A practical day trip from Showboat Hotel
Start your day at Showboat Hotel with a Boardwalk walk and beach visit, then enjoy the on-site Island Waterpark and Lucky Snake Arcade before returning to on-site dining and spa services. This itinerary fits a single-day stay using the hotel’s waterpark early-access perk and Boardwalk location to see nearby attractions such as Steel Pier and Absecon Lighthouse.
In this guide
- Arrival, check-in, and where to leave your bags
- Morning: Boardwalk and beach walk
- Midday: Island Waterpark and Lucky Snake Arcade
- Lunch and quick bites at Showboat
- Afternoon: Nearby sightseeing and transit options
- Evening: On-site dining, spa, and entertainment
- Practical tips: parking, fees, and family details
Arrival, check-in, and where to leave your bags
Showboat Hotel’s 24-hour front desk handles check-in beginning at 4:00 PM and check-out is until 11:00 AM. A government-issued photo ID and credit card are required at check-in; the hotel may also require a deposit.
If you arrive earlier in the day and your room isn’t ready, the 24-hour front desk and concierge can store luggage so you can start your day on the Boardwalk or at the waterpark.
- Front desk: 24-hour service and express check-in/check-out
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is until 11:00 AM
- ID and credit card required at check-in; deposit is typically collected
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Luggage storage | Available via front desk (24-hour) |
| Deposit | Cash or card deposit required (amount listed by property) |
| Resort fee | Mandatory fee per room, per night (covers internet, fitness, safe, housekeeping) |
Morning: Boardwalk and beach walk
Step directly onto the Atlantic City Boardwalk from Showboat Hotel for a morning stroll. The property provides Boardwalk and beach access and has beach chairs and sun loungers available.
Walking the Boardwalk is a quick way to take in the ocean views and get oriented: Steel Pier’s rides are about a five-minute walk away and Absecon Lighthouse is roughly an 11-minute walk from the hotel.
- Boardwalk access directly from the hotel
- Beach is about a 3-minute walk from the property
- Nearby: Steel Pier (~5-minute walk), Absecon Lighthouse (~11-minute walk)
| Attraction | Approx. walk time from Showboat |
|---|---|
| Steel Pier | About 5 minutes |
| Absecon Lighthouse | About 11 minutes |
| Atlantic City Aquarium | Roughly 25 minutes |
Midday: Island Waterpark and Lucky Snake Arcade
Plan your main activity at the Island Waterpark, the hotel-connected indoor waterpark with slides, a surf simulator, lazy river, wave pool and family splash areas. Showboat guests receive an early-access perk called 'Rise 'N Shine' giving one hour before public opening.
The Lucky Snake Arcade & Sports Bar occupies much of the former casino floor and offers an extensive arcade experience. It’s a good indoor alternative if the weather is cool or if you want multi-generational entertainment.
- Island Waterpark: slides, surf simulator, lazy river, wave pool
- Guest perk: one-hour early access via 'Rise 'N Shine'
- Lucky Snake Arcade: large indoor arcade and sports bar space
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Waterpark hours | Hours vary by day and season; check the hotel or park for current times |
| Adult-only area | Paradise Adult Island is 21+ and may have an additional fee |
| Arcade | Large arcade with many game types and a sports bar on-site |
Lunch and quick bites at Showboat
When you need a break, the hotel offers multiple on-site dining options on or near the Boardwalk. B&B Burger Bar serves breakfast and lunch with ocean views on the Boardwalk; its posted hours include Friday–Monday service for breakfast and lunch.
For quicker stops, Eclair in the lobby and Blissful Bubbles Cafe offer sandwiches, pastries, bubble tea and desserts; Kelly’s Ice Cream is convenient for families and an afternoon treat.
- B&B Burger Bar — Boardwalk dining with ocean views (Friday–Monday hours noted)
- Eclair — lobby bakery/cafe, with regular morning and midday hours
- Blissful Bubbles Cafe and Kelly’s Ice Cream — quick snacks and desserts
| Venue | Typical offerings / hours |
|---|---|
| B&B Burger Bar | Breakfast & lunch (ocean views); open Fri–Mon 8:00 AM–9:00 PM |
| Eclair | Bakery/cafe in lobby; hours vary by day (opens early morning) |
| 12 Bar | Cocktails near the arcade; open daily with later hours on weekends |
Afternoon: Nearby sightseeing and transit options
If you want to leave the hotel, convenient local transit includes the Boardwalk Tram (card only) and the Atlantic City Jitney minibus service. The Atlantic City Rail Terminal and local taxis or rideshares provide connections farther afield.
Nearby attractions within easy walking distance include Steel Pier and Absecon Lighthouse. The Atlantic City Convention Center is about 1.1 miles from the hotel if your plans include an event or exhibit.
- Boardwalk Tram: card-only service running portions of the boardwalk (pay by card)
- Atlantic City Jitney: minibus service connecting boardwalk, casinos, and rail terminal
- Taxis and rideshares are readily available for off-boardwalk travel
| To | Typical distance / travel |
|---|---|
| Atlantic City Rail Terminal | About 1–1.6 miles (short cab or jitney ride) |
| Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) | Around a 10-15 minute drive (no dedicated hotel shuttle listed) |
| Convention Center | About 1.1 miles from the hotel |
Evening: On-site dining, spa, and entertainment
Return to the hotel for dinner at Atlantic City Eatery (ACE) just off the Boardwalk entrance; ACE operates a full bar and offers lunch and dinner, plus a breakfast buffet on Fridays and Saturdays. The 12 Bar next to the arcade serves cocktails and stays open late on weekends.
For rest and relaxation after a full day, Aura Salon and Spa on the 2nd floor of the Bourbon Tower offers massages, facials and salon services daily. The Showboat Fitness Center is open 24 hours if you prefer an evening workout.
- ACE (Atlantic City Eatery) — full bar, lunch and dinner, Friday–Saturday breakfast buffet
- 12 Bar — cocktails by the arcade; later hours on weekends
- Aura Salon and Spa — open daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; salon services 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
| Evening option | Details |
|---|---|
| Dinner | ACE near Boardwalk entrance — full bar and varied American menu |
| Cocktails | 12 Bar next to Lucky Snake Arcade (later weekend hours) |
| Spa | Aura Salon and Spa (Bourbon Tower, 2nd floor) — appointments by phone |
Practical tips: parking, fees, and family details
Showboat charges a mandatory resort fee per room, per night that covers fitness-center access, housekeeping, an in-room safe and internet access. A deposit is also required at check-in and the property accepts major credit cards (cash may not be accepted).
Parking options include self-parking and valet with in/out privileges; fees vary. The hotel welcomes children of all ages and operates family-focused amenities, while the waterpark also contains a 21-and-up adults-only area called Paradise Adult Island that typically requires an extra fee for access.
- Resort fee included with room (covers internet, fitness, safe, housekeeping)
- Deposit collected at check-in (amount noted by property)
- Self-parking and valet available (in/out privileges; fees apply)
- Pets: dogs allowed (max two per room, up to 50 lbs each) for a fee; service animals exempt
| Item | Important notes |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory per room, per night (covers listed services) |
| Parking | Self and valet parking available with in/out privileges |
| Pets | Dogs allowed (max 2 per room, up to 50 lbs) for a fee; service animals exempt |
