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Atlantic City beach and Boardwalk skyline at sunset

On a budget

Free things to do in Atlantic City

5 kinds of free outings in and around Atlantic City.

See the ideasEvents

Good days out in Atlantic City don’t have to cost anything. These ideas come from the city’s parks, libraries, historic landmarks and nearby public lands. For free concerts, markets and festivals this week, see the free events calendar.

Parks

33 parks, playgrounds and dog parks in the city.

  • Brown Park0.4 mi from downtown
  • Drexel Avenue Park / Clock Tower Park0.5 mi from downtown
  • Uptown Park0.7 mi from downtown
See all 33 →

Libraries

Borrow books, movies and museum passes, and join free programs.

  • Atlantic City Free Public Library1 North Tennessee Ave.
  • Richmond Ave. BranchWindsor & Ventnor Aves.
See all 2 →

Historic places

11 landmarks on the National Register, many easy to see on a walk.

  • Boardwalk HallBuilt 1929
  • World War I Memorial
  • Absecon LightBuilt 1856
See all 11 →

Hiking

Trails on public land; some areas charge a parking or day-use fee.

  • Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge7 mi north
  • Great Egg Harbor River13 mi west
  • Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve17 mi north
See all 20 →

Wildlife viewing

Birding and nature watching on public land.

  • Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge7 mi north
  • Great Egg Harbor River13 mi west
  • Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge56 mi west
See all 17 →

Around town

Buildings along the beach between the Steel Pier and the Central Pier in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey
2025-04-28 11 29 41 Buildings along the beach between the Steel Pier and the Central Pier in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New JerseyFamartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Entrance to the beach from the Atlantic City Boardwalk at Maryland Avenue in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey
2025-04-28 11 44 29 Entrance to the beach from the Atlantic City Boardwalk at Maryland Avenue in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New JerseyFamartin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buildings along the beach between the Playground Pier and the Central Pier in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey
2025-04-28 11 20 09 Buildings along the beach between the Playground Pier and the Central Pier in Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New JerseyFamartin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Get a feel for the city

Questions

What are free things to do in Atlantic City?

Parks, Libraries, Historic places, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. City parks and libraries are free; some outdoor areas on federal land charge a parking or day-use fee, noted on each listing.

Are there free events in Atlantic City this weekend?

Check the free events calendar, updated daily from local organizations, libraries and the city.

Do I need a library card to use the library?

No card is needed to visit or attend most programs; a free card from the local library lets you borrow books, movies and often museum passes.

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