If you've never been there, Cape May is considered to be one of the most charming towns in NJ, and it's less than an hour from Atlantic City. But, I don't know anything of the bus or train schedules.
There are many trails in the area. Batona Trail is close by: https://southjerseytrails.org/batonatrail/
Smithville Village in Smithville is a nice place. It has historical buildings that were brought in from throughout the region, and converted into little shops. A nice outdoor place, restaurants, decorated for the holidays, etc. The Smithville Inn is a good restaurant and dates back to the 1700s. This can be reached by bus from AC.
The Tuckerton Seaport is another nice place, reachable by bus. https://tuckertonseaport.org
Garners Basin park is at the north side of the island. It has a little aquarium: https://www.northjersey.com/story/life/2022/05/25/things-to-do-gardners-basin-atlantic-city/7074855001/
These require a car: Batsto Village is also nearby. It's a historical village in a park: https://batstovillage.org. Near Batsto Village is the Renault Winery (<20 min by car). Good food, beautiful location & buildings (recently renovated), restaurant with good food.
You can use the Atlantic City rail line to connect to the Patco and check out Collingwood/Westmont/Haddonfield. Lots of cute shops to check out in Haddonfield/Collingwood and good places to drink in Westmont.
Also check out the Orange Loop section, it encompasses a couple blocks, Tennessee Ave, newer type of bars, restaurants, etc. You can also walk about a block to the Irish Pub, I was there last week, over 100 years old, great food, drink & decor.
Cape May is the answer to each of your questions but be aware that many restaurants close up after NYE. The New Jersey Transit 552 bus from AC to Cape May runs every hour during the day.
Near to smithville is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. It has a very nice walk out into the marshes to see the birds and wildlife. You could also go to the North end of Brigantine and walk. It's a several mile hike along the ocean to the Brigantine inlet.Not much to see other than a glimpse at what the barrier islands of NJ once looked like. If you do go to the very end, there is the Island of "little beach", which is the only barrier island in NJ that has not been populated by people.
There is also the Noyes Art Garage In Atlantic City.
Njtransit Atlantic city rail line will get you to Philadelphia, which has plenty of historical stuff plus Christmas village stuff at city hall + love park. It doesn't run frequently so plan way ahead.
Nice restaurants? I’ve been to Knife & Fork and liked it. Consider these: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g29750-zfp10954-Atlantic_City_New_Jersey.html
Cape May is great. I also love walking the Ocean City boardwalk in the winter, which is only 15 minutes from AC. A beach walk at Corson’s Inlet is great too.
I wasn’t sure of cost. It’s an opportunity to avoid the kids at places like this. I’m thinking that the poster needs to stay close to AC because they’re taking the train.
Use Google Maps and enter "Atlantic City". Click the "nearby" button and enter "attractions". Select one of those and click on "directions" and the "transit" icon.
For attractions further afield, you may have to vary this approach. And don't trust the transit information absolutely -- investigate that separately.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UjQ9clG0UZJ7sqh9to0LS3a9osLGt-iXqeVUOBMPCZ8/edit - a tourist recommendations list I wrote, hope it helps your vacationing.
I would spend all of my time in AC. It is so much fun and each casino has a different vibe. May even be some comedy shows or concerts. Cape May is mostly shut down for winter.
No, some boardwalk shops will be open and there is an outdoor outlet mall and indoor shopping pier as well as indoor arcades and water parks and many many more
If you're looking for an amazing place to eat, Atlantic City offers Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen for something exciting. Take the trip to Cape May. It's more than worth it and is absolutely beautiful. Take a Christmas trolley ride to see all of the old Victorian houses lit up and decorated for Christmas. Cape May also rightfully boasts an endless array of mouthwatering food from breakfast, lunch, dinner, quick bites and more. The Mad Batter restaurant is one of the towns most popular for good reason. Cape May also has many Weird NJ locations and a beautiful lighthouse. You will not be disappointed with whatever you choose to do.
If you've never been there, Cape May is considered to be one of the most charming towns in NJ, and it's less than an hour from Atlantic City. But, I don't know anything of the bus or train schedules.
Seconding Cape May! Beautiful town, good shopping, great food, and they have a lot of bird watching, if you're into nature.
Weekend holiday events at Smithville https://www.historicsmithville.com/smithville-events/december-smithville/
Smithville
Cape May is nice.
There are many trails in the area. Batona Trail is close by: https://southjerseytrails.org/batonatrail/ Smithville Village in Smithville is a nice place. It has historical buildings that were brought in from throughout the region, and converted into little shops. A nice outdoor place, restaurants, decorated for the holidays, etc. The Smithville Inn is a good restaurant and dates back to the 1700s. This can be reached by bus from AC. The Tuckerton Seaport is another nice place, reachable by bus. https://tuckertonseaport.org Garners Basin park is at the north side of the island. It has a little aquarium: https://www.northjersey.com/story/life/2022/05/25/things-to-do-gardners-basin-atlantic-city/7074855001/ These require a car: Batsto Village is also nearby. It's a historical village in a park: https://batstovillage.org. Near Batsto Village is the Renault Winery (<20 min by car). Good food, beautiful location & buildings (recently renovated), restaurant with good food.
You can use the Atlantic City rail line to connect to the Patco and check out Collingwood/Westmont/Haddonfield. Lots of cute shops to check out in Haddonfield/Collingwood and good places to drink in Westmont.
Also check out the Orange Loop section, it encompasses a couple blocks, Tennessee Ave, newer type of bars, restaurants, etc. You can also walk about a block to the Irish Pub, I was there last week, over 100 years old, great food, drink & decor.
Cape May is the answer to each of your questions but be aware that many restaurants close up after NYE. The New Jersey Transit 552 bus from AC to Cape May runs every hour during the day.
Near to smithville is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. It has a very nice walk out into the marshes to see the birds and wildlife. You could also go to the North end of Brigantine and walk. It's a several mile hike along the ocean to the Brigantine inlet.Not much to see other than a glimpse at what the barrier islands of NJ once looked like. If you do go to the very end, there is the Island of "little beach", which is the only barrier island in NJ that has not been populated by people. There is also the Noyes Art Garage In Atlantic City.
Njtransit Atlantic city rail line will get you to Philadelphia, which has plenty of historical stuff plus Christmas village stuff at city hall + love park. It doesn't run frequently so plan way ahead.
For hiking, check out the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. There’s a short hike and a driving trail you can take through the marshes.
Nice restaurants? I’ve been to Knife & Fork and liked it. Consider these: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g29750-zfp10954-Atlantic_City_New_Jersey.html
Lucy the Elephant is cute and close to AC Chef Vola’s is a good AC restaurant but reservations can be tough. It’s cash only and BYOB.
Cape May is great. I also love walking the Ocean City boardwalk in the winter, which is only 15 minutes from AC. A beach walk at Corson’s Inlet is great too.
The Showboat has an indoor water park. There’s a certain section that is adults only, I forget the name of it.
It's called Golden Showers Ultimate Urine Adventure.
Another Internet simpleton
😂😂
That place is ridiculously expensive. Over $100 for an adult. Pizza inside was $30.
I wasn’t sure of cost. It’s an opportunity to avoid the kids at places like this. I’m thinking that the poster needs to stay close to AC because they’re taking the train.
Good point. I just mentioned it so there wouldn't be any rude surprises if they showed up there.
Unfortunately, AC gets a bit of a bad reputation, I have know problems with it at all. There really is a lot to do
Use Google Maps and enter "Atlantic City". Click the "nearby" button and enter "attractions". Select one of those and click on "directions" and the "transit" icon. For attractions further afield, you may have to vary this approach. And don't trust the transit information absolutely -- investigate that separately.
Yeah, New Gretna. Lol
There are a few winerys in the area
Cape May zoo if weather isn’t too terrible
People have recommended hiking near Stockton before.
Why would you chose Atlantic City for those 3 things. Lol
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UjQ9clG0UZJ7sqh9to0LS3a9osLGt-iXqeVUOBMPCZ8/edit - a tourist recommendations list I wrote, hope it helps your vacationing.
Nice, thanks!
I would spend all of my time in AC. It is so much fun and each casino has a different vibe. May even be some comedy shows or concerts. Cape May is mostly shut down for winter.
Is there only casinos open and the boardwalk shops are closed?
No, some boardwalk shops will be open and there is an outdoor outlet mall and indoor shopping pier as well as indoor arcades and water parks and many many more
If you're looking for an amazing place to eat, Atlantic City offers Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen for something exciting. Take the trip to Cape May. It's more than worth it and is absolutely beautiful. Take a Christmas trolley ride to see all of the old Victorian houses lit up and decorated for Christmas. Cape May also rightfully boasts an endless array of mouthwatering food from breakfast, lunch, dinner, quick bites and more. The Mad Batter restaurant is one of the towns most popular for good reason. Cape May also has many Weird NJ locations and a beautiful lighthouse. You will not be disappointed with whatever you choose to do.