Yes, Ocean City, NJ is great with kids.

I've been to the Marriott Fairway Villas as well and second that choice. Big 2BR suits.

Yes just head down to the Ventnor side (south). The beach is fine there, and there is even a playground off the boardwalk.

Margate, Ventnor and Brigantine are all on the same barrier island as A.C., all have boardwalks, and all are casino free. Take your kids to see Lucy the Elephant.

Ocean City isn't far away and is a dry, family friendly beach town.

If you don't mind not being on the beach, you can look for places in Pleasantville, Absecon, and Egg Harbor Township which will put you about a 10 minute drive from there... Also check out StorybookLand. It's a nursery rhyme theme park on the Black Horse Pike.

Ocean City is great and a very easy 20 minute drive.

Try the Marriott Fairway Villas in Absecon, NJ. It's not too far from AC. They have villas you can rent for a little more space and overall nice accomodations.

Or you could try and see if there are any places on Brigantine Island, which is right outside (on the other side) of Atlantic City.

if you don't mind a 30-40 minute drive, I'd stay in Cape May with the kids, where you can enjoy the beach in a more "wholesome" atmosphere. All the hotels/casinos in AC, except for the Revel, smell like smoke and I wouldn't want to go to the beach there. But we love the La Mer Inn in Cape May, and there have been other recs for family-friendly places on this board.

we are driving up in August for a wedding but I'm not a fan of the casino/boardwalk type atmosphere. Is there somewhere within an hour of there that would be a better place to enjoy the beach with our kids? A place where we could still get reservations, that is!