Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble
Atlantic City is famous for having the world’s first oceanside Boardwalk. Today, visitors will encounter a wide range of food vendors, carnival-type games, gift shops, and unique attractions. Whether it’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, the Korean War Memorial, or one of many saltwater taffy shops, there’s something for every interest. The Walk is Atlantic City’s outlet mall. With over 80 stores and eateries spread among several city blocks at the eastern end of the Atlantic City Expressway, and easily accessible from the Boardwalk, it’s a great place to spend the afternoon. If visiting in cold weather, be prepared.
- 12 Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble – New Jersey 1. Atlantic City Boardwalk. Few tourists visit Atlantic City without taking a walk down the iconic Boardwalk. The Quarter at Tropicana. Some of the best Atlantic City shops and restaurants can be found in the Quarter.
- Visit the Aquarium. Atlantic City is home to a very cool aquarium with over 100 varieties of fish.
- Types of Things to Do in Atlantic City Nightlife (30) Fun & Games (24) Tours (16) Shopping (14) Concerts & Shows (14) Outdoor Activities (13) Sights & Landmarks (12) Casinos & Gambling (11) Boat Tours & Water Sports (11) Spas & Wellness (10) Museums (5) Transportation (5) Food & Drink (4) Nature & Parks (4) Traveler Resources (4).
Notice: This “Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble” post is sponsored by Hotels.com
Wondering where you should travel to next with your significant other? Atlantic City is an amazing spot to satisfy your wanderlust cravings and need to get out and about again! And despite the city being known for it’s night life and casinos there are plenty of cool things to do in the city besides gamble – making it the perfect place to travel for any type of traveler!
Fan of Monopoly? You will LOVE Atlantic City as it is the US city that inspired the iconic board game.
Pre plan your trip to Atlantic City by checking out fun places to stay in Atlantic City for all types of travelers prior to your trip!
13 Best Things to do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble
There is no doubt Atlantic City is a cool place to travel as there is an abundance of fun attractions in the area.
Many tourists flock in from New York due it’s close proximity to New Jersey. It is often thought of as the ‘Vegas of the East’ as there are many casinos to enjoy in the area. However, if that isn’t really your jam, don’t write off this destination just yet as there are tonnes of other fun activities to enjoy.
This post will detail what else there is to do in Atlanta City but if you do want to spend a bit of time in a casino, I will briefly note that the best ones in the area include Tropicana Atlantic City, Caesars Palace Atlantic City, and Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino.
Like Vegas, drinks are free if you are gambling but it is customary to tip at least $1 per drink.
Visit the Aquarium
Atlantic City is home to a very cool aquarium with over 100 varieties of fish and marine animals including several species of shark. You can find the aquarium in Historic Gardner’s Basin of Atlantic City. Admission is very reasonable at only $10 for adults and $6 for kids making it a great low cost fun activity for budget conscious travelers.
Atlantic City Beach
If you want a quieter more relaxed vacation you may want to spend some time on Atlantic City Beach. Here, you can kick back and relax or alternatively if you are up for a bit more action, you can learn to surf or stand up paddle board with the Atlantic City Surf School from the beach.
You can often spot dolphins off the Jersey shore including from Atlantic City Beach however, it requires a bit of luck being on your side! For a more guaranteed viewing, we would suggest going on a dolphin spotting boat tour like Atlantic City Cruises.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
One of the most iconic spots in Atlantic City is the 4 mile long boardwalk known as the Atlantic City Boardwalk – you simply cannot visit this region without going for a boardwalk stroll during your stay.
The boardwalk is where you will find many of the casinos and hotels in the area but even if you aren’t interested to gamble there are plenty of other fun activities to do on the boardwalk including visiting one of the many quirky restaurants, shops or bars along the mall. There is even a miniature golf in the dark course along the boardwalk and an escape room that are both particularly popular with families.
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble &
Another fun activity is to hire one of the iconic Atlantic City Rolling chairs. The chairs were initially brought in to assist the handicapped in the summer of 1887 but can now be enjoyed by all travelers visiting the area.
Absecon Lighthouse
If you are a fan of pretty lighthouses you will absolutely love Atlantic City as it has a gorgeous lighthouse known as the Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857. The lighthouse stands 171 feet tall and is currently the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. It is free to enter the lighthouse, however, if you would like to climb the 228 steps to the top, there is a small fee to pay.
The Steel Pier
Kids and big kids alike will rejoice at the 1,000-foot-long amusement park known as “The Steel Pier” which can be found along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. There are a variety of games to enjoy at The Steel Pier including some old school arcade games.
Visit a Museum
Atlantic City is also home to many fun museums, one of the most popular in the area being the Ripley’s Believe It or Not displaying over 400 weird and wacky exhibits including rare animal bones.
If you prefer a mainstream museum, there are also other good ones to visit in the area including the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.
Have a drink at one of the many beach bars
One of the best parts of Atlantic City is the many beach bars which are brimming with people in the summer time. Some of the most popular ones in the area include 2641 Boardwalk and Bally’s Atlantic City.
Say Hi to Lucy the Margate Elephant
One of the most unique things to do in Atlantic City is a visit to Lucy the Margate Elephant, one of the oldest roadside tourist attractions in America, built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty.
If you would like to see Lucy in all her glory, she can be found along the beach in Josephine Herron Park. There is no fee to see the six stories tall attraction from the outside. However, if you would like a guided tour of the inside including a full history of the exhibit, this can be purchased from the gift shop.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
One of the activities in Atlantic City becoming increasingly popular with tourists is going on a Scavenger Hunt. There are many different companies offering these hunts which include looking for over 100 different objects in the area.
The hunts take around 2 hours to complete and are definitely one of the best cheap things to do in the area as they only cost around $10-$15 pp.
Enjoy one of the opulent Casinos without gambling
Even if you don’t wish to gamble, like Vegas, Atlantic City offers some pretty impressive casinos that are worth checking out.
One of the best in the area is Caesars Atlantic City Casino, recommended for its impressive Roman Empire and Greek themed architecture. There is also great dining options inside including Gordan Ramsay Pub & Grill, KWI Restaurant and Noodle Bar, and Nero’s Italian Steakhouse.
Another good option is the Borgata Hotel Casino , a 161,000-square-foot Tuscany-style casino. Aside from gambling, one of the best activities to enjoy at this casino is a visit to the 54,000-square-foot spa. A great option if you are on a romantic getaway!
Shop ‘Till You Drop
It may come as no surprise that Atlantic City has some pretty great shopping opportunities to enjoy.
If you would like to do some shopping on your vacation, we would recommend a trip to The Quarter at Tropicana, an Old-Havana themed shopping mall in the Tropicana Casino Resort. If you get sick of shopping you can enjoy one of the latin themed dining options inside including the Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar.
If you haven’t got in your shopping fix yet, we would recommend a trip to Tanger Outlets, an open-air outlet mall with over 100 stores including Nike, Hilfiger, and H&M. If a bargain is what you seek – you’ll be sure to find it here!
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall is another of the totally unmissable activities in Atlantic City. Best known for hosting the Miss America Pageant, it also hosts a range of other events throughout the year including concerts and sports games.
If your stay falls on a Monday, there is a free half-hour concert and tour of the hall which is home to the largest musical instrument in the world, a pipe organ with more than 33,000 pipes!
Things To Do In Atlantic City Besides Gamble Casino
Visit some of the best restaurants in the area
Due to the location on the beach, one of the best things to eat in the area is fresh seafood. There are many popular seafood shacks along or near the Boardwalk to enjoy including the very popular Dock’s Ouster House.
Aside from cheap boardwalk eats which are perfect for the budget conscious traveler, due to being a casino city, there are also lots of fine dining restaurants to enjoy in the area. Some of the best include those located within the Caesar’s resort including the consistently high rated Nero’s Italian Steakhouse.
Future Travel to Atlantic City
As the world remains in an uncertain state, the safety of future travel to this area remains unclear.
We are not medical professionals and any travel to this area should be made at your own risk. A more prudent approach would be to book for 2021 and beyond.
If you do decide to travel at this time, here are some general tips we would make:
- Wear a face mask;
- Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands regularly; and
- Book a hotel with free cancellation in the event you need to change your plans at the last minute.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Atlantic City and remember to stay safe!
Finish off your trip with some amazing New Jersey Quotes for IG!
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For decades, Atlantic City has been the gambling destination of choice for many people in the Northeast. However, with the recent surge of smaller, regional casinos, people no longer have to make the sometimes day-long trek to Atlantic City for a chance to play. Instead, they need only to make the trip to their local neighborhood casino. As a result, Atlantic City’s visitor numbers are down.
However, much to the chagrin of regional promoters, many people still associate Atlantic City solely as a gambling destination. While the newer local casinos thrive on slots, and in some instances table games, they still lack the resort-like, seaside beauty that has made Atlantic City a choice vacation destination even before gambling was legalized in 1976.
So what’s great about a vacation to Atlantic City besides gambling? Here are a few ideas to make the most of your vacation without having to step foot inside a casino…unless you want to.
Stroll along the Boardwalk
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Atlantic City is famous for having the world’s first oceanside Boardwalk. Today, visitors will encounter a wide range of food vendors, carnival-type games, gift shops, and unique attractions. Whether it’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, the Korean War Memorial, or one of many saltwater taffy shops, there’s something for every interest. And if you get tired, take a ride in one of Atlantic City’s institutions: a rolling chair.
Relax on the Beach
As regular Jersey Shore visitors know, most beaches along the New Jersey coast require an admission fee that can be upwards of ten dollars per person, per day. A big exception is Atlantic City’s beach, which is always free to access, even during the peak summer months. Although the beach itself isn’t as well maintained as some of the other Jersey Shore beaches, it sure is difficult to beat that price.
Bargain-Hunt at Atlantic City’s Outlet Mall
The Walk is Atlantic City’s outlet mall. With more than 80 stores and eateries spread among several city blocks at the eastern end of the Atlantic City Expressway, and easily accessible from the Boardwalk, it’s a great place to spend the afternoon. If visiting in cold weather, be prepared—the mall is outdoors, so dress appropriately.
Shop, Dine, and Dance in Old Havana
Tropicana’s groundbreaking “The Quarter” complex is a trip back in time to Old Havana—a themed shopping, dining, and entertainment venue. By day, it offers unique shopping and top-rated restaurants including The Palm Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s, and Cuba Libre. By night, the atmosphere takes on the air of a nightclub with both locals and visitors enjoying its indoor streets. It is also home to an IMAX theater, which features both current and past IMAX films.
Stuff Yourself at Buffets
While certainly not inexpensive, Atlantic City offers many buffet-style restaurants—at least one per resort. These pay-one-price-and-eat-yourself-silly places are staples of casino resorts. While you won’t get the food spread or discounts you may expect in Las Vegas, the food is still abundant, and the ambience is generally fun. Favorite buffets include The Virginia City Buffet at Bally’s Wild Wild West Casino and The French Quarter Buffet at Showboat.
Pamper Yourself with a Swim and Spa Day
Most resorts have a comprehensive spa, fitness center, and swimming pool. Check with your resort beforehand to see exactly what they offer, as resorts do vary in terms of spa availability and services. Harrah’s Resort features one of the best swimming pools in Atlantic City: a glass-enclosed, year-round oasis with trees, bar service, and even rentable cabanas. On many nights, the pool area is transformed into a nightclub.
Catch a Show
Many of the resorts have at least one show venue. Most resorts feature local and recurring acts, usually musical or comedy, but a few of the larger venues host touring celebrities. Boardwalk Hall, which is not part of any resort, is the biggest and best, and it hosts many arena-sized events, including tours by national acts. This venue was the home of the Miss America pageant for many years. The House of Blues at Showboat is another major venue, with many celebrity acts headlining its stage.
Indulge in Fine Dining
In recent years, Atlantic City has really upped the ante—so to speak—when it comes to fine dining. The Borgata set a new standard for fine food when it opened in 2003 with celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck, and the other resorts have been clamoring to catch up. Fine dining is available at resorts throughout Atlantic City, catering to virtually every taste. The best spots are at Caesars and The Borgata, but each resort has its own claim to culinary fame.
Enjoy the Attractions on an Amusement Pier
Just like in Atlantic City’s illustrious past, one defining a characteristic of the Queen of Resorts is its amusement piers. While piers have come and gone over the years, today there are four fully operatational amusement piers, each of which offers its own brand of amusements. From south to north: The Pier Shops at Caesars is an upscale shopping and dining complex attached to Caesars Atlantic City; Central Pier is home to a video arcade and go-kart track; Steel Pier is Atlantic City’s own midway-style amusement park; Garden Pier features the Atlantic City Historical Museum and Art Gallery.
Visit Gardner’s Basin and the Atlantic City Aquarium
Families traveling with younger children will be pleasantly surprised with the Atlantic City Aquarium, a small but informative indoor aquarium located at Historic Gardner’s Basin, just off the north end of the Boardwalk. During the summertime, Gardner’s Basin is home to unique shops, restaurants, and even boat tours.