One of my old college roommates is getting married in Atlantic City in August. The GF and I don’t have much planned in terms of a vacation this year, so we’re considering heading up that way for a few days.
So what is it like? I’m an avid gambler. My girlfriend less so, but she’s always capable of having a good time. (We both love Vegas.) Where is the best place to stay? Any other must-sees?
Also, are there any good magic shows at any of the casinos?
Dr. J
I haven’t been there in a few years, but you will probably be well served if you embrace the idea that Atlantic City is nothing like Vegas.
Vegas is to Disneyworld as A.C. is to a small town carnival that’s still pretty fun, but the rides don’t look very safe and you suspect the operators are drunk and there’s always a big brawl in the beer tent.
Now for me, this is still fun, but YMMV. The shows at the hotels are often pretty good. Things will be less expensive than in Vegas, which is nice. Most of the hotels are on the Boardwalk, which runs (duh) right along the beach. If you have good weather, the beach is great, although usually a little crowded.
Plus you get to see all the streets from Monopoly.
I like the Taj Mahal, which is one of the newer hotels, and it has a bit of that Vegas flavor. However, it is very far down the broadwalk, so you might want to be closer to the center of things. We’ve stayed at Claridge’s a few times, and it’s sort of old-school resorty, however, some of the rooms have been renovated more recently than others.
There’s a decent website at http://www.atlanticcitynj.com with some general information about the area, and links to each casino/hotel.
Ah, kiddies, I could tell you about Atlantic City back in the old days, before the danged casinos ruined it . . . Million-Dollar Pier and the diving horse; Tussaud’s Wax Musuem; tea at the Traymore; Roth’s fudge store; sitting at sunset in the wicker chairs and watching the people stroll by at sunset . . .
—Ma Eve
I really hate Atlantic City. Lame casinos that all look the same full of old people blowing their social security checks, peppered with cheesy 99-cent stores in between. It’s the White Trash Las Vegas. However, there are some bright spots:
The Irish Pub. Someone recommended this before on this site, and my wife and I tried it. The rec was spot on! It’s an awesome bar. The food does suck, but great atmosphere.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Takes about an hour to see, but really cool.
Claridge and Showboat casinos. These are the only two classy casinos on the boardwalk. All the others look like a bad department stores on the inside.
25 cent video blackjack- I hate to gamble, so I always play these machines. If you win, it’s only a few bucks, but you know you won’t lose your shirt if you have a bad day. There’s also none of the pressure you feel at a blackjack table- you have all the time in the world to hit or stand. If your feeling really frisky, Caesar’s has a few $1 machines. I spend hours on these things, and almost always break even (it helps to memorize a blackjack system first!)
Pizza- I’ve never, ever had a bad slice of pizza on the AC boardwalk. I think the salt in the air has something to do with it.
Arcade at the Ocean One Mall- it’s all the way at the end of the pier on the top floor. Tons of games, many of them hard to find (like Carn-evil). Plus, the games are all for sale!!!
As for hotel deals, book as far in advance as possible, and shop around. My wife and I stayed at the Trump Plaza for $66+ tax a night, but it was in December and in the middle of the week. On a weekend during the vacation season you will pay over $200 to stay there, and about $80-90 in some dive on the Expressway.
If you need cheapo parking, park at the Trump Plaza or Taj, it’s only $2.00.
And WHATEVER you do, never, EVER go into Atlantic City. Stay on the boardwalk if you value your life.