The 11 best free attractions in Atlantic City

Absolutely amazing visit. The kindest friendliest most knowledgeable staff. Dan at the top is awesome. He knows so much about lighthouses and how they work and very patient with teaching the kids. Great views and a great time and i can't wait to stop back

Even if you are local or from NJ/tri-state area, I highly recommend visiting this lighthouse. 3rd tallest in the US (I learned that there). The attendant downstairs could not have been nicer and more personable. Pace yourself and the climb up is not too bad, the climb down was more challenging as I was getting dizzy. The view from the top-breathtaking!

Spent a couple of days in AC and our first stop was Absecon Lighthouse. Nice property, loved the garden, the historic museum, and getting exercise while climbing to the top. Got some nice pics too!

Absecon Lighthouse was really cool to check out and climb up. The view from the top gives you great views of the casinos and beach.

🌊 Atlantic City Lighthouse: A Beacon of History and Breathtaking Views Climbing the 208 steps of the Atlantic City Lighthouse is more than a workout, it's a journey through time and perspective. Standing 16 stories high, this historic gem offers a panoramic 360° view of the city skyline and the Atlantic Ocean that’s nothing short of spectacular on a clear day. The centerpiece? An original 8½-order Fresnel lens, a marvel of 19th-century engineering that once cast light 23 miles out to sea. It's a quiet reminder of the lighthouse’s vital role in guiding mariners safely to shore. Whether you're a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of reflection above the bustle, the Atlantic City Lighthouse delivers. The climb is steep but rewarding, and the view from the top, where sea meets city, is unforgettable.

It was a small, charming lighthouse area with free parking nearby. There’s also a cozy little shop—very welcoming and nice to browse. A peaceful and pleasant stop!

Great lighthouse. Grounds are well kept. Definitely worth a stop while in the Atlantic City Area.

An iconic spot to visit if you're an out of town visitor. My family and I enjoyed the sights and a few rides. Everything looks prettier at sunset when the rides are lit up. Prices are as to be expected for a high tourist area.

Classic arcade park fun. The wheel is worth the price. 2 full spins. Sunset views were spectacular. The helicopter ride is quick and limited to 2 people. It was great. Games are pricey as is the food. Just enjoy the smiles on your family's faces. Check for times. 5th visit to AC and finally here when it was open.

3,5 stars if it was possible. not the most beautiful pier. there is very few spots to have a view on the shore. all the space is occupied with attractions. the city should improve the beauty of the general public space. there is enough money to building horrible casinos so there should be money to enhance the boardwalk and the pier. the giant wheel might be enjoyable. the attractions looks fun. the helicopter tour with the heliport at the end of the pier seams tour be very odd and dangerous. the helicopter flys very closed to the pier and the people. we all know this kind of helicopter tour is dangerous as the maintenance is usualy not as good as the maintenance done for helicopter used for real work.

I had the opportunity to walk through this amusement park. It had a great mix of stuff. Price wise it was a little more expensive then a fair. The coolest thing was the helicopter ride that will fly you around the city or up and down the beach. It's a really quick ride, maybe 5 min for $75 beach flight but if you have never been in a helicopter to worth it.

The last night of our stay we went to the pier. Our party included multiple adults, teenagers, toddlers, and my elderly mother. We all had a great time! Wasn't too crowded, the lines were short, and the rides were a lot of fun.

Great place to be with family and kids... has a 2 bars to join yourself while kids can join rides and have fun.. if you ever come to Atlantic city the boardwalk is a must come.

Great place for the family with helicopter rides, ferris wheel, bumper cars, roller coasters and many other attractions for kids. Fun place to hang out for a day or night

No taxes ever reduced because of ac casinos and.gambling

Closed as of August 6 2016.

Very nice

Best museum ever

Views

Closed 80% of the time

It's always nice and the free concerts are great . We bought our own food and drink but they have vendors there also. Nice breeze off the water and grown up vibes we go every year at least twice.

Very nice concert at this place. Great day out at the Gardener's Basin. Nice place to chill and enjoy the day.

I went to a music festival. Lots of parking and a few restaurants to eat at also.

Lovely area

Atlantic City tours Dolphins cruise was wonderful 😉

Fun change of pace from the Boardwalk!

Great place

Nice wide beach, plenty of space to chill and enjoy the waves. Access via boardwalk, you can see plenty of shells in the sand, beach is mostly clean, only a few trash items observed over 100+m distance. 3 stars, will be back to see the sunrise.

Cool, active, at times choppy water. Beautiful scenery. Located steps away from the boardwalk. Something to definately experience.

The beach was okay overall. The vibe on the boardwalk was really fun, lots of energy, music, and food. But chair and umbrella rentals were very expensive, which was a downside. Also, there were very few outdoor showers, so it wasn’t easy to rinse off the sand. Still, it’s a decent spot for a few hours if you’re already in the area.

Love the beach near the pier! Especially at night! No one bothers you and it's so beautiful!

I had an amazing time this oast weekend here. The beach was clean, the people were friendly, I found an awesome church called the crossroads to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at. Definitely recommend checking this beach out once or many times weather fishing, swimming, or laying out and basking in the sun while enjoying the beautiful things, sounds, and animals God has provided us to enjoy during our earthly lives.

Great beach! Atlantic City's beaches offer several advantages, primarily being free to the public and offering a wide, sandy shoreline with access to the iconic Boardwalk. A must go to anyone from the north side!

I love the Atlantic City Beach because it's free, and you can have pizza delivered if you don't pack your lunch. Shooby 🤫

This should not be listed as a museum, it should be listed as an exhibit. A museum would have someone who would be helpful and maybe say hello, not a unhappy security guard, barking at you where not to go. There are some interesting displays of things from Atlantic City's past, lots of photos, the old Boardwalk Hall original organ and Mr. Peanut! There is a short film that tells Atlantic City's history, which does not go back far in time, but is actually very interesting. There is a comfortable seating area to watch the short documentary There is an extensive civil rights movement, union movement and the combination of the two, photos and written history. There is also a separate section of just union history in general with a display. The security guard, will make sure you understand that the "Rest Rooms" sign is only for employees. The security guard, said the "Rest Rooms" are permanently closed to the general public. The hours are not posted anywhere, the security guard, said the hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. CLOSED SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. The entrance is located directly off the Boardwalk, using the door directly to the right of the turnstile. All other doors, the security guard, says, are locked. The security guard, will make it clear exactly where the "museum" is and is not the adjoining hall with posters of past events. You may notice that the current Governor and Lt. Governor have their names on the wall proud of this awesome "museum". Fact is this entire collection would fit into the NYC Macy's display windows. But there is the short documentary. This is free with a donation box. Respectfully

This museum closed at its original location right after I visited it. There's not a lot to see here other than memorabilia-- little facts, interactive exhibits.

I traveled to AC from Bucks County, PA, to visit the exhibition. According to the hours section of the website (which I found after a search): "The exhibit is open to the public weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM." On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I arrived at 3pm, only to find it closed. If the exhibit is going to have early holiday hours, wouldn't it make sense to, at least, post that information on your website? I'd give "zero" stars. But, apparently, you can't post unless at least one star is referenced.

This is an exhibit (not really a museum) located in the lobby of Boardwalk Hall. Hundreds of items from Atlantic City History showcasing everything from Mr. Peanut to Ms. America. Mostly objects to look at and not a lot to read besides a timeline. Allow one hour max. Operated by the AC Library System so you can always call them to double check hours or other information.

It is a cool little exhibit and good use of the space but not a whole lot to look at. It did give us a nice break from the heat. Security was very polite and informative.

Only one star given because I tried to go after the boardwalk broadway show. Only to find it closed. For the summer why not have it open during show hours? Thank you

This was not that impressive and my family got bored. I am hoping they improve their overall concept

Well run and organized. If you’re looking for the kind of items that are sold at a Bass Pro Shop, you’ll be happy here. Parking is easy and they validate for you at checkout. Parking is free for an hour with purchase or 4 hours with a $30 purchase. Conveniently located near the outlets in AC. The waterfall and fish tank are great for kids.

If you like fishing and boating like i doi, this is the place to go. Honestly, the prices are pretty good. Plus if you buy $30 worth of stuff u park free for 4 hours - just enough time to lose $ at Caesars next door...of course they have the big fish tank....nice to see

It's a really cool store if you're an outdoorsman. There's a ton of fishing gear. I felt the hunting apparel was a little slim pickings but the store is still pretty cool especially gor a dad on father's day.

Wow!!! Crazy large retail store in the middle of AC, New Jersey... Went with a friend to buy a shotgun, staff There is very knowledgeable and helped us out a great deal, he went through the whole process and then he couldn't get into the background check for some unknown reason, it all worked out, Shout Outs to Joe, Allie and Vinnie in the firearm's department, very helpful , also Sharmain@ "the club" was super helpful and Pleasant

The first time I stepped into Bass Pro Shops was in Florida, it reminded me of another similar store I visited in another State - Cabela's. The layout of all goods it carries... hmmm... Anyway, it's another heaven for outdoor activity enthusiasts. It covers almost every category of outdoors activities... I can't think NJ has this kind of Outdoors goods hypermart... Wow is the word for the NJ Outdoors enthusiasts paradise!! It's located in the south part of New Jersey.... Wonderful!

This Bass Pro Shop location is about 40 minutes from us but we never mind making the drive even if it's just to pick up one item. The parking is free as long as you have a valid receipt from a purchase made there that day. We love the wide selection of everything from clothing, camping gear, fishing rods, hunting rifles and so much more. They even have a small selection of off road vehicles and boats. My kids like what the childrens department offers and I like the shoe section where my husband and I can get Hey Dudes. We have also made it our tradition to come see Santa here and love the North Pole set up they make. Of course, the large tank filled with local fish is always a focus of our visit. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and the lines for making purchases always move swiftly because of how many cashiers they employee.

Always a fun adventure to visit this store! We come here for my daughter whom enjoys the selection of stuffed animals. But we all enjoy perusing the store and looking at all the different things! The fish tank is cool to see too and sometimes they have postings to watch them feed !

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is a classic slice of American seaside culture. Stretching for miles along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, it’s the perfect blend of nostalgia and energy. Whether you’re here for the casinos, live entertainment, shopping, or just a peaceful oceanfront stroll, the boardwalk has something for everyone. The views are stunning—especially at sunrise or sunset—and the salty ocean breeze makes every walk feel refreshing. You’ll find plenty of places to grab delicious food, from classic boardwalk fries and funnel cakes to upscale dining. Street performers, souvenir shops, arcades, and the iconic rolling chairs add to the charm. It’s both family-friendly and lively enough for a night out. If you’re visiting Atlantic City, the boardwalk is an absolute must—equal parts history, fun, and relaxation by the sea.

Suitable for all age groups.. They said it’s Las Vegas of Eastern. Slightly yes.. Had a pleasant time here on Saturday evening with a variety of options to explore. Vibrant Casinos, delicious food, pleasant and wide beach, shopping, board walk, amusement park, memorial park etc. Transport service from one end to the other at affordable prices. Street parking is a bit difficult to get but if you get it’s affordable. We can extend our bookings as per the requirement. Definitely a great place to take your kids, teens, friends and your parents.

This is a wonderful spot for watching the sunrise. Walking along the boardwalk, where you can take in the ocean view, the shops, and the backdrop of the casino buildings, can also be a great experience.

Great for a family getaway or romantic date. You can stay several nights or just for a day trip. There are plenty of restaurants and food. There's a water park, arcade with a race track for kids, and plenty of entertainment for adults. You can enter any casino to play in or the beach. Definitely a must do in the summer

We visited the boardwalk, Ceasars Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel- were we had deliciousice-cream. It's to your advantage to go during the week because the beach is nice and quiet and so is the boardwalk. By 6pm, people start coming out to the boardwalk for drinks, shop and walk ,avoiding the sun. At Ceasars we went to the shops and found quite a few items at unbelievable prizes. Excellent quality. Save money doing some Christmas shopping, even my grandson bought a few items. Pictures below. This is the time to check the boutiques for good bargains. The Hotel is beautiful and quiet. At nice is cool and romantic.

An entertaining time on the boardwalk. I recommend walking between Hard Rock Hotel, the Steel Pier, and Tropicana. Plenty of great people watching, food, drinks, and scenery for a full and fun afternoon with friends ir family.

The boardwalk itself is excellent. One side there are beaches and the other side shops. There is also transport on the boardwalk with $5 per a ride or $13 for multiple rides. The only downside - air was filled with weed smell everywhere.