Why Atlantic City Deserves a Second Look (and a Weekend Trip)
Atlantic City has long been dismissed as a faded East Coast relic, a place where the main draw is a slot machine and a cheap buffet. But that view misses the point entirely. As someone who spent childhood weekends wandering its boardwalk, I can tell you: this city has always been more than its casinos. It's a place of genuine history, old-school glamour, and a kind of chaotic energy that feels increasingly rare.
The world's first boardwalk opened here in 1870. By the early 1900s, Atlantic City was America's leisure capital, hosting Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and the Beatles. It's where legal East Coast gambling began in 1978, bringing Vegas-style action to the shore. That legacy is still alive in the saltwater taffy shops, the white-tablecloth Italian dining rooms, and the dealers who have worked the same tables for decades.
Today, with new casinos opening closer to New York, AC can't rely on proximity alone. But that's fine. The city is reinventing itself with renovated hotels, new beach clubs, and expanded entertainment venues. The boardwalk—still the longest in America—remains a living museum of Americana, especially as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
Where to eat: Start at Knife & Fork Inn, a Prohibition-era steakhouse with chandeliers and heavy pours. For seafood, Dock's Oyster House has been family-run since 1897. White House Subs has served legendary 24-inch sandwiches since 1946. For something modern, Kuro at Hard Rock offers upscale Japanese dining, while Back Bay Ale House is perfect for dockside cocktails.
Where to stay: Borgata remains the most complete resort, with a spa, pools, and excellent dining away from the boardwalk crowds. Ocean Casino Resort feels newer and brighter, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a rooftop pool. For nostalgia, Resorts Casino Hotel was the first legal casino outside Nevada. The new Seahaus Hotel (opened 2025) offers a casino-free coastal design.
What to do: Walk the boardwalk, ride the Steel Pier's Observation Wheel, or visit the Absecon Lighthouse. Take a dolphin-spotting cruise with Atlantic City Cruises. For a deep dive into local lore, join the Boardwalk Tram Tour with AC Mike, a longtime radio host who knows everyone. At Caesars, catch "The Hook," a circus-cabaret show that's weird and wonderful. End the night at Angeloni's Club Madrid, a revived supper club with wood-fired pizzas and live music.
Atlantic City isn't trying to be Vegas. It's something older, stranger, and far more interesting—a true American original.