s
- Caesars
- Tropicana
- Harrah’s
- Borgata
- Golden Nugget
Spas/Salons/Pools
Casinos are not the only thing that is popular in Atlantic City. All casino/hotel properties have spas, salons and pools where you can pamper yourself with a luxurious facial or massage. After that, you can relax by an indoor or outdoor pool (weather permitting) or use the hotel’s direct access to the beach.
Entertainment
Atlantic City’s hotels and casinos host world-class shows with world-class talents and celebrities. They also have local DJs and performers that hit the stage in popular clubs and bars. Check out some of the clubs here.
Lite Bite or Full-Service Restaurants
You can enjoy a snack or beverage at any one of many different bars or go to the boardwalk and enjoy a wide variety of eateries and restaurants. The boardwalk offers local and traditional snacks like saltwater taffy, hot dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy that you can enjoy while walking the boards or the beach. Don’t forget to try the sandwiches from White House Subs located in Ducktown – a local shop that has been visited by celebrities like Beatles!
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, you can choose to dine in one of the casino hotels where top name restaurants and chefs are sure to have just the meal you’re in the mood for. Many celebrity chefs have restaurants in Atlantic City like Gordon Ramsey, Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay to name a few.
And of course, seafood is a staple in Atlantic City, so give Dock’s Oyster House a try for the best oysters, crab, lobsters and their top-of-the-line service. Docks has a second location now in Resorts Casino Hotel on North Carolina Avenue and the Boardwalk.
The Beach
Atlantic City has a wide beach with beige soft sand that is not only free but equipped with public restrooms and lifeguards during the summer. You can relax on a beach chair and get your tan, or enjoy different water activities like swimming, surfing and fishing. There are other nearby beaches like Brigantine Beach which is just minutes away and offers a different experience.
Where to Stay in Atlantic City
You can choose from a wide range of hotel resorts in Atlantic City that have large casinos, indoor pools, restaurants, and theaters. There are also budget-friendly hotels with good service and clean rooms, but if you want to take it up a notch, the casino hotels would be the way to go because of the many styles of rooms to choose from and the amenities offered like ocean views, marble floors, hot tubs, spas and pools. And don’t forget the excitement of the casino floor!
A Few Things to Do in Atlantic City
World Famous Boardwalk
The famous Atlantic City Boardwalk is a 6-mile stretch running along the ocean with shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, amusements, entertainment and casinos. You can catch a beach concert here in the summer, try your luck in a casino, take your kids to the Steel Pier amusement park for some fun and games or relax by the beach and sip a margarita.
Steel Pier Amusement Park
Located on the famous boardwalk in front of Resorts Casino and Hotel, you cannot leave the Steel Pier Amusement Park off of your Atlantic City agenda. The ferris wheel will give you a great view of the city and boardwalk, and there are many rides for adults and kids to enjoy. You can also indulge in some cotton candy and saltwater taffy to complete the amusement park experience.
Absecon Lighthouse
The Absecon Lighthouse with its 228 steps offers a 360-degree view of Atlantic City and the beaches. Located at the north side of the city, it’s the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey standing at 171-feet. According to visitors who have climbed the 228 steps, the view from the top is spectacular and worth it. Be sure to check out the history museum inside while you are there.
Atlantic City Aquarium
The Atlantic City Aquarium offers knowledge of different species of marine animal life with hands-on and interactive displays. Kids can enjoy the exhibits ranging from sharks to different ecosystems of the New Jersey coastline. Also featured are exotic creatures from different seas and oceans.
Where to Eat in Atlantic City
Atlantic City has tons of options for snacks and high-end restaurants. If you are planning to get the best cuisine from this city you won’t need to look too hard!
The famous boardwalk offers local and traditional snacks like saltwater taffy, hot dogs, funnel cakes and cotton candy. You can enjoy these while walking on the beach or boardwalk. Don’t forget to try the sandwiches from White House Subs located in Ducktown. This local shop has been visited by celebrities like the Beatles!
And of course, seafood is a staple in Atlantic City so give Dock’s Oyster House a try for the best oysters, crab and lobsters. Dock’s is also well known for their top-of-the-line service.
Travel Safe
Whether you’re traveling to Atlantic City by air, train, car or bus, you won’t run out of things to do when you get here. Good luck, and ALWAYS, travel safe.
If you enjoyed this article, you might be interested in Atlantic City History or Welcome to Atlantic City! We’re glad you’re here!
Here is some information for you on Atlantic City International airport, just a 20 minute drive to downtown Atlantic City. Check out What is the Closest Airport to Atlantic City?
