About North Beach Atlantic City
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North Beach, Atlantic City is considered the northern end of Atlantic City, stretching from the Steel Pier to Ocean Casino Resort. Famously known as “America’s Favorite Playground”, visitors can enjoy pastimes such as beach activities, gambling, live entertainment, dining, shopping, and more.
History
The first boardwalk built in the United States, the Atlantic City Boardwalk, was constructed in 1870. Initially, the boardwalk was meant to keep distance between the shore and the beachfront hotels and railroad cars, and commercial businesses were not allowed within 30 feet of the boardwalk.
By 1883, a new boardwalk was constructed and nearly 100 businesses were allowed to flourish. After several renovations in 1884, 1889, and 1896 due to storms and safety hazards, the city improved the boardwalk once again in 1916. The city added supportive steel pilings and beams, as well as redesigned the board pattern into a herringbone design.
Throughout the early twentieth century, crowds gathered in warmer weather for live entertainment, beachside fun, and luxurious hotels. The boardwalk hosted the first Miss America Pageant in 1921, and, later, squads of armed forces trained in the Convention Hall in the 1940s during World War II.
During the 1950s and 1960s, beloved stars and celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles, Jimmy Durante, Ed Sullivan, and Bing Crosby graced the steps of the Boardwalk. In the late 1970s, the city voted to legalize gambling, boosting the area’s economy and thereby attracting thousands more to the coastal town.
In 2018, the city legalized sports betting, with many casinos offering sportsbooks. Since 2019, the Northern end of the boardwalk, known as North Beach, has blossomed into the boardwalk’s tourism center. Featured businesses include the Steel Pier, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort, Resorts Casino & Hotel, Showboat Atlantic City, MADE Atlantic City Chocolate Bar, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, and the Iron Room.
Economy
Casinos and Gambling
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City offers gambling, sports betting, dining, and luxurious beachfront accommodations. Venues include the DAER Nightclub, the Hard Rock Cafe, the Sugar Factory, and the Balcony Bar or Fish & Co.
Ocean Casino Resort
Ocean Casino Resort offers gambling, oceanfront accommodations, a spa and bathhouse, shopping, dining, pools and cabanas, and nightlife entertainment. Featured venues include Ovation Hall Entertainment, HQ2 Nightclub, 1927 Lounge, Blush Bar & Lounge, and Topgolf Swing Suite, Bites + Brews Food and Beer Trucks, among others.
Resorts Casino & Hotel
Resorts Casino & Hotel features gambling and sports betting, oceanfront accommodations and dining, live entertainment, and nightlife. Popular venues include the LandShark Bar & Grill, Bar One, Wet Willie’s, Margaritaville, and the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar.
Arts & Culture
Popular Attractions
Absecon Lighthouse
Absecon Lighthouse in North Beach is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and the country’s third tallest masonry lighthouse. Built in 1857, the lighthouse sits on two acres at Pacific and Rhode Island Avenues. Guests can walk 228 steps up to the top to see the lighthouse’s original first-order Fresnel Lens as well as 360 degree views of the city. There is also a Keeper’s Cottage museum, a gift shop, and a community garden on site.
Steel Pier
Steel Pier features 1000 feet of dining, games, amusement rides, and other attractions. Founded in 1898, popular attractions today at the Pier include a carousel, a 227-foot observation wheel, and arcade games. Dining options include the Ocean Reef Oasis, snack stands, and the AC Axe & Pub.
Topgolf Swing Suite at Ocean Casino Resort
Topgolf Swing Suite at Ocean Casino Resort is the largest Topgolf Swing Suite in the United States. The venue offers a selection of virtual games such as three unique golf games, baseball, football, hockey, carnival classics, and zombie dodgeball. Guests can also dine on a variety of food and beverages with views of the ocean and boardwalk.
Dining & Bars
Many established and newer casual and fine dining eateries, bars, and pubs line the Boardwalk area in North Beach, including but not limited to:
- LandShark Bar & Grill
- Margaritaville
- Hard Rock Cafe
- AC Axe & Pub at Steel Pier
- Sugar Factory
- Amada
- Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
- YOUYU Noodle Bar
- The Wheel Bar
- Rhythm & Spirits
- Ocean Reef Oasis Bar
- Café 500
Night Clubs
Adults can dance, sip on cocktails, and enjoy live entertainment at clubs such as DAER Nightclub and HQ2 Nightclub Beachclub.
Live Entertainment
North Beach Atlantic City hosts live entertainment at a variety of restaurants, bars, and comedy clubs such as the Atlantic City Comedy Club.
Parks & Recreation
Atlantic City offers miles of beautiful beaches that are free to the public as well as several parks.
North Beach visitors are encouraged to tag their photos at each property by using #NorthBeachAC
Be sure to stay up-to-date on all upcoming fall activities by following @NorthBeachAC on Facebook and Instagram