SJ Attractions: AC`s Steel Pier

As if the Jersey Shore wasn't already the best place to spend your summer, now there's even more reason to visit--the world-famous Atlantic City Steel Pier continues to grow and attract visitors from all over...

The Atlantic City Steel Pier is located at Virginia Avenue and the Boardwalk, across from the Taj Mahal Casino, in Atlantic City, NJ.

The Steel Pier originally opened in 1898 and quickly became known for showcasing the world's top entertainers. From the 1920s through the 50s, everyone who was anyone played Steel Pier. W. C. Fields was a member of the minstrel group that appeared during the Pier's inaugural season. Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Mae West, Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges, Bob Hope, Amos 'n Andy, and Frank Sinatra all played Steel Pier.

Patrons paid one admission price to enjoy every concert, film, and attraction without doling out another dime. The Human Cannonball, the High Diving Hawaiians, Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly (the world-record pole sitter who started a national craze), and the Diving Horse were all featured acts here.

After years of neglect and then the devastating 1982 fire, the Steel Pier had lost its lustre. However, Donald Trump's Taj Mahal breathed life back in to it, and it became an exciting amusement pier again. In 1993, Atlantic City's famous Steel Pier resumed its rightful position as the centerpiece of family entertainment on the great wooden way.

Today, you can bring the family to the Steel Pier and enjoy all kinds of rides, a variety of "beach food," games, the smell of the ocean, and the excitement of the boardwalk.

This year, the whole family can get a great view of the entire boardwalk from the top of the new Ferris Wheel! In addition, there are all kinds of rides and activities for all ages, including Big Truck, Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, Crazy Mouse, Double Decker Carousel, Dragon Jets, Giant Slide, Grand Prix Go Karts, Jump Cycles, Kiddie Coaster, Kiddie Go-Karts, Pumpkin Wheel, Soft Play Area, Log Flume, Helicopter Tour, Racing Star, Rocket, Thompson Simulator, Tilt-A-Whirl, Wet Boats, Mini-Rocket, and even a Climbing Wall.

The Pier is no longer a POP (pay one price) venue. Tickets for rides are 75 cents each. It's a good deal to buy a coupon book. You can pay
$25.00 for 35 tickets plus coupons;
$50.00 for 80 tickets plus coupons; or
$100.00 for 200 tickets plus coupons (that includes 33 free tickets!).
Or, you can get a wrist band for $30, which is an unlimited all day ride pass (only available Mon-Fri, not including holidays)*.

The Rocket and Helicopter Tour are not included in regular ticket prices or with the price of the wrist bands. You can ride the Rocket for $20 per person; the Helicopter Ride is $25 per person.

Steel Pier summer 2003 hours run June 13th through September 1st:
Weekdays from 3pm to midnight; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 1am.

The Steel Pier is also open on Saturdays and Sundays from September 6th through October 31st, from noon until 6pm.

For more information about Atlantic City's Steel Pier, call (609) 345-4893, email info@steelpier.com, or visit their website at www.steelpier.com. You can check out their webcams and some pictures of the Pier at the website as well.

If you're wondering what else you can do in the area while you're there, you can visit the casinos, eat at any of the numerous restaurants at the casinos, take in a show at any of the casinos, go to the beach, or stroll on the boardwalk. There's always lots to do in Atlantic City!

For more information about what to do while you're in Atlantic City, visit the AC Tourism Council's website or www.atlanticcitynj.com.

For an extensive list of South Jersey Attractions, with links to websites and other information, check out our Attractions page.

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Author: R. Cohen