One of the oldest amusement piers at the JerseyShore, Atlantic City’s Steel Pier is an icon.  A trip to Atlantic City wouldn’t be complete without stopping here.

Atlantic City’s Steel Pier hosts just under 21 rides, but it’s still chock full of excitement and fun. 

 Here is the break down by height:

Wet Boats 3 tix 30” minimum 48” maximum
Jump Cycles 3 tix 30” minimum 60”maximum

Chopper Train 3 tix 36” minimum 60” maximum
Climbing Wall 4 tix maximum 250 lbs.
Kiddie Coaster 3 tix 36” minimum
Kite Flyer 3 tix 36” minimum 42” w/o adult
Mini Rocket 3 tix 38” minimum 42” w/o adult
Red Baron 3 tix 36” ride alone / under 36” w/adult
Dragon Jet 3 tix 36”minimum 60” maximum

Carousel 3 tix 42” w/o adult
Crazy Mouse Coaster 7 tix 48” minimum 54” w/o adult
Monster Plung 5 tix 47” minimum 51” w/o adult
Rocket $25 includes tax 44” minimum
Rock n Roll 5 tix 48” to ride
Scooters 4 tix 42” minimum 50” w/o adult
Sea Dragon 5 tix 42”minimum 48” w/o adult
Tilt 4 tix 46” minimum

Giant Wheel 3 tix 50” ride alone 40” minimum w/adult
Go Karts 7 tix 54” minimum

•Double Decker Carousel

Here’s the local low down:

This pier is a good stop for tiny ones.  They don’t mind repetition. So going on only the two rides they have for 30” inches and under isn’t too bad; especially, if you take a ride with you child on the Carousel and Red Baron planes.

Chopper Train

 However, if you child falls in the 30” -41” height range, this might turn into a disappointing time.  There are 7 rides total in this height range, two of which you need an adult to ride along.  A few of these are less than exciting. My 6 and 8 year old found a few of them “very babyish.”  The Chopper Train is a series of decked out motorcycle train cars that just travel in a circle slowly.  I thought it was more appropriate for my 2 ½ year old.  And different from other shore piers the tilt-a –whirl was off limits. The best rides are the Kiddie Coaster and The Kite Flyer.  The Rock Climbing wall is a big favorite also, but be aware wrist band riders are only allowed one climb per band. You’d need to purchase additional tickets to climb again.

Rock Climb

 If stopping by with kids under 41” buying tickets is your best bet.  Wrist bands are pricey and not worth it for just 7 or so rides; especially, if your kids snub their noses at a few.  The ticket count required for these rides are low, being only 3 or 4 tickets. 

 A great benefit is the Steel Pier doesn’t get as crowded during the day as some of its counter parts.  If you’re visiting AC with your little ones, The Steel Pier is a fun quick stop.

 For the 42” and up crowd Atlantic City’s Steel Pier is a blast.  If you have kids in this range, who will go on each ride more than once, grab a wrist band and stay awhile. My 11 year old had such a great time!  Some of her favorites were the Crazy Mouse Coaster, and the Monster Plunge. 

Mini Rocket

Ticket Prices:

* Note: NJ Sales and AC Luxury Tax are included in prices.

Special Attractions (additional fees)

 *All ride and ticket information was proided by The Steel Pier

Is it possible for Atlantic City, a city known for it’s casinos and nightlife, to have a family-friendly hotel?

Why…yes it is. It’s at Harrah’s Resort and Casino.

To prepare for our first family blogging event, Bloggers at the Beach in Atlantic City, Karen and I set out to find a family-friendly hotel in Atlantic City. We discovered Harrah’s Resort and Casino. Yes, it is a very beautiful hotel and casino for adults, but it also has a very family-friendly side that you probably didn’t know about before today.

First, let me tell you about the Harrah’s hotel rooms.

• Spacious rooms to spread out and share comfortably with your family – Each room has two king size beds. Mom and dad have one and 2 or 3 kids can share the other.  A small table with two chairs makes a nice area for snack time or coloring between activities. Rooms with 2 double beds start at $129 per night.

• The bathroom were designed with privacy in mind.- The shower is large enough to accommodate several kids. The vanity is large enough for all your’s and the kid’s gear. Plus, the toilet has its own door ensuring privacy for whoever needs to go potty.

• Pack ‘N’ Plays, portable cribs, etc are available from the front desk.

To see more pictures of the Harrah’s Resort Hotel Room visit our Facebook Album.

Then there’s the rest of the Harrah’s Resort Property.

• Family-friendly meals and snacks on a budget – The main floor of Harrah’s Resort and Casino has a pizzeria, sub shop, pretzel shop, ice cream store and other family-friendly eateries with affordable pricing options.

• Harrah’s Family Fun Center – There is so many activities for families staying at Harrah’s Resort to enjoy. The Family Fun Center hours vary with the season but it usually closes by 7 or 8 pm. The game room maybe open later.
  • Pool – This is the perfect family-friendly pool. There was an umbrella-mushroom like structure in the middle that showers down water.  The pool itself was a large rectangle plenty large enough for all our guest families and others stopping by for a swim. The pool goes from 3 feet deep to 3.5 feet. Harrah’s keeps the pool area well-stocked with towels and a hamper to gather them when you are done.  The pool is available for hotel guests at no extra charge.
  • For an additional charge, that you can pay there or charge back to your room, your family can play these games at the Harrah’s Family Fun Center:
    • Water Wars
    • Basketball
    • Shuffleboard
    • Miniature Golf
    • Arcade games that earn you tickets toward prizes
    • and more.

To see more pictures of the Harrah’s  Family Fun Center visit our other  Facebook Album.

In full disclosure, Harrah’s Resort and Hotel in Atlantic City, provided Family Friendly AC and our Bloggers at the Beach guests with hotel accommodations that did include the Harrah’s Family Fun Center so that we could experience the family-friendly aspects of the hotel. Our opinions are our own and are based on our experience at the Harrah’s Resort Casino and Family Fun Center.

Thar is treasure for thar families in Atlantic City. @Family Friendly Atlantic City

Did you know there is treasure to be found in Atlantic City?

You don’t need a shovel. You don’t need to look for X-marks the spot. You may need a map but you won’t have to share. There is plenty for everyone.

Why tucked away between the casinos and bright lights of Atlantic City are some gems that local families have come to discover. Karen and I are set to explore them with you. It’s why we created Family Friendly AC in the first place. We are the ONLY online publication whose sole purpose is to promote what is Family Friendly about Atlantic City. And we hope to inspire and be part of newer family friendly promotions for the Atlantic City.

This weekend, Karen and I  hosted the first overnight family blogging event Atlantic City has ever seen, called Bloggers at the Beach. (We know there will be many more.) It was a whirlwind weekend. We will be telling you all about in upcoming posts. From Friday night to Saturday afternoon, bloggers saw Atlantic City in a whole new light. Old ideas and notions of what Atlantic City could and couldn’t be washed out to sea. They were replaced with new memories of all their children had explored and ideas for future family vacations to the area. Over two days they experienced the following with their families:

• Lunch at the Harrah’s Steakhouse
• Playtime and hotel accommodations at the Harrah’s Resort and Family Fun Center
• Viewing of the Coral Reef Adventures with their families at the Tropicana Casino IMAX Theatre
• Watching dolphins from aboard the Atlantic City Cruises boat
• Lunch at Scales in Gardner’s Basin
• Petting sharks at the Ocean Life Center Aquarium
• Climbing up Lucy the Elephant

Below our guests are linking up their stories from their weekend. Take a look and enjoy reading why Atlantic City can be a great place for your family to visit. You will need to click on the blue face to be taken to the list of stories or to add one.

To follow the conversation on Twitter search the hashtag #FamFriendlyAC

To follow it on Facebook, visit our Facebook page here.

Want to see pictures from the weekend, visit our photo gallery here.

Our Family Friendly Atlantic City Link-Up button is available for sharing, see the code below.

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