Arts & Culture


Atlantic City’s history and creativity is always on display

It’s hard not to be inspired by Atlantic City’s bustling activity and natural beauty. The city is home to art galleries, murals, cultural festivals and one-of-a-kind memorials. Browse indoor artist studios at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University or head over to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the “Atlantic City Experience” exhibit.

The stories behind the city are just as inspiring as the art -- check out Atlantic City’s monuments honoring the Civil Rights movement, war heroes and figureheads that made Atlantic City what it is today. The Atlantic City Heritage Collection can be seen at the Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Avenue, by appointment. The library also offers programs relating to Atlantic City's history.

Check out Atlantic City culture and art spots!

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Absecon Lighthouse\ IPPA
31 S. Rhode Island Avenue

New Jersey's tallest lighthouse and the country's third tallest lighthouse! In 1993, the Inlet Public/Private Association adopted the Lighthouse as a symbol of the rebirth of the Inlet section of town. The restoration of the Absecon Lighthouse was completed in 1999, followed by the reconstruction of the Keeper's Dwelling in 2001.The third and final phase, the restoration of the 2-acre site was completed in 2003. Funded by grants from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority & NJ Department of Transportation's Transportation Enhancement Program, the site work phase restored many characteristic features of the historic grounds. Now visitors can enjoy strolling the 2-acre property, visiting the Keeper's Cottage museum and gift shop, and climbing the 228 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Keepers are on duty and share with visitors the magnificent 360 view of the Jersey shore, and the magnificent 1854 First-Order Fresnel lens in the lantern above.
Absecon Lighthouse\ IPPA
African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ
2200 Fairmount Avenue

The only African American Heritage Museum in NJ documenting the African American experience of the 20th century. Over 11,000 treasures showcased on a rotating basis, updated every month. The Museum also holds a collection of Atlantic County soldiers’ memorabilia from World War I to present at the All Wars Memorial Bldg in Atlantic City.Open Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat by appointment.
African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ
African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ - Atlantic City
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center

The only African American Heritage Museum in NJ documenting the African American experience of the 20th Century. More than 11,000 treasures showcased on a rotating basis, updated every 30 days. Open Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat by appointment. The Museum also provides a collection of Atlantic County soldiers’ memorabilia from World War I to present at the All Wars Memorial Building in Atlantic City.
African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ - Atlantic City
Atlantic City Aquarium
800 No. New Hampshire Ave.

Closed summer 2022 for renovations. We will be back better then ever.
Atlantic City Aquarium
Atlantic City Arts Foundation
Atlantic Cape Community College

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public art access and fostering community art education in Atlantic City, NJ. Through programs and partnerships, ACAF promotes arts-based tourism and economic development initiatives while increasing community pride and civic self-esteem.

Programs include 48 Blocks Atlantic City #48BlocksAC, Chalk About AC #ChalkAboutAC and ARTeriors #ARTeriorsAC.

Learn more: atlanticcityartsfoundation.org

CONNECT: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #create48

Atlantic City Arts Foundation
Atlantic City Ballet
2301 Boardwalk

For 31 years, the Atlantic City Ballet has been at the forefront of dance and is considered to be the premier ballet company in this area. Founded in 1982, by international Ballerina, Phyllis Papa, the AC Ballet serves as a prime artistic resource to the residents of Atlantic City and the surrounding areas. The company is comprised of professional dancers from around the world.
Atlantic City Ballet
Atlantic City Free Public Library
1 N. Tennessee Ave.

The AC Free Public Library provides information services, programs and exhibits, training classes, computers and internet access, as well as books, magazines and multimedia. The library has an extensive Atlantic City Heritage Collection. The ACFPL also presents multicultural events throughout the year such as the International Night Concert Series at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk.
Atlantic City Free Public Library
Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc.
Kennedy Plaza @ Boardwalk

The Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation creates pride in African-American heritage with its annual program of weekly summer jazz concerts - the Chicken Bone Beach - Jazz on the Beach Concert Series.

For the 12th year, the Concert Series will take place at Kennedy Plaza stage on the Boardwalk between Mississippi and Georgia Avenue on Thursday evenings in July and August, from 7 - 10:00 p.m.

Presented by Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc. and the AC Free Public Library, along with other partners, this event reflects the old entertainment and block party atmosphere of the Kentucky Avenue-Chicken Bone Beach era.
Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc.
Civil Rights Garden
Pacific Avenue & Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

The Civil Rights Garden is a tranquil public sculpture garden comprised of 11 granite columns, winding pathways, plants, flowers, Gingko trees and sculptures with inscriptions related to the history, events and people of the Civil Rights movement.
Civil Rights Garden
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9

Visit 26 restored historic buildings on 30 shaded acres where interpreters in period clothing bring the 1800s to life. Enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, basket weaving, book binding and more! Farm animals, carriage rides, and family activities from June-September. Special weekend events. Country Store, Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. Education and distance learning programs from October-May.
Historic Cold Spring Village
Historic Gardner's Basin
800 North New Hampshire Avenue

Spend the day at the bay at Historic Gardner’s Basin, nestled on a protected channel along the back bays, directly across from the state marina and Coast Guard station. This bayside park offers shopping, dining, fishing and sightseeing boat rides for all ages.

From distinctive hand-crafted gifts in the Crafters Village and unique boutiques, to dolphin-watching and sightseeing cruises, Historic Gardner's Basin is the perfect destination to spend a delightful hour, an afternoon or the day by the bay.

This maritime park on North New Hampshire Avenue replaces the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk with a different type of activity. Sightseeing and fishing cruises come and go from the docks, the restaurants serve up seafood and ale house brews, the Atlantic City Aquarium offers an interactive aquarium and special events attract thousands.
Historic Gardner's Basin
Historic Smithville - Village Greene
615 E. Moss Mill Road

Discover the tradition! This historic village offers more than 40 unique shops, wonderful dining, lodging, a train, a carousel, paddle boats, festivals and live music.
Historic Smithville - Village Greene
Lucy The Elephant
9200 Atlantic Ave.

Lucy the Elephant was built by real estate developer, James Lafferty, in 1881, as a gimmick to attract potential buyers to his land holdings along the coast of South Atlantic City (now Margate). Eventually, a popular hotel business was built around Lucy. Presidents and royalty came from around the world to stay at the neighboring Elephant Hotel and climb the stairs to Lucy's howdah. During her history, Lucy has survived hurricanes, ocean floods, and even a fire accidentally started by some inebriated party-goers when she served as a tavern. However, by the 1960's it became apparent there was one disaster Lucy could not overcome - neglect. By that time, the once proud jewel of the South Jersey coast had become an almost hopeless, wretched wreck. Then in 1970, a developer purchased Lucy's land and intended to build a condominium building on the site. The beach and the ocean could stay - but the elephant had to go! To the rescue came the Save Lucy Committee. Within weeks, this small concerned group of ordinary citizens had raised enough money to move the entire decaying structure two blocks away to a new site owned by the city. Thirty years and over 1.5 million dollars later, Lucy was completely restored to her original splendor, inside and out. In 1976, Lucy was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States government as the oldest surviving example of a unique form of "zoomorphic" architecture, and the oldest "roadside" attraction in America. Today, she stands as the most popular non-gaming attraction in the greater Atlantic City region. She has brought fame to Margate City and is known all over the globe as "The World's Largest Elephant."
Lucy The Elephant
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
3625 Brigantine Blvd.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) is based in Brigantine, New Jersey and responds to calls for stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that wash ashore on New Jersey beaches. The Center houses life-size replicas of many game fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
Brighton Park (Park Place & the Boardwalk)

The New Jersey Korean War Memorial is dedicated to ensuring that future generations remember veterans, their proud and dedicated service, the legacy they continued, and the freedom they preserved. Free. Open daily.
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
Ocean City Historical Museum
1735 Simpson Ave.

Preserving the culture and heritage of Ocean City and surrounding areas since 1964.
Ocean City Historical Museum
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum
New York Ave. & The Boardwalk

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum has over 400 eye-opening exhibits that will amaze and entertain kids of all ages. An eclectic odditorium has amongst its oddball treasures, a lock of George Washington’s hair, a 27-room miniature wood carved castle and a host of the most amazing artifacts ever assembled under one roof! Located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, open all year.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
2200 Fairmount Ave.

Shop creatively at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University! The Arts Garage houses over 15 studios and shops, and visitors are invited to watch the artists at work, ask questions about their creative process, and purchase original artwork. You will find individual artists working in their studios, using a variety of mediums including painting, photography, illustration, found-object sculpture, and more. Don't miss the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey and be sure to visit the satellite gallery and gift shop of the Noyes Museum of Art! Stroll through the galleries and shops, stop for a bite to eat at the Atlantic Café, and enjoy convenient parking in the heart of Atlantic City adjacent to Tanger Outlets, the Convention Center, Boardwalk Hall and Dante Hall Theater. Visit our website for the full schedule of special events, workshops, and exhibitions. HOURS: Wed - Sat: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Find more at www.artsgarageac.com Admission is always FREE to the Arts Garage! Free parking in the Wave Garage with a purchase of $25 or more.
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
120 W. Main Street

A working maritime museum located along the historic Tuckerton Creek, Tuckerton Seaport is only 25-minutes from Atlantic City. The museum celebrates life on the Jersey Shore with many events and activities for all ages and interests. Watch history come alive as docents build boats, carve decoys, discuss clam digging, and more.Open 7-days a week.
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
Vue Rooftop Bar & Lounge
123 South Indiana Ave.

Update: The VUE Rooftop Lounge will be opening the outdoor deck area starting 15 June 2020. We will be serving our VUE (all day) and Twenties Bistro (dinner only) menus. Outdoor seating ONLY and weather permitting (closed for rain or excessive winds). All items will also be available for take-out. All state and federal guidelines will be strictly enforced for Covid-19/coronavirus safety. Please visit claridge.com for details. Located on the 23rd floor of The Claridge Hotel is known as Atlantic City’s exclusive rooftop bar with an unforgettable panoramic view of the city skyline and ocean. The lounge offers a cosmopolitan menu made up of local favorites with fresh ingredients. The contemporary design allows for guests to sit back and enjoy the historical city with indoor and outdoor unforgettable views throughout.
Vue Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Wetlands Institute
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.

The Wetlands Institute offers fun educational experiences and research programs that connect children, adults, families, educators and scientists with New Jersey’s wetlands and coastal environments.
Wetlands Institute
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
1501 Glasstown Road

WheatonArts is a national cultural treasure located on 65 scenic wooded acres in southern New Jersey. The Center is less than an hour from Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Cape May.

WheatonArts is home to the Museum of American Glass with one of the most comprehensive collections of American glass in the world…from the first glass bottles made in America to celebrated works by Dale Chihuly and other contemporary artists who work in glass.

The Education/Folklife Center offers special exhibits featuring the culture and tradition of major heritage communities that have settled in southern New Jersey. In the studios, visitors watch artists demonstrate the art of glassmaking, ceramics and flameworking throughout the day.

Guests discover an extraordinary shopping experience in the award winning Museum Stores. The wide array of one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures range from marbles to traditional and contemporary art and craft in all mediums.

Special exhibitions, programs, workshops, performances and several weekend festivals throughout the year.

A "Make Your Own Experience" is available by appointment. Hours: January, February and March, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only the museum stores are open during these three months and admission is free. April through December, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
World War I Memorial
S. Albany and Ventnor Ave.

The World War I Memorial was modeled after a Greek Temple and measures 124 feet in diameter and consists of 16 large Doric columns. The rotunda houses a 9' tall bronze statue titled "Liberty in Distress" and the names of battles in which Atlantic City soldiers fought are etched in the top along with medallions of four of the armed forces. Location: S. Albany and Ventnor Avenues
World War I Memorial
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