Are you thinking about visiting Atlantic City, New Jersey? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Atlantic City worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for one to three days. Atlantic City is a top gambling and party destination on the East Coast. This New Jersey beach town has casinos, hotels, and nightclubs that line the sandy beach and boardwalk. You'll also find comedy acts and music concerts in town. We first visited in 2011 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its colorful casinos and flashy personality.
Atlantic City, NJ
Reasons to Visit Atlantic City
Nightlife
This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.
Resorts
The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.
Food
There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.
Beaches
There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.
Shopping
You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.
Is Atlantic City worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Atlantic City is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather in Atlantic City is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 24°C (75°F). But it can get as warm as 29°C (85°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the resorts, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in Atlantic City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 24°C (75°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| August | 23°C (74°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| September | 19°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Is Atlantic City worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Atlantic City, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
This is a great time of year to .
Autumn Weather in Atlantic City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 13°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| November | 8°C (46°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| December | 2°C (36°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Is Atlantic City worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Atlantic City. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather in Atlantic City can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -0°C (31°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to dine out at amazing restaurants and grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Atlantic City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | -0°C (31°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| February | 1°C (33°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| March | 6°C (42°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Is Atlantic City worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Atlantic City. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 10°C (51°F).
During this season it's fun to experience shopping and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Atlantic City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 10°C (51°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Atlantic City
Museums: Atlantic City isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.
Lots of Tourists
Atlantic City sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Atlantic City might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Atlantic City here or see if Atlantic City is expensive here.
Related
What is Atlantic City most famous for?
Atlantic City is most famous for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality. The city is very popular for its nightlife. It is also known for its great resorts. And many visitors also come to this city for its food, beaches, and shopping. It is often described as glitzy, flashy, party-oriented, and colorful.
What is the most famous sight in Atlantic City?
The most popular sight in Atlantic City is Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Atlantic City on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk and other attractions here.
How touristy is Atlantic City? Is it a popular city to visit?
Atlantic City is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Midtown Dining District Foodie Tour: $110
- Downtown/Boardwalk Foodie Tour: $119
- Ocean City Bay Hopper - Greene Turtle Lunch Cruise: $55
- OC Bay Hopper - Foodie Tour By Boat: $195
- OC Bay Hopper - Assateague Island Cruise (Departs 118th): $45
- Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City: $25
- OC Bay Hopper - Ice Cream Cruise: $40
- 75-Minute Ocean Parasailing Adventure Above Ocean City, MD: $70
How long should I spend in Atlantic City?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Atlantic City is one to three days. Since Atlantic City has a variety of activities such as nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Atlantic City?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Atlantic City?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Atlantic City?.
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