Posted in New Jersey December 13, 2016 by

10 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Atlantic City In New Jersey

New Jersey has quite a few top tourist destinations, but none bring travelers in quite like Atlantic City. The nightlife paradise draws guests of all ages, from all over the world. Many of us take this spectacular shore city for granted, but it’s so much more than a shady neighborhood with a few casinos thrown in. The struggling town has a fascinating past and, hopefully, a bright future. Here are 10 things you may not have known about Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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1. Boardwalk Hall (formerly the Atlantic City Convention Center) is home to the world's largest musical instrument.
Wikipedia/Jack Boucher
The massive pipe organ has over 33,000 pipes and has also broken records for being the world's loudest musical instrument.
2. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the city's most popular attraction was a diving horse.
Wikipedia/William James
The "Diving Horse Of The Steel Pier" (not pictured) would dive 40 feet into a pool just 12 feet deep. This practice was dangerous for both the horses and the riders. One rider was blinded after hitting the water with her eyes open. The 1991 film, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, was based on her story.
3. Atlantic City was home to the United State's first boardwalk.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
Built in 1870, it was 8 feet wide and 1 mile long. It was also taken apart each winter.
4. The Miss America Pageant first got its start here.
Flickr/US Department of Education
Held in September, it was created in 1920 as a way to draw tourists in past labor day. By 1921, thousands flocked to see the pageant. Miss America's youngest winner was just 15, before age requirements were put in place.
5. The properties in popular board game, Monopoly, were named after Atlantic City streets.
Wikipedia/John D. Buell
You may have known this, but did you know that several of these streets no longer exist? Illinois Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the (now defunct) Showboat Casino was built over St. Charles Place. Additionally, Marvin Gardens (Marven Gardens) is located in nearby Margate.
6. Casinos haven't been around forever.
Flickr/Fintrvlr
Many of you may remember life before gambling at the shore. The first casino (Resorts Atlantic City) didn't open until 1978. It was the first casino in the US to be built outside of Nevada.
7. Salt Water Taffy was first popularized in Atlantic City by Joseph Fralinger.
Flickr/Dave Whelan
The company still produces over 600,000 pounds of taffy per year.
8. Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Completed in 1857, the lighthouse has 228 steps. While no longer active, it is still lit every night and houses the original Fresnel lens. There is a small museum in the keeper's house and overnight events are hosted for scouting groups.
9. Atlantic City has more than 15,000 hotel rooms and...
Photo/Author's Own
Brings in about 27,000,000 tourists per year. The year-round population is about 40,000.
10. Atlantic City is home to its very own waterfall.
Photo/Author's Own
The mesmerizing waterfall can be found indoors at Bass Pro Shops.

Another fun fact? You can find Frank Sinatra’s used towel at the famous White House Sub Shop. For more New Jersey trivia, check out this article about Lucy The Elephant, or this article about Cape May’s concrete ship.