Situated on a vast stretch of white, sandy beaches, Atlantic City has been a tourist destination since the mid-19th century, when it became a favorite of Philadelphia residents seeking a summer refuge. As beach resorts go, Atlantic City boasts an impressive list of firsts: the world's first boardwalk, first color postcards, first saltwater taffy, and the first Miss American pageant, which continues to be held here every October.

Redevelopers halted the city's slow decline in the 1970s, when the resort was opened to gambling. The old seaside hotels gave way to glitzy casinos on prime Boardwalk property. Now, more than 34 million people visit annually to experience the casinos' headline entertainment, fine dining and shopping. A state-of-the-art Convention Center replaced its antiquated predecessor, promising scores of conferences and trade shows to further boost tourism.

The city is working to create a more culturally rich environment as well. A new Ocean Life Center explores the fragile connection between sea and shore, with live fish and marine exhibits. The Atlantic City Historical Museum documents the city's rich history. Atlantic City is also home to two sports teams - the Atlantic City Seagulls, a United States Basketball League franchise, and Atlantic City Surf, a semi-pro baseball team.

The fun doesn't stop when you cross the bridge to leave. Drive through southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens to 18th-century Smithville or down the coast to the posh beach towns of Stone Harbor or Sea Isle City. And at the southern tip of the state, about an hour from the bustle of the casinos, visitors can enjoy the charming Victorian mansions that abound in Cape May.

The Boardwalk (888) 847-4822, (609) 348-7100

It’s the most valuable property on the Monopoly board, which was modeled after Atlantic City, and it’s the hottest spot in town. Built in 1870, it’s the world’s first boardwalk. Victorian ladies and gentlemen once strolled its venerable planks – “walking the boards” – to take in the ocean breezes. Now, the 4.5-mile Boardwalk is lined with casinos, hotels, restaurants, shops and amusements, all overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

Atlantic City Convention Center Mississippi Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 449-2000 The ultra-modern convention center calls itself “America’s Northeast Business Address.” With 500,000 square feet of exhibit space and an additional 109,100 square feet of meeting space, the facility is larger than any other convention center from Boston to Atlanta.

Atlantic City Historical Museum Garden Pier Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 347-5839 Free

Adjacent to the Boardwalk, the museum features a permanent exhibit titled: “Atlantic City: Playground of the Nation,” which includes costumes, posters, souvenirs and Miss American memorabilia. Other exhibits showcase the city’s piers, nightlife and ethnic contributions.

Ocean Life Center Gardner’s Basin 800 N. New Hampshire Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 348-2880 Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

This marine science attraction explores the connection between the sea and the land, especially well-suited to its venue, as Atlantic City is located on a fragile barrier island. The center’s goal is to increase awareness and appreciation of the ocean world. An atrium contains 29,800 gallons of live exhibits, and the center also features interactive displays and indoor/outdoor observation decks.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum New York Avenue and Boardwalk Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 347-2001 This museum exhibits oddities from Robert Ripley’s world travels. Visitors can also view films and experience an interactive funhouse.

Absecon Lighthouse Rhode Island Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 449-1360 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, or by appointment

Opened in 1857 and last used in 1933, historic Absecon Lighthouse once helped guide mariners into the island’s treacherous inlet. The double-walled masonry structure is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Though no longer used, it is a romantic symbol of days past.

Lucy the Elephant 9200 Atlantic Ave. Margate, N.J. 08402 (609) 823-6473 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, April to mid-June and September to October 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily mid-June to Labor Day

There is nowhere else in the world you can step inside a 6-story, 90-ton metal elephant, which was built in 1881 for $38,000 as a real estate marketing stunt. When she was new, Lucy attracted throngs of visitors who wanted to tour her insides and step out on the “howdah” – her observation deck – to view the ocean. In the 1970s, Margate residents raised money to repair Lucy, who had fallen into disrepair and had been closed to visitors since the early 1960s.

Nearby Attractions

Towne of Historic Smithville Route 9 and Moss Mill Road Smithville, N.J. 08201 Hours: Variable by season (609) 652-7777

Take a 10-mile ride from the glitz and glitter of the casinos and you can immerse yourself in an 18th-century village. The Smithville Inn was once a stagecoach stop; today, the painstakingly restored property serves as a fine restaurant. Other restored cottages and colonial homes are now used as gift shops and smaller eateries.

Wheaton Village 1501 Glasstown Road Millville, N.J. 08332 (800) 998-4552 Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April 1-January 2 (winter hours limited)

Glassblowing is a time-honored South Jersey craft, and Wheaton Village is dedicated to the art. The museum showcases some of the finest glass art of the region, and includes educational displays about the glassblowing process. Noyes Museum of Art Lily Lake Road, off Route 9 Oceanville, N.J. 08231 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Dedicated to art collection, the Noyes Museum features the work of regional artists as well as 19th- and 20th-century folk and fine art.

Population: 40,517

Time Zone: Atlantic City is in the Eastern Time Zone. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City;

it is 12:00 noon in Atlantic City.

Average Temperatures:

When to Visit: The ocean acts as an insulator, keeping Atlantic City a bit warmer in the winter and a bit cooler in the summer than the inland areas. Still, expect lows in the 20s and 30s in the gray winter months, a mild and rainy spring, and a temperate autumn with distinct possibility of “Indian summer” weather. Summers are sunny, hot and can be humid, especially in August, though the sea breezes are refreshing. Inside the climate-controlled casinos, the weather is perfect year round!

National Holidays:

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31

Getting There:

By Car

From the North, major interstate highways connect with the Garden State Parkway South, to the Atlantic City Expressway From the South, I-95 to the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Route 40 to Route 322. You can also get to Atlantic City via the Cape May Lewes Ferry. From Delaware, take the ferry to the Garden State Parkway North to the Atlantic City Expressway.

From the West, via Philadelphia, Walt Whitman Bridge to the North South Freeway and than to the Atlantic City Expressway. You can also take the Route 40 exit that will take you into Atlantic City but is much a longer trip

By Rail

New Jersey Transit runs direct from Philadelphia's 30th street station. For more information, call 1-800-772-2222. Free casino shuttle service is also available from the Atlantic City terminal to all casinos. Service provided by New Jersey Transit stops directly at the Convention Center with complimentary transfers to all casinos.

By Air

Into Atlantic City, It is a quick 20 minute ride from Atlantic city International Airport to the Atlantic City Convention Center. You can fly in from most major cities

Getting Around:  More than 80 percent of Atlantic City’s visitors are day-trippers who arrive by car or charter bus and never leave the casinos.

Once in town, nearly all of the casinos and attractions are within walking distance along the 4.5-mile Boardwalk. One of the grand traditions from Atlantic City history is a ride in the Rolling Chairs : wicker vehicles that cruise the Boardwalk and can be hired for a few dollars per trip. Jitneys, or shuttle buses, are another basic means of transportation in Atlantic City. Taxis are also available; the best way to catch one is to line up at a taxi queue or make telephone arrangements. Finally, a car is an absolute necessity if you wish to leave the casino/Boardwalk areaand venture off Abseco Island to visit nearby attractions.

• February: The Atlantic City Annual Classic Car Auction
• April: The Boat & Yacht Show
• April: Atlantic City Home & Garden Show
• Late April/Early May: Spring Festival, including a Tulip and Garden Weekend and Spring Victorian Weekend
• June: New Jersey Fresh Seafood Festival
• June: Beachfest, the East Coast’s largest beach party, with concerts, sand-sculpting and other beach-related activities
• October: Miss America Pageant

Ocean Life Center Gardner’s Basin 800 N. New Hampshire Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 348-2880 Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Children marvel at marine life, and will delight in the aquariums, touch tanks and interactive exhibits the Ocean Life Center has to offer. They will leave with a greater appreciation of the creatures that live in the deep as well as the region’s marine ecosystem.

The Steel Pier Trump Taj Mahal Virginia Avenue and Boardwalk Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 345-4893

No trip to the Jersey Shore is complete without a night of rides, carnival games and cotton candy, all of which are available at the Steel Pier.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum New York Avenue and Boardwalk Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 347-2001

This odd museum exhibits oddities from Robert Ripley’s world travels. Visitors can also view films and experience an interactive funhouse.

Absecon Lighthouse Rhode Island Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. 08401 (609) 449-1360 Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, or by appointment

Opened in 1857 and last used in 1933, historic Absecon Lighthouse once helped guide mariners into the island’s treacherous inlet. The state’s tallest lighthouse provides a moving history lesson, as children consider what it must have been like for sailors in a time without electric lights or sophisticated navigation tools, and only the oil-fueled flame of the lighthouse for guidance.

Lucy the Elephant 9200 Atlantic Ave. Margate, N.J. 08402 (609) 823-6473 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, April to mid-June and September to October 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily mid-June to Labor Day

Lucy is the world’s biggest metal elephant. Her 90 tons of metal stand 6 stories tall, and stepping inside her is enough of a marvel to fuel any child’s imagination. Lucy was built in 1881 for $38,000 as a real estate marketing stunt. When she was new, Lucy attracted throngs of visitors who wanted to tour her insides and step out on the “howdah” – her observation deck – to view the ocean.

Towne of Historic Smithville Route 9 and Moss Mill Road Smithville, N.J. 08201 Hours: Variable by season (609) 652-7777

A stroll along the historic, brick-lined streets of this 18th-century village will give children a glimpse of South Jersey’s colonial past. Young shoppers will enjoy the year-round Christmas shop, bakery and toy stores that are housed in the restored cottages and homes.

Cape May County Park Zoo Route 9 and Crest Haven Road Cape May, N.J. 08210 (609) 465-5271 Free Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

More than 85 species of wild animals live at this zoo, some on its 55-acre African Savannah and others in its extensive aviary. A picnic area and playground are located just adjacent to the zoo, which is a half-hour drive south of Atlantic City.