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The Best Things to do in Atlantic City With Kids

Whether it’s the Atlantic City Air Show or July 4th Fireworks, we’ve got you covered with things to do in Atlantic City with kids so that everyone can “do AC.”

What is extra fabulous about this list of things to do with kids in Atlantic City is that most of these activities can be done inside. Rain or shine it’s always possible to have great family fun in Atlantic City.

Greetings from Atlantic City

Things to do in Atlantic City With Kids

Search for dolphins aboard a dolphin cruise.

One of our favorite things to do in Atlantic City with kids is to get out onto the water with a dolphin cruise. Atlantic City Cruises in Gardener’s Basin offers daily dolphin cruises during the summer and three times a week in the spring and fall.

dolphins in the water off of Atlantic City NJ

We first did this South Jersey dolphin cruise when my youngest was 4 years old. We try to get back to it every year or so. All my boys from the big kid to the teen enjoy the dolphin cruises. Not only do we see several dolphins aboard our two-hour cruise, but it was also a wonderful way to see some of Atlantic City’s best attractions from a different point of view.

Things to do in Atlantic City - take an Atlantic City Dolphin Cruises

When you go on your dolphin cruise you could see leaping, frolicking dolphins or they could be a little harder to see if they are in hunting mode. For us, Captain and Owner Jeff gave a highly educational commentary that taught us about the different dolphin behaviors and how some of those behaviors can make dolphins harder to see at times. They’ll stay underwater longer and their trips to the surface will be brief. Don’t let that discourage you though. Captain Jeff was determined and he and his teams know the ocean waters well. If they can’t find dolphins in one area they will take the dolphin cruise to another area.

Another thing to do in Atlantic City with kids is the Atlantic City Dolphin Cruises

It’s hard to say how many dolphins you’ll see and what their behaviors will be. Come prepared! Bring your camera and be ready for a fantastic voyage! Food is allowed on board. Snacks and beverages are available for sale for $1-$2. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed. In the unlikely event that dolphins are not spotted, a free return cruise ticket will be given. Learn more about these Atlantic City dolphin cruises at their website atlanticcitycruises.com or call 609-347-7600. Visit more of our pictures from the dolphin cruise in this Facebook album.

Watch the Boats

Visit Gardener’s Basin and watch the boats come in and out. Right now the cute Adirondack chairs for kids and adults to sit back and plant their feet in the sand, feel the wind through the hair, and get a great view of the water are gone (we hope that’s temporary.) But there are some places to sit or you can grab a meal at one of the restaurants that offer outdoor dining that overlooks the water.

adirondack chairs in Gardener's Basin in Atlantic City

Experience a dinosaur safari

This summer, there are not one but TWO ways to get up close to dinosaurs in Atlantic City. The city is hosting LuminoCity Dino Safari and Jurassic Quest. Get the details on both of these in our guide to dinosaurs in Atlantic City.

LuminoCity Dino Safari in Atlantic City NJ Dino coming out of egg HERO

Feed stingrays

Temporarily closed.

Feed a stingray at the Ocean Life Center Aquarium. Unfortunately, the Atlantic City Aquarium is temporarily closed due to construction. When we spoke to someone by phone on July 26 they expected the aquarium to reopen at the end of this year.

Ocean Life Center in Atlantic City

Climb the Absecon Lighthouse, one of the tallest in New Jersey.

Got a kid that loves to climb? One of our favorite things to do in Atlantic City with kids is to climb the 228 steps to the top of the Absecon Lighthouse. It’s a great way to get a view of Atlantic City and see how much the city really offers families.

Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City

See an Imax Movie at the Tropicana Imax Theatre.

The IMAX Theatre at Tropicana is the only Giant Screen Certified IMAX Theatre in Southern New Jersey and the only movie theater in Atlantic City. It’s located on the third floor of The Quarter.

It looks like ET will be playing this August. See today’s line-up of movies.

Get up close to art from local New Jersey artists

Check out the art at the Noyes Museum of Art with two locations in Atlantic City – one inside the Claridge Hotel. The other is located at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University. Check out our experience, Noyes Museum of Art – Explore Art with Your Kids. Admission is always free at all of the Noyes Art Museum locations.

Kimberly Camp painting at Noyes Art Garage
One of the Kimberly Camp paintings on display at the Noyes Art Garage.

Challenge the kids to a video game competition.

Many of Atlantic City casino hotels have arcades for families: Tropicana, Harrah’s, and Showboat.

Take a walk INSIDE an elephant.

Temporarily closed.

Take a walk through or climb on a 6 story elephant named Lucy. Lucy the Elephant is temporarily closed for renovations.

Ride a roller coaster!

Regardless of age thrills and excitement await guests at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. They have everything from the Carousel to the Slingshot! Ride the rides! Play the games! Share a funnel cake all on the AC Boardwalk.

Ferris wheel at Steel Pier in Atlantic City
Photo credit Steel Pier in Atlantic City

Take a self guided tour of the Atlantic City murals

By car or bike you can travel around the city and check out the amazing Atlantic City murals. At last count, there were about 70 murals but it seems new ones are added every few weeks. Get directions and see some of the images in our Self Guided Atlantic City Murals Tour.

find your way atlantic city mural

Play in the sand

Play in the sand on the Atlantic City Beaches where admission is always FREE. There are several points along the Atlantic City beach where you can enter the beach from the boardwalk. Parking is available in private lots, casino parking garages, and underneath Boardwalk Hall.

Atlantic-City-Beach-Zoom-Background

Walk the boardwalk

Take a walk on the wild side!

At the Atlantic City Bass Pro Shops, shoppers can walk through a store that might have you questioning just where you are. At one end of the store, there are stuffed bears, raccoons, and other forest creatures. At another end, there’s a deep fish tank where a few times a week a staff member feeds the fish and discusses the species in the tank.

https://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/event/gone-fishing-bass-pro-shop/all/
You probably won’t catch a shark at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City but it doesn’t mean you can’t stare one down.

Visitors are encouraged to stay, watch, and ask questions. From fish feedings to kids workshops there are always events happening for kids at the AC Bass Pro Shops. You can check for Atlantic City Bass Pro Shops events for kids with this link.

Open your eyes to some new art.

In Atlantic City, the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey has a vast collection of paintings, ceramics, and advertising and branding memorabilia that portray African Americans in both a flattering and unflattering way. It’s unsettling to read some of the signage and understand how so many of the brands we are familiar with treated the African American community and the brand spokesmodels so negatively, but it’s important to see it. Read more in my article, Eye Opening Exhibits at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.

Stereotypes on Exhibit at African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Atlantic City location photo credit Jersey Family Fun
Stereotypes on Exhibit at African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Atlantic City location.

Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Art Experience in Atlantic City

While journeying through Beyond Van Gogh, guests witness over 300 masterpieces, including instantly-recognizable classics such as “The Starry Night”, “Sunflowers”, and “Café Terrace at Night”, now freed from their frames. Van Gogh’s art comes to life by appearing and disappearing, flowing across multiple surfaces, and heightening the senses with their immense detail.

Beyond Van gogh an Immersive experience In Atlantic City

Through his own words set to a symphonic score, guests come to a new appreciation of this tortured artist’s stunning work. It’s no surprise that millions of people all over the world credit Van Gogh with enhancing their relationship with art. Beyond Van Gogh will only deepen it further.

We’ll have more details after we experience Van Gogh in Atlantic City.

Skate

Temporarily closed.

Go ice skating at the Atlantic City Skate Zone. The Flyers Skate Zone in Atlantic City is now the Atlantic City Skate Zone and is being managed by the city. We’re looking forward to the return of public ice skating in Atlantic City.

Get a hole in one!

Play a round of miniature golf in the city. There are mini golf courses both on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Watch the night lights and fireworks!

Stay till the sun goes does and the Tropicana Casino facade lights up with their nightly free shows that mix music and lighting for an incredible experience. Saturday nights in the summer Tropicana hosts a fireworks show.

New Jersey fireworks on July 4th

Attend an Atlantic City event for kids!

Visit our Jersey Family Fun Calendar of events to find out about upcoming Atlantic City events for kids.

Want an easy way to get into and out of Atlantic City on a holiday or weekend?

Take advantage of NJ Transit’s family fares.

 

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Steve

Thursday 9th of July 2020

Does anyone know and can tell me If you can walk threw the Lucy Elephant on your own or do you have to pay for the guided tour? Thanks for any kind of response

Jennifer A.

Thursday 9th of July 2020

The tours start with a presentation and then you walk at your own pace through Lucy. There is a fee to enter. - Jenn

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