Atlantic City Day Trip from NYC — Boardwalk, Beach & Casinos

Atlantic City is the only place in the United States where a genuine casino resort experience, an Atlantic-facing ocean beach, and one of the most historically significant boardwalks in the country exist within two hours of New York. The boardwalk — four miles of elevated wooden planks first built in 1870 — gave the world the word "boardwalk" and inspired the Monopoly board.

The Boardwalk & Steel Pier

The AC Boardwalk is best experienced on foot or by rolling chair — the human-powered wicker chairs unique to this city that have transported visitors since 1887. Steel Pier at Virginia Avenue has operated as an amusement pier since 1898. The boardwalk corridor between the major casino hotels runs from the Tropicana in the south to the Ocean Casino Resort in the north.

The Casinos

Atlantic City has nine operating casinos. The Borgata in the Marina district is consistently the best-reviewed resort. The Ocean Casino Resort on the northern boardwalk is the newest major property with the strongest recent momentum. Boardwalk properties including Hard Rock, Resorts, and Caesars offer the classic AC experience steps from the beach.

The Beach

Six miles of Atlantic-facing sand run the full length of the city and continue into Ventnor and Margate to the south. Swimming is lifeguarded during summer. On a World Cup day without matches, Atlantic City offers the rare combination of a genuine beach day and an evening in a world-class casino — all within reach of New York.

Getting There

By car: Garden State Parkway south to the Atlantic City Expressway, approximately 130 miles, 2 to 2.5 hours. By bus: NJ Transit direct from Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street, about 2.5 hours, approximately $30 round trip — the most cost-effective traffic-free option. By train: NJ Transit from Penn Station with transfer at Lindenwold, about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Where to Stay

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