Weekend Getaways: What to do in Atlantic City NJ
- Jul 14
- 8 min read
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As weekend getaways go, Atlantic City has it all. Its nine casinos offer high energy gambling with luxury lodging and top-tier entertainment. Plus, the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk adds another kind of fun with amusement rides, street foods, and beach shops. Our article on what to do in Atlantic City NJ will help you pack the most into your weekend getaway.
THINGS TO DO IN ATLANTIC CITY
ATLANTIC CITY NJ CASINOS
Atlantic City is home to nine resorts (casino-hotel-entertainment complexes) that provide guests with 24/7 action and fun. Within these resorts find:
Gaming Floors: In the bright lights of the gaming floor find slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, poker rooms, race/sports books, and more.
Big Six at the Golden Nugget High Rise Hotels: At each resort find lodgings with an inventory of rooms ranging from standard to luxury suites.
Ocean Casino Resort & Showboat Hotel Diverse Food and Drink: From food courts and diners – to restaurants and bars opened by celebrity chefs – these resorts offer a diverse range of food and drink options.
Dessert Case, Atlantic City Fast Paced Entertainment: On property venues range from intimate bars to large arenas and concert halls. Look for headline bands, comics, boxing matches, and live shows.
Box Office Hard Rock Resort Full-Service Amenities: Expect to encounter luxury spas, work-out rooms, nightclubs, high-end retail shopping malls, valet parking, and visible, uniformed security.
The nine Atlantic City (AC) resorts operate in two areas of the city; the Boardwalk and the Marina District.
City Center Casinos – On the Boardwalk bordering the beach:
Bally’s Atlantic City Casino & Resort
Caesars Atlantic City
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Ocean Casino Resort Atlantic City
Resorts Casino Hotel
Tropicana Atlantic City
Marina District Casinos – Freestanding resorts in the Marina district:
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
TRIP ESSENTIALS
In Atlantic City, and almost every travel destination, I find myself reaching for my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Jacket, Frogg Toggs Hat, and Crocs Strappy Sandals (wear to dinner or the pool).
Other items I rely on include my Huk Sunglasses and Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle (no spills in the backpack).
But by far, my number one can’t-do-without essential is my Sony RX100 Compact Camera. It fits perfectly into a pocket. Or, mounted on a Mini-Tripod it slips into my Travelon Sling Bag.
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ATLANTIC CITY NJ BOARDWALK
Known for its nostalgic Steel Pier and 19th century rolling chairs (rickshaws), the Atlantic City Boardwalk is the oldest wooden walkway in the US. The 5-mile promenade borders the Jersey shore on one side, and a festive strip of beach businesses on the other.
Interspersed between the high rise casinos of the Boardwalk, visitors will find a lively neighborhood just as colorful as the gaming floor – but a world away. As you walk, bike, or enjoy a ride in a rolling chair along the Boardwalk, be entertained by:
Scenic ocean views: Beautiful vistas and breezes (be aware: the wind is quite strong in Atlantic City – and cold in the winter).
Free access to the beach: Good for sunbathing, swimming, body boarding, and kayaking.
Atlantic City Beach Atlantic City Attractions: Amusement rides, arcades, beach shops, palm readers, psychics, massages, themed games, and street performers.
Psychic Readings on the Boardwalk Street Food: Indulge in cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, Forno’s Pizza, Chickie & Pete’s Crabfries, and salt water taffy at Fralinger’s or Shriver’s.
ATLANTIC CITY NJ HOTELS
When choosing a hotel in Atlantic City location is key. For safety (see tips below) and convenience, we recommend booking at one of the Boardwalk hotels between the Ocean Resort and Tropicana. Within this portion of the Boardwalk, you will have access to the beach, most boardwalk attractions, six casinos, and tons of restaurant and entertainment choices.
If you prefer a quieter area away from the Boardwalk bustle, choose one of the resort complexes in the marina district. These hotels are known for their luxury accommodations. Keep in mind, these resorts are stand-alones, and it is not easy to walk to other areas. In this district, we like the Golden Nugget for its proximity to the waterfront.
Try one of these top-rated properties:
GETTING TO ATLANTIC CITY NJ
Atlantic City sits on the northeast coast of the United States. It is about a 1 hour drive from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from New York City, and 5.5 hours from Boston. Most visitors will arrive via bus or automobile. There are large for-fee parking lots throughout the city. Click on this link to investigate rental car agencies.
The nearest airports are the Atlantic City International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport. The Atlantic City Commuter Rail Line runs between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Look for airline flights here. Click here for information on car rentals in the region.
GETTING AROUND & SAFETY TIPS
There are several convenient methods of getting around the Boardwalk and Marina District. The Atlantic City Jitney Service runs small buses that operate 24/7, 7 days a week (around $2.50 per ride). There are also private taxi and car services available.
In addition, on the Boardwalk there are rolling chairs (rickshaws), Boardwalk trams (15 passenger), and rental bikes that visitors can use to navigate the promenade.
Like many older cities, parts of Atlantic City are rundown. AC has a higher crime rate than the US average, along with a sizable population of drug-users and the unhoused. The Boardwalk and Marina District are generally considered to be safe for visitors, especially during the day.
Consider these safety tips when exploring the area:
At all times, remain aware of your surroundings.
Politely ignore panhandlers and go about your business.
At night, avoid straying from the casinos and strips of boardwalk in front of them. Try to keep to the area between the Ocean Resort and Tropicana. Do not walk the beach alone.
At all times, stick to wide-open areas that are well-lit and populated. Keep your belongings well-secured.
In transport, use licensed public buses, jitneys, taxis, and ride shares.
THINGS TO DO IN NEW JERSEY
BEST THINGS TO DO IN ATLANTIC CITY NJ
Walk the Atlantic City Boardwalk
Ride the Steel Pier’s amusement rides
Try your luck at the Casinos
Sample foods along the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail
Enjoy a beach day on the Jersey Shore
Scratching an Itch, Shooter's Bar Shop high-end retail at the Tanger Outlets
See a head-line concert, comic, or variety show
Try an Atlantic City attraction, arcade, or adventure games
Get outside: Golf or go on a sailing or fishing excursion
Immerse in Atlantic City history: war memorials, Miss America statue, Absecon Lighthouse
PACKING ESSENTIALS
We rely on a combination of bags: Our Level-8 28” and Level-8 20” spinners are fun and stylish. Our Delsey Helium 28” hardshell is a workhorse. Our Tomtoc Backpack is great for short trips.
Randy doesn’t use them, but I swear by segregating items into Compression Packing Cubes and Wet Bags.
For security, we place an Apple Air Tag in each bag, and keep a supply of RFID Blocking Sleeves on hand.
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WEEKEND GETAWAY: WHAT TO DO IN ATLANTIC CITY NJ
Friday
Try to arrive in the early afternoon. Begin your weekend getaway with a walk along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Center your walk between the Tropicana Resort (southern end) and the Ocean Casino Resort (northern end). Distance for the round trip walk is approximately 3.5 miles.
Along this route enjoy the cool breezes of the Atlantic Ocean. Keep an eye out for the many murals and antique billboards that line the route. Stop in at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Visitor Center. See the Miss America Statue at the Kennedy Plaza, and the Korean War Memorial.
Shop the discount beach shops for fun fashion, sample salt water taffy (it originated here), and get a psychic reading. Make a pit stop at the Steel Pier to ride the Ferris Wheel and custom carousel. If you tire, rent a bike or take a ride in rolling chair.
Tonight have dinner in Gordan Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen on the Boardwalk at Caesars AC (book a table ahead). Then, attend the Hook Show at Caesars Resort. The live show is a combination of circus acts and high-flying acrobatics. Later, hit the gaming floor at Caesar’s and/ or the nearby Hard Rock or Tropicana Casinos.
THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY
Saturday
Sleep in. When you get yourself together, head to the Tanger Outlets for a bit of high-end retail therapy. The open-air shopping center is a short walk from the Boardwalk (not far from Caesar’s).
Spanning several city blocks, the Tanger Outlets house over 100 retailers and restaurants including Nike, Coach, H&M, Michaels Kors, and Kate Spade. If you are a lover of the outdoors, check out the nearby Bass Pro Shop (its massive).
When you tire of shopping, hit the beach for some down time. Or, take a shot at an Atlantic City attraction (paint ball, an escape room, water slide, top-golf, or go-carts). For a slower pace, try some mini-golf, pinball, or an arcade game.
This evening, have dinner at the Council Oaks Steak and Seafood at the Hard Rock Casino, or Nobu Japanese Restaurant at Caesar’s (make reservation ahead).
After dinner see whatever show is in town (check the AC calendar for concerts, drag shows, comics, boxing matches, IMAX shows, impersonators, and more). End the evening on the gaming floor or at the HQ2 Nightclub at the Ocean Casino Resort.
Sunday
Sleep in, Then, enjoy a long brunch (the Hash House at the Tropicana is fun). Before you hit the road, explore the waterfront a bit. At the north end of the Boardwalk find the tiny waterfront village of Gardner’s Basin. Or, take a ride the Marina District and explore the three casinos in that neighborhood: Borgata, Golden Nugget, and Harrah’s.
Hope you break even, Laura and Randy
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