48 Hours in Atlantic City

If you’re looking for an East Coast beach destination that offers a blend of casino gaming opportunities, family-friendly attractions, upscale dining, and top-tier entertainment, Atlantic City, New Jersey, has it all—and more. About an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, two hours from New York City, and three hours from Washington, DC, Atlantic City (AC) offers the perfect escape for a quick getaway that takes in the best of the city and the beach.

Day 1

Down by the Boardwalk

Any visit to AC must begin with a stroll along its world-famous boardwalk. After all, AC is not only home to America’s first boardwalk, originally built in 1870, but also its longest boardwalk—stretching some five miles. For a step back in time, check out the historic Steel Pier amusement area with The Wheel, a gondola-style Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the city, New Jersey shoreline, and Atlantic Ocean.

If a long walk on the boards seems too daunting, hop on the Boardwalk Tram for a leisurely ride. The trams begin at Ocean Casino Resort and travel as far as the Tropicana resort, passing Steel Pier, Boardwalk Hall, and other iconic sights along the way.

Steps from the boardwalk, AC’s beautiful white-sand beaches beckon—with no beach tags required. Water activities abound here, including surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, and fishing. Little ones will especially enjoy Island Waterpark, complete with water slides, splash zones, and lazy rivers. Consider reserving a cabana at the waterpark and indulge in a variety of food and beverage options to make it a full-day adventure.

Stay and play

After the sun sets, the Atlantic City boardwalk and its legendary casinos set the night aglow. The city’s nine casinos offer everything from slots to Blackjack to Roulette, while non-gamblers can enjoy spa treatments, live entertainment, and gourmet dining. 

One great bet is Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, home to the remodeled MGM Tower, which offers  luxury accommodations, indoor and outdoor pools, and more than 10 restaurants, including James Beard award-winning chef Michael Symon’s Angeline by Michael Symon for classic Italian cuisine and Old Homestead Steak House, an outpost of the New York City institution dating to 1868. After a gourmet meal, catch a star-studded show, with an A-list lineup of performances year-round.

After a long day of play outdoors and in, check into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, smack-dab on the boardwalk. The music-inspired resort features more than 2,000 comfy and stylishly appointed rooms—including oversized suites—a robust rock memorabilia collection, and rhythm- and music-inspired treatments at the Rock Spa and Salon.

Gamblers will find plenty of excitement on the gaming floor with more than 2,400 slots, 130 table games, and a dedicated Sportsbook. Guests can also enjoy fine dining at Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, Kuro, and Il Mulino, among the 15 food and beverage offerings ranging from casual to luxe.

Day 2

Beyond betting

Along with the boardwalk and beaches, a slew of attractions is at the ready to keep families entertained on a 48-hour getaway.

Rain or shine, the Atlantic City Aquarium at Historic Gardner’s Basin delights with more than 25,000 gallons of water teeming with Mid-Atlantic sea life, including Groman, the resident 225-pound loggerhead sea turtle. Visitors can also check out a live coral reef, Fu Manchu lionfish, and unicorn tang in the Coral Reef exhibit; moon jellies, lobsters, and blue crabs in the Off the Docks exhibit; and diamondback turtles, horseshoe crabs, and whelks in the Estuary area. The aquarium is open year-round with extended hours during the summer tourist season (from Memorial Day to Labor Day).

Follow up your aquarium exploration with a visit to the Absecon Lighthouse, another family favorite. (Along the way, you may notice street names from the Monopoly board game, which was modeled after  these very streets.) The tallest of all New Jersey’s lighthouses, the lighthouse stands 171 feet and welcomes visitors to climb its 228 steps for a bird’s-eye view of the island. A replica lightkeeper’s house, a small museum, and a Fresnel lens exhibit add to the attraction’s appeal. 

Before leaving town, hit the boardwalk once again for a quick bite—you can’t go wrong with pizza, cheesesteaks, funnel cake, or deep-fried Oreos—as well as for the quintessential AC souvenir: saltwater taffy. Invented in the late 1800s (with the identity of its inventor often disputed), this rolled, flavored chewy taffy was popularized by businessman Joseph Fralinger. Today, saltwater taffy continues to be a Jersey Shore staple, with Fralinger’s sugary concoction a must-try at the James Candy Company.

It's a sweet way to end your stay in Atlantic City—and just one more reason to pay a return visit to this storied seaside resort.