Atlantic City has grown from a few humble boarding houses into a dynamic New Jersey playground with hotels, casinos and family attractions as far as the eye can see. Its famous boardwalk has been popular for a century or more, and is immortalized in hit TV shows. There’s a hint of New Jersey swagger to the town, but the beaches and fairground rides overlooking the Atlantic Ocean feel traditionally nostalgic. You’ll also find great seafood and a surprisingly cultural side, if you know where to look.

Play around with these ideas for a memorable Atlantic City vacation:

Take a walk on the famous boardwalk

It won’t take you long to appreciate that Atlantic City fully deserves its nickname as America’s Playground. The city’s 4-mile-long boardwalk is a testament to more than a century of history, and the seafront is packed with attractions, casinos, restaurants and shops. It’s a truly special seaside atmosphere that you won’t find elsewhere in America. Entertainment is at every turn, from Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum to special concerts and events at Boardwalk Hall.

You can take a promenade along the boardwalk at any time, of course, but heading out at sunrise or sunset will be the most rewarding for photo opportunities, though. Get a bird's eye view of the area at Absecon Lighthouse. At 171 feet tall, Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey (and the third tallest lighthouse in the country).

Head to the beach or beyond

The beaches around the boardwalk are pretty lively, but with room enough for everyone. You’ll find a host of family-friendly amenities as well as safe swimming and water sports, especially around Jackson Avenue where kayaking and windsurfing are popular. If you’re looking for a slice of tranquility, the more low-key Brigantine Beach and Margate Beach are relatively peaceful. The latter boasts the beloved roadside attraction of the six-story monument to Lucy the Elephant.

If you have time and want a change of pace, there are some easy scenic day trips to take, too. Nearby Ocean City (just about 30 minutes away) has a family-friendly boardwalk filled with arcades, salt water taffy shops, mini gold and amusement rides. Historic Cape May has colorful Victorian mansions and a cute zoo. Nearby Cold Spring Village is a step even further back in time to the 1700s and holds regular festivals throughout the summer. There’s a lovely farmers’ market in Pilesgrove, and if you’re there on a Saturday, you can also watch the country’s oldest-running weekly rodeo.

Arcades and nightlife

At the west end of the boardwalk are old-school arcades with throwback games. As you walk eastwards, you’ll pass snack stands, and eventually hit the 1,000-foot Steel Pier, Atlantic City’s oldest amusement park, where you can indulge your love of fairground rides on the Ferris wheel, bumper cars and other classic rides. If the weather isn’t great, you can duck into the Atlantic City Aquarium, which has touch tanks, sharks and local ecosystem exhibits.

Atlantic City casinos are a big part of the culture here, and there’s ample gaming tables and slot machines. The shows, though, are a bigger draw; you can see household-name bands, plus comedians and variety acts.

Another worthwhile stop is the African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, which houses more than 11,000 artifacts that are rotated through every 30 days, so you’ll always discover something new on display.

Where to shop

There are many souvenir stores with cheap and cheerful gifts, but other options abound. If you’re a fan of the printed word, then Princeton Antiques & Books Service has a trove of unusual volumes and collectors’ items, as well as some incredible photos of Atlantic City through the ages.

The Noyes Arts Garage is an annex of Stockton University and you can browse and buy striking prints, original works, ornate accessories and jewelry, and Tennessee Avenue is a good place to head for small boutiques. There’s also a number of shopping malls on the city outskirts, the most characterful being the old-time environs of Historic Smithville and Village Green.

Seafood and sandwiches

If you haven’t visited before, you might not have pegged Atlantic City as a culinary destination, but its fresh seafood offerings rival anywhere on the East Coast. Most restaurants update their menus daily to include the freshest catches of the day, and scallops, shrimp, salmon, crab cakes and lobster all make their way into local kitchens. If you’re a fan of oysters, they’re also a beloved local delicacy, and you should go to the elegant Dock’s Oyster House, which has been open since 1897.

White House Subs are a local institution for their ludicrously good sandwiches and Little Water Distillery serves up locally made booze with a Prohibition-era vibe. Or head over to Chickie’s & Pete’s along the famed boardwalk. This Philadelphia-famous chain serves up delightful cheesesteaks or crab legs — whatever you’re craving.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.