Steel Pier

Opened in 1898, the Steel Pier was the site for the famed diving horse show and numerous other acts. It will close in mid October with no specific dates for its re-opening. It is yet another sign that Atlantic City is evolving from a family resort into an East Coast Vegas... except better.

History
After the original Steel Pier closed in 1976, one of Atlantic City's biggest attractions remained dormant for more than two decades. In 1993, the multi-billion dollar erection of Donald Trump's Taj Mahal Casino Hotel also included the renovation of the Pier, which is located directly across the Boardwalk from the property. Today the Pier is once again resuming its rightful position as the centerpiece of family entertainment on the mile-long wooden pathway.

Originally opened in 1898, the Steel Pier has a long history of providing world-class entertainment. Thousands of visitors each day would turn up to experience not only the amusements of rides and games, but also a wide array of unique performances. Big-name acts of the day and more unusual novelty acts like the Diving Horse and the high-wire motorcycle act would delight audiences for hours on end. And with four theaters that could accommodate 12,000 patrons at a time, the Steel Pier simply was an entertainment Mecca.

Some of the big-name acts that have appeared at the Steel Pier during its heyday include Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Mae West, Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges, Bob Hope, Amos 'n Andy, and Frank Sinatra. Moreover, most of the big bands played here; in fact, big band music was not that popular until it was showcased at the Steel Pier.