Atlantic County
By: Erin McFeeters
The sweet smell of salt air and pine envelops your senses in this southern shore county, known for its historic boardwalk, iconic landmarks, and preserved natural beauty. Atlantic County boasts rich traditions, from farm to shore—summer blueberry picking in Hammonton, Atlantic City nightlife, and Brigantine beach days.
“What makes Atlantic County so special is the sheer variety of experiences you can have within a relatively compact region. You can start your day on the Atlantic Ocean, walk the iconic beaches and boardwalk in Atlantic City, and within a short drive find yourself surrounded by the Pine Barrens, historic villages, wineries, and golf,” said Visit Atlantic City President and CEO Gary Musich. “That diversity gives us an incredible opportunity as a destination. Atlantic County offers the energy and entertainment of a world class resort destination, but it also has a quieter, more natural side that many visitors don’t always expect. There is a real sense of discovery here. Whether you’re interested in the beach, food, history, outdoor recreation, golf, wildlife or local culture, you can experience something very different just a few miles from where you started.”
The county’s history dates to the late 1600s in Somers Point, named after John Somers, a Quaker Society member and the supervisor of roads and constable of Great Egg Harbor, according to the county’s history webpage. In the early days, many settlers were whalers, shipbuilders, millers, or ironworkers. In the 1830s, after the Revolutionary War, the county was officially established from parts of Gloucester County.
“What makes Atlantic County so special is because it’s such a great location. You have the best of all worlds. Number one, you’re close to the Jersey Shore,” said Anthony DiMeo III, a fourthgeneration blueberry farmer. His great-grandfather, Michael DiMeo, started DiMeo Farms in 1916 to grow and sell blueberries. “The city, the farms, the Pine Barrens, it’s all within a short driving distance; everything is right here, and it’s a clean, safe area to live.”
In the 1870s, Atlantic City built the first boardwalk of its kind in the world, which is still the longest in the world, according to Visit Atlantic City. Originally designed to help keep the sand out of hotels and train cars, it has since evolved into the attraction it is today. Through the early 2000s, the Miss America Pageant held its iconic Show Us Your Shoes parade right on the boardwalk. During the parade, contestants rode down the boardwalk showcasing shoes designed to represent their home states.
Beyond the boardwalk, unmistakable landmarks like Lucy the Elephant, a six-story elephant-shaped building in Margate City, and the Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, draw visitors year-round hoping to immerse themselves in Jersey Shore history and coastal charm.
“Basically, everything west of the Garden State Parkway is in the Pinelands Preservation region. This area is highly protected. Growth of any kind must meet many criteria. The area is very flat, has low pH acidic soils, and the trees are largely oak and pitch pine,” said Rutgers University County Atlantic County Extension Dept. Head and Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent II Gary C. Pavlis, Ph.D. “East of the Parkway is very urban. And then of course you have the barrier islands.”
The unique landscape yields sandy soil high in acid, conducive to growing the state fruit, the blueberry.
“They love a low soil pH, and they love high organic matter; specifically, they love peat moss, and here in the pine barrens, we have natural layers of peat moss,” said DiMeo. “The soil is just perfect for growing blueberry bushes here in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and that’s why the blueberries really, really do well here.”
According to Rutgers University New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Atlantic County produces 80% of New Jersey blueberries.
“Blueberries need access to water, and in many areas in the Pinelands, the water table is two feet down,” said Pavlis. “That is why the worldwide blueberry industry actually started here in Atlantic and Burlington counties.”
Situated on the county’s coast, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 48,000 acres of salt marshes, shallow coves, and freshwater ponds. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, the Refuge is a critical area for hundreds of migratory birds.
“Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is not exactly secret, but it still feels worlds away from Atlantic City. The wildlife drive, marshes and short trails are excellent for birding, especially if you bring binoculars,” said Musich. “Atlantic County describes an eight-mile driving loop plus walking/biking options with picturesque views of Atlantic City.”
You can spot waterfowl, waders, black skimmers, American oystercatchers, least terns, the American black duck, and the Atlantic Brant. Some may even spot piping plovers, a federally threatened species that relies on nesting on the Refuge’s undeveloped coastline. “It’s an amazing place for bird watching,” said DiMeo. “Even to this day I see different birds that I’ve never seen before in my life, so I can tell that they’re doing well here, they’re flourishing, and they’re happy.”
Refuge visitors can explore scenic hiking trails or take the Wildlife Drive, an eight-mile auto tour where you might spot some of your favorite sea birds like egrets and great blue herons.
By total area, Atlantic County is the third largest county in the Garden State, according to the U.S. Census, with 132,307 total housing units. As of September 2026, Atlantic County has 804 single-family homes for sale, according to New Jersey Realtors® housing market data report. Prices are on the rise, and according to the report, the single-family median sales price increased 10.3% year-to-date.
Even during economic downturns, DiMeo’s great-grandparents believed in investing in Atlantic County real estate, with a current acreage of 986 acres. Five hundred of those acres are classified as preserved farmland.
“They started off small and every year they would buy more and more land,” said DiMeo. “They always believed in investing in land. They felt that land in real estate was the best investment that they could possibly make.”
Expanding didn’t happen overnight, but over the years, they went door to door introducing themselves, pitching their dreams of expanding their farm, and asking if the person was willing to sell and if they would consider giving them the first shot.
“Living in South Jersey is so great because you don’t realize South Jersey is basically New Jersey’s last backyard,” said DiMeo. “We have millions and millions of people that surround us, and South Jersey is a clean, safe place to live in the Pine Barrens. You have the fresh air, and people really want to connect with nature. We feel that’s so important not only for physical health, but for mental health as well.”
In the next several years, changes are expected throughout the county. According to the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, projects in the works span from aviation to healthcare to residential. An Amazon fulfillment center is approved for 652,060 square feet in Hamilton Township in the former Atlantic City Race Course, and is expected to bring 750 jobs to the region. Temple University proposed a new medical school campus to connect to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City and is expected to have its inaugural class in 2029. The National Aerospace Research and Technology Park recently opened a 40,000-square-foot research center in Egg Harbor Township. There are countless other projects in the works, such as $50 million in renovations to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a new elementary school under construction in Pleasantville, and more.
ATLANTIC COUNTY TOWNS
Absecon City
Atlantic City
Brigantine
Buena Boro
Buena Vista Twp.
Corbin City
Egg Harbor City
Egg Harbor Twp.
Estell Manor City
Folsom Boro
Galloway Twp.
Hamilton Twp.
Hammonton
Linwood City
Longport Boro
Margate City
Mullica Twp.
Northfield City
Pleasantville City
Port Republic City
Somers Point City
Weymouth Twp.
Ventnor City
THINGS TO DO
Absecon Lighthouse
Atlantic City
Climb up the tallest lighthouse in the state at 171 feet tall, 228 steps, for panoramic views of Atlantic City. A recent restoration expanded the lighthouse’s offering with a replica of the light keeper’s dwelling, an educational museum, a gift shop, and a Fresnel Lens exhibit in the original oil house.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Galloway
Spanning 50 miles along New Jersey bays, the Refuge has trails through coastal wetlands and freshwater ponds, and is home to one of the best birding areas in the region.
Lucy the Elephant
Margate
Built in 1881, Lucy the Elephant was originally designed to attract prospective real estate buyers to Margate, but has continued to attract tourists to this day and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
Noyes Arts Garage
Atlantic City
Part of Stockton University, the Arts Garage houses artist studios, galleries, shops, and more.
Wharton State Forest
Hammonton
There are 124,000 acres to explore by hiking, swimming, camping, kayaking, fishing, and so much more. Preserved within the forest is Batsto Village, a historic site known for supplying the Continental Army with iron goods during the Revolutionary War.
Salt Water Taffy
Originating from Atlantic County itself, there are countless vintage candy shops to explore, such as Fralinger’s Original Salt Water Taffy, James’ Original Salt Water Taffy, the Village Sweet Shoppe, and more.
SPOTS TO TRY WHEN YOU’RE IN ATLANTIC CITY FOR REALTORS® TRIPLE PLAY
Angelo’s Fairmont Tavern
Open since 1935, Angelo’s is a classic Italian spot known for their Chicken Anthony, baked lasagna, chicken parmigiana, lobster ravioli, and stuffed rigatoni.
Back Bay Ale House
A relaxed waterfront spot with standouts such as jerk chicken wings, fish tacos, lobster rolls, and their specialty Basin Masons cocktails, like the back bay lemonade or the rum runner.
Chef Vola’s
A BYOB spot with limited seating in a residential home, so make a reservation if you’re reading this. They’re known for their bone-in veal chop, macadamia nut Chilean sea bass, and banana cream pie.
Dock’s Oyster House
One of the oldest restaurants in the city and known for its raw bar, clams casino, crab meat au gratin, and potato-crusted flounder.
Gilchrist Restaurant
A breakfast staple with water views known for blueberry hotcakes, breakfast platters, and pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches.
Kelsey’s Atlantic City
Located on Pacific Avenue, they’re serving up chicken wings and waffles, Cajun fried catfish, and Southern favorites such as collard greens, candied yams, and homemade cornbread.
Knife and Fork Inn
An Atlantic City landmark known for its high-end seafood meals, premium cuts of meat, and starters like lobster spring rolls and Kobe sliders.
Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House
A spot out of the casino hustle and bustle featuring unique burger combinations, craft beer, tequila shrimp bangers, and oneof- a-kind sandwiches.
White House Subs
An iconic sandwich shop that first opened its doors in 1946 and is known for serving celebrities while they’re in AC. Try the White House Special Sub, cheesesteak submarine, or the pepper and egg sub.
SPOTLIGHT ON SMITHVILLE
Take a step back in time and visit the small town of Smithville, located within Galloway Township. The developers of Smithville, Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Noyes, purchased the original structure of The Smithville Inn in the 1950s after discovering it on a walk through the woods. The couple restored the building and transformed it into the restaurant it is today. Slowly expanding through the years, Fred and Ethel purchased historic buildings all around South Jersey to create the village.
“Smithville Village is a historic and quaint village built around a lake with cobblestone paths, more than 50 shops, restaurants and activities,” said Musich. “The village hosts annual festivals, and it’s the perfect holiday visit.”
Walking through, Smithville looks frozen in time with its charming local businesses, oldtime signage, mill on the water, and the feeling of community from everyone you pass by. There are countless shops along the cobblestone walkways,
like Cook’s Corner, a kitchen tools and specialty coffee shop with smells of coffee reaching you as you walk by, and The Honey Pot, selling local and exotic honey, beeswax products, confections, and natural skin care. Along with other favorites such as Smithville General Store, the Village Sweet Shoppe, and the Crafting Cellar.
The Smithville Inn remains a cornerstone of the village, with views of Lake Meone and upscale comfort food, while eatery additions like Fred and Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern serve up delicious burger combinations, and Scoop’s Place is the go-to spot for your favorite frozen treats.
The holiday season kicks off in Smithville in November with the Holiday Dickens Fest and Holiday Light Show right after Thanksgiving, with the latter going through to Jan. 6. Every weekend until Christmas, there is a magical talking tree, a Christmas train ride, bonfire s’mores every weekend, breakfast with Santa, and so much more.
