It’s Time to Rethink Atlantic City as a Destination for Every Kind of Traveler
For decades, Atlantic City has carried a reputation that’s been both a strength and a limitation. Casinos. Nightlife. Neon lights. Those elements are still part of the city’s DNA, but they no longer tell the full story.
Atlantic City in 2026 is evolving quickly. What was once seen as a single-purpose getaway has become one of the East Coast’s more versatile destinations. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family trip, or a business meeting that doesn’t feel like a chore, the city is asking visitors to take another look.
Base yourself at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, and that shift becomes clear.
A City in the Middle of a Strategic Comeback
This transformation isn’t accidental. Atlantic City has made a deliberate push to reposition itself as both a leisure and meetings destination—one that reflects how people actually travel today.
At Visit Atlantic City’s Annual Meeting in Review earlier this year, leaders highlighted a strong 2025 driven by tourism growth and a unified marketing strategy. The results were substantial: 205 meetings, conventions, and tradeshows generated more than 328,000 room nights, welcomed 533,242 attendees, and produced over $362 million in economic impact.
“As a destination, we were thrilled to see the success of the unification of our leisure and meetings marketing efforts,” said Gary Musich, President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City. “The integration gave our team the opportunity to think more creatively and fueled meaningful tourism growth across the destination and region.”
By consolidating leisure and convention marketing, the city has been able to tell a clearer story—one that appeals to couples, families, and professionals alike.
“Consolidating leisure and convention marketing under Visit Atlantic City in early 2025 was transformative,” added Eric Scheffler, Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Chairman of Visit Atlantic City’s Board. “This strengthened our ability to showcase Atlantic City as both a premier meetings destination and a vibrant leisure getaway.”
The result is a destination that works just as well for a board meeting as it does for a beach weekend.
Why Hard Rock Atlantic City Makes Sense
If one property reflects Atlantic City’s reinvention, it’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Set directly on the Boardwalk, Hard Rock combines music history, modern luxury, and large-scale functionality into a single, walkable experience. It can host major conferences by day and headline concerts by night without feeling split between audiences.
Business travelers benefit from expansive meeting spaces and comfortable, contemporary rooms. Couples find elevated dining, live entertainment, nightlife, and ocean views. Families enjoy a central location with easy access to the beach, Boardwalk attractions, and classic Atlantic City experiences.
It’s a hotel designed for travelers who want flexibility.
An Atlantic City Itinerary That Works
Day One: Arrival
Check into Hard Rock, where curated music memorabilia and sleek design immediately set the tone. After settling in, step onto the Boardwalk—the first of its kind in the U.S.—and take in the ocean air.
Couples can ease into the trip with dinner and cocktails at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. Families may opt for something casual before heading to the beach or arcades. Business travelers can arrive early without feeling like they’re killing time.
The evening is open-ended: a concert, a show, a little gaming, or a quiet walk along the water.
Day Two: Work and Unwind
Conference attendees start the day without commuting. Meetings and events are on-site or within walking distance, leaving more time to enjoy the city.
After sessions end, options open up. Lunch might be at a local eatery, followed by shopping at Tanger Outlets, a beach walk, or a Steel Pier visit for families. Couples may choose a spa appointment or downtime before dinner.
By night, Hard Rock becomes the focal point again, with live music and entertainment that keep visitors out connecting rather than retreating to their rooms.
Day Three: Departure
Before heading home, enjoy breakfast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or take one last stroll along the Boardwalk. Even a short stay here feels like a genuine escape.
A Destination Designed for Flexibility
Atlantic City’s current strength is its adaptability. It doesn’t ask visitors to choose between work and fun, or between adult-oriented and family-friendly experiences. Those elements now coexist naturally.
Visit Atlantic City’s data supports that shift. In 2025, leisure marketing efforts drove hundreds of thousands of partner referrals, booking inquiries, and visitor guide requests—signs that travelers are planning longer, more intentional trips.
Add in events like the Soar & Shore Festival, the refreshed Taste Atlantic City, and high-visibility marketing campaigns in cities like New York and Philadelphia, and it’s clear the city is no longer relying on nostalgia.
It’s building momentum.
Why Atlantic City Deserves Another Look
Atlantic City will always be iconic. That’s part of its appeal. What’s happening now, though, is something more thoughtful—a reinvention that respects the past while expanding what the city can offer.
With a growing meetings and conventions scene, revitalized events, diverse dining, family attractions, and standout properties like Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the destination has become one of the East Coast’s most adaptable.
Whether you’re planning a date weekend, a family getaway, or your next business conference, Atlantic City is no longer a one-note trip.
It’s a destination that finally makes sense for everyone.
Tom is a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rutgers and FDU alumni and the publisher of The Digest.
