As most of you already know Atlantic City, New Jersey is known for its energetic nightclubs, casino lined coast, and iconic boardwalk. However, what people do not know is Atlantic City isn’t only fun in the summertime, there are plenty of things to do in Atlantic City in the winter!
This city on the Atlantic was established in the 1800s and has been a go-to destination ever since. Originally established as a health resort, Atlantic City today is full of casino resorts offering some of the best entertainment on the East Coast. Though Atlantic City is commonly considered a summer vacation destination, we want to show you what to do in Atlantic City in the winter!
Disclosure: This is post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Thank you for your support!
Visit the Absecon Lighthouse
Atlantic City is home to the tallest and one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. The Absecon Lighthouse is 171 feet tall and over 150 years old, making it a MUST on your list of things to do in Atlantic City.
This lighthouse is located at the northern end of the city between Pacific and Rhode Island Avenue. To get to the top of the lighthouse, you must climb the 228 steps inside. Once at the top, you will be able to see the Absecon Inlet and the famous Atlantic City skyline. In addition to the beautiful views around the lighthouse, you will also be able to see the original Fresnel Lens that was first lit in 1857!
Protip: A Fresnel Lens is the flat lens made of a number of concentric rings that produces light atop lighthouses.
Additionally, on the premises of the Absecon Lighthouse is an educational museum, a gift shop, the original Oil House, and the Lightkeeper’s dwelling; so be sure to check those out as well!
Visit the Atlantic City Aquarium
Also located on the northern end of Atlantic City in historic Gardner’s Basin is the Atlantic City Aquarium. The AC Aquarium is open seven days a week year-round besides major US holidays.
The Atlantic City Aquarium was first opened in May of 1999 and has become a wonderful way to introduce Atlantic City’s guests to New Jersey’s marine environment. Seen inside the aquarium, are fish of the mid-Atlantic Ocean, moray eels, stony coral tanks, moon jellies and more.
This aquarium also offers a “touch tank” for those who hope to be a little more hands-on!
Pricing
- Adults (13-61): $10.00
- Seniors (62 & up): $7.00
- Children (4-12): $6.00
- 3 & under: FREE
Relax by the Indoor Pools
It doesn’t have to be summer to swim in Atlantic City! Though the ocean during this time of the year is quite chilly, most of the hotels and casinos offer indoor pools with great views.
Depending on where you find yourself, the indoor pools in AC can offer either a relaxing afternoon or a great “pre-game” before heading out for the night. For example, Borgata Water Club, Hard Rock, and Ocean offer guests a relaxing environment for those looking to swim a few laps and relax after a long work week or maybe even after a relaxing spa day. Harrahs, on the other hand, offers a beautiful pool and bar for those looking to liven up their day and start the party early.
The best indoor pools in Atlantic City, in no particular order.
- Borgata Water Club
- Ocean Resort Casino Resort
- Harrah’s Atlantic City Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Ballys Atlantic City
- Tropicana Atlantic City
Enjoy a Shopping Spree at The Walk
In addition to casinos and nightlife, Atlantic City also offers some great shopping. Located just off the boardwalk on N. Michigan Ave and spanning three city blocks is The Walk. Affiliated with Tanger Outlets, The Walk offers some wonderful shopping at discounted prices, and who doesn’t love a good bargain?
Within The Walk, you will find a number of stores such as J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, Express, Coach, Micheal Kors, and the list goes on (no literally there are 69 stores at The Walk).
The Walk is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and closed on all major holidays, so plan accordingly when scheduling your winter Atlantic City getaway!
Have a Spa Day
Looking forward to a relaxing spa day or weekend? You have come to the right place. Atlantic City offers some of the best spas in South Jersey, so no matter where you are staying it is likely that your hotel has a top-notch spa!
Spa therapies in Atlantic City resorts include massages, facials, waxings, couple services and more. Though the services aren’t as well-priced as the items you will be buying at The Walk, I assure you it’ll be worth it. Each experience and is like a vacation from your vacation and will leave you feeling even more relaxed than when you arrived!
Some of the best spas in Atlantic City, in our opinion and in no particular order, are Reliquary Spa in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Qua Baths and Spa in Caesars, Exhale Spa and Bathhouse in Ocean Casino Resort, Spa Toccare in Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, and Immersion Spa in The Water Club Hotel.
Learn to Cook at Vikings Cooking School
Looking for something fun to do with your friends, significant other, family or even alone? Check out Vikings Cooking School located inside Harrahs Resort. Vikings Cooking School offers a number of great night-out options with meals ranging from Vegas Steakhouse, Girls Night Out- In Rome, French Dinner Party, etc. Classes range from $89.00 to $119.00 depending on the night of the week and the meal you choose to make.
Planning a big event such as a birthday or bachelorette party, Vikings Cooking School even offers private events! Private event pricing varies depending on the meal and the number of attendants.
Enjoy an IMAX Experience
If you have never been to an IMAX movie you are surely missing out. IMAX movies are made up of a system of high-resolution cameras and film projectors and are known for their very large screens, far larger than the ones at your typical movie theater. I mean just imagine watching a movie on a screen up to seven stories tall!
Want to experience an IMAX movie for yourself? On the third floor of The Quarter, located in Atlantic City’s Tropicana, you can! Tropicana’s IMAX Theatre can seat up to 290 guests and projects crystal-clear images onto their five and a half story screen four times a day! Not only can you sit back and enjoy the film, but with their captivating surround sound, you can actually feel apart of it!
Ticket pricing ranges depending on the film, but typically they are $10.00- $16.00 plus fees if you are purchasing tickets online.
Check out The Playground at Caesars
This place is a must-visit if you are exploring Atlantic City. The Playground at Caesars is full of great food and drinks and even better views of the Atlantic Ocean! The Playground at Caesars is located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. However, for guests staying in Caesars, The Playground is attached to the casino floor! So you can enjoy the wonderful views, shops, and dining without ever having to walk outside the hotel!
Located inside The Playground are restaurants such as Buddakan, Phillips Seafood, and The Continental. Don’t want to do for dinner? Grab your morning coffee and enjoy the sunrise on the top level of The Playground overlooking the water, that’s what we like to do!
3 Travel Tips
Join in on the adventure by subscribing to our email list, where we share personal travel experiences, travel & packing tips, & more!
Get 3
Helpful Travel Tips
Enjoy a few of Atlantic City’s Wonderful Restaurants
Atlantic City offers some of the highest-rated restaurants at the Jersey Shore. Located both on and off the Atlantic City Boardwalk are a number of restaurants ranging in cuisine from Italian, Mexican, American, Seafood, French, etc.
Some of our favorite restaurants include:
The Iron Room
The Iron Room, now located on Tennessee Avenue, is currently open seven days a week. This restaurant offers breakfast and coffee each and every morning. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays The Iron Room reopens at 4:00 pm offering guests charcuterie and cheese plates paired with wine!
Though we love the breakfast and wine/cheese pairings we cannot wait until the end of October when The Iron Room finally has its Grand Opening!
Cafe 2825
Looking for warm, quaint, and friendly, Cafe 2825 is just the place. Cafe 2825 is family owned and offers fresh, seasonal Italian dishes true to the family’s Southern Italian and Brooklyn roots. Cafe 2825 only offers 14 beautifully dressed tables so be sure to make a reservation in advance!
Knife and Fork Inn
Knife and Fork Inn is known for its amazing dishes and for encapsulating the history of Atlantic City. Located in one of Atlantic City’s oldest establishments, Knife and Fork Inn has been mostly unchanged since it was established in 1912.
This restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner and even offers a highly talked about Happy Hour that locals and tourists just can’t get enough of! This is definitely not a place you’ll want to miss.
Dolce Mare
Located inside Ocean Casino Resort is Dolce Mare. Dolce Mare offers modern Italian cuisine while also offering arguably some of the most beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dolce Mare is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday and even holds private events!
Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood
Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood is home to some of the freshest seafood on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Popular for being a seafood house, oyster bar, and sports bar all in one, Harry’s Oyster Bar & Seafood offers relaxed indoor/outdoor (weather permitting) seating to all patrons.
The restaurant is located on the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk right in front of The Playground.
Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar
Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar is the most delicious break you’ll take when shopping at The Walk. Located within the outlets, Wingcraft serves high-quality burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Along with great food, Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar offers 50 draft beers, wine, and cocktails.
Wingcraft Kitchen & Beer Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am.
Old Homestead Steak House
Old Homestead Steak House is arguably the best steak house in Atlantic City. Located in the Borgata, Old Homestead Steak House is one of the country’s oldest steakhouses. This restaurant was created after the original Old Homestead Steak House in New York City so whether you are in New York or Atlantic City, New Jersey you’ll get the chance to try Old Homestead for yourself!
Back Bay Ale House
Back Bay Ale House is quite a hit among both locals and tourists. Located in Historic Gardner’s Basin right along the bay, Back Bay Ale House is famous for the Basin Mason!
The Basin Mason’s are cocktails served in mason jars ranging from 16 to 32 ounces. Some popular Basin Mason’s are Blueberry Lemonade, Sunset Margarita, and the Mojito, but if none of those are making your mouth water don’t worry there are eight more to choose from!
In addition to great drinks, Back Bay Ale House offers great sandwiches and seafood as well as a fun Key West vibe!
American Cut
Looking for the best Surf & Turf in town for two? Head over to American Cut located in Ocean Casino Resort. Not only is American Cut’s Surf & Turf amazing but this restaurant boasts the property’s largest wine list making this a great location for anniversaries and/or dinner with the one you love.
Los Amigos
Yum, yum, yum! Family-owned for nearly 40 years, Los Amigos is amazing if you enjoy Mexican cuisine. They serve everything from nachos and burritos to Southwestern style eggrolls and buffalo chicken tacos! Los Amigos was also recently voted Atlantic City’s best tequila and rum bar, so while your there check out one of their delicious margaritas!
Los Amigos is open for lunch and dinner and even offers a can’t miss Happy Hour from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm Monday and Wednesday through Friday at the bar.
Protip: Los Amigos is closed on Tuesdays.
Amada
Tapas anyone? Ocean Casino Resort is also home to Chef Garces masterpiece, Amada. Amada offers Spanish style cuisine such as tapas and paella as well as beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Olon
Olon, located on the boardwalk in front of Tropicana, is another delicious restaurant. This restaurant is known for its coastal cuisine and casual vibes. Olon serves everything from lobster bisque and steamed clams to ceviche and empanadas. Olon also provides patrons with a full bar of anything they want to drink including an extensive beer list!
Dock’s Oyster House
Opened in 1897, Dock’s Oyster House has been a staple to Atlantic City for generations. Dock’s Oyster House, located off the boardwalk on Atlantic Ave, is a beautiful restaurant serving some of the best seafood in town. As you must suspect oysters are a focal point on the menu. However, the menu also includes, shrimp or scallop ceviche, clams on the half shelf, crudo, shellfish samplers, fried calamari, chowders and so much more.
Dock’s Oyster House is open daily at 4:30 pm and offers Happy Hour until 6:00 pm.
Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabhouse and Sports Bar
Located on Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk and inside The Tropicana on the casino floor is Chickie’s & Pete’s. Chickie’s & Pete’s brings the taste of Philadephia sports to the beach with their famous Crab Fries that you just HAVE to try.
In addition to Crab Fries, Chickie’s & Pete’s offers a crab heavy menu with options such as lobster ravioli, crab bruschetta, nachos with crab meat, crab cake sandwich, lobster roll, and much more.
Not super hungry? Grab a drink and some Crab Fries while you watch the game. Chickie’s & Pete’s has a number of TVs located at the bar so you are guaranteed to find a team you like!
Protip: Atlantic City has hundreds of delicious restaurants these are just a few of our favorites!
Test Your Luck at the Casinos
As we all know, Atlantic City is known for the casinos that border the ocean. That being said, a trip to Atlantic City is not complete without testing your luck at the casinos!
In addition to table games and slot machines, Ocean Casino Resort also offers a room for sports betting. William Hill Sports Book is a 7,500 square foot room located on the casino floor that is complete with a full 24-hour center bar and enough televisions to show broadcast just about every game at all times!
Enjoy the Jokes at Hard Rock’s Comedy Club
For those not interested in the “club” scene but looking for something to do at night, check out Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club. Located in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club is open daily at 8:00 pm. The comedy club hosts comedians from all over such as Seaton Smith, Jim Florentine, Rocky Laporte and more.
Tickets for Howie Mandel’s Comedy Club cost $20.00 per person.
Sing-Along with Your Favorite Entertainers
In the past Boardwalk Hall used to be the go-to place for entertainers coming to Atlantic City. However now Atlantic City is home to a number of different arenas for the stars to sing their hearts out!
Arenas in Atlantic City:
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall located on the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk is a 141,000 square foot arena capable of holding 14,770 people. Constructed in 1929 as Atlantic City’s convention center, Boardwalk Hall has been transformed into a special event arena. Now home to the Atlantic City Blackjacks, Boardwalk Hall has hosted legendary guests such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and more.
Mark G. Etess Arena
Mark G Etess Arena is located in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. This is a multi-purpose arena that hosts both musical and sporting events. The Mark G Etess Arena seats over 5,000 guests and has recently hosted names such as Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Foreigner, and The Doobie Brothers.
Ovation Hall
Ovation Hall, within Ocean Resort, is another major event hall in Atlantic City. In the past Ovation Hall has featured symphony orchestras, a variety of musical genres, fight events, and comedians.
Work on Your Swing at Ocean’s Topgolf Swing Suite
Like golfing or just Topgolf, you have come to the right place! Ocean Casino Resort offers the largest Topgolf Swing Suite in America! This swing suite offers eleven private bays, a large center bar, additional table games around the bar, and wonderful food all while providing guests with great views of the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to typical Topgolf games, Topgolf Swing Suite offers patrons a selection of virtual games such as baseball, football, hockey, carnival games, and dodgeball.
Bay Rental Pricing
- 1 Hour: $50 (up to 8 guests)
- 0.5 Hour: $25 (up to 8 guests)
Escape the Room at Tropicana Casino & Resort
It’s no secret that Escape Rooms have become very popular over the last few years. Escape Rooms are a popular outing among co-workers, friends, and families, so why not take your next outing to the Escape Room at Tropicana Casino & Resort?
The Escape Room Tropicana offers four room escape options: the poker room, casino cage, boardwalk, and backstage and each room offers a one of kind experience you’ll be sure to remember. Regardless of the room you choose your group will have 60 minutes to solve the puzzle and escape. Unfortunately, many fail at solving the puzzles at Tropicana Casino & Resort, however, you’ll be sure to enjoy your time here regardless of the outcome.
Pricing & Other Information
Reservations for Escape Room Tropicana are $35.00 plus tax per person. Though Escape Room Tropicana encourages everyone to come in a join the fun. There is no age requirement, however, the recommended age is at least 13 years old due to the difficulty of each room.
For those of you with a large group, each room can handle 40 guests at one time.
Go to a Nightclub
In addition to wonderful spas, gambling, shopping, and restaurants, Atlantic City also has some incredible nightclubs. For those looking for a fun night out look no further. Almost every hotel and casino in Atlantic City has a top of the line nightclub but some of our favorites are Daer (Hard Rock), HQ (Ocean), and Premier Nightclub (Borgata).
Where to Stay
Depending on what your plans are will dictate where we recommend staying. The good news, Atlantic City has an acommodation option for just about any traveler.
Some of our favorites are Caesars, The Borgata, Ocean and the Hardrock Casino!
Want to learn how to earn FREE nights in Atlantic City?
Check out our e-course to learn how we accumulate over a million points and miles to redeem for free travel anywhere in the world.
Our Packing Essentials
Summary
Though Atlantic City is commonly considered a summer vacation destination we assure you there are plenty of things to do in Atlantic City in the winter. This coastal city is full of delicious restaurants, top-notch spas, American history, and great entertainment. For our full list of things to do in Atlantic City in the winter see our page highlights below!
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
- Visit the Absecon Lighthouse
- Visit the Atlantic City Aquarium
- Relax by the Indoor Pools
- Enjoy a Shopping Spree at The Walk
- Have a Spa Day
- Learn to Cook at Vikings Cooking School
- Enjoy an IMAX Experience
- Check out The Playground at Caesars
- Enjoy a few of Atlantic City’s Wonderful Restaurants
- Test Your Luck at the Casinos
- Enjoy the Jokes at Hard Rock’s Comedy Club
- Sing-Along with Your Favorite Entertainers
- Go to a Nightclub
Any recommendations that we missed? Leave us a comment below with your favorite things to do in Atlantic City in the winter or let us know if you found this post helpful while planning your next trip.
All great places Taylor! I would add “Escape AC” in the Tropicana, lower level, definitely a fun time for all ages.
Thank you so much, and thank you for the recommendation I will definitely add that to the list! We appreciate the recommendation and feedback!
Check out Central Pier Arcade & Speedway ! Open 365 days a year !
Awesome thank you for the recommendation we will have to check it out!
Hello.
I am one of the owners of Escape AC, the Escape Rooms in Tropicana Atlantic City. We appreciate you mentioning us in your “Things to do in Atlantic City in the winter” article. However, you say “…there is a minimum age requirement of 13 years old due to the difficulty of each room.” This is not true actually. There is NO minimum age requirement, however, we recommend 13 years or older.
Happy Holiday’s.
Escape AC
Thank you for the note, we updated the post to reflect your comment! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Hello,
Are you familiar with The Wheel at Steel Pier , it is open during the winter.
Saturday & Sunday’s 12pm – 8pm
Christmas Break. week 12/26 – 12/30
12pm – 8pm
http://www.thewheelatsteelpier.com
http://www.SteelPier.com