Atlantic City attracts millions of tourists every year and has everything from casinos to historical landmarks to amusements, premier hotels and restaurants. There is something for everyone in this city. There are wide beaches with beige soft sands where you can enjoy water activities, relax and sip your margarita, build sandcastles, and much, much more. Atlantic City has 9 high-class resort casino hotels with amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a theater and direct beach access for all of the boardwalk properties.
As you prepare for your visit, be sure that you have everything you need for your time in Atlantic City. If you’re going to be here long enough to hit the beach and boardwalk, maybe you’ll need a sun hat or sunscreen. If you’re a camera buff, have you been wanting to upgrade your camera? Or maybe a nice backpack to keep your personal items and purchases safe? Amazon can help you get what you need in time for your visit!
Whether you’re visiting Atlantic City for a fun weekend or relaxing stay, we listed some of the best attractions, restaurants, and amusement parks that will make your experience one of a kind.
Things to do in Atlantic City
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, shop at one of the unique boardwalk stores, use it to get to a restaurant or use it to get to a casino. A lot of locals and visitors take advantage of it all year round, anytime of the day, by having their morning walk or enjoying their routine bike ride, but for most people, they go to the boardwalk to have fun.
You might need a good pair of walking shoes for your travels around Atlantic City. Check these out!
You can practice your swing at Atlantic City Miniature Golf, play arcade games at Central Pier Arcade, or go on rides and enjoy some saltwater taffy at Steel Pier Amusement Park. In the summer, you can enjoy free concerts at Kennedy Plaza. In July and August free jazz concerts are held at Chicken Bone Beach.
The Atlantic City boardwalk has it all, so don’t forget to visit this world-renowned place!
Atlantic City Beach
Atlantic City Beach is not where you think it is. It’s not located on the oceanfront. Families who are on a budget and looking for a good adventure and nice photos frequent here. Atlantic City Beach is set apart from the main oceanfront that faces southeast. It’s a small-hidden beach also referred to as the Caspian Avenue Beach, where the waters face the Absecon inlet. From here you can see the Atlantic City Aquarium and the neighboring city of Brigantine.
Known as the first Atlantic City beach by the locals, you can go here to have a break from the wide beaches in the central area. Waves are great for swimming and kayaking. Atlantic City Beach is equipped with clean public bathrooms and local history for beachgoers.
Steel Pier Amusement Park
If you are traveling during the summer, or fall, you should consider spending a few hours at the Steel Pier amusement park. 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 giant Ferris wheel, get your heart stopping on the Drop and the Slingshot. If you are planning something big or just want to impress someone, you might want to consider the helicopter rides that are being offered for the Atlantic City view.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium
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.
Chicken Bone Beach
Chicken Bone Beach is located in the middle of Atlantic City’s coastline and includes a bit of history for beachgoers. From the 1900’s thru the 1950’s it was a racially separated section of the beach frequented by African Americans, who back then were isolated from the rest of the Atlantic City. They were also not allowed to dine at any restaurant in the city, so they brought their own food which was mostly fried chicken.
Fortunately, people have changed, and the beach is open for all to enjoy just like all other beaches in Atlantic City. A memorial plaque can be found on the beach side of the boardwalk at its intersection with South Missouri Avenue showing a black and white photo of the legendary musician and actor Sammy Davis Jr. who would frequent the beach when he was in town.
Here’s a good book about Chicken Bone Beach!
Casino Hotels
There are currently nine casino hotels in Atlantic City. Six along the boardwalk and three in the Marina section of the city.
Along the Boardwalk, north to south
- Ocean
- Hard Rock
- Resorts
- Bally’s
- Caesars
- Tropicana
In the Marina district:
- Borgata
- Harrah’s
- Golden Nugget
All the casinos are spacious and luxurious and have many amenities for their guests. Most are brimming with marble and lights. Tropicana has an IMAX theater. Resorts, the first casino to open in Atlantic City in 1976 has that beautiful historic ambiance reminiscent of the “Rat Pack” days. All have either celebrity chefs or award-winning restaurants. There are a couple buffets, and of course the creme de la creme, the casino floors with all their games and music and jingling coins enticing you in to try your luck.
Entertainment is also big in Atlantic City with top name acts, comedy clubs and shows. You’ll find food courts and bars with many options to satisfy your late-night cravings, and high-end nightclubs with high-profile DJ’s rotating into the late-night hours so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the perfect ‘party’!
Absecon Lighthouse
The Absecon Lighthouse with 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 is 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, you can also check out the history museum inside while you are there.
Tanger Outlets
If you enjoy shopping you can head out to Tanger Outlets, “The Walk” which houses a wide range of stores from J. Crew to Old Navy to Coach. Recent visitors said that they enjoy the discounts and deals from different stores and visiting the outlets is definitely worth it.
Start Planning Your Trip to Atlantic City
Atlantic City is undeniably one of the best cities to visit in the United States. It has activities that are family and budget friendly, luxurious hotels, bars, casinos and amusements. You can relax by the beach, try your luck in the casinos, and experience the hotel resorts. People also come just for the extraordinary dining options. You can dine in the finest restaurants in the country or just enjoy a burger and shake. AC offers whatever you’re in the mood for. You can find history and enjoy the culture without breaking the bank. But if you want to be over the top, you certainly can because the opportunity is here.
If you are planning to visit Atlantic City soon, be sure to plan ahead. Doing your research will ensure that you will have an extraordinary experience. List your “can’t miss” attractions so you don’t miss anything, most importantly, have fun and stay safe!
Another thing you can do when you visit Atlantic City is find a good buffet. Buffets are great for families because of the large selection of offerings. Check out Where Can I Find a Buffet in Atlantic City.
