Things to Do in Atlantic City in Winter: Atlantic County Guide

Atlantic City is quieter in winter, and that is exactly when locals in Atlantic County get the boardwalk, the lighthouse and the museums almost to themselves. Here is a guide to the best things to do in Atlantic City from November through March.

Walk the Atlantic City Boardwalk

• Where: The Boardwalk, from Absecon Inlet southwest into Ventnor City
• When: Open year round

The boardwalk opened on June 26, 1870 and runs about 5.5 miles, with roughly 1.5 of those miles continuing into Ventnor. A cold, clear morning is the best time for a long walk or bike ride with ocean views and no summer crowds. Bundle up, since the wind off the water is real.

Visit Atlantic City

Climb the Absecon Lighthouse

• Where: 31 S. Rhode Island Ave. at Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City
• When: September through June: Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last climb 30 minutes before closing. Call 609-449-1360 to confirm.

At 171 feet, this is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and the third tallest in the country. Climb all 228 steps to see the original first order Fresnel lens, first lit in 1857, and a wide view of the city and inlet. The grounds include a replica lightkeeper’s dwelling, a museum and a gift shop.

Absecon Lighthouse

Visit the Atlantic City Aquarium

• Where: Gardner’s Basin, 800 N. New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City
• When: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5:15 p.m.). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The renovated aquarium features a 25,000 gallon Fish of the Mid Atlantic tank with Groman, a 225 pound loggerhead sea turtle, plus a tropical reef, an estuary exhibit and a cownose ray touch tank. Admission is $15 for ages 13 and up, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and under.

Atlantic City Aquarium

See Art at the Noyes Arts Garage

• Where: Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City
• When: Check the museum site for gallery hours

Stockton University’s arts space in the Ducktown neighborhood hosts galleries, a museum gift shop and seasonal events. Its free Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village runs Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m.

Noyes Museum events

Catch a Show at Boardwalk Hall

• Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
• When: Upcoming dates include Wild ‘N Out Live on Friday, Dec. 4 and Goosemas on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026

The landmark arena on the boardwalk hosts concerts, family shows and sporting events through the winter. Even if you skip a show, the historic facade is worth a look on a boardwalk stroll.

Boardwalk Hall events

Eat Like a Local

• Where: Around Atlantic City

Winter is the season for a long dinner at an old school favorite. White House Subs on Arctic Avenue has served its famous subs since 1946, and Dock’s Oyster House on Atlantic Avenue has been run by the same family since 1897. See our guide to iconic Atlantic City restaurants for more.

Dock’s Oyster House

Take a Short Drive to Lucy the Elephant

• Where: 9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate
• When: Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Confirm seasonal hours on the official site.

Ten minutes down Atlantic Avenue, Lucy has stood since 1881, when James V. Lafferty Jr. built her as the Elephant Bazaar. Guided tours inside run every 45 minutes and cost $9 for adults, $8.50 for teens and $5 for children ages 3 to 12, and active U.S. military members with ID tour free.

Lucy the Elephant

Winter Visit Tips

• Many attractions shorten hours after Labor Day, so check official pages before you go.
• Parking is easier and often cheaper in the off season.
• Pair a morning boardwalk walk with an afternoon at the aquarium or lighthouse.

More in Atlantic County: iconic Atlantic City restaurants, holiday events, and a guide to Atlantic County’s towns.