See & Do in Atlantic City for Families
Atlantic City is sure to satisfy a variety of vacation desires. If you could take the greatest attractions and activities from all of the other vacation spots in the country and put them in one place, you then would have Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fun beaches, thrilling activities, casinos, historic tours, and outstanding entertainment are all found right here.
Atlantic City offers attractions and activities that are sure to please. You will have a great deal to choose from. Museums, art, historic sites, lighthouses, cruises, guided ocean, and eco-tours are all here for relaxing tourism. Amusement parks and water parks are here for someone looking for a little more excitement and family fun. Adult entertainment includes theatre, nightclubs, casinos, and offshore activities. Whether you are looking for family entertainment, a private getaway or, extra activities while on business, you will find it all.
Whether you’re on a budget or not, you should be able to find affordable accommodations in Atlantic City at any time of the year. All About Atlantic City’s online reservations system offers many hotels & resorts to choose from with discounted rates. You can view individual hotel web pages with pictures and information. Check rates, availability and make secure online reservations. All About Atlantic City also offers the guaranteed lowest rates on car rentals anywhere in the city from major companies like Enterprise & Thrifty. Our online services are easy to use and very secure. We provide quality service to all of our customers.
While visiting Atlantic City you’ll never go hungry for quality food or shopping. Atlantic City offers lots of great restaurants that will please anyone’s appetite. You can eat everything from seafood to sushi and do it with a fantastic ocean view. Restaurants serving Italian, French, American, and Seafood can all be found close by. If shopping is what you are looking for you are in luck. Atlantic City has everything from your department store chain to local gift shops. Shopping here is great for everyday items as well as the special gift items you are looking for.
Family Fun in Atlantic City
Looking for something to do? You found it. Atlantic City has fun for all ages. There is everything from educational art galleries and ocean life exhibits, to video games and skateboarding on the menu. Adult activities range from countless nightclubs and types of live entertainment to the thrill and desire to win lots of money at the famous casinos. Below we have highlighted some of the different attractions to help you plan a great vacation no matter what your desire.
Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor
109 State Hwy Rt 50, Estell Manor (609-625-1897)
A 1,672-acre park with playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing, camping, bike trails, exercise course, and year-round hiking; ruins of Estellville Glassworks and the Bethlehem Loading Company. Park opens 7:30 am-dusk. Nature Center open Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm.
Flyers Skate Zone Atlantic City
Albany Ave (near Sandcastle Stadium), Atlantic City (441-1780)
The NHL-size rink is open for public skating Mon-Sun 1-3 pm, Fri and Sat 8-10 pm. $5.50 weekdays, $6.50 weekends. Skate rental $3. Open ice hockey Mon-Fri 11:15 am-12:45 pm. $10 per player.
Lucy the Elephant
Decatur and Atlantic Aves, Margate (609-822-6519)
The world’s most famous 65-foot pachyderm. View artifacts from Margate and the southern New Jersey area as you walk through this restored historical landmark. Open seasonally. Admission $3 adults, $1 children.
Steel Pier
1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Ave, Atlantic City (609-345-4893)
Rides, games and other amusements have returned to the city’s world-famous, 100-year-old pier. Open seasonally.
Art Galleries
Belrose Galleries
1505 Boardwalk, Atlantic City (609-345-2279)
Original artwork by Erte, Bill Mack, David Miller, Frederick Remington; estate and contemporary jewelry. Open 10 am-5 pm daily.
Caprice Gallery
Harrah’s Casino Hotel, Atlantic City (1-800-626-7750)
Numerous special showings and limited-edition work on display throughout the year. Open daily 10 am-11:30 pm.
Florence Valore Miller Art Center
Garden Pier, Boardwalk at New Jersey Ave, Atlantic City (609-347-5837)
Houses three galleries; different art shows every month. Open daily 10 am-4 pm.
Water Attractions
Ocean Life Center
Gardner’s Basin, 800 N. New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City (609-348-2880, ext. 10)
A 750-gallon touch tank, coral tank, educational exhibits, and local and tropical fish. Leo 15 exhibit features a probe that measures salinity. Adults $7, seniors $5, children 4-12 $4, children under 3 free. Daily 10 am-5 pm.
Gardner’s Basin
800 N. New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City (609-348-2880)
Restaurants, Ocean Life Center (609-348-2880, ext. 10), and Cruisin 1 sightseeing cruises (609-347-7600). Call for more information.
Historic Sites in Atlantic City
Atlantic City has plenty of history and maritime information. Visit historical societies, museums, and events the house of the old harbormaster. You will be taken back to a time when the environment was considerably different than it is today. Below we have highlighted some of the points of interest along the New Jersey Shore. If you need a hotel and/or car rental reservations, please use the links to the left and they will guide you through our easy, secure, online reservations process. We hope the information we provide helps you plan a great visit.
Atlantic County Historical Society
907 Shore Rd, Somers Point (609-927-5218)
The victorian and maritime museum, library, guided tours. Wed-Sat 10 am-3:30 pm, except holidays. First Thurs of each month 6-9 pm. Free.
Cape May County Historical Society
504 Rt 9 North, Cape May Court House (609-465-3535)
Located in the 18th-century John Holmes House. Self-guided tours. Extensive library open Wed-Fri 10 am-4 pm. Museum open Tues-Sat 9 am-3 pm. Adults $2.50, 50-cents children under 12, under 6 free.
Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington St, Cape May (609-884-5404)
Tour this 18-room Victorian mansion built by renowned architect Frank Furness. Tours 10 am-4 pm daily. Admission $7, ages 3-12 $3.50.
Historic Batsto Village
Wharton State Forest, Hammonton (609-561-3262)
This 19th-century restored village is nestled in the heart of New Jersey’s scenic Pine Barrens. Learn about the industry, commerce, and agriculture that once thrived here. Tours, craft demonstrations, and special events. Open daily 9 am-4 pm.
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Rt 9, Cape May (609-898-2300)
A 19th-century open-air living history museum with working craftspeople in period costumes; restaurant, ice-cream parlor, general store. Open seasonally. Adults $5, seniors $4, ages 5-12 $3 , under 5 free.
Longport Historical Society
2301 Atlantic Ave, Longport (609-823-1115)
Museum library with artifacts and memorabilia of the city’s history. View Longport film The Way We Were. Open Sat 9 am-noon.
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
1048 Washington St, Cape May (609-884-5404)
Year-round tours and activities including tours of Victorian Cape May’s National Historic Landmark District, Victorian Week, the Cape May Music Festival, and Christmas in Cape May. Call for hours and details.
Somers Mansion
Shore Rd, Somers Point (609-927-2212)
The oldest house in Atlantic County, this national historic landmark was the home of harbormaster Richard Somers. Open Wed-Sat 10 am-noon and 1-4 pm; Sun 1-4 pm. Free.
Tuckerton Seaport
136 W. Main St, Rt 9, Tuckerton (609-296-8868)
A replica maritime village dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of New Jersey baymen. Antique decoys, artifacts, shopping. Opening May 7 after renovating and expanding Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen’s Museum. Open daily 9-5 pm. $8 adults; seniors $6; kids 6-12 $4; under 6 free.
Wheaton Village
1501 Glasstown Rd, Millville (1-800-998-4552, ext 2735)
A glass museum, art gallery, country store, and more all set in the historic center of the glassblowing industry of southern New Jersey. Open 10 am-5 pm daily. Adults $7, seniors $6, students $3.50, free to children 5 and under.
Boating & Fishing in Atlantic City
Atlantic City offers many different on the water excursions for all to enjoy. You can choose from a shore cruise, whale watching, or deep-sea fishing depending on your desire, or you could do them all. You will be able to depend on the expertise of your guide to make whatever excursion you take a success. Below we have provided information about businesses on the water, we hope this helps you choose the right activity for you.
BlueWater Adventures/Atlantic City Charter and Party Boat Connection
For fishing, diving, and fun cruises (day or night). Miss Atlantic City charters up to 30 passengers (7 days a week), New Jersey Ave and the Bay, Atlantic City. Captain Collet sails 8:30 am Tues-Sun, 433 N. Maryland Ave, Atlantic City. Sportfishing and sailing yachts are also available. Call for details and reservations (609-348-6900
Capt. Applegate
Party boat sails Apr-Dec from Gardner’s Basin, New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City (345-4077). Call for information.
Duke O’Fluke
Party boat sails from Higbee Ave at the Bay, Somers Point (609-926-2280)
Fall fishing in the back bays for weakies, stripers, and blues. Operating trips Fri-Mon. Call for information on night weakie and striped bass trips.
Kammerman’s Marina
447 Carson Ave, Atlantic City (609-348-8418). Call for information and reservations.
Star Charters
24 S. Oakland Ave, Ventnor (609-822-8849 or 609-823-6637)
Private charters for groups and individuals up to 400. Fleets of all types and sizes for dinner, sightseeing or cocktail cruises. Fishing inshore or offshore. Accommodating all your on-water activities, from a 110′ Luxury Yacht to Sportfishers with all the amenities. Call for information and reservations.
Cape May Whale Watcher
Second and Wilson Dr, Miss Chris Marina, Cape May (1-800-786-5445 or 609-884-5445)
Whale and dolphin watch cruises. Call for information and reservations.
Mission Bound Sport Fishing
Harborview Marina, 954 Ocean Dr, Cape May 08204 (609-889-2493 or 609-440-5690)
Thirty-eight-ft. custom sport fisherman, specializing in tuna, marlin, shark, stripers, fluke, and weakfish. Full and half-day charters available.
Whale Watcher
Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, Rt 9 and Wilson Dr, Cape May (609-898-0055 or 1-888-531-0055)
Seasonal dolphin and whale watches.
The Wild Goose
228 Bay Ave, Ocean City (609-398-7075)
Environmental and wildlife boat tours, departing daily from Sunsplash Marina. Open seasonally. Call for information and reservations.
Museums & Lighthouses in Atlantic City
Atlantic City offers unique sites for its visitors. Museums here offer education and entertainment in a variety of ways. Lighthouses are found in few places and the Jersey Shore is one of them. Take a walk back in time and see how the lighthouse served as a guide for boats before the invention of the Global Positioning System. If you are looking for views, naturally, a lighthouse would be the place to go. Below we have highlighted some information about the above and hope it helps plan your trip to Atlantic City.
Atlantic City Museums
Atlantic City Historical Museum
Garden Pier, Boardwalk at New Jersey Ave, Atlantic City (609-347-5839). Open daily 10 am-4 pm.
George F. Boyer Historical Museum
3907 Pacific Ave, Wildwood (609-523-0277)
Artifacts and memorabilia on the history of the Wildwoods. Open Thurs-Sat 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
Ocean County Historical Museum
1735 Simpson Ave, Ocean City (609-399-1801)
Victorian museum, clothing, and historical exhibits remains of Sindia which came aground in 1901. Open Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm. Free.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
1441 New York Ave and Boardwalk, Atlantic City (609-347-2001)
The quirkiest, most amazing exhibits, including the Jersey Devil skeleton and a roulette table made of jelly beans. Open daily. Call for hours. Admission $8.95+tax, $6.95+tax for children 5-12, free for kids 4 and under. Open year-round.
Children’s Museum
3112 Fire Rd, Egg Harbor Twp (609-645-7741)
Featuring a TV studio, hospital ER, Sixers’ basketball court, car factory, and more. Recommended for children age 10 and under (plus parents, etc.). Open Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. $5 (under 2 free).
Discovery Seashell Museum
2721 Asbury Ave, Ocean City (609-398-2316 or www.seashells.com)
Amazing collection of seashells. Open seasonally.
Atlantic City Lighthouses
Absecon Lighthouse
Rhode Island and Pacific Aves, Atlantic City (609-449-1360)
Built in 1857, now being renovated, along with the lightkeeper’s house. A photographer’s delight. Thurs-Mon 11 am-4 pm for tours. Adults $4, one child free per adult, additional children $1 each.
Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Light (609-494-2016)
“Old Barney,” the 172-foot lighthouse marking the entrance to Barnegat Inlet, is the state’s largest. Walk to the top. Wed-Sun 9 am-4:30 pm. Admission $1, under 12 free.
Cape May Point Lighthouse
Cape May Point Park, Lighthouse Ave, Cape May (609-884-8656)
Built in 1859, a guiding light for sea travelers a century ago. Climb the 199 steps to the top. Visit the orientation center and the museum shop. Call for hours and days open. Adults $4, children 3-12 $1. One child free per adult.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
First and Central Ave., North Wildwood (609-522-4520)
A spectacular version of an 1874 Swiss Gothic Victorian with a 4th Order Fresnel lens. Call for hours and days open. Adults $3, ages $12-18 $1, and under 12 free.