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Free & Affordable Fun for the Entire Family
Vacationers looking for fun, affordable and FREE things to do in New Jersey need look no further than Atlantic City. From free events, concerts and attractions – like the Atlantic City Airshow or our free beaches – to events that cost less than $20, there are plenty of free things to do with kids or friends in AC. Check out our list of the most fun, free and affordable things to do this summer, right here in Atlantic City.
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| DO FREE IN AC |
- Atlantic City Beaches – No beach fees or tags required (a rarity in NJ)
- "DO AC" 3D Light & Sound Show – Award-winning nightly laser show projected onto the facade of Boardwalk Hall after dark. Shows every half hour starting at 9:30pm. FREE
- Sand Sculpting World Cup – Watch the world's top 20 sand sculptors carve amazing artworks from sand and water for global bragging rights. On the beach at Pennsylvania Ave (between Resorts and Steel Pier). Open 9am - 9pm daily from June 19 to July 6. FREE
- Mind, Body & Soul Zumba Classes – Workout each morning on the Boardwalk at California Ave. Boot Camp at 9am, Zumba at 10am. FREE
- Atlantic City Farmers Market – Local farmers offer farm-fresh fruit and produce; craft vendors and live music. Center City Park, 1200 Atlantic Ave., Thursday & Saturdays from July 10 through Sept. 27, 9am–3pm
- Movies Under the Stars – Bring your beach chair to AC's free movie nights on the beach. (Schedule subject to change due to weather) Friday, Sunday & Mondays in July & August. Brighton Park | Gardner's Basin | Bartram Ave schedules. FREE
- Summer Weekend Music Series – Free live bands and the "Boardwalk Beat" dancers, Kennedy Plaza, Friday-Sunday, 8pm - 11pm, June 20 - Labor Day. Check Friday | Saturday | Sunday schedules. FREE
- Bartram Beach Block Concert Series – Popular local live artists performing on beach, so bring a beach chair or blanket. Bartram Avenue on the beach, Friday nights at 7pm. FREE
- Chicken Bone Beach "Jazz on the Beach" Concert Series – Free shows at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk at Mississippi Ave. Thursday nights in July and August. FREE
- Gardner's Basin Concert Series – 70s and 80s funk and soul performances in a scenic backbay setting. FREE
- AC Free Public Library International Night Series – Free shows at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk on Wednesday nights in July and August. FREE
- Broadway on the Boardwalk – Casts from NY's hottest Broadway musicals perform live on the AC Boardwalk. FREE
- Tony Mart Presents the CRDA Summer Concert Series –Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk, Mardi Gras Mondays at 7pm; Retro Weekend (Aug 30-31) celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Beatles' show at Convention Hall. FREE
- July 4th Fireworks – "We the People, By the People, For the People" fireworks extravaganza with music selected by the people. After nightfall. View anywhere in Atlantic City. FREE
- Blake Shelton – Concert on the beach – July 31. At the Pier at Caesars. FREE
- Lady Antebellum – Concert on the beach – August 3. At the Pier at Caesars. FREE
- Atlantic City Airshow – Blasts through the skies over AC and is one of the most popular free things to do in New Jersey. Wednesday, August 13, 2014. FREE
- AC Salutes America's Armed Forces Parade – Supporting our troops in conjunction with the Atlantic City Airshow. Monday, Aug. 11, 2014 at 6pm. FREE
- Atlantic City's Boardwalk is the perfect place to stroll anytime, people watch, shop or ride bicycles (6am-10am)
- Visit newly re-opened exhibits at the Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center at Garden Pier. FREE
- Gardner’s Basin – Stroll the docks in this historic back bay area, window shop at the unique craft shops of Crafters Village. FREE
- Miss America tribute bronze sculpture available for visitors to stand below and "get crowned!" Kennedy Plaza on Boardwalk. FREE
- Korean War Memorial – Honoring the contribution made to help gain freedoms for both the U.S. and South Korea. Park Place and Boardwalk at Brighton Park. FREE
- Civil Rights Garden – Public sculpture garden symbolizing the passion and history of the Civil Rights Movement. Pacific Ave and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. FREE
- Midmer-Losh Pipe Organ – Hear daily concerts in the Main Hall of Boardwalk Hall or take a guided tour of the world-renowned pipe organ built in 1929-32. Monday - Friday at noon. FREE
- The Pier Shops (3rd Level) – Hit the Adirondack chairs on the fake sandy beaches on rainy days or when you want the best seat in the house for a sunset over Atlantic City. FREE
- Wind Farm Tours – ACUA (Atlantic County Utilities Authority) offers free environmental tours of the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm every Monday and Friday at noon during the summer. Call 609-272-6950 for more info.
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| DO $10 AND UNDER |
- Absecon Lighthouse – Tallest lighthouse in New Jersey - open for climbing 228 steps to the top
- Atlantic City Aquarium – Ocean oddities, sharks, sea anemones and more at Gardner's Basin
- Bicycle rentals – Permitted on the Boardwalk between 6:30 am and 10am daily
- Boardwalk Arcades – A roll of quarters goes a long way at Central Pier or Playcade arcades
- Forsythe Wildlife Refuge – 43,000 acres of protected coastal habitat and nature trails
- Haunted Tales – Theater of animated local folklore featuring pirates and the Jersey Devil
- Historic Cold Spring Village – Open-air hands-on Early American living history museum
- Lucy the Elephant – Restored giant historic landmark first built in 1884 overlooks ocean, open for tours
- Marine Mammal Stranding Center – Rescues and rehabilitates stranded mammals and sea turtles
- Miniature Golf – 18 holes of world-class mini golf at AC's premier course on the Boardwalk at Mississippi
- Noyes Museum of Art – Fine art, crafts and folk art exhibits with a focus on the mid-Atlantic region
- Rainforest Café – Part tropical rainforest, part restaurant, with sweet treats for the kids for under $5!
- Rolling chair ride – See the Boardwalk sites being pushed by an attendant (fee based on distance)
- Skate Zone – Cool off on a hot summer day at the Flyers Skate Zone ice rink
- Tuckerton Seaport Museum – Working maritime museum with folk artisans and entertainment
- Wetlands Institute – Guided beach walks, back bay boat rides, kayaking, animal shows and more
- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center – Glass, ceramic, flamework, woodcarving artists at work
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| DO $20 AND UNDER |
- AC Cruises – Back bay cruises, dolphin-watching trips or sunset happy hour cruises aboard Cruisin' 1
- A.J. Meerwald – NJ's Official Tall Ship offers sailing trips and classes while in Atlantic City waters
- Great American Trolley Tours – Take one of GA's fun trolley tours of the Jersey Shore
- IMAX Theater at Tropicana – Sit back, relax and enjoy a larger-than-life 3D movie releases
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! – Popular odditorium and museum of weirdness for kids of all ages
- Steel Pier – AC's landmark amusement pier on the Boardwalk with thrill rides and games of chance
- Storybook Land – Just outside of AC (and just over $20), amusement park based on nursery rhymes
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