Atlantic City on the Atlantic: Boardwalk, Beach and Culture

Atlantic City offers several distinct reasons to plan a trip: the landmark Atlantic City Boardwalk and free sandy beaches, activities on the Atlantic Ocean, and places where you can explore the city’s history. If you’re looking for hotels in Atlantic City, you can start by considering what you want your stay to focus on. This makes it easier to choose a destination based on your interests: the beach, water activities, or named cultural and historical sites.

Boardwalk, Beach and Getting Around

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is a prominent attraction that visitors can also explore by bike. There are restrooms at several locations along the Boardwalk, including Bartram Avenue, Albany Avenue and Chelsea Avenue; Kennedy Plaza at Mississippi Avenue; New York Avenue; Garden Pier at New Jersey Avenue; and New Hampshire Avenue and Caspian Avenue. These locations can help you find your way along the Boardwalk. Seasonal operating details may change, so check the current availability of the facilities before your visit.

Water Activities on the Coast

The Atlantic Ocean off Atlantic City is particularly well suited to water sports. Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue is among the recommended places to surf. Surf lessons and equipment rentals are also available. Atlantic City Cruises, by contrast, offers a perspective from the water: visitors can see the skyline and may spot marine wildlife. As operating details can change, it’s a good idea to check the latest schedule before your cruise.

Historic Gardners Basin gives boaters access to the waterfront. When Gardner’s Basin was established, the aim was to give the public access to the waterfront for recreational activities. To understand the site, it is helpful to distinguish these two connections: access for boaters describes the visitor experience, while the public recreation concept reflects the original purpose of the facility. This brings together a practical connection to the water and the Basin’s history, without suggesting that the two statements mean the same thing.

City History and Cultural Sites

Visitors can explore Atlantic City’s history at the Atlantic City Experience, the Civil Rights Garden and the New Jersey Korean War Memorial. These three places offer several starting points for a history-focused part of your trip. Ducktown, meanwhile, is known as Atlantic City’s “Little Italy.” The neighborhood adds its own cultural identity to the named historical sites, reflected in this familiar name.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is home to the world’s largest musical instrument. Atlantic City Convention Hall, commonly known as Boardwalk Hall, is designated a National Historic Landmark. The hall thus brings together two distinct features: an exceptional musical attraction and a designated landmark status. They offer a different perspective on the city than its beach and water sports, and may also play a part in how you explore Atlantic City by theme.

The Wheel at Steel Pier adds another distinctive feature: it is the third-largest Ferris wheel in the United States. While Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is notable for its musical instrument and the Convention Hall for its landmark status, The Wheel offers a comparison based on size at the national level.

Discover more destinations: Port Republic, Vineland, Longport, McKee City, Ventnor City, Hammonton, Galloway Township, Egg Harbor City

For the broader travel overview: Atlantic.