Atlantic City Press Room

Atlantic City Press Release

While long known for being a premier resort and gaming destination, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) wants travelers to know that with free beaches, affordable events, educational activities and more, Atlantic City is a perfect vacation spot for families of all ages.

“People sometimes may forget that Atlantic City is, at its core, a quintessential shore destination,” said Jeff Vasser, president of the ACCVA. “While gaming understandably is a focal point, we want people to know that we offer many family-friendly attractions and opportunities.”

Now that school is out, the temperature is rising and summer is in full swing, there are a number of upcoming family-friendly events in Atlantic City including:

• American Idols Live! is scheduled for August 13 at Boardwalk Hall and will feature performances by this season’s top 11 contestants including Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Scotty McCreery, Stefano Langone and Thia Megia. The show is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $45 and $65.

• Schooner A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s official tall ship, will be docked in Gardner’s Basin from July 26 until August 4. There will be sailing trips around the bay with evening, family, marine wildlife and pirate sails available.

• Comprising the largest air show on the East Coast, the 9^th annual Atlantic City Airshow includes parachute teams, fly-bys and formations performed by military and civilian pilots. The show takes place on August 17 at the Atlantic City beach and Boardwalk. Additionally, the Atlantic City Salutes America’s Armed Forces Boardwalk Parade is scheduled for August 15 at 6 p.m.

• There will be a number of free concerts offered by the Atlantic City Free Public Library including the Summer International Night Series at Kennedy Plaza with live music and dance performances on Wednesday evenings in July and August at 7 p.m., and the Atlantic City Summer Concert Series at Gardner’s Basin with live jazz, R&B, soul and disco concerts each Saturday starting at 1 p.m. There is also the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation Summer Jazz Concert Series at Kennedy Plaza on Thursday evenings in July and August at 7 p.m.

In addition, family-friendly attractions in Atlantic City include:

• Lucy the Elephant is an Atlantic City icon and National Historic Landmark that has been around for more than 100 years. Originally built by a real estate developer looking to attract potential buyers, Lucy now offers visitors a museum, as well as a fun restaurant for the entire family. For more information, visit www.lucytheelephant.org.

• Families can catch The Water Show, a dazzling illuminated water display choreographed to music every hour on the hour, at the end of The Pier Shops at Caesars. The Pier Shops is a great spot for snacking with a variety of eateries available including IT’SUGAR, a candy store with every sugary sweet imaginable. There is also an ice cream shop on the upper level of The Pier Shops where visitors can hang out on a sandy indoor beach with amazing views of Atlantic City. For more information, visit www.thepiershopsatcaesars.com.

• Travelers can stroll along historic Gardner’s Basin, offering attractions such as the Atlantic City Aquarium, deep-sea fishing charters and the crafter’s village. Visitors can experience 500-foot flights and dolphin sightings with dry take-offs and landings through Atlantic City Parasail, operating seven trips daily from Gardner’s Basin. Dolphin-watching and sightseeing cruises are also available, as well as half-day fishing excursions.

• Visitors to the IMAX Theater at Tropicana enjoy a larger-than-life viewing experience of new movie releases including “Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides” and “Coral Reef Adventure.” For more information, visit www.tropicana.net/imaxtheater/.

• With more than 400 exhibits, Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! Museum is a fun family stop for visitors seeking the weird and wacky. From a lock of George Washington’s hair to a 27-room miniature castle, Ripley’s has something for everyone. For more information, visit www.ripleysatlanticcity.com.

• Sun-seekers can take advantage of all the Jersey Shore has to offer in Atlantic City with one of the few no-fee beaches in the state. Spanning approximately four miles, this beach is one of the longest in New Jersey for a single municipality. Amenities include surfing beaches, surfing lessons, beach chair rentals, handicapped access ramps, professional lifeguards and more.

• Stroll along the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, enjoy a ride in a rolling chair or rent bikes. Bikes are allowed on the Boardwalk from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily.

• Travelers looking to walk on the wild side can take a short trip to Oceanville to visit the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge, with its 43,000 acres of protected coastal habitat and nature trails, or head to Brigantine to tour the Marine Mammal Stranding Center which rescues and rehabilitates stranded mammals and sea turtles. Additionally, the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor offers guided beach walks, back bay boat rides, kayaking, animal shows and more.

• A visit to the Absecon Lighthouse affords panoramic views for the brave who climb 228 steps to the top of the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and the third tallest in the U.S. For more information, visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

• As the centerpiece of family entertainment, The Steel Pier offers many thrilling rides and attractions during the summer season. Guests have fun at the arcades, play games, ride go carts and more. Additionally, Central Pier Arcade and Speedway offers families a NASCAR go-cart track, paintball, arcade games and more.

• Families looking for some friendly competition can head to Flyers Skate Zone, located on Albany Avenue, for ice skating or ice hockey, or can duke it out during 18 holes of miniature golf at the Boardwalk. Games can be found at the Boardwalk Arcades at Central Pier or Playcade. For more information, visit atlanticcity.flyersskatezone.com.

• Just off the Boardwalk, guests can explore Atlantic City’s rich history at the Atlantic City Historical Museum and Atlantic City Art Center on the Garden Pier. Summer exhibits include Shore Deco: Atlantic City Design Between the Wars and select works from the Atlantic County Teen Arts Festival. Families can also visit the Noyes Museum of Art with its fine art, craft and folk art exhibits, or the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center with its glass, ceramic, flame work and woodcarving art work. There is also the Tuckerton Seaport Museum, which is a working maritime museum with folk artisans and entertainment.

• Historic monuments such as the New Jersey Korean Veterans War Memorial and the Civil Rights Garden provide an educational experience for families and individuals alike.

• The Atlantic City Free Public Library is offering Sunday Family Fun Days with free movies, art projects, parties and educational events at the library’s main branch on Tennessee Avenue.

• A family vacation isn’t complete without a resounding “I’m hungry” from the kids, and Atlantic City has multiple family-friendly dining options. Kids will enjoy Rainforest Café at Trump Plaza with its animatronic animals, simulated thunderstorms and desserts with names like Safari Sundae or Lava Mud. Other options include: Carmine’s, a family-style Italian restaurant at the Quarter at Tropicana; White House Sub Shop, a famous sub shop with fans ranging from Frank Sinatra to George Clooney; Tony Baloney’s, a pizzeria known for its pizza-making classes and Pizza Slaughter Fest eating competition; Johnny Rockets, an authentic 1950s diner providing American fare; Hard Rock Café, a shrine to all things rock ‘n’ roll featuring one of the best burgers in town; and a variety of local food vendors along the Boardwalk.

• Visitors can drive an hour south to Cape May County to experience Historic Cold Spring Village, a living history museum situated on more than 22 acres of grounds, featuring the day-to-day village life of South Jersey residents from 1789 to 1840, and offering interactive and educational family activities. Families looking for something a little closer can visit Historic Smithville, a 20-minute drive from Atlantic City, with its specialty shops, restaurants and fun attractions including train rides, a carousel and paddle boats.

• Open for more than 50 years, Storybook Land is an amusement park offering attractions and rides depicting children’s stores and nursery rhymes. Located 10 miles west of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township, the park is open from mid-March until December.

• First-time visitors can take one of the many city tours provided by Great American Trolley Tours including visits to Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City Aquarium, Historic Town of Smithville, The Walk, Cape May and much more. For more information, visit www.gatrolley.com.
  
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  The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

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