Top Things to Do in Atlantic City
Atlantic City is a destination for Americans who are seeking adventure and a break from their daily lives. It has seen many facelifts over the years, first attracting visitors with its novel boardwalk and beautiful views, before becoming a party city full of nightclubs throughout the early 20th century.
Today, it’s a resort city packed with exciting things to do from its casinos to its white knuckle rides. So if you’re planning a trip to AC, make sure you check out these great activities.
Casinos
Atlantic City has become a major casino destination city in the last 50 or so years, with famous resorts like the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the Hard Rock Hotel, and Tropicana. Like in Las Vegas, these large venues are more than just a gaming floor.
Each has hundreds of hotel rooms, conference facilities, restaurants, bars, and other amenities for guests to enjoy. Just like in Vegas, where the restaurants cook up culinary delights, you’ll find plenty of great eateries inside the AC casinos.
Even if you’re not staying in the hotel, you can usually take advantage of what’s on offer.
Of course, there are plenty of gaming options from classic table games like roulette to modern video slot machines. Most also have large poker rooms where you can take part in cash games and tournaments with a range of different buy-ins.
The only major difference with poker is that, unlike games like blackjack, where the dealer will be happy to show you the ropes, you’ll need to be au fait with the mechanics and intricacies of the game before you start playing.
Alternatively, you can often find video poker machines where you can play games against a digital dealer.
Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is one of the oldest features in Atlantic City having first opened in June 1870. It was actually the first of its kind in the US, so saw huge crowds flock to the city just to walk on it.
Today, the Boardwalk stretches for 5.5 miles and you can use it to walk all the way to the neighboring Ventnor City.
A stroll along the Boardwalk is an activity in itself, and it will give you the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the city and enjoy the fresh sea air.
Salt Water Taffy
Salt water taffy is at Atlantic City institution, just as much as its Boardwalk and casinos. Visitors to the city love trying this classic treat that’s been made since the late 19th century.
You can find it in stores up and down the Boardwalk, but the oldest is James’ Candy. The most popular choice is its 1lb box which many tourists take away as souvenirs of their time in Atlantic City.
Lucy
Located just outside of the city is a popular attraction known as Lucy. This is a building that’s shaped like an elephant. When it was first constructed in 1881, it was intended to be used to sell real estate.
Today it is a tourist attraction, with visitors receiving a guided tour of the inside of the elephant. There’s also a gift shop selling a myriad of elephant-themed items.
Steel Pier
Having opened in 1989, Steel Pier is Atlantic City’s oldest theme park and can be found on the coast and accessed from the Boardwalk. It has a range of rides suitable for all ages from classic attractions like Sugar – Sugar, a teacup-style ride, to adrenaline-inducing rides like Crazy Mouse, Mix, and Slingshot.
If you want something a little different, you can take a helicopter ride that gives you one of the best views of the New Jersey shoreline and Atlantic City.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a world-famous brand, known for informing us about bizarre events and goings-on in the world. Today, the franchise has dozens of museums around the world, with at least one in 13 different US states.
The Atlantic City Ripley’s contains 14 galleries that span more than 12,000 square feet that will leave you astounded.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is located on the Boardwalk. Its unique exterior makes it look like it’s been hit with a giant globe which has caused the front of the building to collapse.