Cindy B said:
Beaches are lousy in AC. Sorry! Don't go anywhere off the boardwalk, it very urban/ghetto. All the hotels with the exception of one or two are on the boardwalk. Don't go off the boardwalk!
I would even suggest staying away from the "ends" of the boardwalk.
Sheesh, when is the last time you've been to Atlantic City? I live in Ventnor (next town over from AC) and work in reservations at the Atlantic City Hilton. I do agree that there are definitely some more than questionable places off the boardwalk in Atlantic City (just like there are questionable places in any city) but if you know where to go and what to do you can have a great time!
As far as the "ends" of the boardwalk are concerned, I completely disagree. The Atlantic City Hilton is the first casino on the south end of the boardwalk. It is a
AAA 4 diamond hotel and has been such for nine years. It boasts one of, if not the best beach facilities in Atlantic City. You can rent cabanas, chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, there's a beach bar that offers light fare and drinks. Admittedly, it's not the ideal location for kids as it doesn't offer much to do other than the beach and indoor pool.
Right next to the Hilton is Tropicana. They have an outstanding facility called "The Quarter". It's a retail and entertainment complex with several restaurants (such as The Palm, P.F. Changs, and Carmines), it's got a comedy club, karaoke place, and my favorite, the IMAX Theatre.
At the end of this month Caesars will be opening The Pier at Caesars on the pier that used to be called "Ocean One". This is also a retail and entertainment complex that looks to be very nice Caesars also has a Planet Hollywood.
Two blocks off the boardwalk from Caesars is "The Walk". These are retail outlets and restaurants. There's Jay-Z's 40/40 sports club, Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, and many outlet stores including Gap, HM, Kaybee, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Reebok, American Eagle, etc.
Right next to Caesars on the boardwalk is Trump Plaza. Trump Plaza beyond a doubt has the best beach bar in Atlantic City and for families, The Rainforest Cafe.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is still there and on the opposite side of the boardwalk there is a pier with an Arcade and Go-Karts.
Just a few blocks from Rilpey's is Trump's Taj Mahal. Steel Pier is directly across from the Taj and a definite good place to take the kids, albeit a little expensive. For Dinner, why not head back across the boards to the Hard Rock Cafe at Taj Mahal or walk to The Showboat nextdoor and check out The House of Blues?
Borgata, Harrah's and Trump Marina are nice properties as well but have very little for kids to do other than maybe an arcade and the pool.
Also, you may want to check and see if there's a baseball game the night you are in town. The minor league baseball team plays at Sandcastle Stadium on Route 40 as you enter AC. Tickets are very inexpensive (I believe the most expensive is $10 or $12) and who knows, you may get lucky as they often have fireworks after the game. Also, when are you traveling? There is going to be an airshow on the beach the last wednesday in August that will feature both the Blue Angels and The Airforce Thunderbirds. This airshow will be one of the biggest in the country this year and did I mention it's completely free?
So, as you can see, there is plenty to do and see in Atlantic City that does not involve gambling. The areas I have mentioned are safe. If you stay in the heavily travel areas of the city (The boardwalk, The Walk Outlets, etc.) you will have no problems. Think of the boardwalk casino as bookends. On one end you have Showboat and Taj Mahal, on the other end you have Tropicana and Hilton. Everything else is in the middle.
My suggestion with kids would be to try and stay near the Taj side of the city as there are more things for kids to do on the boardwalk. Below are some links to the places I've mentioned as well as some other resources:
Atlantic City Hilton
The Tropicana & The Quarter
The Pier at Caesars
The Walk Retail Outlets
Steel Pier (Online ticket sale Buy one ticket book, get on free)
AC Surf Baseball
Atlantic City's Visitor website
AC Weekly (Local weekly publication)
Sorry for the long post but I hope I was able to help you out and to dispell the flat out untruth that there is nothing to do in Atlantic City but gamble. If you have any questions at all please feel free to PM me.
It's really just a stop on a longer trip. I won't be gambling...won't be doing much of anything for one night, but I'd like to do SOMETHING with the kids. We would probably be arriving early afternoon, and have to leave first thing in the morning.
), I'm thinking being near the beach would be good. 
ARE the beaches nice there?? Is there a good hotel near one? I was thinking of the Taj Mahal because my cousin works there, but that's OK if I don't see him. 
