Atlantic City: Boardwalks and Beyond for Families

Atlantic City may be best known for gambling, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a great destination for your family’s next vacation. Believe it or not, the Jersey shore (as the locals say) is actually a family-friendly vacation paradise. Here's where you should head for the best of the shore for your whole crew.

Atlantic City

Courtesy Visit Atlantic City

Yes, this is the home for casinos, but it's also the home of the first boardwalk in the country. The boards run along the sand with views of the Atlantic Ocean — fun for all ages and in all seasons. And there’s no shortage of entertainment. The boardwalk is full of rides and games from a tot-friendly carousel to a hold-on-to-your-hat bungee jump on Casino Pier. All this entertainment is surrounded by fun and interesting shops and plenty of places to pick up a snack. Coming in the winter? Rain got you down? The largest indoor water park in the U.S. is located just off the boards, too.

Ocean City

Courtesy Cape May County, NJ Department of Tourism

Courtesy Cape May County, NJ Department of Tourism

Atlantic City may have the oldest boardwalk, but Ocean City claims theirs is the most family-friendly. The whole boardwalk is covered with rides, food, and mini golf. And they all live right next to the beach. Come during the summer for free live entertainment, including a festive Mummers parade and a Christmas in July celebration. Plus, Ocean City is a "dry" town, meaning there's no alcohol served anywhere within its borders, creating an especially family-friendly environment.

Wildwood

If you're looking for the boardwalk with the biggest thrills, this one’s for you. Don’t miss the Dragon Coaster which loops, revs up an incline, then does the whole thing backwards. Coasters aren’t the only thing you’ll find here. Everything from log flumes to Ferris wheels dot the boardwalk from beginning to end. Looking to add a splash of fun to your vacation? Wildwood offers a water park right along the sand. Fried food fans should save room for the fair-like treats. Twirled potatoes are a perfect savory choice for a snack, or devour something sweet like fried Oreos.

Avalon and Stone Harbor
Courtesy Cape May County, NJ Department of Tourism

These two towns combine to form a memorable seven-mile beach island. Visiting on a summer's day is like stepping back in time. There are no tall buildings, no fast-food restaurants, and no big chain stores. Instead, you can wander down Main Street for homemade ice cream at Springer's in Stone Harbor or grab some cinnamon buns from Mallon's in Avalon. In the evening you can play mini golf at Pirate's Island and end the night watching a movie under the stars.

Cape May

Courtesy Cape May County, NJ Department of Tourism

Courtesy Cape May County, NJ Department of Tourism

This charming Victorian town is often called "America's first resort." For years, presidents and politicians from Washington, D.C., often spent time enjoying the surf and sand here in the summer. Today, you can take a ride in a horse-drawn buggy along the town's cobblestone streets and hear more about the town’s history. Or wait until after dark for a ghost tour to discover the hidden spirits lurking in historical buildings.

Where to Stay:

There’s something for everyone when you stay at Marriott’s Fairway Villas, located just outside of Atlantic City. Known as an East Coast haven for gambling, there’s so much more to do on the boardwalk than play cards. Pop in from shop to shop for unique gifts and souvenirs or take a ride on a carnival-style attraction. Or make it a full family vacation with visits to other boardwalks in Ocean City, Wildwood, and more.