The Atlantic City Art Center and the Atlantic City Historical Museum

Absecon Lighthouse

Now we’ll drive a few blocks farther north and inland to the Absecon Lighthouse.  Won’t be hard to find.  Just look up.  It’s the tallest in New Jersey, and the third tallest in the U.S.  Built in 1857, it’s easy to remember how old it is when you know that it was designed by civil war general George Gordon Meade.  

Miss America Museum

Now, we’ve set aside the afternoon for a visit to the Miss America Museum and the great photo-op statue of Bert Parks.  They’re at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, adjacent to, what else? – The incredible Convention Center. 

Atlantic City Outlets, The Walk 

Talk about your “shop ‘till you drop” paradise.  This is shopping like you’ve never seen before.  Not a mall, exactly, and not a “shopping area”.  This is block after block of name brand stores and outlets that will leave serious shoppers feeling like they have found the mother lode. 

Lucy The Elephant

Lucy the Elephant (www.lucytheelephant.org) lives in Margate, which is just minutes south  of the boardwalk area – in fact, the area of Margate used to be called South Atlantic City.

New Hampshire Avenue and Historic Gardner’s Basin

New Hampshire Avenue and Historic Gardner’s Basin, which features the Atlantic City Aquarium Ocean Life Center (www.oceanlifecenter.com).  The 8 acre sea oriented complex features almost 30,000 gallons of aquariums, exhibiting more than 100 varieties of fish and marine wildlife.  There are touch tanks, interactive and maritime exhibits, and actual working lobstermen.  

Storybook Land

Northwest now to Egg Harbor, fifteen to twenty minutes from the boardwalk.  Egg Harbor has two stops we’re interested in today.  One for the kids, and one for the grown-ups.  First the kids – Storybook Land (www.storybookland.com) is a 20 acre family fun park featuring over 50 storybook buildings and attractions, live animals, and unlimited rides.

Renault Winery

Also in Egg Harbor, you’ll fine the Renault Winery (www.renaultwinery.com).   Producing wine for almost a century and a half, the Renault Winery offers guided tours, wine tasting, a gift shop, and a gourmet restaurant.

Oceanville and Smithville

Each offers us a great place to visit.  In fact, in Oceanville there are two.  There is the Noyes Museum of Art (www.noyesmuseum.org) featuring permanent and rotating exhibits of American art, plus an impressive collection of working bird decoys. 

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

In Oceanville there is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge  (forsythe.fws.gov) with its 8 mile wildlife drive through parts of its 45,000 acres in which have been observed over the years,  more than 200 species of birds.  If you happen to be here at sunset, be ready for a spectacular show, as the birds fly in  to roost for the evening.

Historic Town of Smithville

Just up the road in Smithville is the famous Historic Town of Smithville and The Village Green at Smithville (www.SmithvilleNJ.com).  It’s a restored 18th century village with specialty shops, restaurants, carousel, train rides, paddle boats, and special events year round.       

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Museum

Brigantine, just northeast a wee bit from Atlantic city.  The Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Museum (www.mmsc.org) is one of the few marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation centers in the entire United States.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum

Just a couple more fun things you might like to fit in when there’s time.  Back on the boardwalk, there is the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum (www.ripleys.com)

Steel Pier

For the experience of old time Atlantic City, you simply must check out the Atlantic City Boardwalk Arcade (609-345-3710), the largest redemption arcade in the city, and the world famous Steel Pier (www.steelpier.com) for family entertainment and rides for kids of ALL ages.