Guide to the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Since it was first built in 1870, this iconic four-mile-long boardwalk in Atlantic City has survived the Prohibition era, economic depression and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Rebuilt and reinforced, the boardwalk is enlivened and bustling with activity. Spend your days flying high on carnival rides, gobbling up taffy and enjoying entertainment the whole length of the promenade. While the casinos are certainly a draw to tri-state travelers, this historic slice of Americana is a modern-day playground for the whole family.

Fun in the Sun

Enjoy old-fashioned entertainment at Steel Pier, an amusement park with 25 rides, including a Ferris wheel, double-decker carousel and bumper cars. Race go-karts or play video and carnival games with the whole family at the Central Pier Arcade and Speedway. Head to the beach with the kids to build sandcastles, take a dip in the Atlantic or embark on an afternoon of kayaking, surfing and windsurfing. Your whole group can rent bikes for a ride down the boardwalk or take a tour in a rolling chair pushed by attendants.

Gambling, Dining and Shopping

Test your luck at the tables and slot machines at the many casinos that line the boardwalk. Then, take your winnings and treat yourself to some of the area’s most beloved foods. Stop inside Fralinger’s, the famous candy shop that’s been churning out saltwater taffy since 1885 or fill up on funnel cakes, ice cream and corn dogs at one of the numerous snack shacks that dot the promenade. Shop for steals and deals at the Tanger Outlets; an open-air mall featuring 109 stores just off the boardwalk—or enjoy an evening of pub hopping and live music at T Street, an oceanfront complex located inside the Playground Mall that includes a Texas roadhouse, a dueling piano bar and a Prohibition-era speakeasy—each has an area for live music performances.

Music and Museums

Take in a show at Boardwalk Hall, where you’ll find a wide variety of sports matches, concerts and other events. Marvel at the Boardwalk Hall's 3-D Light Show, a nightly summer event where an electrifying display of lights, colors and images are projected onto the building’s facade to music. Two concerts featuring major rock, country or pop acts are staged each summer on the Atlantic City beachfront. You can learn more about the city’s past through photographs, memorabilia and detailed timelines at the Atlantic City Historical Museum on the Garden Pier.

Special Events

Snatch up tickets to see one lucky woman be crowned the new Miss America each September in the Boardwalk Hall. Can’t make it to the main event? Stake out a spot at the Show Us Your Shoes Parade, where each of the pageant’s contestants models their state-themed shoes. Grab a blanket and a picnic so the whole family can enjoy movies under the stars held throughout the summer at Brighton Park. Gaze up in wonder at the annual Thunder Over the Boardwalk, an aerial stunt show that takes place above the sandy shores of Atlantic City.

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