Is Atlantic City a good place for a family vacation? Absolutely! Just look at the city’s nickname “The World’s Playground”. It’s a favorite and certainly fun destination for families to take their vacations or weekends with the kids. Here you can find many things to see and places to visit. For example, beaches, the boardwalk, amusement parks, museums, and casinos. Below are some places and activities you can enjoy if you’re thinking of vacationing in Atlantic City with your family.
Some Places to Stay in Atlantic City
There are many family-friendly options for accommodations in Atlantic City, but we would recommend hotels and resorts that are within walking distance or have direct access to the beach and the boardwalk. Here are a few for you to consider.
- Tropicana Atlantic City is an all-in-one hotel, casino and resort where you can experience the best service and the best rooms. They have their own IMAX theater, indoor pools, restaurants and their own shops inside the complex. One of the best things about Tropicana is that it’s right on the boardwalk so you have direct access to the beach and boardwalk activities.
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the best hotels and casinos in the city. They have over 2,000 spacious and luxurious rooms paired with a beautiful beach and indoor swimming pools.
- Resorts Casino Hotel is located right on the boardwalk as well. Your kids will love the brand new indoor/outdoor pool and the candy store “Lick”. Resorts offers shopping and great dining options! Also, a lot of fun is to be had at the Steel Pier Amusement Park which is almost directly across the boardwalk from the casino entrance. See more information below.
Where to Eat in Atlantic City
You have many, many dining option here in Atlantic City so whether you want a classic American burger, some excellent Italian, an expensive steak or just a quick bite, the city has it all for you. If good food options help to answer the question Is Atlantic City a good place for a family vacation, then the answer is a resounding YES!
Below are some of our favorite restaurants that your kids will surely enjoy.
- Broadway Burger Bar located in the Quarter at Tropicana serves great classic American burgers along with milkshakes, cookies, pretzels, cereal and waffles served with ice cream on top!
- Capriccio Italian restaurant in Resorts Casino Hotel has won USA Today’s Best Casino Restaurant in the United States for 4 out of the past 5 years and was the first gourmet restaurant in an Atlantic City casino when gambling came to the city. Food and service are second to none!
- Carmine’s Italian Restaurant also located in the Quarter in Tropicana offers one of the best spaghetti dishes in the city and other delicious Italian food as well.
- Tony Baloney’s is a non-casino restaurant located at 300 Oriental Avenue in Atlantic City and a classic favorite that serves world-famous taco pizza that your kids will surely love. They also have mac and cheese pizza, a great choice for the kids!
- The original White House Subs at 2301 Arctic Avenue in Atlantic City is another non-casino restaurant that has been wowing customers since 1946 with their legendary submarine sandwiches. They now have a second location in Hard Rock Casino.
Things to do in Atlantic City with the Kids
Atlantic City Boardwalk
The world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk is the world’s first and longest boardwalk. You can take a stroll, relax on one of its benches while enjoying the beautiful ocean view and breezes, or use it to get to a restaurant, casino or attraction. Many locals and visitors take advantage of the boardwalk all year round, anytime of the day, by taking their morning walk on the boards or getting in their routine bike ride, but for most people, they go to the boardwalk to have fun.
You can practice your swing at Atlantic City Miniature Golf located at 1 Kennedy Plaza right on the boardwalk, play arcade games at Central Pier Arcade, go on rides and enjoy some saltwater taffy at Steel Pier Amusement Park. In the summer, you can enjoy free concerts at Kennedy Plaza, or in July and August you can enjoy a free live jazz concert at Chicken Bone Beach.
Concert at Chicken Bone Beach, July 2022
Photo Courtesy of: Thomas E. Briglia/ PhotoGraphics
Candy Candy Candy!
Be sure to visit James Candy Company located at 1519 Boardwalk (609-344-1519) and also at Tropicana and the Boardwalk here your kids can choose from a wide variety of delicious candies and give Atlantic City’s famous saltwater taffy a try as well.
Another great choice would be Steel’s Fudge at 2719 Boardwalk (609-345-4051). They were established in Atlantic City in 1919 and make not only fudge, but also salt water taffy, macaroons, brittles, glazed nuts, chocolates, caramels and many other tasty treats!
After stuffing yourselves with candies, bring your kids to the Playcade Arcade located at 2629 Boardwalk, where they can enjoy tons of games. Playcade can be reached at 609-345-8260.
Central Pier Arcade and Speedway
Central Pier Arcade and Speedway is known as the kid’s casino and one of the best places to take your kids here in A.C. They have NASCAR inspired go-karts where you can race with your kids. And if they or you like video games, and who doesn’t, you’ll find a great arcade where you can win prizes too.
Steel Pier Amusement Park
If you are travelling during the summer, or fall, you should consider spending a few hours at the Steel Pier. This 1000-foot long amusement park opened nearly a century ago. They have over 80 rides, different shows, carnival games and restaurants you can enjoy with your friends and family. You can get an excellent view of Atlantic City from the 200-foot tall Ferris Wheel, and get your heart stopping at the Drop and the Slingshot. If you are planning something big or just want to impress someone special, you might want to consider the helicopter rides that are being offered for the Atlantic City view.
Here’s a good book about the history of Steel Pier. This writer remembers visiting here many times as a child.
Absecon Lighthouse
The Absecon Lighthouse with its 228 steps also offers a 360 degree view of Atlantic City and the beach. Located at the north side of the city, the Absecon Lighthouse at 171-feet tall rightfully claims title as the tallest lighthouse in the state. According to visitors who have climbed the 228 steps, the view from the top is spectacular and worth it, you can also check the history museum inside while you’re there.
For a special treat, you can get a full experience by doing an overnight tour called the Keeper Sleeper where you watch the lighthouse illuminate with its magnificent lights.
If you’re into lighthouses, there are a number of items available such as coffee mugs, wall art, clothing and other decor. Check it out here!
Ripley’s, Believe It or Not!
Sad to say that after 25 years, Ripleys Believe It or Not! Museum on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City closed permanently as of December 31, 2022, however there are other Ripley’s attractions around the country and the world. Find them here.
Lucy the Elephant
Lucy is a 6-story novelty architecture that is located in Margate City, along the shore but 6 miles down beach from Atlantic City. This architecture has a small museum inside which offers the attraction’s history as well as art. Kid’s will surely love taking pictures and learning from Lucy the Elephant. Don’t forget to leave your signature in the guest book!
Atlantic City Aquarium
The Atlantic City Aquarium is home to many interesting live and interactive exhibits that display over 100 species of marine life. If your kids love the sea or they want to know more about marine creatures, this aquarium will surely amaze them. Learn about endangered and common species located in the Atlantic Ocean through their live and interactive exhibits. The Atlantic City Aquarium is located in Gardiner’s Basin in the Marina district of the city.
Atlantic City Miniature Golf
Here at Atlantic City Miniature Golf, you and your kids can learn how to swing a golf club, and it’s easily accessible because it’s located right along the boardwalk. This fun “sport” opened in 2000 and has 18 holes that your family can enjoy either through learning or through a friendly competition.
After finishing the golf course you can relax and get some ice cream at their ice cream counter which offers the Good Humor brand of cool, delicious treats.
Smithville Inn and Green Village
The Historic Smithville and Green Village is located 12 miles west of Atlantic City. You would take Route 30 West to Absecon, then Route 9 North to Smithville. This is a great place to stroll and enjoy the many unique shops, attractions and restaurants. Several times a year, festivals are held here. One such is Octoberfest, so be sure to check the schedule if you’re planning to visit. Events Schedule and Village Map
Here are some books and postcards that detail some of the history of the Historic Town of Smithville.
Rooms are available at the Inn where you can enjoy a few days of living in a traditional village and take a tour of the village on an old-fashioned train, a favorite ride for the kids.
When this writer was about 12 years old Smithville had a blueberry field and my mother and I worked there now and then in the summer picking blueberries. The blueberry fields have been gone for years, and the area is now quite built up.
IMAX Theater at Tropicana Resort and Casino
If you’re staying at The Tropicana Resort and Casino, be sure to check out their in-house IMAX Theater located in the Quarter on the 3rd floor. This theater can seat more than 200 guests.
You can have your movie nights with the whole family while staying in this luxurious resort. Since it’s an IMAX theater, you can enjoy very high-quality viewing with surround sound that makes any movie 10 times more thrilling! Movie Schedule
Of course, before starting your movie, don’t forget to grab some popcorn and drinks!
Traveling with kids is challenging, now that we know that Atlantic City is a good place for a family vacation, and with the right planning, it will sure be worth it to experience seeing the world with your kids! Happy travels and stay safe!
If you enjoyed this article and you’re a water baby, please check out 8 Atlantic City Area Beaches Provide Something for Everyone.
Another article that might give you some ideas is our Things To Do in and Around Atlantic City with the Kids. Maybe a dolphin watching cruise would fascinate the kidlings!
While you’re in the neighborhood, you might want to bring the kids to visit Lucy the Elephant in nearby Margate, NJ. Built in 1883, it’s a 60-story high pachyderm made of wood and steel originally built as a spectacle to entice tourists and real estate buyers to town. Lucy has guest rooms for rent, a gift shop and a lot of fun history!
