We decided over July 4 to take a mini vacation and spend one night in Atlantic City. One of our main goals was to enjoy Atlantic City’s fireworks from the boardwalk with our 5-year-old daughter.
Pools & Beaches in Atlantic City
We booked a room at Caesars Atlantic City Resort and Casino with an ocean view for a fantastic deal (all of the hotels happened to be offering great promotions). After our two-hour drive from New York City we checked into our room then headed to the pool. To our disappointment the pool is reserved for adults only. They offered use of Bally’s Atlantic City pool for $20/ per person, which we declined. We were only disappointed for a few moments though, because we changed our plan and headed to the beach, where we spent an afternoon having fun playing in the sand, ocean and sun.
That evening we enjoyed fresh seafood at a restaurant on the pier then strolled the boardwalk, buying saltwater taffy and sweatshirts, since the breeze coming off the ocean was nice and cool. We then headed to the beach for fireworks. The fireworks were done by the Tropicana Casino and Resort; however the beach right in front of Caesars gave us a perfect view. The display went on for more than 10 minutes, a wonderful celebration of bursting lights and pops of streaming colors. Some families were picnicking while watching the fireworks show. We lay on our blanket while our daughter did cartwheels around the sand between the “Ohs” and “Ahs” in response to the the light display.
Exhausted from a long day of travel, sun, sand and a fun Fourth of July celebration, we headed to our room and called it a night.
Atlantic City’s Major Kid-Friendly Activities
The following morning we strolled the boardwalk and enjoyed a decadent breakfast in the luxury mall called the Playground, which was built off a 900-foot-long pier jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. This mall is right across from Caesars, off of the boardwalk, and provided fantastic view of the ocean. After breakfast, we headed further down the pier to Atlantic City Miniature Golf. This looks at first glance as if will be a relatively small golf course, but once you’re on it you see how well they used the space and designed 18 unique and fun greens. My whole family had a ball, and our daughter was the only one to get a hole in one.
After golfing we checked out of our room and put our luggage in our car. I headed across the street to Tanger’s Outlets to do a spin of my own through the shops, while my boyfriend and daughter went back to the boardwalk to ride one of the famous Rolling Chairs pushed by a friendly man pointing out sights.
Atlantic City’s boardwalk is famous for these Rolling Chairs. Back in the 1800s, they were the only mode of transportation on the boardwalk. While today you can bike, take a trolly, or walk it, you can still opt to be pushed in one of the buggies, each of which seats three adults comfortably. Since the boardwalk is so expansive, it’s a fun way to get from one end to the other. It’s also a nice break from the sun, since the Rolling Chairs all are canopied. Our daughter loved her short ride with her dad and learned a little history from their operator. They all charge the same rates, and it’s based on the number of blocks you go.
Later that afternoon we met up at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on the boardwalk and toured the museum. Many parts were fascinating and my daughter loved these, but there were also many parts that were quite macabre and scared her. So parents beware!
As a finale to our trip, we went to the famous Steel Pier to eat hotdogs and cotton candy and enjoy the rides. Although the Ferris wheel was under construction, we found plenty of rides to enjoy. Our favorite was the swings, which sent us out soaring over the ocean and provided views of all of Atlantic City. This trip was planned last minute, but I’m already planning our return next Fourth of July!
Tips for a Family Trip to Atlantic City
- Check with your hotel to ensure pool(s) are kid friendly.
- Bring your own towels, sunblock, etc., to the beach.
- Bring a sweatshirt for the evening, as the ocean provides a cool breeze.
- The Tropicana does firework displays throughout the summer.
- Wear comfortable shoes—we did much more walking than anticipated.
- Most everything is stroller friendly.
- Many casinos offer great dinner promotions.
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