Atlantic City Boardwalk is an immense, family-friendly area by the seaside in New Jersey that's home to many theme parks and other popular attractions on its piers. Steel Pier is the most visited theme park, presenting an appealing variety of entertainment. The boardwalk is also known for its many unique shops, casinos, hotels, nightclubs, resorts, and recreational beach activities. Especially well-known places include the Boardwalk Hall convention center, the House of Blues concert hall, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Shopping areas include the underwater-themed Playground Pier, the outdoor Tanger Outlets the Walk, and the indoor Havana-themed The Quarter at Tropicana.
The famous Atlantic City Boardwalk was made even more famous after inspiring the board game Monopoly. Construction of the oceanfront walkway began in 1870 to get sand out of hotels, and it has since become a steadfast icon of the country with structural icons of its own, such as the Absecon Lighthouse and Lucy the Elephant.
Atlantic City Boardwalk in Atlantic City - one of the highlights of 9 Best Things to Do in Atlantic City and 13 Things to Do in Atlantic City on a Small Budget (Read all about Atlantic City here)
What are the highlights of the Atlantic City Boardwalk?
Apart from the numerous high-end retail stores, the main attractions on the Atlantic City Boardwalk include the family-oriented Steel Pier, Storybook Land, and Land of Make Believe theme parks and Six Flags Great Adventure, which boasts many high-powered roller coasters and a water park called Hurricane Harbor.
Atlantic City Boardwalk is also home to Playground Pier, previously Million Dollar Pier, which contains a large, 4-story shopping mall with luxury restaurants and marine decor. Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is another family-friendly amusement park with a Ferris wheel. For something more educational, you could visit the Atlantic City Historical Museum at Garden Pier or Adventure Aquarium, an exciting, engaging, and informative experience offering one-of-a-kind exhibits, an enormous collection of sharks, and animals from all over the world.
Where to eat and drink on the Atlantic City Boardwalk?
Saltwater taffy is a specialty of many places on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. At Steel Pier Pub, you can hear live music and order boardwalk traditions like hot dogs and funnel cakes as well as beer and cocktails, or even head on in to find the axe-throwing lanes. The family-oriented Ocean Reef Oasis offers 360-degree views over the ocean, and nearby Nero’s Italian steakhouse serves not only savory steaks but also pasta and seafood in a setting with traditional decor.
Harry’s Oyster Bar at Atlantic City Boardwalk provides high-quality seafood in a comfortable combination of oyster bar, sports bar, and seafood shack. You can enjoy delicious seafood with a gorgeous beachside at Souzai Sushi & Sake or have a high-end Chinese experience at Buddakan At The Pier. Johnny Rockets is an old-fashioned malt shop that kids will love, while Continental Atlantic City Tapas Restaurant offers café-style dishes with its scrumptious tapas.
What else is good to know about the Atlantic City Boardwalk?
The easiest way to get to the boardwalk is via the Atlantic City Tram Service. The most popular season to visit the Atlantic City Boardwalk is summer, so spring, fall, and winter will be less crowded. However, events such as the annual Thunder Over the Boardwalk air show, major beach concerts, and beauty pageants are frequently crowded. The most convenient parking locations include Boardwalk Hall Parking, the Convention Center Garage, The Wave Parking Garage, Claridge Garage, New York Avenue Parking Garage, Ohio Avenue Parking Lot, and Park Place Parking Lots.
Along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, you'll find many clubs and eateries that also provide beach item rental services and lounges, such as The Chelsea Beach Club, HQ Beach Club, LandShark Bar & Grill, and Bungalow Lounge & Restaurant. These clubs often have themed dancing and musical events. Worship Surf Bar At Showboat offers happy hour 24/7.
Atlantic City Boardwalk in Atlantic City
Location: Atlantic City, NJ, USA
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Where to stay in Atlantic City
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