2-day itinerary in Atlantic City |Free Stay at Borgata Hotel

Planning a getaway to Atlantic City? Look no further!

Here’s a detailed 2-day itinerary for a memorable stay in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I stayed at the Borgata Resort, Casino, & Spa for 1 night free with MGM rewards, with no money spent!

Atlantic City can be experienced in 2 days, and this itinerary is complete with fun activities, mouth-watering meals, and must-see attractions. Whether you’re traveling with family or enjoying an adults-only escape, this guide has got you covered.

For context: Late April 2024, I DESPERATELY needed a quick getaway. I’m a chick that pays my rent and goes on trips. I’m located in DC, so I can reach any east coast city with a drive, train, bus, or affordable flight.

Afternoon: Arrival and Check-In at Borgata Resort

I began my trip by checking into the Borgata Resort. The hotel has two towers: Borgata & MGM. If you are staying with MGM rewards, surprisingly, you will be placed in the Borgata tower. Depending on your view you will either look out to the Atlantic City pier & sea or the Golden Nugget & Harrah’s resorts with a great view of the Absecon Inlet.

Late Afternoon: Borgata Pools and Gym

After settling in, I headed over to the Borgata Family Pool. With an Adults-Only and Family pool, you can enjoy a refreshing swim with the family or simply relax poolside with a drink. The adult-only pool located in the MGM tower is now available to all guests. Having once been exclusive to the elite MGM tower, it is luxurious, quiet, and spacious, in the best ways. If you’re in the mood for a workout, the Borgata’s state-of-the-art gym is the perfect place to get your heart pumping for cardio, cycling, or weight training.

Early Evening: Oceans Casino Resort

I took a short trip to the Oceans Casino Resort, which was about a 12 minutes & >$15 Lyft ride. I don’t gamble, but I did come to this resort because of its massive appeal as a true slice of a Vegas cosmopolitan style resort. It overlooks the Atlantic sea with a stunning awning with grass, rocking chairs, and a pool. Their pool is partially inside and outside, and even in the winter it is heated. We also visited their sports bar, and the drinks were good and affordable, and the setup made for prime watching no matter what sport you’re interested in.

Evening: Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Casino Resort

I capped off my day with a rockin’ dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe located in the Hard Rock Casino Resort. Despite it being a known franchise, it was delicious and reasonably priced.

Brunch: Maria’s Luncheonette or Hash Hash Go Go

Following checking out of the hotel, I started my afternoon with a hearty breakfast at Maria’s Luncheonette. This local gem offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious breakfast options to fuel your day. I had intended on going to the highly recommended Hash Hash GO Go in the Tropicana Resort; however, it closed before we arrived. Both offer a great variety of breakfast with great reviews. If you’ve visited Hash Hash Go Go, let me know what you thought in the comments!

Early Afternoon: Shopping at Tanger Outlets

To walk the food off, I spent the afternoon shopping at the Tanger Outlets. With a wide variety of stores offering great deals, you might find something special to take home. My experience shopping was lackluster. I’ve been to better outlets with better selections and deals by far. Also, the Forever 21 had an abysmally small plus size section as opposed to my local stores, so that left a sour taste in my mouth as well.

Late Afternoon: Visit Formica’s Historic Bakery

No trip to Atlantic City is complete without a visit to Formica’s Bakery. Established in 1919, this historic bakery is known for its delectable pastries, bread, and other baked goods. Treat yourself to a sweet delight before you leave.

Evening: Departure

As your fantastic two-day trip comes to an end, head home with wonderful memories of your Atlantic City adventure.

Final Tips

- Transportation: Atlantic City is fairly walkable, but consider using rideshare services or the resort's shuttle for convenience. I DO NOT recommend the Jitney shuttles due to the overwhelmingly negative reviews.

- What to Pack: Don’t forget your swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket for the evenings.

- Reservations: Make dining reservations in advance, especially for popular spots like Hard Rock Cafe.

- Activities: Other activities I recommend are: The Hook Theatre Show, HQ2 Club at Ocean’s resort, the Kiss Kiss Club at Tropicana resort, the comedy club at Tropicana resort, and the seafood buffet on Thursdays at the Tropicana resort ($50, expect a wait).”

Enjoy your stay in Atlantic City and make the most of your 2-day itinerary at the Borgata Resort!

View our social medias below for an upcoming video of the Borgata Hotel!

Day 1: Family Fun and Casino Adventures

Late Evening: Showboat Resort’s Arcade with Unlimited Pinball

Next, I made my way down the pier to the Showboat Resort for some old-school fun. The arcade here is famous for its expansive arcade collection, from go-karts to classic Dave & Buster-esque games. It is great fun for the family and lovers of old school arcade games such as pinball. Near the door exiting to the pier, there's a room solely for old school games, and they had a 24 hour pass for about $20. As an avid lover of pinball, it can get expensive quickly, so to have 24 hours to play pinball for the equivalent of 10 games was an absolute DREAM. For a Thursday night, it was not crowded at all. In fact, my partner and Idr had it to ourselves for the few hours we spent there. I highly recommend coming to relive your childhood and challenge your family to see who scores the highest!

Night: Enjoy drinks at the bar or nightclub

It’s always great being able to have a drink in the comfort of your own resort. Depending on what time of the week you go, you have a variety of places to visit in the Borgata. Most notably are the Casino Bar, the Gypsy Bar, Premier nightclub, and their Beer Garden. The Gypsy Bar is even open on Thursdays, which is great due to the deal I had which required me to go on a weekday. If you are visiting on a Thursday, the HQ2 club at Ocean’s and the Kiss Kiss club at Tropicana are also open. If you don’t mind going out, Harrah Resort’s The Pool After Dark is nearby and very famous for having the best club in the city (Friday-Sunday).

Day 2: Relaxation & Local Delights

Morning: Light breakfast at Borgata

Enjoy a light breakfast at the Borgata Bakery, other travel reviewers gave it a great rating. I tried the breakfast croissant turkey bacon/sausage sandwich, and it hit the spot!

Mid-Morning: Borgata’s MGM Tower Adult-Only Pool

After breakfast, indulge in some relaxation at the Borgata’s MGM Tower adult-only pool. This serene oasis is indoor and outdoor with a pool and decor that transports you to the Bahamas, perfect for unwinding and soaking up the sun in a tranquil setting.

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