The beach days are upon us, but if you’re looking to explore more of AC, we can help you out with that. Here are some of the best events in Atlantic City that you can’t miss this summer.
The Hook
The Hook is a fresh concept by Spiegelworld, an entertainment company founded by innovative entrepreneur Ross Mollison. The venue’s centerpiece is its show, which is described as a comedy burlesque made for adults housed in the venue’s 450-seat theater. There’s also an Italian-American psychedelic dining experience, a boutique bar serving up beers and craft cocktails in the lobby called the Horse Dive Bar, and a breezy new boîte located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk next to the establishment’s main entrance called Cheval de Plongée.
2025 marks two years since the entertainment venue opened and it promises some new and returning talent will be on the docket for this sunny season. Acts span Miranda Menzies (famous for her hair hang act), the roller skates and trapeze daredevil duo Transcend, contortionist Emerald Gordon Wulf, and the aerial artists Two Fathoms. The Hook performs Wednesday through Sunday at 7 p.m., with an additional 9 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday.
1909 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, spiegelworld.com
Summer Savor: La Dolce Vita
Foodies, this event is for you. Summer Savor is helmed annually by James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Symon of Angeline and ultimately, it features specialty culinary items from Borgata’s restaurants (each bite themed for the night), craft cocktails, and live entertainment. This year’s offerings will pay tribute to the Italian coast with different handcrafted spritzes, fresh seafood, pasta and much more.
The event will be in full swing on June 27, from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Borgata’s outdoor pool.
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, borgata.mgmresorts.com
Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival
Taking place in July, this sky-high experience offers aerial performances, fireworks, and a packed schedule of entertainment. The Air Show for one is back with a Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 fighter, the WWII-era B-25 Mitchell Bomber, F-16s from the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, the Misty Blues Parachute Team, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and much more. The air show practice day will be in full swing on July 15, with the final show set for July 16 (both days from noon to 2:30 p.m.)
There will also be a fireworks display on July 16 (9 p.m.) The viewing location will be on the beach and Boardwalk at Missouri Avenue in front of Tropicana Atlantic City. The festival will also feature the Second Annual Car Show and Silent Movie night (July 16, 2 to 7:30 p.m.) at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The free classic car show will be held on the arena floor from 2 to 5 p.m., with live demonstrations of the World’s Largest Pipe Organ, organ tours and on-site food trucks. At 6 p.m., organist Brett Miller will accompany Buster Keaton’s silent film ‘Sherlock, Jr.,’ followed by the Laurel and Hardy short ‘Two Tars’, a release notes.
Then, from July 13 to 16, the Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week will be in full swing. Held at the Frank S. Farley State Marina at the Golden Nugget (daily from 5 to 9 p.m.) this event welcomes anglers from across the country to participate in a high-stakes tournament. And lastly, ESPN’s Operation: Slippery Stairs Competition will take place on July 17 from noon to 2 p.m. at Missouri Avenue. During this contest, participants take on a “hilariously slick staircase” in this sports game show. The first to reach the top and ring the bell advances, with multiple rounds determined by the number of competitors.
La Strada at the Shore
The chic and swanky restaurant and bar located inside of Harrah’s looks like it’s straight out of an old mob film with dark wood accents and white-clothed tables against a decent-sized bar, but there’s also some updated flair here. For one, the open-aired kitchen style lets guests see what some of the magic is that is being cooked up, and the menu at this recently opened gem also matches the atmosphere with authentically rooted dishes with some extra special additions.
La Strada is currently serving up an assortment of decadent small bites like stuffed long hots, meatballs with Sunday gravy, grilled octopus, and prosciutto-wrapped shrimp is also a must-have. Or, diners can indulge in a large meat and cheese board that almost looks too pretty to eat. Pasta-wise, the establishment is known for its ravioli, but other stand-outs span the ricotta gnocchi, and even a rolled lasagna dish. There’s also plenty of meat and seafood (with a daily catch and a daily cut being offered every day) along with lamb milanese, chicken saltimbocca and pan-roasted branzino.
Side-wise, diners can also indulge in another category of interesting picks, including potatoes calabrese, risotto cacio e pepe, and gnocchi a la crema as well. Drinks-wise, the bar at La Strada serves up delightful options, especially for espresso martinis (ask for a frosted glass if you want an upscale experience, and it’ll be done in front of you from a cart.)
777 Harrah’s Blvd, Atlantic City, caesars.com
Exhale Spa + Bathhouse
Located in Ocean Casino Resort, Exhale Spa + Bathhouse provides therapeutic, results-oriented body and skincare services designed to promote “ultimate inner and outer wellbeing.” Guests can choose from an enticing variety of massages, facials, lash and brow services, plus, gain access to heated pools, a Himalayan salt room, saunas and more. All you have to do is book a treatment for access, so, no room is required.
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, theoceanac.com
