Atlantic City is a complicated place to write about honestly, because the version most people imagine — either the Monopoly-board glamour of the 1980s or the post-recession decline that dominated coverage for a decade — has genuinely changed. The city's casino market has contracted and restabilized, the non-casino offerings have improved significantly, and the overall experience of visiting has evolved. Here's an honest current guide.
The Casino Landscape Now
Atlantic City peaked at 12 operating casinos in 2006 and contracted sharply after regional competition from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New York expanded in the 2010s. The city currently operates nine casinos, following a period of closures between 2014 and 2016 that reshaped the market. The surviving casinos have invested in their non-gambling offerings — restaurants, entertainment, spa facilities, pool complexes — in ways that make them more complete resort destinations than they were during the pre-contraction era.
The current major casino resorts include the Borgata, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Ocean Casino Resort, Harrah's, Caesars, Tropicana, Bally's, Resorts, and Golden Nugget. Each has a distinct character, price point, and target audience.
The Borgata remains the most consistently high-quality casino resort in Atlantic City — the strongest combination of gaming, hotel quality, restaurant lineup, and entertainment. If you want one recommendation, the Borgata is it, at a price point that reflects its position.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (formerly the Trump Taj Mahal) has invested significantly in its entertainment programming — the music-themed casino has hosted major touring acts and positioned itself as the city's premier entertainment venue alongside its gaming floor.
The Ocean Casino Resort has emerged as a strong second option, with a well-regarded hotel, attractive pool facilities, and a restaurant lineup that has improved substantially since it reopened under its current ownership.
The Boardwalk
Atlantic City's Boardwalk — four miles of public walkway along the Atlantic Ocean — is the city's oldest and most irreplaceable asset. It's worth walking regardless of whether you're gambling. The combination of the ocean, the casino buildings, and the quirky mix of shops and food stands that have defined the Boardwalk since the 19th century is genuinely unlike anything else on the East Coast.
Steel Pier, the historic amusement pier at the base of Virginia Avenue, has been restored and operates as an amusement park with rides, games, and food in season. The Boardwalk Hall, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted events from boxing matches to concerts since 1929, continues to book major entertainment acts year-round.
The Non-Casino Scene
This is where Atlantic City's improvement is most significant and most underreported. The restaurant scene beyond casino hotel dining has grown in AC, particularly around the neighborhoods adjacent to the boardwalk. The city has a vibrant Filipino-American community that has produced a cluster of restaurants representing one of the most underappreciated food cultures in New Jersey. The broader off-casino dining options are more interesting than they were a decade ago.
The Chelsea neighborhood, south of the casino district, has emerged as a quieter and more residential area that functions as a year-round community beyond the casino tourism circuit. It's worth walking through to understand the city as a place people actually live, not just as a gambling destination.
Getting There
Atlantic City is approximately 130 miles from Manhattan by car (about 2 hours depending on traffic) and about 60 miles from Philadelphia (about 75 minutes). NJ Transit runs a direct Atlantic City Rail Line from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, with a transfer option from New York via the Atlantic City Line. Check current NJ Transit schedules directly, as service frequency varies by season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many casinos are in Atlantic City? As of 2026, nine operating casinos: the Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean Casino Resort, Harrah's, Caesars, Tropicana, Bally's, Resorts, and Golden Nugget.
What is the best casino in Atlantic City? The Borgata is consistently regarded as the highest overall quality resort — best combination of hotel, gaming, dining, and entertainment. Hard Rock and Ocean Casino Resort are strong alternatives at different price points.
Is Atlantic City safe to visit? The casino resort areas and the Boardwalk are well-patrolled and generally safe for visitors. Like any city, Atlantic City has areas where more caution is appropriate — staying in the casino resort district and the Boardwalk area is appropriate for most visitors.
