Atlantic City, New Jersey

Overview

Atlantic City, New Jersey, a seaside resort town of 38,000, hides an offbeat charm where quirky museums, secret boardwalk haunts, and historic oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond the casinos, attracting over 27 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1854 as a health retreat, this coastal gem sits 60 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 130 miles south of New York City, cradled by the Atlantic Ocean and Absecon Inlet. Beyond slot machines and showgirls, Atlantic City offers eccentric treasures like a museum of vintage arcade games, a hidden speakeasy in a historic hotel, and vibrant street art in the Ducktown neighborhood. It’s an offbeat shore haven where Prohibition-era history, salty boardwalk vibes, and quirky creativity collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Piers, Pubs & Pachyderms!)

Steel Pier Amusement Park

A historic 1898 pier featuring vintage rides, thrilling attractions, and a quirky observation wheel.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

A classic boardwalk odditorium filled with shrunken heads, two-headed calf displays, and other wonders.

Ducktown Murals

Explore this neighborhood where colorful street art celebrating Italian-American heritage paints Atlantic Avenue.

Absecon Lighthouse

Climb the 228 steps of this 1857 tower, New Jersey’s tallest, for panoramic ocean views.

The Irish Pub

A true 1920s speakeasy vibe, hidden away on St. James Place with quirky decor since 1972.

Lucy the Elephant

(Margate, 6 mi) A 65-foot wooden pachyderm and National Historic Landmark, a beloved 1881 oddity.

Unique Stories & Facts (Elephants, Boardwalks & Monopoly!)

• Lucy’s Legacy: Built in 1881, Lucy the Elephant has served as a real estate office, a tavern, and a private home before being saved from demolition in 1970.
• Boardwalk Birth: Atlantic City’s boardwalk, constructed in 1870 to keep sand out of hotel lobbies, was the very first boardwalk in the United States.
• Speakeasy Roots: The Irish Pub was a true speakeasy that hid bootleggers during Prohibition; its stained glass and historic decor tell the tales.
• Monopoly Muse: The classic board game Monopoly, released in 1935, uses the real street names of Atlantic City, from Boardwalk to Park Place.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Atlantic City!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Casinos!)

• Oddity Touring: Explore Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to see a 7-foot hairball and other bizarre and quirky artifacts.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through the Ducktown neighborhood to see vibrant murals on Atlantic Avenue that tell immigrant stories.
• Lighthouse Climbing: Ascend the 228 steps of the historic Absecon Lighthouse, where the panoramic ocean views reward the trek.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Sip on classic cocktails at The Irish Pub, a true 1920s hideout with an authentic, historic feel.
• Pier Riding: Hop on the vintage Ferris wheel at the Steel Pier for classic boardwalk thrills that date back to 1898.
• Elephant Visiting: Take a guided tour of Lucy the Elephant and climb the spiral staircase inside the 65-foot-tall Margate icon.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

Atlantic City is a major gaming hub. The **Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa** (2 miles) is a luxury destination with 2,000 slots and 180 tables. On the boardwalk, **Caesars Atlantic City** (1 mile) offers 1,100 slots with a fun, Roman-themed jackpot vibe.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - AC's Quirky Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Shore!)

• Absecon Lighthouse: The ghost of a former keeper is said to make the lantern flicker on stormy nights.
• Tropicana Casino:** Spirits from the 1920s are rumored to roam the Havana Tower, a holdover from a previous historic hotel on the site.
• Atlantic City Cemetery (Pleasantville, 5 mi):** The ghosts of sailors and other historic figures are said to linger in this 1800s graveyard.