Uploaded September 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Atlantic City was an American icon far before the first casino. Its first resort hotel opened in 1853 and the boardwalk followed in 1870. Just a decade later, Atlantic City sweets shop owner, David Bradley, invented saltwater taffy here. During the 1920-1933 prohibition era, this city experienced its biggest boom, as the law was ignored and alcohol freely flowed from its ports and into the hands of Atlantic City resort, restaurant and nightclub patrons. This led to the meteoric rise of mob legend Enoch 'Nucky' Johnson, about whom the HBO show 'Boardwalk Empire' is based. In 1976 New Jersey legalized gambling in this resort town, ushering in a new era of tourism for the city.
Today, Atlantic City is home to 9 major casino resorts, each with its own unique theme. The oldest is Resorts Casino with a roaring '20s theme and the newest is a same-day opening tie, Hardrock Casino and Ocean Casino, with rock and ocean themes respectively. The Steel Pier features more than 50 amusement rides and carnival games and a helicopter which flies tourists along the shoreline for $50/ride.
With beach bars, great nightclubs and plenty to see and do on the world famous AC Boardwalk, this iconic city is definitely worth a visit!
Atlantic City was an American icon far before the first casino. Its first resort hotel opened in 1853 and the boardwalk followed in 1870. Just a decade later, Atlantic City sweets shop owner, David Bradley, invented saltwater taffy here. During the 1920-1933 prohibition era, this city experienced its biggest boom, as the law was ignored and alcohol freely flowed from its ports and into the hands of Atlantic City resort, restaurant and nightclub patrons. This led to the meteoric rise of mob legend Enoch 'Nucky' Johnson, about whom the HBO show 'Boardwalk Empire' is based. In 1976 New Jersey legalized gambling in this resort town, ushering in a new era of tourism for the city.
Today, Atlantic City is home to 9 major casino resorts, each with its own unique theme. The oldest is Resorts Casino with a roaring '20s theme and the newest is a same-day opening tie, Hardrock Casino and Ocean Casino, with rock and ocean themes respectively. The Steel Pier features more than 50 amusement rides and carnival games and a helicopter which flies tourists along the shoreline for $50/ride.
With beach bars, great nightclubs and plenty to see and do on the world famous AC Boardwalk, this iconic city is definitely worth a visit!
