48 Hours in Atlantic City, NJ: Trade Show Travel Guide and Tips

What do trade show organizers need to know about Atlantic City, NJ?

We spent 48 hours at the Jersey Shore to discover some of the old and the new of what Atlantic City has to offer.

Getting there: While there is an airport in Atlantic City, there are many more direct flight options into Philadelphia International Airport, which is about 65 miles away or a one-hour drive with light traffic.

Where we stayed: Nobu Hotel Atlantic City, located in Caesars Atlantic City, opened in March 2024. The latest hotel addition to the Caesars Entertainment portfolio in Atlantic City, Nobu Hotel blends minimalist design with the brand’s renowned Japanese culinary flair. Part of a $240 million resort makeover, Nobu Hotel offers 85 rooms.

What’s new: The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa MGM Tower recently completed a $55 million remodel and rebranding of The Water Club tower to the MGM Tower. Every room detail is splendidly designed to create a luxurious stay in Atlantic City, from the elegantly appointed furniture and décor to premium amenities. The rooms overlook Atlantic City’s Marina District. Borgata offers 106,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Where to meet: Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center offers two 50,000-sq.-ft. pillarless ballrooms that Caesars Director of the Atlantic Region Jim Marota told us is the largest hotel conference center between Baltimore and Boston. Since it opened in 2015, the conference center has hosted a number of conventions, including Ernst & Young, Caterpillar, Olympus, National Fastpitch Coaches, W.A.V.ES., and IT SERVE.

What to do: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Pipe Organ Tour. Formerly known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is a multi-purpose indoor arena that served as the city’s primary convention center until the opening of the Atlantic City Convention Center in 1997. Home to the world’s largest pipe organ, the arena hosts a variety of events—from concerts to conventions. We got a behind-the-scenes tour with Membership & Events Coordinator Scott Banks of the largest musical instrument on earth.

Local off-site options: We had lunch at the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, a lively local favorite in the heart of the city, just steps from the boardwalk, in the area known as the Orange Loop. The indoor and outdoor casual restaurant features more than 100 craft beers alongside modern cocktails, juicy burgers, and gourmet creations by Chef Charles Soreth. Also located in the Orange Loop, Bar 32 offers a unique after-dinner dessert and cocktail experience. With hand-made chocolate, curated playlists, and crafted cocktails, owners Lee Sanchez and Mark Callazzo truly made Atlantic City’s best after-dinner destination.

Where to dine: Owned and operated by the Dougherty family since 1897, Dock’s Oyster House is an Atlantic City institution. Dock’s is renowned for the freshest seafood in town along with great steaks and an award-winning wine list.

Dinner with a view: Nobu Atlantic City, the famed restaurant by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, opened at Caesars Atlantic City in late 2023, bringing his famous flavors and dishes to the iconic seaside destination.

Beach vibes: Most hotels in the city offer ocean views and easy access to the Atlantic City boardwalk, which runs for miles along the wide beaches—perfect for walking and running without traffic.

Wellness wake-up: As part of Caesars Entertainment wellness menu, we did a morning stretch and meditation on the beach with a local trainer from Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Atlantic City, followed by a wellness inspired breakfast.

What to see: Spiegelworld’s The Hook is a funny, adults-only show at the stunning Warner Theatre. With three long-running, smash-hit shows in Las Vegas, Spiegelworld—in partnership with Caesars Entertainment—created this live entertainment sensation especially for Atlantic City. Expect to see Spiegelworld’s signature blitz of the ridiculous, the funny, the jaw-dropping, and the superhuman. Available for a group buyout or event, Superfrico, an Italian American restaurant located next door to the theater, features series of imaginatively themed dining rooms, bars, and lounges.

Fun for the right group: Lucky Snake & ISLAND Waterpark at Showboat Resort. What was once a casino floor has been transformed to Lucky Snake, home to the East Coast’s largest arcade with more than 300 games, including an indoor electric go-kart track that we got to test drive. One of the newest attractions in Atlantic City, Island Water Park at Showboat Hotel opened in summer 2023, and touts itself as the world’s largest indoor beachfront waterpark.

Main image: Overview of Atlantic City by Shutterstock