Here’s Your Perfect Fall Getaway—and It’s Just a Short Drive Away

Sure, we all love Atlantic City for its glitzy casinos, gorgeous beaches and world-famous boardwalk, but the shore destination offers plenty to do and see beyond its star attractions. From cultural landmarks to shopping, dinner and a show, there are countless activities to add to your Atlantic City fall itinerary. Here are a few to get you started.

Get Cultured

Start your day climbing the 228 steps to the top of the Absecon Lighthouse, the tallest in New Jersey and third tallest in the country. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Atlantic City skyline and beyond. Continue on to the Boardwalk—the world’s first. Opened in 1870, the landmark is home to iconic attractions like the Midmer-Losh and Kimball pipe organs at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, both engineering feats. No visit to the area is complete without a climb inside Lucy the Elephant. The six-story wooden structure is a prime example of 19th-century zoomorphic architecture and a perfect Instagrammable backdrop.

Shop Locally

For wallet-friendly retail therapy, stop by Tanger Outlets Atlantic City. You’ll find premium brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Nike and more. Just outside Atlantic City, Historic Smithville, a replica 18th-century village, beckons shoppers with its shops and boutiques selling handmade artisan goods, specialty foods and other unique finds. The village oozes charm with its brick walkways, colonial-style buildings, wooden bridges and scenic waterways, and offers plenty of options for quick bites or a sit-down meal.

Taste & Tour

Enjoy tasting flights and cocktails in the tasting room at Little Water Distillery, maker of vodka, rum, gin and whiskey. Locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of The Seed: A Living Beer Project, which features an ever-changing lineup of beers in the taproom. Over in nearby Egg Harbor, tour Renault Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in the country, and sample its reds, whites and sparklers.

Hit the Town

Options abound for dinner. Stephen Starr’s Chez Frites at Ocean Casino Resort offers a classic French-bistro prix fixe menu with all the fries you can eat. Michael Symon’s Angeline in the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa celebrates traditional Italian plates like veal osso bucco and mom’s lasagna. For an old-school experience, try Dock’s Oyster House, family-owned since 1897. Think: raw bar, fresh seafood, prime steaks and a lengthy wine list. Close the night at The Hook at Caesars Atlantic City. The provocative show pays homage to the golden age of Atlantic City.

To get started on your Atlantic City itinerary, go to Visit Atlantic City.

This is a paid partnership between Visit Atlantic City and Philadelphia Magazine