Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is one of the most well-known casino vacation destinations in America. But why would you limit a vacation to America’s East Coast without exploring the area?
With the Atlantic Ocean in Borgata’s backyard, it’d be crazy not to see what else is out there that you can immerse yourself in. So, if you’re reading this post, chances are planning a vacation to Borgata or perhaps one of the other casinos in the area.
But you’re also looking to set a day or two aside to explore the area and see everything that it offers. This is where today’s post comes in. Below, you will find a few cool attractions near Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa to visit if you’re taking a day off from the slots and tables.
Ready to discover a little of what Atlantic City, New Jersey, offers? Keep reading to find out.
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
The New Jersey Korean War Memorial leads us off, and it’s one of Atlantic City’s most well-known landmarks commemorating those from New Jersey who fought in the war.
Situated right on the boardwalk, reviewers per TripAdvisor have raved about the memorial’s artwork, well-kept grounds, and engravings.
And a rarity on TripAdvisor, this is one of the few locations lacking a single negative review, so you know this isn’t just the top attraction on today’s list. A trip to the Korean War Memorial is a perfect stop if you’re looking to head to the boardwalk for the day.
But if you’re more interested in just taking a few hours’ break from the casino gaming instead of an entire day, the New Jersey Korean War Memorial makes for a nice jaunt.
It’s a fast visit, but if you love pristine architecture, brief history lessons, and some insight, a trip to the Korean War Memorial is well worth your time.
Atlantic City Aquarium
If you’re into marine life, then head over to the Atlantic City Aquarium and you will find a peaceful experience you’ve been craving—especially if your day at the casino didn’t quite go as planned.
It’s also a great place to visit if you’re traveling in the area with family and you have a few kids with you.
The Atlantic City Aquarium is one of your smaller aquariums, so you won’t receive the same variety of marine life as what you may find in other areas in the nation. But if you’re looking for a place to spend an hour or two away from the casino floor, this is an ideal place to visit.
Reviewers rave about the atmosphere, the friendly staff, and its cleanliness. It also holds a reasonable price for entry, so you won’t break the bank by coming to this small, but clean and family-friendly aquarium.
It’s not so big that you will need to sacrifice a few hours, but it’s the ideal place to be if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience regarding the area’s marine life.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Yep, Ripley’s Believe It or Not isn’t far from Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, and if you’re into the weird and unknown, a trip to Ripley’s is well worth it. Heck, the venue and the franchise are so popular that it may be a primary reason for your visit to the area.
Anyway, if you’re looking to attend a museum unlike any other in America, head over to the venue and brace yourself for an experience you will never forget.
And the museum is easy to spot. Just look for a funhouse type of building that appears to be split by a globe and you will have found your destination.
So, what’s on the inside? Anything that goes by the slogan, “Truth is stranger than fiction.”
The venue comprises 14 galleries and 12,000 square feet of real estate of the most unusual exhibits you will see that the world-famous Robert Ripley collected on his travels.
Like the Atlantic City Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe it or Not features a family-friendly atmosphere and as you can guess, all ages and interest groups will love what they have on display at this unforgettable venue.
So, brace yourself for an educational experience full of strange facts that you must see to believe as you venture from Borgata and into the world of the unknown.
Gardner’s Basin
Are you looking for a fantastic attraction fit to spend a morning?
Gardner’s Basin is the place to spend it, and many reviewers per TripAdvisor call this place one of Atlantic City’s most hidden gems.
You will find Gardner’s Basin right on the water and it’s the prime place to grab something to eat, especially the outdoor breakfast you will get at Gilchrist.
Another fantastic location at Gardner’s Basin is the Back Bay Ale House, which they say is the prime outdoor bar in the area—at least in terms of outdoor bars, not at Borgata or another one of Atlantic City’s nearby casinos.
Oh, and if you’re heading out to the Atlantic City Aquarium, it’s also in the area. So, be sure to check it out if you brought the crew along to Gardner’s Basin.
Parking is free, the views are fantastic, and you have two phenomenal restaurants to choose from, each with their own niches. It honestly can’t get any better than what you will find at Gardner’s Basin and its surrounding attractions.
Little Water Distillery
Per TripAdvisor, this location is rather obscure, with just 36 reviews as of December 2020. But the 5-star rating makes Little Water Distillery worth checking out.
You’ll find this one on Baltic Avenue, one of the many streets and locations the board game Monopoly drew inspiration. So, it’s easy to remember the street the Little Water Distillery sits on.
Reviewers have commended the staff, the educational experience from the tour, plus the many rich cocktails you will discover here. It’s also a small business, so if you’re one to support small, local businesses, place Little Water Distillery toward the top of your itinerary.
And while Borgata and its nearby casinos boast some of the best cocktails and vibrant atmospheres in town, nothing beats the homegrown, rich flavors that only a small business like Little Water Distillery will bring. It’s more than worth the trip.
Lucy the Elephant
This one requires a bit of travel since you’ll find it about 5 miles from Atlantic City. But if you’re cool with a quick road trip in the area, Lucy the Elephant is a fine destination.
One of the oldest if not the oldest roadside tourist attractions in America, Lucy the Elephant was built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty, stands six stories tall, and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places (1971), National Historic Landmark (1976), and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places (1971).
You may recognize the structure for all the times it has appeared in popular culture. Shows and movies like The Dunning Man, Monumental Mysteries, and Vacation (2015) have featured Lucy, among others.
It’s a quick visit and as mentioned, it’s a great destination if you’re looking to venture away from Borgata, Hotel, Casino, and Spa for a trip to Atlantic City’s outskirts.
Casinos Near Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa
If you’re headed out to Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, chances are it’s not the only casino you will visit in the area.
And while you’ll find a few casinos down the road on the shoreline, you will also find two casinos within a short walk from Borgata.
So, be sure to check out Golden Nugget and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City when you’re in the area. Both casinos boast their own unique atmosphere and you’ll also find a few different slots, tables, poker games, and even sportsbooks when you venture to the two casinos.
And if you’re down near Atlantic City’s shoreline, you will also find:
- Ocean Casino Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Casino Atlantic City
- Resorts Casino Hotel
- Bally’s Atlantic City
- Caesars Atlantic City
If you’re looking for a day at the beach, find time to head over to all of those venues that make Atlantic City famous.
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa may have its thrills, but the best way to gain the full casino experience in Atlantic City is to see what the entire area offers.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, seven cool attractions near Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. And perhaps a few more if you’re counting the seventh attraction on the list as a few attractions, given the number of casinos in the area.
But as you can see, a trip to Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa comprises far more than just a fun time on the resort; you have attractions all over this city at every single turn. And this list will show you just a sliver of the many attractions in the city. And that doesn’t just count the casinos.
Have you been to Borgata Hotel, Casino, and Spa? If so, did you visit any of the area attractions on this list or the other casinos in the area? If so, let us know in the comments and tell us about your experience. We can’t wait to read your stories.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …