New Jersey
America's original boardwalk resort still runs on salt air, neon and showtime: four miles of planks opened in 1870, a pier with a Ferris wheel over the surf, a lighthouse with 228 steps, casino resorts open at every hour and a food scene of oyster houses, sub shops and taffy pullers that long predates the slot machines.
This guide covers the headline sights, the dolphin cruises, ghost tours and waterpark that make good use of a rainy day, the quieter beaches of Brigantine, Ventnor and Margate, and ten hotels from the Boardwalk towers to the Marina District and the family-focused Showboat.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
America's first boardwalk, opened in 1870 and still the spine of the city: miles of planks above the sand, with casinos, piers, taffy shops, arcades and rolling chairs lining one side and the Atlantic on the other. Free to walk, day or night.
Steel Pier
The pier that has entertained crowds since 1898, now a seaside amusement park jutting into the Atlantic with a giant Ferris wheel, thrill rides, kiddie rides, arcade games and some of the best ocean views in town.
Absecon Lighthouse
New Jersey's tallest lighthouse, lit in 1857, with 228 steps to a gallery that looks across the Atlantic, the inlet and the casino skyline. A small museum and keeper's house make it the city's best slice of pre-casino history.
Dolphin Watching Cruise
A boat trip along the Atlantic City waterfront and out toward the open ocean to look for bottlenose dolphins, seabirds and the skyline from the water. A gentle, family-friendly outing in the warmer months.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
FreeAmerica's first boardwalk, opened in 1870 and still the spine of the city: miles of planks above the sand, with casinos, piers, taffy shops, arcades and rolling chairs lining one side and the Atlantic on the other. Free to walk, day or night.
FreeWide, clean Atlantic sand running the full length of the Boardwalk, with lifeguards in season, no entry fees, surf breaks, kite-flying and casino towers as a backdrop. A summer day here is the cheapest great thing in town.
The pier that has entertained crowds since 1898, now a seaside amusement park jutting into the Atlantic with a giant Ferris wheel, thrill rides, kiddie rides, arcade games and some of the best ocean views in town.
New Jersey's tallest lighthouse, lit in 1857, with 228 steps to a gallery that looks across the Atlantic, the inlet and the casino skyline. A small museum and keeper's house make it the city's best slice of pre-casino history.
The 1929 convention hall that once housed the world's largest pipe organ and the Miss America pageant, still hosting concerts, sports and big events under one of the largest unobstructed barrel-vaulted ceilings ever built.
Atlantic City's casinos are the reason most people come: slots, table games, poker rooms and sportsbooks open around the clock across the Boardwalk and Marina District, with free entry, loud energy and some surprisingly good people-watching.
Arena concerts, comedy clubs, magic acts and theater shows fill the casino resorts and Boardwalk Hall most nights of the year, giving Atlantic City a bigger live entertainment calendar than most cities its size.
A rock-and-roll dining room inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on the Boardwalk, with stage-worn memorabilia on the walls, burgers and shakes on the menu and an easy, music-loud mood that works for families and groups.
A boat trip along the Atlantic City waterfront and out toward the open ocean to look for bottlenose dolphins, seabirds and the skyline from the water. A gentle, family-friendly outing in the warmer months.
A walking tour after dark that mixes Atlantic City history, mob lore and ghost stories along the Boardwalk, with tales of grand hotels, fires, shipwrecks and the characters who built the city.
A big indoor waterpark attached to the Showboat Hotel on the Boardwalk, with slides, a wave pool, lazy river and splash areas, so a rainy or cold day in Atlantic City can still feel like summer.
A beachside mini golf course with ocean air, themed holes and a laid-back vibe, an easy, inexpensive way to fill an hour with children, friends or a date.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Marina District
Atlantic City's polished flagship resort in the Marina District: two big towers, a destination spa, a long list of restaurants and a busy entertainment calendar. It feels more like a Las Vegas resort than a Boardwalk hotel.
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$$$Boardwalk, Midtown South
A rock-themed megaresort right on the Boardwalk, in the former Taj Mahal building, with a concert arena, a huge casino, a long list of restaurants and a lively, music-loud atmosphere that suits groups.
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$$$Boardwalk, North End
A sleek oceanfront tower at the north end of the Boardwalk, built as Revel and now run as Ocean, with big views, a modern look, a pool area, a showroom and a quieter feel than the older casino hotels.
Check rates →Boardwalk, Midtown South
A classic Boardwalk casino resort with Roman-style flair, a central location, a big casino floor, a spa and plenty of dining. A dependable, well-placed choice for first-time visitors.
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$$Boardwalk, Midtown South
A large Boardwalk resort known for its Havana-themed shopping and dining arcade, a big indoor pool area and a more affordable feel, popular with families and bus-trip groups.
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$$$Marina District
A large waterfront casino resort in the Marina District, with marina views, an indoor pool, a spa, varied dining and a calmer, resort feel than the Boardwalk hotels.
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$$Boardwalk, Midtown South
The casino that started it all, Atlantic City's first, opened in 1978 on the Boardwalk, with oceanfront rooms, a Boardwalk-level beach bar scene in summer, a showroom and old-school character.
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$$$Marina District
A mid-sized waterfront casino hotel in the Marina District, known for roomy rooms, bay views, a rooftop pool scene and a calmer, more personal feel than the megaresorts.
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$$Boardwalk, Midtown South
A big Boardwalk casino hotel with a Wild West-themed gaming area, an indoor pool, a central location and rates that often undercut the flashier resorts.
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$$Boardwalk, South End
A non-casino hotel on the Boardwalk with large suites, a beachfront location and the indoor Island Waterpark. The best family-focused address in Atlantic City.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Atlantic City BoardwalkStay
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic CityBoardwalk, Midtown South
Do
Steel PierStay
Borgata Hotel Casino and SpaMarina District
Do
Absecon LighthouseStay
Showboat Hotel Atlantic CityBoardwalk, South End
While you are there
Concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
A three-day plan that balances beach time, Boardwalk classics, history, a show and a day away from the casinos, with tips on sequencing, transport and timing.
How to choose between Boardwalk casino hotels, Marina District resorts and the family-friendly Showboat, with notes on views, noise, fees, parking and timing.
A guide to eating well in Atlantic City, from century-old seafood houses and sub shops to Boardwalk sweets, casino steakhouses and a small-batch distillery.
Practical ways to enjoy Atlantic City without overspending: free sights, midweek stays, cheap eats, fee-checking, transport and the best low-cost activities.
A season-by-season guide to Atlantic City: beach weather, wildlife, events, crowds, hotel prices and what is open in each part of the year.
A family guide to Atlantic City: kid-friendly beaches and rides, the indoor waterpark, wildlife outings, sweets, family hotels and tips for avoiding casino zones.
