Atlantic City, NJ

Travel Guide

Atlantic City Boardwalk which includes a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Atlantic City Aquarium showing marine life, a park and flowers
Steel Pier which includes rides as well as a small group of people
Steel Pier featuring night scenes
Atlantic City Boardwalk featuring signage

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

Default Image

18th - 34th

If you're spending some time in 18th - 34th, Ocean City Beach and Discovery Seashell Museum are top sights worth seeing.

18th - 34th
Jersey Shore featuring shopping and interior views

Midtown South

While visiting Midtown South, you might make a stop by sights like Atlantic City Boardwalk and Bally's Atlantic City Casino.

Midtown South
Ocean City featuring a house

Central

If you're spending some time in Central, Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Central
Ocean City featuring outdoor eating, cafe lifestyle and street scenes

Downtown Ocean City

If you're spending some time in Downtown Ocean City, Ocean City Boardwalk and Pirate Island Golf are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Ocean City
Ocean City featuring a house

North End

4.5/5(267 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in North End, Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City Beach are top sights worth seeing.

North End
INDOOR POOL AT 
HARRAHS

Midtown North

If you're spending some time in Midtown North, Harrah's Atlantic City Casino and Borgata Event Center are top sights worth seeing.

Midtown North
Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination

Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination

3.5 out of 5
2831 Boardwalk Atlantic City NJ
$68 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Dec 29 to Dec 30
$85 total
Dec 29 - Dec 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 20 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (16,378 reviews)
good place to stay

Reviewed on Dec 23, 2025

Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination
Ocean Casino Resort

Ocean Casino Resort

4 out of 5
500 Boardwalk Atlantic City NJ
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$103 nightly
The price is $124 total per night from Jan 5 to Jan 6
$124 total
Jan 5 - Jan 6, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 18 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (10,843 reviews)
The room was great! Love this hotel.

Reviewed on Dec 22, 2025

Ocean Casino Resort
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination

4 out of 5
777 Harrah's Blvd. Atlantic City NJ
$67 nightly
The price is $84 total per night from Dec 29 to Dec 30
$84 total
Dec 29 - Dec 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy a full-service spa, 9 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (11,167 reviews)
The upgrade was amazing

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2025

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination
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.
Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

3.5 out of 5
60 N Maine Avenue Atlantic City NJ
Book a stay at this business-friendly condo in Atlantic City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,951 reviews)
Always an amazing stay! Great food and great people. Such a positive experience.

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
Marriott's Fairway Villas

Marriott's Fairway Villas

3 out of 5
500 East Fairway Lane Absecon NJ
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Absecon. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (785 reviews)
The room was spotless and the staff was very courteous.

Reviewed on Dec 23, 2025

Marriott's Fairway Villas
Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach

Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach

3 out of 5
1400 Ocean Avenue Brigantine NJ
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Brigantine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,750 reviews)
Helpful and polite staff.

Reviewed on Dec 5, 2025

Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach
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 TransportationOpens in a new window 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 29%
4 - Good
3435
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
1477
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
268
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
132
1 - Terrible 2%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

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

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

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

Nice place for a quick getaway

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

Cities near Atlantic City

Other places like Atlantic City

Explore a world of travel with Expedia