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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One of the best views of Atlantic City can not be found in a posh casino hotel room.  It is found, rather in New Jersey’s tallest Lighthouse. The Absecon Lighthouse is 150 years old, and one of Atlantic City’s Historical Family Attractions.

You and your family can take a journey up the 228 steps of one of the countries oldest lighthouses.  Stop on each landing and peer out the windows as you make your way to the top.  Atop the lighthouse you’ll see the original first- order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857.

2 year old making his way up

Step out side on the landing for breathtaking views of Atlantic City and the Atlantic Ocean.  Parents there’s no need to fret as the top open landing is encased in bars, and the bars are to close for little heads to fit.  You children will OOOO and AAAAHHH with excitement and all there is to see.

Hours of Operation:

Fall/Winter hours:

Open Thursdays through Mondays  11am- 4pm

Last Climb is at 3:30pm

September – June
Thursdays through Mondays, 11am to 4pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
July & August
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Closed on major holidays

Cost to Climb the Lighthouse:

Adults $7
Children 4-12  $4
3 & under Free
Active military FREE
Dogs are welcome

The Local Lowdown:

The Lighthouse is a great place for you and your family to stop and check out.   My kids had fun climbing to the top and beating Mom and Dad.  The 228 steps are not too bad to scale.  However, it can be quite a bit for some.  There are ladings all the way up for resting. The steps are large and easy to manage.

My two year old did climb all the way up, however I had to carry him all the way down.  My 6 and 8 year old went up twice!

When you get to the top a lighthouse attendant will hand you a small card.  The card states that you made it!   Save this card.  When you visit Lucy the Elephant flash your accomplishment, and you’ll get a discount on admission.

They Made It!

There is a small gift shop and museum.  Very small.  My little ones were not at all interested in anything in the museum.  There are bathrooms located in a small building behind the Lighthouse.  There is also free parking in the small lot behind the lighthouse. Everytime we’ve visited the staff has always been delightful.

Your Lighthouse visit will not be an all day event. Climbing to the top and seeing all there is to see will probably take you any where from 30 mins to an hour tops.

On the lighthouse grounds there’s a life guard row boat.  This is a great spot for family pics. If everyone looks, oh well, better luck next time!

The Absecon Lighthouse does host some fun family events.  Check out their calendar to see whats going on during your visit to AC.