Atlantic City, United States travel guide

Boardwalk casinos, Jersey Shore beaches, and saltwater taffy

Best time to visit: May to September
Average daily budget: $140 to $260
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

Atlantic City is the original American resort town, the place that gave the world the boardwalk and the names on the Monopoly board. Nine casinos line a four mile stretch of wooden promenade above a wide free beach, and the mix of neon, arcade games, and ocean air is unlike anywhere else on the East Coast. Beyond the slot machines there is a serious dining scene inside the resorts, a revived arts district, and quieter shore towns like Ventnor and Margate a short ride south. It works as a weekend blowout or a cheap beach break, depending entirely on how you play it.

Atlantic City itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Ride the Steel Pier. The pier that once hosted diving horses now has a giant observation wheel with 200 foot views over the beach and skyline.

Afternoon: Explore The Boardwalk, The main artery, lined with casinos, arcades, food stands, and the Steel Pier amusement rides.

Evening: Walk the full boardwalk. Four miles of wooden promenade from Absecon Inlet to Ventnor, past casinos, taffy shops, and the ocean. Best at sunrise or after dark when the neon comes on.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Visit Lucy the Elephant. A six storey wooden elephant built in 1881 stands in Margate just south of town, and you can climb inside to the howdah on her back.

Afternoon: Explore The Marina District, Home to the Borgata and a quieter, more upscale resort scene away from the boardwalk crowds.

Evening: Spend an evening at the Borgata. The marina resort has the best poker room, the strongest restaurant lineup, and the biggest touring acts in town.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Eat a White House sub. The Ducktown institution has been making the same crusty Italian hoagies since 1946, and a half is usually enough for two.

Afternoon: Explore Ducktown, The historic Italian neighbourhood with old school red sauce restaurants and the famous White House Sub Shop.

Evening: Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey's tallest, with 228 steps to a harbour view. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

The Boardwalk: The main artery, lined with casinos, arcades, food stands, and the Steel Pier amusement rides.
The Marina District: Home to the Borgata and a quieter, more upscale resort scene away from the boardwalk crowds.
Ducktown: The historic Italian neighbourhood with old school red sauce restaurants and the famous White House Sub Shop.
Chelsea and Ventnor: Residential blocks south of the casinos with a calmer beach and a boardwalk that keeps going.

Must-do experiences

Walk the full boardwalk: Four miles of wooden promenade from Absecon Inlet to Ventnor, past casinos, taffy shops, and the ocean. Best at sunrise or after dark when the neon comes on.
Ride the Steel Pier: The pier that once hosted diving horses now has a giant observation wheel with 200 foot views over the beach and skyline.
Spend an evening at the Borgata: The marina resort has the best poker room, the strongest restaurant lineup, and the biggest touring acts in town.
Visit Lucy the Elephant: A six storey wooden elephant built in 1881 stands in Margate just south of town, and you can climb inside to the howdah on her back.
Eat a White House sub: The Ducktown institution has been making the same crusty Italian hoagies since 1946, and a half is usually enough for two.

Hidden gems

Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey's tallest, with 228 steps to a harbour view
The Noyes Arts Garage for local galleries and studio spaces off the boardwalk
Gardner's Basin, a small working harbour with waterfront seafood and dolphin cruises

Daily budget

$140 to $260 per day.

What to eat

White House Sub Shop for the classic Italian hoagie
Angeloni's II in Ducktown for old school Italian American
Dock's Oyster House, open since 1897, for the best seafood in town
Fralinger's on the boardwalk for saltwater taffy, invented here

Getting around

The boardwalk and beach are walkable, and the jitney minibuses run 24 hours between casinos for a few dollars. Trains and buses arrive from Philadelphia and New York, so a car is optional unless you plan to explore the shore.

Safety

The boardwalk and casino areas are patrolled and busy, but blocks inland can feel rough after dark, so stick to main streets or use the jitney. Watch your belongings on crowded summer weekends and swim near lifeguard stands.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Atlantic City?

May to September for beach weather, with June and September offering warm days and lower rates than peak July and August. Winter is cheap and the casinos run year round, but the boardwalk is windy and many outdoor attractions close.

How many days do you need in Atlantic City?

Two to three days. A weekend covers the boardwalk, a beach day, a show, and a couple of casinos. A third day lets you add Lucy the Elephant, Absecon Lighthouse, and the quieter shore towns.

Is Atlantic City safe for tourists?

The boardwalk, beach, and casino districts are well patrolled and generally safe, including at night. Areas a few blocks inland have higher crime, so avoid wandering there after dark and use the jitney or a rideshare instead.

Is the beach in Atlantic City free?

Yes. Unlike most Jersey Shore towns that sell beach badges, Atlantic City's beach is free and open to everyone, with lifeguards on duty through the summer season.

Where should you stay in Atlantic City?

Boardwalk casinos like Hard Rock and Ocean put you in the middle of everything, while the Borgata in the marina district is quieter and more upscale. Midweek rates are often half the weekend price.

How do you get to Atlantic City without a car?

NJ Transit trains and buses run from Philadelphia in about 90 minutes and from New York in around two and a half hours. Atlantic City International Airport is 20 minutes away, and jitneys handle getting around in town.

What is there to do in Atlantic City besides gambling?

Plenty. The free beach, the four mile boardwalk, Steel Pier rides, Absecon Lighthouse, Lucy the Elephant, dolphin cruises from Gardner's Basin, top tier concerts, and a strong seafood and Italian dining scene.

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