Top Atlantic City activities
Explore by category
Beyond Atlantic City
Tours in nearby places
Explore USA tours
Tours in similar places
Atlantic City trip ideas
The East Coast’s answer to Las Vegas, Atlantic City is located on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast and is famous for its casinos, beaches, and boardwalk. In the 1850s, the city developed into a health resort, in addition to serving as a bustling seaport. Today, Atlantic City is dotted with flashy casinos and massive resorts. But it still maintains some nostalgic bits from its heyday as a posh seaside destination including canopied rolling chairs that rumble down the boardwalk.
While the slot machines and table games draw visitors year round, the best time to visit Atlantic City is during the late spring and summer months, from May to early September. This is when the weather is most pleasant—warm and sunny. Summer brings the biggest crowds as well as humidity, but the ocean breeze (and the casinos’ air-conditioning) offer refreshing relief.
It’s fairly easy to explore Atlantic City by foot, especially if you stroll along the boardwalk that’s lined with resorts and casinos. The Atlantic City Jitney runs 24/7, 365 days a year at frequent intervals along two different routes with stops at many points of interest. And the quirky shaded rolling chairs let visitors travel up and down the boardwalk with ease. If you plan to venture beyond Atlantic City’s main drag, consider renting a car for convenience.
Most casinos offer a players card program that allows gamblers to earn points toward perks including discounted hotel rooms and show tickets. It’s free to sign up. Use the card at slot machines and table games inside the casino to rack up points as you play.
Atlantic City seagulls are infamous for their aggressive behavior, swooping in to steal food from visitors on the boardwalk. So beware of birds flying close to your head, and be prepared to dodge bird droppings.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone EDT (UTC -5) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 1 | Tours 18 | Reviews 131 |
Yes, especially if you’re interested in rolling the dice. As the second-largest gambling destination in the US, just after Las Vegas, Atlantic City boasts many big-name resorts and casinos with slot machines, sportsbooks, and table games. Plus its history as a seaside getaway can still be seen along its iconic boardwalk.
...MoreYes. You can score alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for free while you gamble, especially if you’re parked at a slot machine or table game for hours. But be sure to tip well. Also, open containers and public consumption is allowed on the boardwalk as well as within other sections of the city’s tourism district. Drinks need to be purchased from licensed establishments though—no BYOB allowed.
...MoreThe summer months (June through August) are considered the best time to visit Atlantic City. This is when the weather is warm, sunny, and possibly humid, so expect lots of tourists during this period. You can hit the casinos year round though, so if you want to avoid the crowds, consider traveling to AC in the off-season.
...MoreDepending on who you ask, Atlantic City is best known for its many casinos, beaches, and boardwalk, which is considered the backbone of the seaside resort destination. Also, the Monopoly board game was inspired by creator Charles Darrow’s childhood vacations here, and the HBO TV series “Boardwalk Empire” offered viewers a fictional look at Prohibition-era Atlantic City.
...MoreYes. During the summer season, lifeguards are on duty at Atlantic City Beach, which is officially open from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, 6am to 10pm. From June through August, you’ll experience the warmest water temps, generally in the mid-70s F (20s C). The number of shark sightings along the New Jersey coast has increased in recent years due to the warming ocean temperature, but attacks are considered rare.
...MoreYes. You can explore Atlantic City on foot, especially if you stroll along the boardwalk, which is home to the Hard Rock, Caesars, and more. Covered walkways also connect many of the casinos, making it easy to travel between them, especially at night. In the Atlantic City Marina District, you can stroll the AC Waterfront Sculpture Walk, a 1.1-mile (1.7-kilometer) trail that connects the Borgata, Golden Nugget, and Harrah’s.
...More