Atlantic City in 3 days

Boardwalk casinos, Jersey Shore beaches, and saltwater taffy Best time to visit: May to September. Average daily budget: $140 to $260.

Day 1, Get oriented

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

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.

Eat: White House Sub Shop for the classic Italian hoagie

Day 2, Go deeper

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

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.

Eat: Angeloni's II in Ducktown for old school Italian American

Day 3, Hidden side

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

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.

Eat: Dock's Oyster House, open since 1897, for the best seafood in town

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

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.

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