Atlantic City trips and vacations

Use your vacation in Atlantic City to explore the historic sites along the boardwalk and beyond. The Civil Rights Garden features commemorative columns inscribed with quotes from civil rights leaders, while the World War I Memorial honors the city’s fallen soldiers. In nearby Margate City, Lucy the Elephant — an 1881 novelty sculpture — is one of the area’s most popular landmarks.

Each of Atlantic City’s neighborhoods is packed with public art, from painted planters and deck chairs to over 70 murals created by various artists. Take an afternoon out of your trip to Atlantic City to go on a self-guided tour of the city’s street art and peek into its diverse culture. The Atlantic City Arts Foundation offers free downloadable maps.

Atlantic City’s coastal location makes it a great base for exploring the rest of the Jersey Shore. Cape May, at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, is known for its Victorian homes and beautiful beach. Resort city Wildwood, about a 45-minute drive south, is a great day trip for families, with its boardwalk, 1950s architecture and Doo Wop Experience museum.

Running along the Atlantic coastline, Atlantic City’s boardwalk is at the heart of the action. The first of its kind in the US, the boardwalk today is a shopping and entertainment hub. The Steel Pier invites hours of fun with its arcade, carnival games and roller coasters. And Atlantic City Beach is the perfect spot for a day of sand and surf.

Good for: Beach, shopping, roller coasters

Known for its Italian immigrant roots, Ducktown is one of the best areas to stay in Atlantic City for an authentic, local experience. It’s also home to some of the city’s oldest restaurants. The Barbera Seafood Market is a prime spot to sample fresh seafood. And if you’re hungry for a dose of culture, stop by the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University.

Good for: Italian restaurants, seafood, art museums

Home to casino resorts, luxurious hotels and popular nightclubs, the Marina District is where to stay in Atlantic City for nonstop action. When you get hungry, you’ll find a variety of restaurants in the resorts. But it’s not all indoor attractions here. Stroll the AC Waterfront Sculpture Walk, lined with manicured gardens and public art.

Good for: Casinos, nightclubs, resorts

From fine-dining restaurants to clam shacks and all-American diners, Atlantic City has no shortage of great food spots. You’ll find killer views of the Atlantic Ocean from the boardwalk’s oceanfront eateries. And Ducktown has some of the city’s best Italian restaurants. Craving a taste of history? Try the hoagies at White House Subs, an Atlantic City institution since 1946.

With their soft sands and surfable waves, Atlantic City’s beaches are one of its biggest draws. Atlantic City Beach is popular with swimmers and kayakers, while Downtown Beach and Crystal Beach are more suited to wave riders. Want to escape the crowds? Quiet Brigantine Beach is less than a fifteen-minute drive away.

The Steel Pier is one of Atlantic City’s most famous family-friendly attractions. Take a ride on The Wheel for city and coastline views, and try your luck at the carnival games. If you’re hunting for more thrills, you’ll find plenty at ISLAND Waterpark. This indoor waterpark has pools, slides, a lazy river and even a wave pool for bodyboarding and surfing.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is a popular spot to buy souvenirs like saltwater taffy, while the Noyes Arts Garage is home to artist studios and shops selling handmade crafts. The bookworms in your group will love Princeton Antiques and Books. On the hunt for fashion? Take a short drive to Historic Smithville and Village Greene for one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Atlantic City’s waterfront casinos are known for their dance clubs, cocktail lounges and beach bars. You’ll also find casual pubs and comedy clubs along the boardwalk, as well as live music and theater at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. If you’re in the mood for a luxury experience, the Marina District’s high-end bars are just the ticket.

The Atlantic City Historical Museum in the Atlantic City Experience is free to visit and showcases the city’s history in photos, souvenirs and artifacts. For great views, check out the Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857 and still New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse. Beyond the city limits, check out the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey in Newtonville, just over a 30-minute drive away.