From immersive dining and high-energy entertainment to family-friendly festivals and beachfront nightlife, Atlantic City is offering more reasons than ever to plan a visit.
Opened in 2023, The Hook's centerpiece is its show, a comedy burlesque made for adults, and this summer will feature a few new additions to its line-up. Contortionist Emerald Gordon Wulf is returning to the sea-side theater with an original act created exclusively for the show, combining extreme flexibility and balloon artistry. Duo Strip Juggling, featuring Nate Armour and Sam Hollis, is also joining in on the fun with a playful, high-skilled routine.
While at the venue, visitors can also check out an Italian-American psychedelic dining experience, dubbed Superfrico. The menu at this locale "pays tribute to generations of Old World Italian cooks by filtering a treasure trove of family heirloom recipes through a modern, globally-conscious lens."
The Hook also features the Horse Dive Bar and Cheval de Plongée. The former is a boutique bar serving up beers and craft cocktails in the lobby, while the latter is a breezy boîte located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk next to the establishment's main entrance.
2100 Pacific Ave., Floor 1, Atlantic City, spiegelworld.com
Philadelphians can cool off at Ocean Casino Resort’s first-ever Water Ice Festival. Set for Saturday, July 18, Ocean’s outdoor venue, The Park, will host this family-friendly celebration of the popular treat, featuring unlimited tastings from various water ice and Italian ice vendors from across New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York. Guests can sample a wide selection of flavors, vote in a special contest for top pick, and enjoy face painting, caricatures, photo ops, and other immersive activities. Tickets start at $10 for kids and $20 for adults.
With the venue’s new Birthday Bar, guests can also check out an immersive red, white, and blue pop-up created in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Opening June 19 (weekends only at first), the festive experience features themed décor, photo opportunities, and craft cocktails inspired by classic flavors. Then, a kick-off celebration marking daily hours for the bar will be in full swing on June 26 with a live broadcast featuring Brent Porche, appearances by historical character performers, giveaways, and prizes.
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, theoceanac.com
This summer, Borgata’s Outdoor Pool will once again host its Summer Social with the theme this year of 'Americana: A Summer Legacy.' Set for June 26, this high-energy culinary event led by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Symon will take over the space with food, drinks and live entertainment.
Guests can expect elevated takes on classic backyard favorites — from barbecue and burgers to lobster rolls and clambake seafood boils — alongside craft cocktails and a curated beverage lineup featuring Jack Daniel’s, Sagamore Rye, and Samuel Adams. The event will be in full swing from 8 to 10 p.m., and there’s also a VIP option with early access to the event and reserved poolside cabana seating. Tickets start at $125 for GA.
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, borgata.mgmresorts.com
After a successful soft launch last summer, MAYA is stepping into its first full season on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Blending Tulum-style aesthetics with coastal dining and an open-air atmosphere, MAYA offers creative cocktails—including the pineapple-served “Endless Summer”—alongside shareable bites like ancho-braised beef tacos and street corn empanadas. With rotating DJs, sunset sessions, live entertainment, and seasonal activations, there’s a packed schedule on the docket here for the summer of 2026.
Resorts’ newest summer pop-up bar, the Piggy Bank Bar, on the other hand, is located on the casino floor. The playful concept features colorful pig and bank-themed décor, specialty cocktails, live music, appearances by the Pink Piggy Dancers, giveaways, and themed entertainment throughout the season. Signature drinks include the fruit-forward When Pigs Fly, the bacon-garnished Tipsy Pig, and a Sunday-only Piggy Bank Bacon Bloody Mary.
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, resortsac.com
Opening this summer. Caesars Beach Club will pair coastal cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and DJ-driven entertainment with lounge seating, VIP cabanas, and sweeping Atlantic Ocean views. By day, guests can unwind with dishes like lobster rolls, Jersey dayboat scallops, and grilled pizzas. By night, the venue transforms into a lively social hub with live DJs, a rooftop deck, and more surprises along the way. Philadelphians can stay up to date with everything you need to know about this new destination through Caesar’s website and social media.
2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, caesars.com
Families will find plenty to explore this summer at Showboat Hotel Atlantic City, where the new Fairgrounds experience is transforming the Sandlot into a unique destination. The centerpiece is a recurring Seafood Festival, operating weekends through June 15 and then daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer, featuring fresh seafood, live entertainment, specialty vendors, and family-friendly activities. Just steps away, Jurassic Beach Dinosaur Park follows the same schedule —weekends through June 15, then daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the summer season — offering life-sized dinosaur displays, fossil mining, interactive games, themed treats, and hands-on educational experiences.
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, showboathotelac.com
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