Atlantic City Convention Center – Experiences

Whether you’re headed there for business or pleasure, attending an event at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will feel like you’re on vacation for a number of reasons. They don’t call this city “The World’s Most Famous Playground” for nothing!

For one thing, the Atlantic City Convention Center has got a unique nautical look that you won’t find at any other convention center. Think flying fish sculptures, wave-inspired carpeting, and plenty of natural light. Definitely a step up from what your average attendee is accustomed to.

The Atlantic City Convention Center is also one of the largest convention centers on the East Coast, with nearly 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. That way you can spend more time enjoying yourself and less time trying to navigate through a sea of fellow eventgoers.

The best part about the Atlantic City Convention Center however is its close proximity to attractions like The Walk, a 100-plus-store Tanger Outlet mall that’s practically right next door to the facility, and the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, which is only a few blocks away.

As you can see, there’s a lot to look forward to during your upcoming visit to the Atlantic City Convention Center. To make sure you don’t miss a beat, we put together an itinerary of stuff you can do whenever you’ve got some downtime.

Whether you follow our itinerary to a T or just use it for inspiration, you’re in store for a trip full of fun experiences you won’t find anywhere else but AC.  Shop ‘til you drop at The Walk. Watch the latest blockbuster in eye-popping 3D at the only Giant Screen-certified IMAX Theatre in South Jersey. Dine like you’re back in time at a prohibition-era establishment. All of this and more awaits you in Atlantic City.

 

Morning

Noon

Night

 

Morning

Start your morning in Atlantic City off on the right foot with a hearty breakfast. While there are plenty of breakfast spots around the Atlantic City Convention Center, two of the most convenient options are the nearby Starbucks and Boulevards Café.

The Starbucks near the Atlantic City Convention Center is located only five minutes away on foot in the open-air Tanger Outlet mall known as The Walk. It offers all of the delicious food and drinks you’d expect to find at a Starbucks, including pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and of course, coffee.

If you’d rather sit down to enjoy your breakfast rather than take it on the go, make Boulevards Café the first stop on your big day out in Atlantic City instead. This breakfast-only joint is located in the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel adjacent to the Atlantic City Convention Center. They offer a bountiful breakfast buffet that’s bound to fill you up along with à la carte options like waffles, omelets, parfaits, and more.

What really sets Boulevards Café apart from other local breakfast spots however are the spectacular views of the Atlantic City skyline. So, if you do decide to eat there, be sure to grab a window seat if you can. That way you can do some sightseeing without ever having to leave your chair.

After breakfast, set out in search of all the great deals and discounts that can be found at The Walk. With over 100 stores to browse, you’re bound to find plenty of bargains there. Retailers who have set up shop at The Walk include Guess, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, J.Crew, and H&M.

The Walk is also home to a handful of quick and full-service restaurants like Subway and Applebee’s in case you need to refuel in the middle of your shopping spree. Or stop in the Beef Jerky Outlet and stock up on all kinds of dried meats, including beef, venison, and even salmon, along with tasty gourmet takes on popcorn, peanuts, chocolate, and more.

 

Noon

Once you’ve gotten your fill of great deals, it’s time to switch gears and head from The Walk over to the boardwalk. It’s only a half-mile away, so getting there should only take about 10 minutes on foot. After all, no trip to Atlantic City is complete without stepping foot on the city’s historic boardwalk.

Atlantic City Convention CenterThe Atlantic City Boardwalk first opened in 1870 and its oldest amusement park, the Steel Pier, has been around for nearly just as long. The Steel Pier definitely worth stopping by as you make your way along the boardwalk, especially if you’d consider yourself to be a bit of a thrill seeker.

Whether you zip around on the Crazy Mouse coaster, touch the sky on the Freedom Flyer, or just do some sightseeing from atop their towering Ferris wheel, the Steel Pier is a fun place to spend an hour or two on a sunny afternoon. You can also grab a bite to eat at the Steel Pier Pub, where they’re serving classic boardwalk grub like pizza, hot dogs, funnel cake, and ice cream.

Another quintessential boardwalk staple is salt water taffy, which, surprisingly enough originated in Atlantic City back in the late 1800s. Back then it was considered the first “Atlantic City souvenir.” If you’re planning to pick some up while you’re in town, James Candy Company is where you ought to go.

This charming confectionery was one of the first two companies to produce the classic Atlantic City confection, which goes to show how their salt water taffy has stood the “taste” of time. They sell plenty of other treats too if salt water taffy’s not really your thing, including fudge, macaroons, chocolates, and more.

Now, if you’re visiting the Atlantic City in the colder months, the boardwalk is probably the last place you’ll want to be. If that’s the case, kill some time by going to see a movie at the IMAX Theatre located in the Tropicana instead. This 280-seat theater is a cut above the rest, featuring state-of-the-art digital surround sound and an impressive five-and-a-half-story screen.

Once the credits start to roll, continue your Atlantic City adventure in The Quarter, a vibrantly colored, three-story streetscape inside the Tropicana. Modeled after Old Havana, The Quarter is home to the IMAX Theatre along with a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

 

Night

When it comes to deciding where to go for dinner while in Atlantic City, the number of options is staggering. To help simplify the decision-making process, we recommend you opt for either the Knife & Fork Inn or The Continental. Although these restaurants each offer completely different dining experiences, they’re equally as good.

Having opened in 1912, the Knife & Fork Inn is practically a landmark in Atlantic City. It’s steeped in history, with ties to Prohibition and icons like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Susan Sarandon.

After an 84-year run, the Knife & Fork Inn closed its doors in December 1996. It reopened a decade later after a series of extensive renovations, allowing a new generation of diners to experience a taste of Atlantic City’s culinary history.

The menu at the Knife & Fork Inn is a blast from the past, breathing new life into age-old dishes like Cobb salad, rack of lamb, and Lobster Thermidor, a curiously delicious dish consisting of lobster meat, egg yolks, brandy, and mustard all stuffed into a lobster shell. They’ve got some more modern offerings too, such as Kobe beef sliders topped with caramelized onion and blue cheese Béchamel sauce and grilled tuna skewers served alongside wasabi foam.

If you’d rather dine somewhere that opened in this century, try The Continental. Located in The Playground at Caesars, a mall built on a pier that stretches 900 feet over the Atlantic, The Continental offers breathtaking oceanfront views along with their playful food and drink creations.

Atlantic City Convention CenterThe global tapas menu at The Continental allows diners to take their taste buds on a culinary journey around the world. Experience the exotic flavors of Asia with shareable plates like Szechuan shoestring fries and Thai chicken lettuce wraps before setting a course for the Italian-inspired ingredients showcased by their delicate spinach ravioli. Or, stick to what you know with a classic American dish like chicken and waffles. It’s all up to you.

Seeing as The Continental’s décor is meant to evoke the golden age of the Las Vegas Strip back when the Rat Pack ruled the roost with its fire pits, spherical windows, and other populuxe-inspired accents, it’s only fitting that you wet your whistle with a few boozy beverages while you’re there.

The Astronaut, a martini made with peach vodka and Tang, is a throwback in a glass, while their expertly crafted Old Fashioned cocktail is perfect if you’re looking for something a little less sweet. Retro-inspired martinis and cocktails aside, the drink menu at The Continental also features beer, wine, and even sangria.

There’s no shortage of nighttime activities in Atlantic City, that’s for sure. Casinos, clubs, concerts; you name it, they’ve got it in the World’s Most Famous Playground. However, if you’re looking for a nighttime entertainment experience that’s equal parts out of the ordinary and off the beaten path, head over to Boardwalk Hall.

In case you didn’t know, Boardwalk Hall served as AC’s primary convention center from 1929 up until the Atlantic City Convention Center opened its doors in 1997. It’s a massive building; so large in fact, that one of its sides is used as the backdrop for a free 3D light show that takes place during the summer months.

The light show begins around 9 p.m. and features four distinct sequences. Each one lasts about 10 minutes with 10-minute intermissions in between. Regardless of if your night’s ending or just getting started, this is a unique Atlantic City experience that should not be missed.