Things to Do in Atlantic City Besides Gamble

Atlantic City is a popular beach destination, with miles of shoreline. Spend the day swimming in the ocean or lying out in the sun. Unlike many other New Jersey beaches that require a fee and beach badge, Atlantic City beaches are free for public use. Several of the casinos, including Bally's and Caesars, have seasonal beach bars that offer drinks, dining and entertainment right on the sand. Other beach-related activities such as boating, fishing and surfing are also available.

The boardwalk in Atlantic City is as famous as the city's casinos. The longest boardwalk in the United States, the Atlantic City boardwalk is more than 4 miles long and offers games, shops, attractions and food, as well as access to many casinos. The famous Steel Pier offers an array of amusements.

While you may not be interested in gambling, don't write the casinos off completely. Most casinos offer one or several venues that host comedians, national music acts and other types of entertainment. The House of Blues in the Showboat and Borgota's Event Center and Music Box are popular venues.

Atlantic City may not be a major metropolitan area, but there are sports you can watch and even sports in which you can participate. Boardwalk Hall is a major destination for professional boxing matches, as well as mixed martial arts. A number of golf courses, such as Blue Heron Pines, make the city an attractive vacation destination for golfers. The Atlantic City Surf is a Minor League Baseball team that plays in the city.

Plenty of fine shopping is offered throughout Atlantic City, on the boardwalk, in the casinos and in town. For outlet shopping, The Walk, located midtown, offers a number of outlet shops for name brands such as Calvin Klein, Adidas and Liz Claiborne. For higher-end shopping, the Pier Shops at Caesars includes Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton.

Whether you're looking for a five-star meal, a local bar or an all-out party, plenty of dining and nightlife options abound in Atlantic City. Many fine restaurants and clubs are in various casinos, while others can be found in the city itself. Similar to Las Vegas, Atlantic City's up-all-night culture means many bars and clubs are open into the morning as late as 6 or 7 a.m. For a true Atlantic City hangout, stop by the Atlantic City Bar and Grill at South Carolina and Pacific.

Atlantic City has a long and rich history as a seaside resort destination. Visit the Garden Pier for the Atlantic City Historical Museum and Atlantic City Arts Center, or take a ride into the past on the Atlantic City Trolley Tour. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum and the Atlantic City Aquarium are two other entertaining options.