Atlantic City, NJ

Travel Guide
Atlantic City Aquarium showing marine life, a park and flowers
Come for gambling, the Boardwalk, saltwater taffy, activities on the water and concerts in this very popular New Jersey tourist destination.

From the beaches and boardwalk to casinos and concerts, Atlantic City offers fantastic daytime and nighttime activities for an active and exciting vacation. Select from varied choices for a wild weekend, a gaming holiday, a romantic getaway or a family vacation.

Built in 1870, long before gambling came to Atlantic City, the Boardwalk was an attraction powerful enough to draw visitors. Meander for more than 4 miles (8 kilometers) along the wide wooden walkway and step onto the sandy beach. Find a spot to relax under an umbrella or swim, surf, kayak, fish or windsurf on the ocean. Come early to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean or stay late for a sunset stroll.

On the other side of the Boardwalk, enjoy dining, shopping and nightlife. Stop at one of the many souvenir shops and have some saltwater taffy, invented here in 1883. Go just beyond the southwestern end of the Boardwalk to see Lucy the Elephant, a six-story historical landmark.

At the northeastern end of the Boardwalk, visit the Atlantic City Aquarium and the very tall restored Absecon Lighthouse. Walk out onto Steel Pier for amusement park rides, dining and carnival games.

Different types of games were introduced in 1978 with the first casino in Atlantic City. Today, choose from several very large casinos, offering not only gambling, but also hotel accommodations and celebrity entertainment.

The renowned Atlantic City Ballet performance venue is along the Boardwalk. Visit the Atlantic City Free Public Library to view its heritage collection and listen to the International Night Concert Series. Check the schedule of events at Boardwalk Hall, which hosts music, comedy, films and even the Miss America Pageant.

Head inland for golf, outlet mall shopping and more cultural attractions. Shop and meet artists at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University. Travel to nearby Newtonville for the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.

Whatever your interests, find plenty to do in Atlantic City.

Where to stay in Atlantic City

Tropicana Atlantic City
Tropicana Atlantic City
3.5 out of 5
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
The price is $67 per night from Jun 11 to Jun 12
$67
per night
Jun 11 - Jun 12
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 13 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
7/10 Good! (9,743 reviews)
"ok"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

Tropicana Atlantic City
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
4 out of 5
1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $119 per night from Jun 14 to Jun 15
$119
per night
Jun 14 - Jun 15
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoy 10 restaurants, a beach locale, and a casino. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (11,129 reviews)
"The room was very nice, clean and comfortable. Very nicely decorated and updated. We were in a nonsmoking room and nonsmoking floor. There was no evidence of smoke. Enjoyed our stay !"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Ocean Casino Resort
Ocean Casino Resort
4 out of 5
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
The price is $183 per night from Jun 13 to Jun 14
$183
per night
Jun 13 - Jun 14
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 18 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the convenient ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (7,244 reviews)
"Our floor needed some vacuuming."

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

Ocean Casino Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach
Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach
3 out of 5
1400 Ocean Avenue, Brigantine, NJ
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Brigantine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy beds ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,366 reviews)
"Very close to the beach and easy to get to!"

Reviewed on May 27, 2023

Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach
Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
3.5 out of 5
60 N Maine Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly condo in Atlantic City. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,179 reviews)
"We loved the stay from the moment we arrived, until we left. It had a great view, everything was clean and it had everything you could possibly need for a nice stay. Everyone was friendly, I will definitely stay again, hopefully soon!"

Reviewed on May 31, 2023

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
Boardwalk Resorts La Sammana
Boardwalk Resorts La Sammana
3.5 out of 5
1400 West Brigantine Ave, Brigantine, NJ
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Brigantine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (729 reviews)
"good location. Easy walk to beach. Friendly staff"

Reviewed on May 27, 2023

Boardwalk Resorts La Sammana
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Atlantic City

Driving is by far the most convenient way to see Atlantic City. Rent a vehicle of your own, or rely on the huge fleet of taxis that serve the city. Sections of the boardwalk can be explored on foot, but at 4 miles (6 miles) long, you won’t often feel like walking the whole thing. Rent a rolling chair, a shaded seat on wheels pushed by an operator. Or, take the Jitney (minibus) to headline sights. Visit the New Jersey Department of Transportation website.Browse Atlantic City rental cars.

Best time to visit

Plan your trip to Atlantic City for any time between late spring and early fall and you are sure to have warm weather. The temperatures here are rarely uncomfortably high, with daytime highs in July and August averaging around 80 F (26 C). Keep in mind that the summer months are the high season, so casinos and other attractions will be busier, but for many visitors, that adds to the lively atmosphere.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Atlantic City

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2136
" "5 - Excellent 28.678839957035446%
4 - Good
3435
" "4 - Good 46.119763694951665%
3 - Okay
1477
" "3 - Okay 19.830827067669173%
2 - Disappointing
268
" "2 - Disappointing 3.59828141783029%
1 - Terrible
132
" "1 - Terrible 1.7722878625134264%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Apr 16, 2020

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is decent. I would go again after the coronavirus is gone forever.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

This is not a friendly city. Philidelphians and New Yorkers descend upon AC and think they own the town and demand attention, making the experience tense for everyone else; AC natives seem overworked and underpaid and with broken spirits.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

I Love Las Vegas, but Atlantic City is A quick place that’s not to far From Maryland, And still find good eats and activity.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 19, 2020

I highly recommend dining at Kelsey's. They have fantastic southern food and amazing live music at night (though it may be a bit loud for some people). Reservations are highly suggested but it is definitely worth it.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 19, 2020

Nice place for a quick getaway

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

Would have liked to have had more time to spend there, i am sure we would have had a great time.

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