Atlantic City is America’s original resort town, home to sandy swim beaches and the world’s first and longest boardwalk. While it’s a premier destination for summer fun, the excitement continues into the fall, when visitors discover celebrations live on year-round.

The city is bustling in the summer, but autumn isn’t really the offseason “because of where we’re located,” said Heather Colache, global tourism director for Visit Atlantic City. “We’re within a day’s drive of a third of the population of the U.S., so it’s super easy for people to get here.”

Though the beach crowds thin out after Labor Day, temperatures stay warm until October, most attractions stay open through late September or mid-October, and the boardwalk stays open year-round. Atlantic City’s beaches are free and fully guarded by professional lifeguards, and “beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the beach are awesome” no matter the time of year, Colache said.

On the boardwalk and off

The famed Atlantic City Boardwalk is brimming with restaurants, bars, shops and attractions, including Steel Pier amusement park. A tram tour gives groups an overview of the historic boardwalk, lined with luxury casinos and hotels, “each with their own personality,” Colache said. Ocean Casino Resort is laid-back, while Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is a little busier, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino lives up to its rock-’n’-roll reputation. The Seahaus Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, opened on the boardwalk last year. The oceanfront property “is so different from what you get in Atlantic City,” but it’s also next door to the Tropicana, so guests can experience the excitement of the casino and return to a serene retreat, she said.

On the boardwalk and off, groups can take advantage of tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes. Boardwalk shops stay open year-round, and Tanger Outlets is within walking distance of the boardwalk.

A few blocks from the shore, Little Water Distillery is located next door to The Seed: A Living Beer Project — both of which are included on the Atlantic County Brewery & Distillery Trail — and Renault Winery is a 30-minute drive northwest. Visit South Jersey’s Wine & Ale Trail offers another dozen nearby wineries and breweries to explore.

Autumn is also a major season for visitors because “there’s a lot to do here in the fall; there are festivals and conventions that are open to the public,” Colache said. The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is hosting the 48 Blocks Festival in September, and the Miss’d America Pageant returns to Caesars Circus Maximus Theater on Oct. 11.

Atlantic City is first and foremost known for its casinos, but the New Jersey hot spot is also the entertainment capital of the East Coast, she said. As home to so many high-end casinos, gaming is probably the city’s No. 1 attraction, but those casino resorts are also home to high-style spas and high-energy entertainment.

“If you’re bored in Atlantic City, something’s wrong,” Colache said with a laugh. “If it’s not a headliner show, we have Broadway shows, Cirque shows, comedy clubs and nightclubs.”

No matter what genre of music visitors enjoy, Atlantic City has it, and every casino boasts multiple nightclubs that “all speak to somebody different,” she added. “With the entertainment alone, you could fill up every day of the week.”

For more information:

Heather Colache

Tourism Account Director

609-318-6097

heatherc@visitatlanticcity.com

visitatlanticcity.com/group-travel