Rightly dubbed as The World’s Famous Playground or just America’s Playground, the place lives up to its reputation for being one of the most entertaining places in the entire world. Though the spot is mainly known for being the city of casinos, there is much more to Atlantic City than games and gambling.
And with this fun and comprehensive guide on the best things to do in Atlantic City, you will indeed have a trip worth remembering forever.
1. Atlantic City- The World’s Famous Playground
Before you begin your incredible adventure in America’s Playground, you should first learn about the city you are about to visit and explore.
Naturally, the first thing to know and learn is the location of the place – exactly where you can find Atlantic City on the globe.
Nestled in the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey, this resort town was formed as a health hub. A part of Absecon Island enveloped by the great Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ, is a fantastic place to spend your next vacation.
Today, it is the most extensive zone of fun, games, and entertainment not only in the United States but the whole world. Filled with fancy hotels, glittering shops, buzzing casinos, and colorful nightclubs, the city is always alive with the laughter of tourists and locals alike.
So it does not exactly come as much of a surprise that the city got the playful nickname The World’s Famous Playground or just America’s Playground. Want to know another fascinating and fun fact about AC? The beloved Monopoly game was based on the colorful roads and glittering streets of this city in New Jersey.
But that does not mean that you have to be super into games and gambling or stand in front of rows of slot machines to feel and experience the magic and charm of New Jersey.
By reading this fun and comprehensive guide on AC’s wonders, you will discover all the fantastic things to do in Atlantic City to enjoy your days here.
2. Top 10 Fun and Amazing Things to Do in Atlantic City
Scenic beaches, historical sites, colorful shops, fancy restaurants, and amusement piers – Atlantic City has everything you can want, imagine and much more.
There’s no way you will be having a dull moment on vacation at Monopoly City. So dive in to learn about all the hidden nooks and crooks of the town and find out all the beautiful things in Atlantic City that will ensure that you will want to return here for your next vacation.
2.1. Take a Stroll at Atlantic City Boardwalk
Weirdly enough, Atlantic City’s boardwalk is not called so due to its wooden planks but is named after Alexander Boardman, who established this world-renowned fantastic structure in the 1870s.
The Atlantic City Boardwalk has been a favorite among tourists and locals since its creation. It goes on for 4 miles and is decorated with lovely shops, trendy bars, fancy restaurants, buzzing game centers, and exciting carnival rides.
No matter how you wish to spend your time here, the Atlantic City Boardwalk has a little something for all visitors. You will find fun shopping, delicious food, unique games, or just a relaxing stroll – everything you could wish for here. And, of course, you can easily imagine this place being the perfect backdrop for a few candid snapshots.
The boardwalk represents all the parts of the city beautifully, and capturing it with a camera will make some happy memories and probably some insta-worthy shots as well.
2.2. Enjoy Some Fun Atlantic City Cruises
After a relaxing stroll, what better way to enter the fun zone than the Atlantic City Cruises?
Parties, adventures, and sightseeing – the cruises of Atlantic City in New Jersey are so popular for a reason. So, if you are looking for a hectic time filled with fun and excitement, book one while staying in the city.
Surrounded by the vast blues of the seas and the fresh ocean air, you will feel as if you have stepped into some other realm. And, of course, a friendly chat with the neighbors – the Bottlenose Dolphins will make your day a thousand times better. Mouthwatering delicacies and delicious cocktails will also be your companions on extraordinary cruises.
So with the Atlantic City Cruises, watch the colors play in the sky for sunset, chatter with the local cheerful dolphins, and sip your fancy drink while enjoying your dream vacation.
2.3. Learn About the Fascinating Past at Atlantic City Historical Museum
A place’s true essence and spirit live in its fascinating truths and stories of the past. A museum is the door that leads to all the fascinating tales and stories surrounding a place. And the Atlantic City Historical Museum holds the key to the city’s yore.
Atlantic City’s Historical Museum is another delight the Atlantic City Boardwalk offers. Situated in the Atlantic City Experience, this legendary museum was first inaugurated in 1985 and holds over one hundred and fifty years’ worth of precious past and history.
So get ready to need the lifelike Mr. Peanut, pictures and paintings of the past, heirlooms and antiques from the golden days, and a bunch of Miss America outfits.
Without a doubt, it can be said that your Atlantic City Experience will remain incomplete unless you take a trip back to the city’s past, filled with fascinating stories, intriguing events, and rich culture.
2.4. Let your Imagination Run Wild at Atlantic City Art Center
Another charm of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the Atlantic City Art Center, lies at the iconic Garden Pier.
Here, you will find artworks and sculptures of various styles and types. Both classic masterpieces, as well as modern creations, can be found here. Another attractive feature of the center is its wide range of photographs shown through beautiful exhibitions.
And if you are lucky enough to visit during one of the “meet the artist” events frequently organized by the place, your great day will become perfect.
You do not even need to be a huge art enthusiast to have a fun time here. With a wide range of stunning exhibits, beautiful photos, and stunning artwork, this place is popular among all kinds of tourists.
A lovely way to introduce yourself, your friends, and your family to the history and culture of a new city, visiting the Atlantic City Art Center should undoubtedly be high on your long and fun schedule in Atlantic City.
2.5. Have a Playful Time at Atlantic City Casinos
The Casinos of Atlantic City need no further introduction – they are believed to be the heart and soul of the city. After all, the place is nicknamed the Monopoly City and America’s Playground. The playful setting and atmosphere of the vibrant Atlantic City casinos are undoubtedly responsible for it.
Many people worldwide come to this city for the Atlantic City Casino Experience. And they don’t regret it – poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, and more will ensure you have the wildest night of your life. So show off your poker face, flaunt your card skills, and make some unique memories in the sleepless casinos of the city.
While the neighborhood is buzzing with endless rows of casinos, the most notable are Ocean Casino Resort, Borgata Hotel Casino, Caesars Atlantic City Casino, Hard Rock Hotel Casino, and Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.
2.6. Enjoy the Scenic Beauty at Atlantic City Beaches
Is there anything more vacation-like than a fun beach day with friends and family? The New Jersey Beach Town and the beautiful Atlantic City beaches will cure all your summer blues and fill your heart with joy and delight.
Apart from the game zones and the casinos, the city’s most popular attractions are undoubtedly the beaches. With soft and sandy shores stretching out by the blue waves of the crystalline waters, Atlantic City Beach is a beautiful spot to have fun or relax with your loved ones.
You can work on your tan or read a book and have a few peaceful hours by yourself, or if you are looking for something fun and exciting, there are plenty of stuff to choose from – jumping waves, playing beach games, or even boogie boarding!
While Atlantic City Beach is the most visited one, there are many other lovely beaches with sand, water, and seashore that you can stay in or near the city. You will find Brigantine Beach, Margate Beach, Cape May, The Cove, and Longport Dog Beach among them.
The last fun activity is perfect if you have a furry friend with you. And even if you don’t have a pet, you can visit Longport Dog Beach and befriend some dogs and maybe even their humans. Can you think of a better way to spend your time than playing with a bunch of adorable puppies?
2.7. Satisfy All Your Cravings at Atlantic City Restaurants
There is no way you can have a great vacation without tasting all the flavors of the place. And Atlantic City does not disappoint in this department either. Surrounding the casinos of the city and scattered around the Boardwalk, you will find diners, restaurants, and cafes of all kinds and cuisines.
So, after a long day of games and sightseeing, give yourself and your loved ones a treat by trying out the city’s flavors. Visit places like Café 2825, Nero’s Italian Steakhouse, or Angeline for Italian cravings. Feel a bit daring? Try the exotic seafood from Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Makai, or Dock’s Oyster House.
However, the experience will not be complete if you skip the city’s most well-known celebrity chef restaurant. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill is visited more for its name but loved for its food. While British cuisine is not a top choice for most folks visiting the city, the place is perfect for a bit of comfort food like shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips.
If you want to avoid the celebrity chef’s wrath and an angry lecture and have a fine dining experience, you better not skip the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Atlantic City.
2.8. Feel the Rhythm at Atlantic City Ballet
To fully feel the rhythm that beats in the city, a visit to the Atlantic City Ballet must undoubtedly be on your list of things to do in Atlantic City.
Established in 1982 by the famous international ballerina Phyllis Papa, the Atlantic City Ballet proudly represents the city’s cultural spirit. Performances are held all year round, featuring skilled and experienced dancers.
No matter when you visit the city, Atlantic City will have a couple of remarkable and mind-blowing performances for you to love and enjoy.
Among the most notable works arranged and shown here include famous names like Carmen, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and many more.
So enter a realm of magic with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream or spend some spooky hours witnessing the bloody Dracula.
Watching a show or performance with your whole family at Atlantic City Ballet will ensure an eventful day of fun and delight. The place is family-friendly and offers a perfect way to spend a few hours of pure fun with your loved ones.
2.9. Dive into a Colorful World in Atlantic City Aquarium
Filled with endless colorful marine and aquatic life species, the Atlantic City Aquarium should be a must on your list of things to do in Atlantic City.
You can find the aquarium at the Absecon Inlet and spend a day with your friends and family.
The children especially enjoy the colorful displays of unique fish and animals. The collection here is enormous, boasting common and rare names such as Moon Jellies, Piranha, Stingray, Seahorse, and various sharks, turtles, and eels. Along with that, there are species of wild and exotic animals like a Tarantula and even a Bearded Dragon Lizard.
Events and exhibits like a live diver feeding show, a tropical rainforest, ocean oddities, and even touch tanks!
Even though the place is not huge, with its odd, beautiful, and unique collection, it is a special place for kids and adults alike. So what if you are a grown-up? A place that is as enchanting as the Atlantic City Aquarium, with its diverse and colorful range of exhibits, you will feel like a kid on Christmas morning!
2.10. Just a Few More Wonderful Things to Do in Atlantic City
You cannot cover all the most incredible things in Atlantic City in just one little vacation. And once you have had a taste of this magical city, you will undoubtedly feel the pull to return again and again. So if you visit the city once, you will most likely be back to experience the best vacation of your life one more time.
For that, the leading options include – Atlantic City Airshow, Steel Park Amusement Park, Boat rides at Garden Basin, the national historic landmark of Lucy the Elephant, and New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse – Absecon Lighthouse, which can be found in Rhode Island Ave.
And don’t forget to shop till you drop at the Tanger Outlets to celebrate your wins at the casinos. A visit to any new place is something you remember by looking at all the trinkets and knick-knacks that you purchase from the souvenir shops of the city. You must also bring some gifts for your loved ones back home.
So visit Atlantic City, explore all you can, and visit historical landmarks, amusement parks, popular casinos, shops, and fancy restaurants. And for your next trip, tick off all the remaining things to do in Atlantic City you missed your first time.
3. FAQs
Still have questions on how to have the time of your life in the World’s Most Famous Playground? Read on to find the answers to the most frequently asked questions on the most fun and beautiful things to do in Atlantic City.
3.1. Where to Find Atlantic City?
The Atlantic City can be found on the Atlantic Coast in the U.S. State of New Jersey. Though it was initially established and made as a health resort, today, the city is considered one of the most beloved and popular tourist destinations worldwide.
The city is on Absecon Island and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. This unique and remarkable city on the New Jersey shore will reward you with one of the best vacations of your life.
3.2. What Are Some of the Best Things to Do in Atlantic City?
As you can see from the guide, there are countless lovely ways to spend your time at the Monopoly City of the United States of America.
Here in the beautiful region of New Jersey, you will never run out of fun in Atlantic City – you can take a walk on the Boardwalk, have fun at the Steel Pier Amusement Park, get awed by the live entertainment at the Boardwalk Hall, enjoy the scenic beauty of the lovely beaches, have a wild night out at the colorful casinos or dive into the deep blues of the aquarium.
Trendy shops, carnival games, live music, elegant diners, iconic landmarks, and fun cruises – the world’s wonderful playground has it all!
3.3. When is the Ideal Time to Visit and Enjoy Atlantic City in New Jersey?
Of course, you can visit Monopoly City anytime and year-round. But the ideal time to take a vacation to Atlantic City is believed by many to be the months of spring and summer. This means that the best time to take a trip to the colorful town of games and casinos is from March to May for Spring and from June to August for Summer.
If you visit during the chilly months of autumn and winter, you will likely find heavy crowds and cheaper accommodations. But then again, many shops, attractions, and fun places remain closed.
So balance out your options and understand your wants before planning the season of the vacation. That way, no one can stop you from having the best time of your life by trying out all the beautiful things to do in Atlantic City.
4. Closing Thoughts: The Final Game
Have you packed your bags for the perfect Atlantic City Trip yet? Now that you have discovered all the beautiful things to do in Atlantic City, why would you any longer?
This colorful city is nestled on the beautiful Atlantic Coast. Its iconic landmarks, buzzing casinos, scenic beaches, charming shops, and fancy restaurants should undoubtedly be a part of your travel diary.
Visiting Atlantic City is something that you have to do at least once in your life. Very few cities in the entire globe have such contrasting and colorful features that you ensure every kind of visitor finds a special something to love and enjoy.
Your stay will be memorable in the sleepless city of casinos and carnivals. And by trying all the best and most unique things, you will indeed have a trip filled with fun, joy, and laughter.
Last Updated on by Rajeshwari_Das
