Things to do nearby Showboat Hotel: boardwalk, Steel Pier and more
Showboat Hotel sits directly on the Atlantic City Boardwalk with easy access to the beach, Steel Pier amusement rides, and family attractions like the Island Waterpark and Lucky Snake Arcade. From the hotel you can walk to the boardwalk and beach in minutes and reach Steel Pier and nearby landmarks on short strolls.
In this guide
Walk the Boardwalk and hit the beach
Showboat Hotel opens directly onto the Atlantic City Boardwalk, so stepping out of the entrance puts you on the boardwalk and within a short walk of the sand. Beach chairs and sun loungers are provided for guests when the beach is operating.
Boardwalk strolls are a good way to sample classic shoreline sights, seasonal vendors, and casual seaside dining without needing a car.
- Boardwalk access directly from the hotel
- Beach access is a short walk (about 3 minutes per property listings) with provided loungers and umbrellas when available
- Best for outdoor time: mid-May through early October for milder weather
| Place | Approximate walk time from hotel |
|---|---|
| Atlantic City Beach | About 3 minutes |
| Atlantic City Boardwalk | About 9 minutes / direct boardwalk access noted from the property |
| Ocean Casino Resort / Ocean Resort Casino | 8–10 minutes |
Steel Pier: rides, games and ocean views
Steel Pier is a classic oceanfront amusement pier with rides and midway games. The property listings describe Steel Pier as a roughly five-minute walk from Showboat Hotel and a short boardwalk visit for families.
Rides and attractions change seasonally; expect carnival-style attractions, food stands and pier-side views of the ocean and boardwalk. If you want rides, bring cash or cards as individual attractions set their own prices.
- About a five-minute walk from the hotel (per listings)
- Family-friendly rides and midway games
- Good spot for ocean views and short photo stops
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Arrive earlier in the day | Shorter lines and cooler temperatures for outdoor rides |
| Wear comfortable shoes | Pier decking and boardwalk walking add up |
| Plan for changing hours | Seasonal businesses and ride availability vary |
Island Waterpark: slides, lazy river and early access
Showboat Hotel guests have direct access to Island Waterpark, the on-site indoor waterpark that includes multiple slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a surf simulator. The waterpark listings say there are 11 slides and family splash zones.
Hotel guests receive one hour of early access through the 'Rise 'N Shine' program before the park opens to the public. Island Waterpark also contains a 21-and-up adults-only area called Paradise Adult Island (access typically costs extra).
- Features listed include 11 slides, lazy river, wave pool and surf simulator
- Hotel guest perk: one hour early access via 'Rise 'N Shine'
- Paradise Adult Island is 21+ and usually requires an extra fee
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rise 'N Shine early access | Hotel guests get 1 hour before public opening |
| Paradise Adult Island | Adults-only area; additional fee commonly applies |
| Operating hours | Hours vary seasonally and by event |
Dining and casual eats on the Boardwalk and in the hotel
Showboat Hotel has several on-site dining options that suit quick stops and family meals, including B&B Burger Bar on the Boardwalk, Eclair bakery café in the lobby, Blissful Bubbles Cafe, Kelly's Ice Cream, and ACE (Atlantic City Eatery) near the Boardwalk entrance.
Breakfast is not complimentary at the property; cooked-to-order breakfast is available for a surcharge. Hours for each outlet vary, and some items/venues are seasonal or may operate on a reduced schedule.
- B&B Burger Bar: Boardwalk-facing; serves breakfast and lunch (hours vary; listed Friday–Monday 8:00 AM–9:00 PM)
- Eclair: lobby bakery/café with breakfast, sandwiches and desserts (hours Mon–Thu 7:00 AM–7:00 PM, Fri 7:00 AM–8:00 PM, Sat 7:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sun 7:00 AM–8:00 PM)
- ACE (Atlantic City Eatery): full bar and American menu just off the Boardwalk entrance; has a breakfast buffet on Fridays and Saturdays
- Kelly's Ice Cream and Blissful Bubbles Cafe: quick dessert and drink options (hours vary — ask concierge)
| Restaurant | Typical offerings |
|---|---|
| B&B Burger Bar | Burgers, breakfast items, milkshakes, ocean views |
| Eclair | Bakery items, sandwiches, coffee, desserts |
| ACE | American menu, pizzas, full bar, weekend buffet |
Arcade, nightlife and family entertainment
Showboat's Lucky Snake Arcade is a large indoor entertainment complex described in listings as roughly 60,000 sq ft with more than 300 games, VR experiences, pinball and glow mini-golf. The Lucky Snake Sports Bar sits beside the arcade for adults and families alike.
Other evening options include the hotel bars (for example 12 Bar near the arcade entrance) and performance spaces such as the Bourbon Room for concerts and shows — check schedules before you go.
- Lucky Snake Arcade: large-scale arcade and family gaming
- 12 Bar: cocktails near arcade entrance (hours vary; listed daily with later weekend hours)
- Bourbon Room and other event spaces host concerts, comedy and special events — schedules vary
| Entertainment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Lucky Snake Arcade | Hundreds of games, VR, mini-golf |
| 12 Bar | Cocktails and social space near games |
| Bourbon Room | Large-capacity concert and event space |
Sightseeing and getting around Atlantic City
Several popular Atlantic City attractions are an easy walk from Showboat Hotel: Absecon Lighthouse (about an 11-minute walk), the Atlantic City Aquarium (roughly a 25-minute walk), and the Atlantic City Convention Center (about 1.1 miles).
Local transit options include the Boardwalk Tram (card-only service) during its seasonal hours and the Atlantic City Jitney minibus service for routes across the city. Taxis, rideshares and cabs are also readily available.
- Absecon Lighthouse: about an 11-minute walk per property listings
- Atlantic City Aquarium: listed at roughly a 25-minute walk
- Boardwalk Tram and Atlantic City Jitney: seasonal hours/fare rules apply; check current schedules
| Transport | Notes |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Tram | Card-only fares; seasonally timed service |
| Atlantic City Jitney | Round-the-clock minibus; fares vary by route |
| Taxis / rideshare | Available at all hours; fares depend on destination |
