Atlantic City Things To Do With Kids This Summer

A friend called me today asking what they can do when they come to visit Atlantic City (AC), NJ with their grand-kids. They haven’t been to AC in over a decade! AC is known for its casinos and many decades ago began to focus on entertainment for adults. While it may seem like their are not things to do for children in this town I have found many golden nuggets for me and my children. I hope this list helps to give you some idea of the wealth of family oriented fun you can have while in Atlantic City. Here are a couple things I recommend you try out if you come visit for the summer.

1. Steel Pier: My daughter loves the rides at the Steel Pier. Its like a mini carnival on the boardwalk. I saved on this outing by purchasing the tickets on Groupon. It is open everyday during the summer.
2. The African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ: Located at 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. Donations are accepted.
3. Bicycle Rentals: When I was a little girl my mom would sometimes get us up early in the morning before the sunrise and we would go to the Boardwalk and rent bikes. We would ride the Boardwalk and watch the sunrise. Atlantic City has breathtaking skyline views and ocean views. The birds are always about chirping. This could be a memorable childhood experience for your children. As well as, an opportunity to unplug, get active, and enjoy the morning dew. Bicycle riding is permitted on the Atlantic City boardwalk from 6:00 AM to 12 Noon from May 15th to September 15th. From September 16th to May 14th bike riding times are also allowed from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Bike rentals at both the Resorts and Tropicana locations are available from 6:30 AM to 12 Noon. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day you can call B&K Bike Rentals, at 609-344-8008, to confirm that bike rental locations are open.
4. Indoor Pools: Most hotels have pools in the area. When I get comp rooms I choose to stay at Bally’s when I have my children with me. Bally’s has an indoor pool with lounge areas and beautiful views of the ocean. Parents please don’t leave AC without treating yourselves to an evening at The Pool at Harris…
5. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not: Another nice find on Groupon. I got a pass for four for my daughter and her friends. They went and did the lasermaze.  My daughter said the museum was “Kinda like a cool hunted house. It was scary but had cool believe it or not stuff.” From the mouth of a 13 year old!
6. Tropicana IMAX & arcade room. Go watch a nice movie or spend money in the arcade room. Godiva chocolate  in the shops is also a nice treat. They have ice cream too. My daughter always ask to go to Starbucks when we are visiting Tropicana.
7. The Noyes Arts Garage: They offer art camps, paint nights, and open paint days. Check out their schedule engage your children in taking something creative home from their visit to AC.
8. Flyers Skate Zone : This place features a NHL sized ice-rink. Skaters heaven.
9. Gardeners Basin Dolphin Watching: My family likes the restaurant in the Gardeners Basin for breakfast. I like to walk the area and watch the boats. Some people go to the area to fish as well, they have boats that take groups out at a time for fishing expeditions. There is an Aquarium here too. It has an old village setup and has been here every since I was a little girl. I remember going there for functions. More recently the parasailing and boat rides are most appealing. But for kids you can take a nice walk, visit the aquarium, and have a nice meal all in one location. Today I am taking my daughter to go dolphin watching. There are several places on the shore to go dolphin or whale watching. The boat from the Gardeners Basin goes dolphin watching. You would have to drive 35 miles down the shore to catch whale watching. Again, another opportunity on Groupon if you like to save=more things to do with the kids!
10. Visit the Civil Rights Garden:  It is located on Dr Martin Luther King Blvd & Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 1 609-347-0500
11. Brown’s Park: This summer my daughter, along with Princess Inc, participated in the grand reopening of this centrally located community park after a $1.3 million renovation project. It was kicked off by a Double Dutch event. The park is located on Dr Martin Luther King Blvd and has new equipment for children to run around and play on. It was formerly blighted and re-purposed into a magnificent playground and park for children.
12. King Pin Bowling: We come from a bowling family. My great grandmother owned a home in Egg Harbor City next to a bowling alley so it was something I did as a pastime as a child until I married a bowler and upped to the leagues. Yes, they have leagues to celebrate the accomplishments of even those who score in the 90s. I tried the whole we-do-it-as-a-unit thing even when my husband’s Turkeys put me to shame.  The nearest bowling alley to Atlantic City is King Pin in Egg Harbor Township.
13. World’s Largest Musical Instrument: Atlantic City is home to the world’s largest and loudest musical instrument, a baby grand piano, I mean huge pipe organ. The kids may or may not be amazed. Its a nice thing to do while on the boardwalk. The Boardwalk Hall Convention Center that houses it is between Ceasar’s and Tropicana, closer to Ceasar’s. “The organ has four entries in Guinness World Records, including “Largest pipe organ ever constructed”, “Largest musical instrument ever constructed” and “Loudest musical instrument ever constructed”, and holds several records in the organ world.” Perhaps your little one likes grand things? I’m always down for a free tour, of just about anything. I like learning about history and the usage of things. You can go any weekday to see it but on Wednesday they have a walking tour of the Boardwalk Hall. “The organ can now be heard Monday-Friday at 12:00 noon in a free ½ hour concert May-October as well as for some shows in the main arena.” There is another tour at 12:30-1. So if you go to the Boardwalk at noon you can see the concert and tour from noon-1pm, have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe which opens at 11am, Stroll down to Ripley’s Museum, then stop by the Steel Pier for rides and bumper cars. Plenty of pictures to take along the way of the beautiful views of the ocean, sea shells, and tall buildings.
14. Last but not least on my list of things to do with my kids in the Atlantic City area is go to the beach!! Its what drew me back home to NJ after spending much of my life in beautiful Nashville. There is nothing like being able to walk to the ocean or take a short drive to one of the areas many lakes. I happen to have a house on the water and get to put my feet in at will. When I grew up I lived in the inlet, which is the far left side of AC near the Revel. I used to walk to chicken bone beach, it is where I learned to swim. The currents are mild and the water is not that deep for a ways out. Its almost like a lake beach. You can fish nearby. People often grill and picnic. When I was young people would go to the Boardwalk in droves with their picnic baskets and blankets. We would go every week. The most exciting when when we go would at dusk and stay till the night. It was scary, but fun, and without all the traffic. I survived, still here to tell the story so it can’t be all that bad for a kid. Its one of my most memorable Atlantic City experiences, swimming on the beach and particularly at night. Most locals today don’t beach near the casinos because of the pollution. The water quality is a bit better closer to Ventnor and Margate. Chicken Bone beach, a historically black beach, is just across from Margate.

Who says Atlantic City is not a destination for families!!? There are many gems to be found. If you find any not listed please let me know! Sharing is caring!

But wait, there’s more! AC is the the entertainment capital of the world. There are always shows being put on; magic shows, concerts, ballets, plays, etc. Be sure to check the entertainment page of each casino and venue to find top talent and entertaining shows any week of the summer!