City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Atlantic City, New Jersey

Located between Long Island, New York to the north and Ocean City, Maryland to the south, Atlantic City was established in the 1800s. The resort city is famous for its high-rise hotels, glitzy casinos and musical entertainment venues. From surfing, swimming and sunning at Atlantic City Beach and boating in Absecon Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the nightlife, slots and tables of world-famous casinos (Caesars, Bally’s, Tropicana and the Hard Rock, to name a few), there’s a wide variety of attractions and recreational activities for your whole crew.

Let’s take a look at some things to do while boating or staying at a private boat slip for rent in Atlantic City.

Steel Pier

Photo: Pixabay

Originally opened in 1898, Steel Pier is located on the Atlantic City boardwalk and features rides, carnival games and other entertainment as well as helicopter rides and authentic boardwalk food such as fries, burgers, cotton candy and such. Take a ride on the 227-foot-tall observation wheel for views of the Jersey shore and Atlantic City skyline.

Atlantic City Boardwalk

Photo: Pixabay

The world-famous Atlantic City boardwalk opened in 1870. At five miles long and 60 feet across at the widest points, it’s the world’s first and longest boardwalk. Visitors enjoy shopping, dining, casinos and exciting nightlife. Walking, running, bicycling and people-watching are all popular activities. There’s also mini golf, an arcade and yearly and seasonal events such as parades, concerts, festivals and a marathon. We just think it's a fun spot to visit from a private boat slip for rent. 

Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum

Photo: Wikimedia

Located on the Atlantic City boardwalk, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum is a fun unique place to visit from a boat lift for rent. Spend an afternoon checking out the collection of bizarre, macabre and unbelievable exhibits from around the world, including things such as shrunken heads, the world’s smallest car or roulette table made out of 14,000 jellybeans. You can also challenge yourself to The Vault Laser Maze Challenge, a room filled with laser beams.

Atlantic City Aquarium

Photo: Atlantic City Aquarium (Facebook)

The Atlantic City Aquarium features three stories of exhibits on marine life, ocean oddities and tropical rainforests. The kids will enjoy touching sharks, stingrays and coral formations and viewing piranhas, iguanas, jellyfish and loggerhead turtles. The aquarium is located near the shopping, dining and sightseeing boat tours in historic Gardners Basin, which was once home to commercial fishing fleets. The area provides a relaxing alternative to the upbeat and bustling atmosphere of the boardwalk. Check out the third-floor observatory for views of the bay out to the ocean.

Absecon Lighthouse

Photo: Pixabay

Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest and the country’s third tallest masonry lighthouse, is 171 feet with 228 steps to the top where there’s an original first-order Fresnel lens that was first lit in 1857. There’s a gift shop, a museum and a Fresnel lens exhibit in the original oil house. It offers stunning views of Absecon Inlet and makes a unique day trip from a private boat dock rental.

We hope you’ve found some new attractions to check out the next time you’re visiting a private boat dock rental or cruising around Broad Creek and Reeds Bay. Happy boating!