These Atlantic City Experiences Feel Like Insider Secrets

Taking a drive down the Atlantic City Expressway can feel like a familiar summer ritual. But that doesn’t mean it has to follow the same script of boardwalk, casino, beach.

The classics are easy. The good stuff takes a little more digging. Think chef-driven restaurants, tucked-away nightlife, and award-winning wineries just outside the city that don’t always headline.

So we skipped the obvious and went straight to the neighborhoods that give Atlantic City its character. Here’s how to get started:

Stop One: Chelsea

Just south of the busiest stretch of the boardwalk is Chelsea. The vibe is relaxed, the pace is slower, and with that comes plenty of places you’ll want to hang.

Skip the boardwalk. One of Atlantic City’s most underrated strengths is its dining scene, especially beyond the boardwalk. In Chelsea, longtime staples like Knife and Fork Inn, Tony’s Baltimore Grill, Chef Vola’s, Scannicchio’s, and Girasole have become institutions over the years. But there’s also a newer wave of spots helping shape the neighborhood, including Biergarten Atlantic City, Bungalow Beach Bar, and Forno Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen.

Enjoy old-school Italian at Girasole. Whether you opt for house-made pasta or the salt-baked branzino, you’ll make your nonna proud. Girasole is one of those classic restaurants that makes dinner the destination.

Stop Two: Ducktown

Ducktown is home to one of Atlantic City’s most recognizable landmarks: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. While most visitors know it for major concerts and events, the venue is also home to the Atlantic City Experience and the world’s largest instrument. During the summer, you can catch free midday pipe organ concerts and tours, or book a behind-the-scenes curator’s tour that takes you inside the historic organ itself.

Try something off-book. South Jersey is known for its Italian influence, and Ducktown’s history as a haven for immigrants continues to this day. Take in the new-school version of the neighborhood with a tasting menu of Afghan-French dishes at Setaara, or keep things low-key with no-frills tacos at Pancho’s Mexican Taqueria.

Make it a late night at Angeloni’s Club Madrid. Ducktown doesn’t shut down after dinner. At Angeloni’s, the night stretches out with good drinks (optional mocktails) and a lounge-y vibe. It’s the perfect spot to try something new and catch up with friends.

Stop Three: Midtown

Midtown is where the city’s energy starts to build. It is the heart of Atlantic City, with a mix of shopping, bars, and local spots that keep the energy going from day to night.

Start at Tanger Outlets Atlantic City, where tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes makes it easy to spend an afternoon browsing designer and outlet stores before heading back toward the beach blocks.

Then, land on the Orange Loop. Named for the Monopoly stops, New York Avenue, St. James Place, and Tennessee Avenue, these three beach blocks bring an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, live music, yoga studios, and public art. Bar 32 Chocolate is a must-stop for a bean-to-bar experience, including indulgent desserts and a chocolate martini.

Stop Four: The Inlet

Take in the views. At the northern edge of the city, the Inlet feels worlds away from the rest of Atlantic City. Climb to the top of the Absecon Lighthouse where the back bay, marina, and open water feel far removed from the bustle of the boardwalk. Start with blueberry pancakes at Gilchrist Restaurant if you’re visiting in the morning or book a ride with Atlantic City Cruises for a different perspective of the skyline and surrounding waterways.

Before heading out, grab a slice or sandwich from Tony Boloney’s, a local favorite known for its over-the-top pizza creations and inventive sandwiches, or stop into Little Water Distillery for a small-batch rum before dinner.

Make it a weekend.

If you have the time, go beyond the city. Plan a tasting at Renault Winery & Resort, one of the oldest wineries in the country, or book a round at Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, where marsh views and a quieter pace shift the tone entirely.

Explore further south into neighboring shore towns like Ventnor and Margate for a different side of the coast. Breakfast at Queen Bean Bistro is a must before walking the beach, and snag a pic with Lucy the Elephant, a six-story elephant-shaped landmark that has become one of the Jersey Shore’s most recognizable roadside attractions.

Ready to plan your own version of Atlantic City? Explore more ways to go beyond the boardwalk at visitatlanticcity.com.

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