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Atlantic City is in the State of New Jersey. It is a city on the Atlantic coast and is one hour from Center City (downtown) Philadelphia and about two hours from Midtown Manhattan. Atlantic City Expressway connects Philadelphia to Atlantic City and I-95/Garden State Parkway connects New York City to Atlantic City.
Once upon a time, Atlantic City was the only place near New York and Philadelphia, where people from these two large cities could legally gamble. That has changed. Both Philadelphia and New York now have casinos of their own.
Atlantic City is famous for having the world's first oceanside Boardwalk. Today, visitors will encounter a wide range of food vendors, carnival-type games, gift shops, and unique attractions. Whether it's Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, the Korean War Memorial, or one of many saltwater taffy shops, there's something for every interest. Let's highlight some of the things you can do besides gambling when you visit Atlantic City. The Quarter at Tropicana. If you are a shopping addict and you love everything that has to do with shopping. The Quarter at Tropicana offer some of the best shops and restaurants. There is the availability of the Old-Havana shopping mall that is situated in the Tropicana Casino resort. There are more than 40 stores.
But in my opinion the allure of Atlantic City has not faded. The casinos of Atlantic City are much bigger, Atlantic City has a nice boardwalk and beach and many fun things to do for individuals and for families. There are several shore towns close to Atlantic City that are extremely popular with the tourists like Ventnor City, Margate City, Ocean City and Brigantine.
If you are traveling with your friends, you can stay in one of the many casinos of Atlantic City and hit some of the clubs and fancy restaurants. If you are with family, you can rent an AirBnb or a beach house in one of the shore towns nearby and spend a night out in Atlantic City. I have done both several times!
How can I travel to Atlantic City?
- Driving: The best way to get to Atlantic City from Philadelphia and New York is by driving. Atlantic City Expressway connects the City of Philadelphia to Atlantic City. It is about 62 miles. I-95 and the Garden State Parkway connects New York City to Atlantic City. The distance from Philly and New York City will wary slightly based on where you are in these two cities.
- Flying: Atlantic City has an airport and many small airlines fly there. If you are outside of Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Delaware or Maryland, you should also consider flying.
- Train: There is a direct train from the 30th Street Station Philadelphia to Atlantic City. It is cheaper than driving because you do not have to pay all the tolls. There is no easy way to get to Atlantic City from New York by train.
- Bus: Many people (particularly seniors) take the bus from New York and Philadelphia to Atlantic City. There are regular bus services between these cities. There are also specialized services that pick you up, drop you off at a casino and pick you back up after several hours.
Where should I stay in Atlantic City?
This is an interesting decision to make. AC is not a very big city but it has a reputation and it is important to keep that in mind.
- Budget: Many people who visit Atlantic City are going to spend only a few hours in the hotel room. So finding a cheaper hotel makes sense. Instead of booking cheap motels in Atlantic City, I have always booked Motels/Hotels in places very close to Atlantic City like Egg Harbor Township, Pleasantville or Absecon. You can take a Uber from AC to Egg Harbor in about 10 minutes. These areas are much safer and the rooms will be of much better quality.
- Boardwalk: There are many casinos and hotels on the boardwalk. Some of the popular ones are Ocean Casino, Hard Rock, Caesars, Showboat, Tropicana and Bally's. One of my favorites is the Fantasea Resorts at Atlantic Palace. It is a condo hotel and the shore facing views are very nice. You might find rooms in this hotel on AirBnb also.
- The two best hotels in Atlantic City are not on the boardwalk. Borgata, which in my view is the best hotel in AC and Harrah's are a couple of miles away from the boardwalk. If money is no concern, I would stay at the Borgata. It is a casino that is very similar to some of the casinos in Las Vegas.
Things to do in Atlantic City.
What do I do in Atlantic City? There are many things you can do at Atlantic City. Typically I travel with my friends to Atlantic City on Friday mornings, check-in early, work remotely from the hotel room and start partying on Friday evenings. Ride back to Philly on Sunday morning after a nice brunch (The boardwalk will be empty on Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly during Fall and Winter. It is a great place to jog or bicycle).
- Gambling: One of the key reasons why people visit is for gambling. I gamble a little bit for fun in the slot machines but I am not a serious gambler. Borgata is known for its poker (largest poker room in Atlantic City). Ceasars, Harrah's and Tropicana are known for their slot machines.
- Atlantic City Boardwalk: It is one of the best boardwalks along the New Jersey shore. You will find all kinds of shops and restaurants on the boardwalk. It is a long boardwalk and can be very crowded sometimes. You can bicycle on the boardwalk during certain times. There are a couple of piers, shopping malls and an amusement park. The boardwalk also has trams if you do not feel like walking.
- Atlantic City Beach: AC has a very nice beach. It is not the best beach in New Jersey, but I found it to be clean and family friendly.
- Steel Pier Amusement Park: The Steel Pier Amusement Park is on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The park was first built in 1898. There are several rides for both adults and kids. From the top of some of these rides, you will see spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Jersey shore. The Amusement Park has restaurants a few bars inside.
- Bally's Bikini Beach Bar: Bally's Bikini Beach Bar is one of my favorite places in Atlantic City. It is on the beach right next to the boardwalk. The atmosphere in the evenings can be electric. There is a nice bar in the middle and places to site all round it. If is chilly, you can sit by the fire pit. Most summer evenings, there will be live music and dancing. The prices are reasonable.
- Borgata Casino and Spa: If you feel like you are in Las Vegas, then you have to head to the Borgata Casino. It is a high end casino that has all the amenities that you expect in a place like this. Some of the best restaurants in Atlantic City are inside this Casino. There are many bars inside this Casino as well. My favorite is the B-Bar. It is on the casino floor and in the center of the action. A night of partying in Atlantic City should start with a nice cocktail at the B-Bar.
- Nightlife: Atlantic City has an active night life. MIXX and mur.mur are both inside the Borgata Casino. HQ Nightclub is located at the Revel. Showboat has the House of Blues. My favorite is The Pool After Dark at Harrah's. There is a massive pool in the middle and a lot of action around it. It is multilevel. From the second floor balcony area, you have a nice view of all that is going on around the pool. It is the number one destination for nightlife in Atlantic City.
- Boating: From Atlantic City you can take several boat tours. There are small sightseeing tours that last an hour or so to the Twrecks Charters that can last upto eight hours. If you are seriously into fishing, I recommend charters like Twrecks.
- Photography: Whenever I visit Atlantic City, I always take a lot of photographs. The view of the sunset from the beach and the boardwalk are awesome.
Atlantic City has had its ups and downs over the years. But I always enjoyed visiting the city. It offers a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
Have you been to Atlantic City?
NOTE: Shoot Philadelphia is supported by readers. Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. It helps me to continue to offer free content on this site. Subscribe below and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your privacy is important to me and I will not market your email ID.Visit the Affiliate Disclosure page and the Privacy Policy page in the About section for additional information.
Related Articles
Notice: This 'Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble' post is sponsored by Hotels.com
Wondering where you should travel to next with your significant other? Atlantic City is an amazing spot to satisfy your wanderlust cravings and need to get out and about again! And despite the city being known for it's night life and casinos there are plenty of cool things to do in the city besides gamble – making it the perfect place to travel for any type of traveler!
Fan of Monopoly? You will LOVE Atlantic City as it is the US city that inspired the iconic board game.
Pre plan your trip to Atlantic City by checking out fun places to stay in Atlantic City for all types of travelers prior to your trip!
13 Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble
There is no doubt Atlantic City is a cool place to travel as there is an abundance of fun attractions in the area.
Many tourists flock in from New York due it's close proximity to New Jersey. It is often thought of as the ‘Vegas of the East' as there are many casinos to enjoy in the area. However, if that isn't really your jam, don't write off this destination just yet as there are tonnes of other fun activities to enjoy.
This post will detail what else there is to do in Atlanta City but if you do want to spend a bit of time in a casino, I will briefly note that the best ones in the area include Tropicana Atlantic City, Caesars Palace Atlantic City, and Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.
Like Vegas, drinks are free if you are gambling but it is customary to tip at least $1 per drink.
Visit the Aquarium
Atlantic City is home to a very cool aquarium with over 100 varieties of fish and marine animals including several species of shark. You can find the aquarium in Historic Gardner's Basin of Atlantic City. Admission is very reasonable at only $10 for adults and $6 for kids making it a great low cost fun activity for budget conscious travelers.
Atlantic City Beach
If you want a quieter more relaxed vacation you may want to spend some time on Atlantic City Beach. Here, you can kick back and relax or alternatively if you are up for a bit more action, you can learn to surf or stand up paddle board with the Atlantic City Surf School from the beach.
You can often spot dolphins off the Jersey shore including from Atlantic City Beach however, it requires a bit of luck being on your side! For a more guaranteed viewing, we would suggest going on a dolphin spotting boat tour like Atlantic City Cruises.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
One of the most iconic spots in Atlantic City is the 4 mile long boardwalk known as the Atlantic City Boardwalk – you simply cannot visit this region without going for a boardwalk stroll during your stay.
The boardwalk is where you will find many of the casinos and hotels in the area but even if you aren't interested to gamble there are plenty of other fun activities to do on the boardwalk including visiting one of the many quirky restaurants, shops or bars along the mall. There is even a miniature golf in the dark course along the boardwalk and an escape room that are both particularly popular with families.
Another fun activity is to hire one of the iconic Atlantic City Rolling chairs. The chairs were initially brought in to assist the handicapped in the summer of 1887 but can now be enjoyed by all travelers visiting the area.
Absecon Lighthouse
If you are a fan of pretty lighthouses you will absolutely love Atlantic City as it has a gorgeous lighthouse known as the Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857. How to play europa casino slot machines. The lighthouse stands 171 feet tall and is currently the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. It is free to enter the lighthouse, however, if you would like to climb the 228 steps to the top, there is a small fee to pay.
The Steel Pier
Kids and big kids alike will rejoice at the 1,000-foot-long amusement park known as 'The Steel Pier' which can be found along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. There are a variety of games to enjoy at The Steel Pier including some old school arcade games.
Visit a Museum
Atlantic City is also home to many fun museums, one of the most popular in the area being the Ripley's Believe It or Not displaying over 400 weird and wacky exhibits including rare animal bones.
If you prefer a mainstream museum, there are also other good ones to visit in the area including the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.
What do I do in Atlantic City? There are many things you can do at Atlantic City. Typically I travel with my friends to Atlantic City on Friday mornings, check-in early, work remotely from the hotel room and start partying on Friday evenings. Ride back to Philly on Sunday morning after a nice brunch (The boardwalk will be empty on Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly during Fall and Winter. It is a great place to jog or bicycle).
- Gambling: One of the key reasons why people visit is for gambling. I gamble a little bit for fun in the slot machines but I am not a serious gambler. Borgata is known for its poker (largest poker room in Atlantic City). Ceasars, Harrah's and Tropicana are known for their slot machines.
- Atlantic City Boardwalk: It is one of the best boardwalks along the New Jersey shore. You will find all kinds of shops and restaurants on the boardwalk. It is a long boardwalk and can be very crowded sometimes. You can bicycle on the boardwalk during certain times. There are a couple of piers, shopping malls and an amusement park. The boardwalk also has trams if you do not feel like walking.
- Atlantic City Beach: AC has a very nice beach. It is not the best beach in New Jersey, but I found it to be clean and family friendly.
- Steel Pier Amusement Park: The Steel Pier Amusement Park is on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The park was first built in 1898. There are several rides for both adults and kids. From the top of some of these rides, you will see spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Jersey shore. The Amusement Park has restaurants a few bars inside.
- Bally's Bikini Beach Bar: Bally's Bikini Beach Bar is one of my favorite places in Atlantic City. It is on the beach right next to the boardwalk. The atmosphere in the evenings can be electric. There is a nice bar in the middle and places to site all round it. If is chilly, you can sit by the fire pit. Most summer evenings, there will be live music and dancing. The prices are reasonable.
- Borgata Casino and Spa: If you feel like you are in Las Vegas, then you have to head to the Borgata Casino. It is a high end casino that has all the amenities that you expect in a place like this. Some of the best restaurants in Atlantic City are inside this Casino. There are many bars inside this Casino as well. My favorite is the B-Bar. It is on the casino floor and in the center of the action. A night of partying in Atlantic City should start with a nice cocktail at the B-Bar.
- Nightlife: Atlantic City has an active night life. MIXX and mur.mur are both inside the Borgata Casino. HQ Nightclub is located at the Revel. Showboat has the House of Blues. My favorite is The Pool After Dark at Harrah's. There is a massive pool in the middle and a lot of action around it. It is multilevel. From the second floor balcony area, you have a nice view of all that is going on around the pool. It is the number one destination for nightlife in Atlantic City.
- Boating: From Atlantic City you can take several boat tours. There are small sightseeing tours that last an hour or so to the Twrecks Charters that can last upto eight hours. If you are seriously into fishing, I recommend charters like Twrecks.
- Photography: Whenever I visit Atlantic City, I always take a lot of photographs. The view of the sunset from the beach and the boardwalk are awesome.
Atlantic City has had its ups and downs over the years. But I always enjoyed visiting the city. It offers a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
Have you been to Atlantic City?
NOTE: Shoot Philadelphia is supported by readers. Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. It helps me to continue to offer free content on this site. Subscribe below and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your privacy is important to me and I will not market your email ID.Visit the Affiliate Disclosure page and the Privacy Policy page in the About section for additional information.
Related Articles
Notice: This 'Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble' post is sponsored by Hotels.com
Wondering where you should travel to next with your significant other? Atlantic City is an amazing spot to satisfy your wanderlust cravings and need to get out and about again! And despite the city being known for it's night life and casinos there are plenty of cool things to do in the city besides gamble – making it the perfect place to travel for any type of traveler!
Fan of Monopoly? You will LOVE Atlantic City as it is the US city that inspired the iconic board game.
Pre plan your trip to Atlantic City by checking out fun places to stay in Atlantic City for all types of travelers prior to your trip!
13 Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble
There is no doubt Atlantic City is a cool place to travel as there is an abundance of fun attractions in the area.
Many tourists flock in from New York due it's close proximity to New Jersey. It is often thought of as the ‘Vegas of the East' as there are many casinos to enjoy in the area. However, if that isn't really your jam, don't write off this destination just yet as there are tonnes of other fun activities to enjoy.
This post will detail what else there is to do in Atlanta City but if you do want to spend a bit of time in a casino, I will briefly note that the best ones in the area include Tropicana Atlantic City, Caesars Palace Atlantic City, and Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.
Like Vegas, drinks are free if you are gambling but it is customary to tip at least $1 per drink.
Visit the Aquarium
Atlantic City is home to a very cool aquarium with over 100 varieties of fish and marine animals including several species of shark. You can find the aquarium in Historic Gardner's Basin of Atlantic City. Admission is very reasonable at only $10 for adults and $6 for kids making it a great low cost fun activity for budget conscious travelers.
Atlantic City Beach
If you want a quieter more relaxed vacation you may want to spend some time on Atlantic City Beach. Here, you can kick back and relax or alternatively if you are up for a bit more action, you can learn to surf or stand up paddle board with the Atlantic City Surf School from the beach.
You can often spot dolphins off the Jersey shore including from Atlantic City Beach however, it requires a bit of luck being on your side! For a more guaranteed viewing, we would suggest going on a dolphin spotting boat tour like Atlantic City Cruises.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
One of the most iconic spots in Atlantic City is the 4 mile long boardwalk known as the Atlantic City Boardwalk – you simply cannot visit this region without going for a boardwalk stroll during your stay.
The boardwalk is where you will find many of the casinos and hotels in the area but even if you aren't interested to gamble there are plenty of other fun activities to do on the boardwalk including visiting one of the many quirky restaurants, shops or bars along the mall. There is even a miniature golf in the dark course along the boardwalk and an escape room that are both particularly popular with families.
Another fun activity is to hire one of the iconic Atlantic City Rolling chairs. The chairs were initially brought in to assist the handicapped in the summer of 1887 but can now be enjoyed by all travelers visiting the area.
Absecon Lighthouse
If you are a fan of pretty lighthouses you will absolutely love Atlantic City as it has a gorgeous lighthouse known as the Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857. How to play europa casino slot machines. The lighthouse stands 171 feet tall and is currently the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. It is free to enter the lighthouse, however, if you would like to climb the 228 steps to the top, there is a small fee to pay.
The Steel Pier
Kids and big kids alike will rejoice at the 1,000-foot-long amusement park known as 'The Steel Pier' which can be found along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. There are a variety of games to enjoy at The Steel Pier including some old school arcade games.
Visit a Museum
Atlantic City is also home to many fun museums, one of the most popular in the area being the Ripley's Believe It or Not displaying over 400 weird and wacky exhibits including rare animal bones.
If you prefer a mainstream museum, there are also other good ones to visit in the area including the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.
Have a drink at one of the many beach bars
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble
One of the best parts of Atlantic City is the many beach bars which are brimming with people in the summer time. Some of the most popular ones in the area include 2641 Boardwalk and Bally's Atlantic City.
Say Hi to Lucy the Margate Elephant
One of the most unique things to do in Atlantic City is a visit to Lucy the Margate Elephant, one of the oldest roadside tourist attractions in America, built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty.
If you would like to see Lucy in all her glory, she can be found along the beach in Josephine Herron Park. There is no fee to see the six stories tall attraction from the outside. However, if you would like a guided tour of the inside including a full history of the exhibit, this can be purchased from the gift shop.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
One of the activities in Atlantic City becoming increasingly popular with tourists is going on a Scavenger Hunt. There are many different companies offering these hunts which include looking for over 100 different objects in the area.
The hunts take around 2 hours to complete and are definitely one of the best cheap things to do in the area as they only cost around $10-$15 pp.
Enjoy one of the opulent Casinos without gambling
Even if you don't wish to gamble, like Vegas, Atlantic City offers some pretty impressive casinos that are worth checking out.
One of the best in the area is Caesars Atlantic City Casino, recommended for its impressive Roman Empire and Greek themed architecture. There is also great dining options inside including Gordan Ramsay Pub & Grill, KWI Restaurant and Noodle Bar, and Nero's Italian Steakhouse.
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble Sell
Another good option is the Borgata Hotel Casino , a 161,000-square-foot Tuscany-style casino. Aside from gambling, one of the best activities to enjoy at this casino is a visit to the 54,000-square-foot spa. A great option if you are on a romantic getaway!
Shop ‘Till You Drop
It may come as no surprise that Atlantic City has some pretty great shopping opportunities to enjoy.
If you would like to do some shopping on your vacation, we would recommend a trip to The Quarter at Tropicana, an Old-Havana themed shopping mall in the Tropicana Casino Resort. If you get sick of shopping you can enjoy one of the latin themed dining options inside including the Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar.
If you haven't got in your shopping fix yet, we would recommend a trip to Tanger Outlets, an open-air outlet mall with over 100 stores including Nike, Hilfiger, and H&M. If a bargain is what you seek – you'll be sure to find it here!
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall is another of the totally unmissable activities in Atlantic City. Best known for hosting the Miss America Pageant, it also hosts a range of other events throughout the year including concerts and sports games.
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble &
If your stay falls on a Monday, there is a free half-hour concert and tour of the hall which is home to the largest musical instrument in the world, a pipe organ with more than 33,000 pipes!
Visit some of the best restaurants in the area
Due to the location on the beach, one of the best things to eat in the area is fresh seafood. There are many popular seafood shacks along or near the Boardwalk to enjoy including the very popular Dock's Ouster House.
Aside from cheap boardwalk eats which are perfect for the budget conscious traveler, due to being a casino city, there are also lots of fine dining restaurants to enjoy in the area. Some of the best include those located within the Caesar's resort including the consistently high rated Nero's Italian Steakhouse.
Future Travel to Atlantic City
As the world remains in an uncertain state, the safety of future travel to this area remains unclear.
We are not medical professionals and any travel to this area should be made at your own risk. A more prudent approach would be to book for 2021 and beyond.
If you do decide to travel at this time, here are some general tips we would make:
- Wear a face mask;
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands regularly; and
- Book a hotel with free cancellation in the event you need to change your plans at the last minute.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Atlantic City and remember to stay safe!
Finish off your trip with some amazing New Jersey Quotes for IG!
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble Stock
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