Atlantic City has long drawn the attention of the nation’s most powerful leaders. From the Gilded Age heyday of grand seaside resorts to the convention-driven mid-20th century and the casino era that followed, presidents have made their way to the Boardwalk for speeches, campaigns, vacations and disaster response tours. The visits reflect both the city’s prominence as a national gathering place and its symbolic role as a barometer of American tourism, labor and economic trends.
Over more than 150 years, a number of U.S. presidents — both while in office and after leaving the White House — have stepped foot in Atlantic City. Below is a look at those visits in roughly chronological order.
Presidents Who Visited Atlantic City
19th Century
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Ulysses S. Grant – Visited Atlantic City in July 1874 during his presidency (1869–1877).
Early 20th Century
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Theodore Roosevelt – Campaigned in Atlantic City in May 1912, addressing a large crowd during his bid to return to the White House.
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Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover – Visited the city in the early 1920s and 1930s, often staying at prominent Atlantic City hotels as the resort reached peak national popularity.
Mid–20th Century
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Harry S. Truman – Visited in May 1954, shortly after leaving office.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower – Spoke at Convention Hall on June 9, 1959; returned again in 1967 with First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.
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John F. Kennedy – Arrived by helicopter on May 8, 1962, to address a United Auto Workers convention and had earlier campaign-related stops in the city.
Late 20th Century
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Richard Nixon – Came to Atlantic City on June 22, 1971, to address a medical convention.
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Gerald Ford – Visited on February 25, 1974, and returned during his 1976 re-election campaign.
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Jimmy Carter – Made a stop in September 1978 to speak at a Steelworkers convention shortly after casinos opened.
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George H. W. Bush – Addressed a volunteerism summit in Atlantic City on December 5, 1997.
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Bill Clinton – Spoke at a hotel owners association meeting in March 2001; later returned in 2010 as a former president for a casino-related appearance.
21st Century
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George W. Bush – Visited on April 12, 2018, delivering remarks at a conference at Borgata.
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Barack Obama – Came to Atlantic City on October 31, 2012, to survey damage from Superstorm Sandy and meet with local officials.
While the frequency of visits has fluctuated with Atlantic City’s economic fortunes, the pattern is clear: when the city hosts major conventions, faces historic challenges or captures national attention, presidents tend to follow. From Grant’s 19th-century appearance to Obama’s Sandy tour, the Boardwalk has served not just as a seaside escape, but as a stage where national politics and local history intersect.
