Atlantic City
Famed for its success as a beach resort in the 1800s and then as a prohibition era den of iniquity filled with organised crime, gambling and illegal alcohol, Atlantic City has been a tourist attraction for a long time. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and visit historical attractions or shop till you drop, the choice is yours.
Details
Before visiting any town or city make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.
- Emergency Services: 911
- Language: English
- Currency: US Dollar
- Country Code: US
- Travel Visa: ESTA required (Click here for more info)
- Population: 38,041
Risk Level
Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;
Travellers Tips
Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.
Emergencies
For the Emergency services just dial 911.
Hospitals in Atlantic City
Tourist Offices
Boardwalk Information Centre: 1-888-AC-VISIT
Travelling Around
Atlantic City has an international airport and a train station. There are historical tram tours across AC and busses that connect all parts of the city. Train, plane and bus services all reach out to significant areas, such as New York and Philadelphia, so the city is well linked to the surrounding states.
Airports
Atlantic City International Airport: 609-645-7895
Train Stations
Atlantic City Rail Terminal: Amtrak
Atlantic City Safety
What’s the weather like?
Atlantic City is a north-easterly coastal city and has a humid subtropical climate. Therefore, it has very changeable weather: it can be humid and hot, experience large amounts of rain and subject to occasional storms. Its proximity to the sea also increases humidity. It rains quite often, especially in March and December.
The average summer temperature is 25 °C whilst the average winter temperature is 1 °C.
For the most reasonable weather, visit in spring and summer.
Dress and plan accordingly.
What’s a safety top tip?
Atlantic City has a higher crime rate than both New Jersey state and the national average, with violent crime being the highest type. Like most tourist heavy cities, the crime features predominantly outside of the main city in poorer neighbourhoods but you should still be cautious.
It is advised that tourists do not go on to the boardwalk late after dark, especially outside certain casinos. This is as beggars and prostitutes are reported to hang out around these areas. There are separate walkways between some casinos that are safer and should be used when possible.
Where can I keep up to date?
For general news, follow CNN and other trusted American news sources (avoid Fox News).
For local news, check out Atlantic City News.Net and apnews.com
Annual Events
Annual events allow a city come together for some amazing experiences. If visiting at this time, make sure you have your accommodation booked and are always aware of your surroundings when travelling around.
Atlantic City Events
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival was created to promote and educate attendees on craft beer and the brewmasters that create them. This event enables beer geeks, beer lovers, and beer beginners to celebrate the artistry of brewing together and even meet the brains behind the beloved beverages. Featuring over 600 beers provided by 150 international brewers, the festival’s flavour profile has a little something for everyone from the rookie to the regular beer geek. The festival also celebrates food (there’s nothing like a good meal/beer pairing after all). Attend any of the culinary demonstrations, educational seminars, and some “off the wall” activities to fully apricate all that is on offer. There is a free-to-play arcade, hot wing eating contests, larger-than-life corn hole, a Silent Disco, hatchet throwing (please do this BERFORE drinking), keg tossing, and so much more! To top it all off, there will be souvenirs available to buy for you to remember your visit by.
On the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk at the Showboat Hotel, The BE Festival is “the” new cultural event to attend. This event celebrates and strengthens African American community by providing networking and educational opportunities. This is done via interactive workshops, interesting panels and entertaining concerts. The BSN Market Place is where attendees can support local vendors and educate themselves about black owned businesses, all whilst having a good time. There will be various food trucks on site to keep you going, a comedy show and a celebrity basketball game, something for everyone!
The New Jersey Cannabis Festival
New Jersey isn’t called the Garden State for nothing! The Cannabis Festival, held in Atlantic City, is an annual event to celebrate safe and legal cannabis culture. This is a chilled out party with live music and art. The festival also features medical speakers, who elaborate on the benefits of recreational cannabis, cultural vendors, where you can get a range well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing memorabilia, and lots of great food (which will probably be the most popular stalls)!
Atlantic City Highlights
Where can I go shopping?
Playground Pier is an underwater-themed indoor high-end shopping centre. Located on the Million Dollar Pier, formerly known as “Shops on Ocean One”, this four-story shopping mall contains themed floors- some of which are lined with slot machines for when you’re feeling lucky. Tour the boutiques (featuring items from international designers that hail from Italy and other places of renown) and jewellery shops and be dazzled by what is on offer. From high-end brands to bars and restaurants, its everything you need for a day of decadent fun.
The Quarter is an old Havana-themed indoor shopping centre at the Tropicana, which contains over 40 popular retail stores. In the same location, there are also nine high-end restaurants and eleven nightclubs to guarantee you are spoiled for choice in having a good time. Not really into the party scene? That’s alright! There are also escape rooms to test your brains and teamworking skills or head to the state of the art IMAX theatre to switch off for a few hours as you’re immersed in a film. When all of that tires you out there is a delightful spa to relax and rejuvenate you.
What should I do?
Since it was founded in 1898, Steel Pier has been a key attraction on the world-famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, alongside the classic casino resorts and New Jersey’s beautiful stretch of beach. Just because it is an Atlantic city staple does not mean that it is old and boring! As the times have changed, Steel Pier has upgraded and built itself into a theme park to rival any modern construction. There are rides for thrill seekers, arcades for teens and fair ground fun for families. Whether you are flying out over the ocean, attending an event with the best view in town, or just having a look around, the Steel Pier offers lots of fun for everyone!
This aquarium offers a fun and educational exploration into the lives of more than 100 varieties of fish and marine animals. With up close exhibits and touch-pools, you can really get to know the wildlife (safely). The aquarium’s eight tanks total 29,800 gallons of live exhibits and staff are on hand to answer every question you could possibly have. Exhibits include the Fish of the New Jersey Coast, showing that you don’t have to travel below the equator to find interesting marine life.
What attractions should I see?
The Absecon Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located in Atlantic City, overlooking Absecon Inlet. It is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and is the third tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States. On your visit you can ascend the 228 steps and witness a view of the coast like no other! At the top you can see the original first-order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857. Due to a recent multi-million dollar restoration, there’s now more to see than ever. Visit the Keeper’s Cottage, a painstakingly crafted replica of the Lightkeeper’s dwelling, as well as the charming museum and giftshop.
Lucy the Elephant is an iconic pre-1900s feature of Atlantic City. This six-story elephant-shaped building was constructed out of wood and tin sheeting in an effort to attract tourists. It is one of the oldest and best preserved examples of novelty architecture. Lucy has been many things over the years: a restaurant, business offices, a cottage, and a tavern. The stories she could tell! Nowadays, after being moved and refurbished, she is a designated National Historic Landmark and is open to visitors as a museum. Recently, she has been listed on Airbnb. So whether you’re taking a tour or want to stay the night, give dear Lucy the respect she deserves!
