As someone who’s walked every inch of the boardwalk more times than I can count, I get asked a lot about what makes Atlantic City special. It’s a place that’s hard to pin down in just a few words – one minute you’re trying your luck at the slots, the next you’re digging your toes into the sand along the Jersey Shore.
“Atlantic City is like this perfect mix of old-school charm and modern entertainment,” says Tony Romano, a local tour guide who’s been showing visitors around for over two decades. “You’ve got these historic landmarks right next to contemporary casinos, plus some of the best seafood joints you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast.”
While you could spend weeks exploring every nook and cranny of this seaside city, most visitors only have a few days to take it all in. So I’ve put together this list of 20 spots that’ll give you a real taste of what makes AC tick – from the famous boardwalk to some hidden gems that even locals sometimes forget about.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Step into luxury at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 2,000-room resort features multiple high-end restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and Michael Symon, where you can indulge in everything from prime steaks to fresh seafood. Head to the 161,000-square-foot casino floor to try your luck at over 3,000 slot machines and 180 table games, or unwind at the two-story Spa Toccare with a massage and dip in the indoor pool. In the evening, catch A-list performers at the Event Center or dance the night away at Premier Nightclub.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
I always recommend the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to anyone looking for a high-energy Atlantic City experience. Located right on the famous Boardwalk, this music-themed resort combines the thrill of a 2,000-slot casino with over 15 restaurants and lounges, plus a 7,000-seat arena where major performers take the stage. The walls are lined with memorabilia from rock legends, and guests can even get their hands on a Fender guitar to play in their room through the hotel’s Sound of Your Stay program.
Ocean Casino Resort
Looking for a place where Lady Luck meets luxury living? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Ocean Casino Resort, a gleaming glass tower rising 60 stories above the Atlantic City Boardwalk. This isn’t your typical casino – it’s a full-blown entertainment destination where you can try your hand at the slots, catch some rays at the largest pool deck in the city, or unwind at the 40,000-square-foot spa. The floor-to-ceiling windows in every room serve up endless ocean views, while the roster of restaurants ranges from casual burger joints to high-end steakhouses. Whether you’re hitting the blackjack tables or just soaking in the salt air from your private balcony, Ocean Casino Resort delivers that perfect mix of gaming excitement and beachfront relaxation.
Steel Pier
When it comes to Atlantic City’s most iconic landmarks, the Steel Pier stands out as a true seaside classic. This 1,000-foot-long amusement pier has been entertaining visitors since 1898, serving up the perfect mix of old-school boardwalk charm and modern-day thrills. You’ll find more than 25 rides here, from a towering Ferris wheel offering sweeping views of the Atlantic to fast-paced roller coasters that’ll get your heart racing. It’s not just about the rides though – the pier comes alive with carnival games, casual food stands serving up boardwalk treats, and that unmistakable ocean breeze that makes summer days feel just right. While the crowds can get thick during peak season, there’s something special about joining the long tradition of families who’ve made memories here for generations.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Take a stroll down the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, a 4-mile wooden path that’s been a beachfront icon since 1870. You can wander past classic saltwater taffy shops and souvenir stores, or hop on one of the traditional rolling chairs for a relaxed ride along the shore. Stop by Steel Pier for old-school carnival games and rides, or grab a slice of pizza and people-watch from one of the many benches facing the ocean. At night, the neon lights from the nearby casinos create a lively atmosphere that makes the boardwalk perfect for an evening walk.
Caesars Atlantic City
My first visit to Caesars was during the height of summer in 2019. One of the most iconic casinos on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Caesars stands tall with its distinct Roman-inspired architecture and gleaming facade. The property spans multiple towers filled with gaming floors, restaurants, and entertainment venues, while the newly renovated rooms offer views stretching across the Atlantic Ocean. The casino’s famous Qua Baths & Spa has become a sanctuary for visitors looking to escape the buzz of slot machines and card tables, with its Roman baths and treatment rooms offering a peaceful retreat above the bustling boardwalk below.
Absecon Lighthouse
Many visitors come to Absecon Lighthouse for its historical significance as New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, but this 171-foot tower offers much more than just maritime heritage. The lighthouse continues to shine its original Fresnel lens every night, making it one of the few surviving lighthouses that still serves its original purpose. While climbing the 228 steps to the watch room might sound challenging, the panoramic views of the Atlantic City skyline and coastline make it worthwhile. The grounds also feature a museum and keeper’s quarters where you can learn about the lighthouse’s role in guiding ships since 1857, though most visitors find themselves equally drawn to the peaceful garden area that provides a welcome escape from the busy boardwalk nearby.
Tropicana Atlantic City
Many visitors flock to Tropicana Atlantic City for its famous casino floor, but this beachfront resort offers much more than just gambling. The sprawling complex features multiple entertainment venues, restaurants, and shops spread across several themed neighborhoods – including the popular Quarter, designed to feel like Old Havana. During summer months, guests can split their time between the casino tables and the beach just steps away, while the indoor pool provides year-round relaxation. The IMAX theater, comedy club, and rotating schedule of concerts keep the entertainment options fresh, and with over 20 restaurants ranging from casual boardwalk fare to upscale dining, you’ll find plenty to fill your days and nights regardless of whether lady luck is on your side.
Atlantic City Aquarium
Ever wondered what it’s like to pet a stingray or come face-to-face with a sea turtle? You can do both at the Atlantic City Aquarium, a family-friendly spot right on the historic Gardner’s Basin. Home to over 100 varieties of fish and marine creatures, this compact aquarium lets you get closer to ocean life than you might expect. The touch tanks are always a hit with kids, while the live diver feeding shows add extra excitement to your visit. Don’t miss the exotic species exhibit, where you can spot everything from poison dart frogs to diamond back terrapins, proving there’s more to Atlantic City than just casinos and boardwalk treats.
Lucy the Elephant
If you’re looking for something truly unique in Atlantic City, you can’t miss Lucy the Elephant. Standing six stories tall on the beach in Margate, this architectural oddity from 1881 is actually the oldest surviving roadside attraction in America. The giant wooden and tin elephant structure serves as both a quirky landmark and a museum, where visitors can climb up inside for a fun view of the Atlantic Ocean through Lucy’s eyes.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Located right on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is where reality and the bizarre collide. Like many museums in coastal tourist towns, it houses artifacts and exhibits – but unlike the others, this place specializes in the weird, wonderful, and sometimes unsettling. Just walk through the distinctive building, shaped like a sinking ship, and you’ll understand what I mean. Because of its commitment to showcasing oddities from around the world, Ripley’s has become a favorite stop for families and curious minds alike, and you’ll find everything from shrunken heads to a roulette table made entirely of jellybeans inside its walls.
Central Pier Arcade
The first time I visited Central Pier Arcade in Atlantic City was during a summer getaway in 2018. One of the most beloved entertainment spots along the iconic boardwalk, Central Pier stands proudly between Steel Pier and Garden Pier, drawing both locals and tourists alike. Classic arcade games and modern attractions fill the space here, along with the nostalgic smell of popcorn and cotton candy wafting through the air. The arcade’s waterfront location offers perfect views of the Atlantic Ocean, and on warm evenings, you can spot families strolling the boardwalk with prizes won from the many skill games inside. The mix of old-school pinball machines and new digital games creates an atmosphere that bridges generations, making it impossible not to feel like a kid again, no matter your age.
Atlantic City Beach
Atlantic City Beach is a must-see spot that stretches for 4 miles along New Jersey’s coast. Running alongside the famous boardwalk, this wide sandy beach offers plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming, and people-watching. During summer months, you’ll find lifeguards on duty, beach volleyball games in full swing, and families setting up colorful umbrellas across the sand. The gentle waves make it great for surfing beginners, while the clean, soft sand is perfect for building sandcastles or taking long walks at sunset.
The Quarter at Tropicana
Looking for a taste of Las Vegas without leaving the East Coast? The Quarter at Tropicana Atlantic City brings that familiar Sin City energy right to the Jersey Shore. This three-story entertainment complex packs in over 200,000 square feet of shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots designed to feel like you’re wandering the streets of Old Havana. It’s where I always end up when I want a break from the casino floor – whether I’m catching live music at Cuba Libre, shopping at the boutiques, or just people-watching from one of the cafes. While it might not be quite as over-the-top as its Nevada counterparts, there’s something special about having this slice of tropical paradise right here on the boardwalk.
Atlantic City Historical Museum
Located on Garden Pier along the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, the Atlantic City Historical Museum takes visitors on a journey through the city’s colorful past. Like many museums dedicated to gambling destinations, it chronicles the rise of casinos and tourism, but what makes this place special is its focus on the everyday people who shaped the city. Through photographs, postcards, and artifacts from the pre-casino era, you’ll discover how this New Jersey coastal town evolved from a quiet fishing village into America’s Playground. The museum’s collection includes memorabilia from the Miss America pageant, which called Atlantic City home for decades, plus items from the heyday of the grand hotels and the original Steel Pier attractions. Because the museum sits right on the boardwalk, you can experience history while looking out at the same ocean views that have drawn visitors here for over 150 years.
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Ever dreamed of experiencing Las Vegas-style luxury right on the Jersey Shore? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Harrah’s Atlantic City, where world-class gaming meets oceanfront entertainment. This sprawling resort complex offers a year-round escape with its massive indoor pool dome, where palm trees and cocktails make you forget you’re in New Jersey. The casino floor buzzes with energy day and night, while the Elizabeth Tower’s rooms serve up sweeping views of the marina and city skyline. Food lovers can hop between celebrity chef restaurants and casual eateries, making it easy to fuel up between poker games or spa treatments. Sure, it’s not directly on the boardwalk, but the free shuttle service means you’re never far from the beach action.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Built in 1929, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall stands as one of Atlantic City’s most iconic landmarks along its famous waterfront. This massive entertainment venue, once known as Convention Hall, has hosted everything from the Miss America pageant to major sporting events and concerts. The building’s barrel-vault ceiling remains the largest clear-span space in the world, creating perfect acoustics for the mighty Kimball Organ housed inside – which happens to be the largest pipe organ ever constructed. Walking through its Art Deco corridors feels like stepping back in time, where the echoes of countless performances and historic moments still linger. The hall’s 14,770-seat arena continues to draw big-name performers and events year-round, making it a centerpiece of Atlantic City’s entertainment scene. During major shows, the atmosphere buzzes with energy as crowds filter in from the bustling boardwalk just steps away.