Atlantic City, NJ is one of the most famous spots in the country. It has a long history of being a
hub of entertainment, gambling, beaches, and every type of fun you can imagine. It hosts some of the
oldest attractions that the United States has to offer, and these days it’s a city that has
something for everyone. If you’re a gambler, then you’re certainly aware of the majesty of
Atlantic City’s many casinos and hotel casinos. And even if gambling isn’t your thing, it’s a
town full of a variety of other entertainment, incredible food, great amenities, and much
more. In this video, we’re taking a look at some of the best things to do and see in Atlantic City,
so you’ll have a better sense of all the incredible things available to you. So stay tuned,
as Viewcation presents: The Best Things To Do In Atlantic City, NJ
The Boardwalk The Atlantic City Boardwalk might be
the most iconic structure that the city has. Built in 1870, the boardwalk has withstood the test of
time and is the prime place to go when you’re in the area. The boardwalk is four miles long,
but unless you’re in a hurry, you’re gonna be stopping at a host of places along it. Heck,
you might only make it a quarter of a mile before you pop into a few shops, restaurants, and gaming
areas that seem fun, and suddenly you’ll realize hours have passed by. The Boardwalk is lined end
to end with all the carnival-style games and rides that you could ever ask for. Whether
you’re looking for the mild-mannered fun of bumper cars and teacup rides, to the extreme excitement
of giant roller coasters, you’ll have more than your fill on the boardwalk. It also hosts food
stands and restaurants of all varieties, though it specializes in the easy to grab, boardwalk-style
foods like pizza slices, cotton candy, and the like. There are bars for the over-21 crowd,
and as many souvenir shops as seemingly possible. The Boardwalk runs from the center of the city,
where all the casinos and hotels are located, so if you’re staying in the city, you’ll be able to
easily access it. But you don’t have to start from the end of it. You’ll be able to pop in anywhere
along the way and find everything you want. You’ll see bikers and roller bladers in addition to
people walking and running, so you can feel free to join whichever group fits your needs. And of
course, on the other side of the boardwalk from all the stores and rides is the gorgeous Atlantic
ocean. So your view will be incredible as you traverse your way through all the carnival-style
food and excitement. Another fun option is to pay for a rolling chair, which is a service
that was started in 1887. It was originally only used for disabled people, but nowadays they are
open to the general public. They’ll wheel you down the boardwalk for about $5 per 5 blocks.
Lucy the Margate Elephant Margate, NJ sits two towns over from
Atlantic City and is easily accessible by car, bike, or even a long walk. It’s a picturesque,
old-timey beach community that has been thriving for decades. And while some of the older houses
along the beach and in the town have since been torn down and replaced by new, fancy houses,
many of the houses from the early and mid-20th century are still standing. Margate offers it’s
own slew of great restaurants and shops and is a fun place to bop around. But while you’re there,
you’ll definitely have to check out Lucy, the Margate Elephant. It sits near the beach at
Josephine Herron Park, and it’s a six-story tall statue of an elephant. It was built in 1881,
making it the oldest roadside attraction in the United States. You can look at it from the
street and enjoy its look, or go inside via a ticketed guided tour. While you’re there,
grab a bite at Lucy’s Beach Grill and enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean as you eat.
Boardwalk Hall Jim Whelan Boardwalk
Hall is a convention center downtown that plays host to a ton of great events and concerts all
year long. It’s perhaps most famous for playing host to the Miss America Pageant several times,
but the hall offers a lot more than just that event. There are sporting events, music concerts,
and shows of all kinds inside the hall. So if you’re looking to be entertained while you’re in
Atlantic City, be sure to check their schedule. But even if you aren’t going there for a show,
it’s still a worthwhile place to check out. Especially because it houses the
largest musical instrument on the planet! It has a pipe organ inside that has a whopping
eight chambers and 33,000 individual pipes. It’s truly amazing to behold.
The Borgata There are plenty of great hotels
to stay at in downtown Atlantic City, but The Borgata is perhaps the most famous. For starters,
it’s the biggest hotel in the state. So if you’re looking to be where the action is,
the Tuscany-style Borgata is a great place to start. You can grab one of its 2002 rooms and
use it as a home base as you explore the city. Or, you can spend your vacation pretty much staying in
the hotel the entire time. That’s because it has a casino there that spans 161,000 square feet.
It has 200 table games, not to mention 4,100 slot machines. That means there’s pretty much
no waiting if you’re looking to gamble. And you won’t have to leave when you get hungry,
because the hotel offers 11 top-level restaurants on site. You’ll be able to grab a nice bite to eat
before you either head back to your room for some rest, hit the tables again, or decide to wander
around town. Of course, plenty of people choose to visit Atlantic City who isn’t into gambling. And
the Borgata offers plenty in that regard too. There’s a full-service spa and hair salon for
when you want some pampering. And the Borgata Event Center hosts year-round performances of
top-performing artists. So, while we definitely recommend exploring all the Atlantic City has to
offer, you at least have the option of making The Borgata your one-stop shop for your entire stay.
Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy Salt Water Taffy is a sweet staple of the
New Jersey shore experience. There are countless spots that offer it in and around town, especially
on the boardwalk, but Fralinger’s is definitely the first place to try. It’s been on the Atlantic
City Boardwalk since 1885. Not too shabby for a spot that essentially sells little chunks of
sugar. But a taste of their incredible salt water taffy will immediately show you how they’ve been
able to stay busy for almost a century and a half. They pump out tons of the little, chewy candies,
and they have a host of great flavors. If you want a more traditional taste, you can opt for classics
like chocolate or candy apple. But they also have some fun flavors for the more bold eater,
including eggnog and pumpkin. OF course, not everyone is a taffy person. But fortunately,
Fralinger’s offers some other tasty treats like macaroons, fudge, and much more. So for your
ultimate sugar fix, head over to Fralinger’s while you’re wandering around the Boardwalk.
Gardner’s Basin If you’re looking to get a little
bit out of the downtown or Boardwalk area, a nice option is to head to the Gardner’s Basic lake.
It’s a quaint waterway that’s filled with assorted bars, shops, and places to eat. And because it’s
not in the main areas of the city, it gets a lot less crowded. So if you’ve been feeling the push
and pull of the crowds around AC, you’ll have a nice break at Gardner’s Basin. Plus you can enjoy
some shopping and dining along the waterfront. If you’re looking to get out on the lake, you can buy
boat rides, or even go parasailing. Some of the cruises that set sail from Atlantic City land here
as well. Unfortunately, it’s not a swimming spot – you’ll need to do that when you visit the beaches.
The Beaches! Speaking of the beaches,
one of the best things to do in Atlantic City is to relax on one of the many awesome beaches.
New Jersey as a whole boasts hundreds of miles of shoreline, and people flock from all over to
enjoy the beach when the weather is right. What’s awesome about the state is that the beaches are
free, and they are all family friendly and very accessible. And Atlantic City is no different. The
beaches that sit below the various parts of the Boardwalk are perfect for lounging in the sand,
building sand castles, suntanning, and every other beach activity you can think of. And you
can also enjoy water activities like swimming, surfing, kayaking, boogie boarding, and more.
As you can see, Atlantic City lives up to the hype when it comes to not
only the glitz and glamour of the hotels and casino scene, but also the amazing boardwalk,
incredible beaches, and many fun attractions for the whole family to enjoy. If you find
yourself in the Garden State, we highly recommend checking out Atlantic City,
even if you’re not into gambling! You’ll find that there are a ton of ways to have a great time.
Now it’s time to hear from you! Have you ever visited Atlantic City? If so, did we miss any of
your favorite spots? If not, do you think you’ll ever get there? Let us know in the comments below!