Boardwalk Hall

Boardwalk Hall opened in 1929 as the Atlantic City Convention Hall, a monumental Art Deco-era building meant to prove that the resort could host anything. Its main auditorium was engineered with a vast barrel-vaulted roof and no interior columns, creating a cavernous space that has held beauty pageants, political conventions, boxing, hockey, circuses and countless concerts. It also contains the Midmer-Losh organ, long described as the largest pipe organ ever built. Even if you never attend an event, the exterior and lobby are worth a look as living proof of what Atlantic City aimed to be.

The building is a landmark in its own right. Its limestone facade fronts the Boardwalk with confident, formal grandeur, and the interior spaces are designed on a scale that still surprises visitors who arrive expecting a simple arena. The main hall's roof spans a huge uninterrupted width, a feat of engineering when it was built, and the room has been compared to a great railway shed or airship hangar.

Over the years the venue has hosted the Miss America Pageant for decades, major political conventions, national boxing cards, rock stars and sports teams, and it remains a primary stop on touring circuits for the Mid-Atlantic.

The organ deserves special mention. The Midmer-Losh organ in the main auditorium was an extraordinary project with seven manuals and tens of thousands of pipes, designed to fill a room of staggering size. Restoration efforts have kept parts of the instrument alive, and the organ is sometimes featured in tours or special programs. Check the venue's schedule if you hope to see or hear it, because it is not played on demand. The smaller Ballroom, with its own acoustic character, is another reason the building holds a place in American architecture and music history.

For visitors, the easiest way to experience Boardwalk Hall is to attend an event, whether that is a concert, hockey game, convention or exhibition. Look at the calendar for your travel dates and book through the venue. Arrive early to take in the lobby and the Boardwalk-facing exterior, and plan your transport, because parking near events can be crowded and rideshare pick-ups are best arranged a block or two away.

If no event suits your dates, a quick walk by is still worthwhile, especially in the evening when the facade lighting makes it a handsome backdrop. Accessibility is built into modern operations, with accessible seating and entrances, and the venue's staff can advise on specific needs. Security checks are standard for large events, so travel light and check bag policies before leaving your hotel.

If you have time and are curious, look at the building's own history online before you go; it helps you appreciate how much has happened under that roof, from beauty pageants to championship fights to presidential nominating conventions. Seat choice matters in a hall this size, so check a seating map and consider floor or lower-level options for music and mid-level seats for sports.

Food and drink concessions are available inside, but lines can be long, so eat first if you are on a schedule. Staff are generally friendly and helpful, and local fans are quick with advice on where to park.