Atlantic City, on Jersey’s Absecon Island, has been a popular tourist hotspot since the early 1850s. First created as a rail terminal resort, Atlantic City has evolved over the centuries and is now a bustling boardwalk town (more on that later) that is home to a vibrant community of locals and tourists.
Atlantic City attractions are the hallmark of this town, and there are so many to choose from! We’ve compiled the ultimate list of the top 3 things you should do in Atlantic City, as well as some extras!
Atlantic City Attractions: Live it Up!
A Short History Lesson on Atlantic City
As the real-life model for the hugely popular board game Monopoly, Atlantic City is known for being home to the US’s first proper boardwalk, established in 1870. Not only that, but it is also the home of the first Ferris wheel in the world, which was built in 1892!
It is also the place where colored postcards were first produced. It even hosted the Miss American Beauty Pageant, before it was moved to Las Vegas in 2006. As you can see, Atlantic City attractions have always been the keystone of this town.
New Jersey’s most exciting resort town has certainly made its mark on the movies and is regularly used as a stand-in for Sin City – eagle-eyed residents may have recently recognized the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel and the Showboat in the 2021 movie, Army of the Dead.
The city is, of course, where classic movies like $5 A Day, Bounty Hunter, and Atlantic City are set, and it has even played host to A-Listers like Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Julie Roberts, and George Clooney as they filmed crucial scenes in The Godfather III and Ocean’s Eleven.
Meanwhile, on the small screen, ‘America’s Playground’ had the starring role in HBO’s smash drama, Boardwalk Empire. The show itself is based on Atlantic City attractions in the early 20th century.
In order to portray a more authentic Prohibition Era Atlantic City, it was filmed almost entirely on a specially-built soundstage located over in Brooklyn. Still, short of building a time machine and traveling back to the 1920s, there wasn’t much more than showrunner Terence Winter could’ve done about it.
As anyone who’s watched the immensely popular series would’ve thought, Atlantic City was quite the center for rum-running and was awash with speakeasies during the Great Depression.
It’s perhaps a bit of an understatement to say that the town has had a vibrant nightlife for quite some time! There have always been many Atlantic City attractions to enjoy.
Today, that spirit of nighttime frivolity is epitomized in the many casinos that can still be found lining the boardwalk.
Casino Gaming in Atlantic City
Ready to live it up at more Atlantic City attractions? After Las Vegas, Atlantic City is the hotspot for casino gaming in North America.
It currently houses a total of 12 different casino resorts, which are also elaborate hotels, concert halls, and conference centers. Each as seemingly lavish as the next, the casinos are divided into four locations: uptown, midtown, and the Marina Enclave.
The oldest casino hotel in town is the Resorts Casino, which was established in 1978. The first-ever fully legal casino in the US outside of Nevada.
On opening day, hoards of locals, lined up along the boardwalk – each keen to be the first to try out the all-new slots machines and gaming tables.
The site of the modern-day casino was initially occupied by The Chalfonte House and The Haddon House – Quaker rooming houses that were built by prominent local families.
The most ostentatious of the Atlantic City attractions there is, of course, Trump’s Taj Mahal, which sprawls across twenty acres and is almost forty stories high.
As a tourist hotspot, Atlantic City casinos, even the Taj Mahal, are known for being beginner-friendly. However, if you want to make the most of your time at the tables, it’s worth checking out a few NJ poker sites to brush up on your poker know-how.
Live it Up at Boardwalks and Beaches
After the thrill of the casino, it’s time to watch the sun go down on the city’s iconic boardwalk. Along with the beach, these are Atlantic City attractions you don’t want to miss!
Stretching for four miles, the boardwalk is lined with all manner of attractions, from souvenir stores to escape rooms and carnival-style amusement arcades. Head to Fralinger’s to stock up on saltwater taffy and talk a gentle stroll on the promenade.
One thing that sets Atlantic City apart from other gaming meccas in the US is its gorgeous beaches and ocean views. There are a lot of things to do at the beach; adrenalin junkies will get a real thrill from windsurfing, kayaking, and surfing.
You could even head off on a super-indulgent cruise if you’ve got the budget to accommodate it. If you need to tighten the purse strings, have no fear because the entrance to the beaches here is free of charge.
Head over to a quiet corner to find the perfect spot to catch some rays and chill before a big night out at the most glamorous resort in the town.
Nights Out (and Mornings After) in Atlantic City
Last on our list of Atlantic City Attractions would be the many bars and restaurants!
While the Taj Mahal wins the prize for overt glamour, it’s the more refined Borgata that is the most famous and luxurious casino resort on the strip.
This is the place to be to experience the best that Atlantic City nightlife has to offer: 11 restaurants will cater to the pickiest of eaters, while there’s no shortage of live entertainment acts on a nightly basis.
End the evening by sipping a fine cocktail at the Gypsy Bar as you’re serenaded by live musicians. It’s a great experience for all!
If you’ve got a bit more gas in the tank and don’t want to call it a night at last orders at the Gyspy bar, there’s a lot waiting for you in Atlantic City after hours. Most of the city’s nightclubs stay open until sunrise on weekends and with DJs, dancing, light shows, and more, the time will fly by.
Alternatively, you could check out the city’s numerous comedy clubs and indie bars located outside the casino resorts. Bally’s Beach Bar is a favorite with locals and visitors alike and serves up some pretty tasty sizzling barbeque.
Back Bay Alehouse, meanwhile, is ideal if you’re looking for a more low-key way to spend the evening. With five ales on tap, steaks, seafood, and burgers, this waterfront venue even offers free boat docking.
After your big night out, head to the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at Harrah’s Hotel the next morning for a spot of pampering.
If Roman baths are more your thing, the QUA Baths and Spa at Caesars Hotel will be right up your street; meanwhile, the Borgata herself is home to the Spa Toccare, which you can visit if you’re lucky enough to stay there. As you can see, there are so many Atlantic City attractions!
Some More Atlantic City Attractions…
Feeling refreshed after your morning in the spa? Time to grab a quick spot of lunch at Kelsey & Kim’s Southern Café – this is the café to visit for the ultimate comfort food.
Finally, before you head off home, there are some quintessential Atlantic City attractions that you shouldn’t miss! We’ve added a few bonus locations we think you should definitely experience. Be sure to check out the Absecon Lighthouse Boardwalk Hall, and the Steel Pier!
Ready to Live it Up?
After you’ve taken a look at all of the Atlantic City attractions, are you ready to hit the boardwalk? You could check out the beach, the casinos, or the boardwalk and have the vacation of your dreams!
Indulge in the history of Atlantic City and pretend you’re in an episode of Boardwalk Empire this summer- enjoy yourself and have a great time!
1 Comment
Satyne, what a fantastic read! Atlantic City provides everything you need for a terrific holiday, including excellent casino gambling, stunning beaches, and high-end hotels. Although there are many sites to visit, I feel the Boardwalk is the most important from a visitor standpoint. You may enjoy a fantastic view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and some of the top Atlantic City hotels, pubs, and restaurants on the other. People who enjoy gaming will enjoy the Atlantic City casino on the Boardwalk.