Atlantic City

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Atlantic City is a seaside city in New Jersey. It is a popular destination because casino gambling is legal, and for many years before that because of its beach and entertainment.

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

From its founding, Atlantic City has always been about tourism. It was founded in the late 19th Century as a resort destination after railroad companies build track between Absecon Island (on which the City exists today) and Philadelphia. In its early days Atlantic City catered to urban workers from Philadelphia. The heyday for Atlantic City as a beach resort lasted through the first half of the 20th Century, when it fell out of favor. Atlantic City was revived in 1976 when gambling was legalized in the city, and casinos began popping up along the boardwalk.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Atlantic City International Airport (IATA: ACY)[1] is located about 9 miles to the west of Atlantic City along the Atlantic City Expressway. Car rentals are available in the airport, as well as taxi service and passenger vans for larger groups. Bus service via NJTransit is also available with a connection through the Pleasantville Bus Terminal. Atlantic City International Airport is a smaller airport and only serviced by two airlines: Spirit [2] and Delta [3]. ACY, however, is poorly connected to major airports, as Delta's service offers a few flights to and from Atlanta while Spirit flights are generally bound for other tourist destinations in Florida and the Caribbean. For many travelers, it will make sense to fly into Philadelphia and drive the hour it takes to reach Atlantic City or take the train.

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL)[4] is located about 60 miles to the west of Atlantic City. It is significantly larger than Atlantic City International and has more flights.

[edit] By train

NJTransit[5] offers train service from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to Atlantic City, with several stops in New Jersey. One-way fare is $7.25, and the ride takes about an hour and a half.

[edit] By car

Atlantic City is well-connected to a number of major highways. From Philadelphia and the west, the Atlantic City Expressway (route 42) is the most direct path. However, the Expressway is a toll road, and costs about $3.25 to drive its entire length. From North Jersey and New York, the Garden State Parkway (toll) and Route 9 to the Expressway and other roads leading into the city.

[edit] By bus

Many charter bus operators will offer Atlantic City trips originating from other parts of New Jersey, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern New York. Many trips will come with casino chips and/or food vouchers for patrons. This particular route is popular with senior citizens.

[edit] Get around

The most popular way to get around Atlantic City is on the 4-mile long Boardwalk (the oldest in the United States), as eight of the eleven casinos are on the Boardwalk. While one's feet are the most popular way of navigating the boards, there are also old-fashioned rolling chairs that can be hired. These shaded surreys are rolled up and down the length of the Boardwalk by experienced guides, who are out soliciting riders day and night. The fee is based on the distance traveled, but expect a minimum fare of $5 plus tip.

One can also travel between the casinos along Pacific Avenue, which runs parallel to the Boardwalk 1 block inland, aboard the Atlantic City Jitney, tel. 609/344-8642; [6], a fleet of minibuses that run 24 hours a day; the fare is $2. The baby-blue or green versions run to the Marina section of the city, where the Trump Marina and Harrah's casinos are located.

• Airport Chariot - Sedan & Limousine, (609) 748-3506, [7]. Features airport shuttle, private sedan, limousine & charter bus transportation between the Atlantic City area and all airports & destinations.

• A&C Transport Car Service - Airport Transportation, (609) 892-5467, [8]. A&C Transport is a car hire service and airport transportation service covering the Atlantic city, Newark, Philadelphia and New York city areas.

Shuttle Bus Total Rewards cardholders are offered complimentary shuttle service with door-to-door access to each of Total Rewards properties. People cannot pay a fee to access – this service is only available to Total Rewards members.

What Are The Operational Hours And Locations For The Shuttle?

Each day, from 10am to 2am, Total Rewards members will be able to board one of our three luxury shuttles that will pick-up and drop-off passengers at the following property locations –

Bally’s – Porte Cochere (casino side of Pop Lloyd Blvd.) Caesars – Bus Terminal Gate #10 Harrah’s – Brigantine Blvd. Entrance Showboat – Porte Cochere (near the Canal Street restaurant)

The three designated shuttle routes are as follows -

Heart Route – Harrah’s and Showboat only Spade Route – Harrah’s, Caesars and Bally’s only Club Route – Bally’s, Showboat and Caesars only

[edit] See

• Atlantic City Aquarium - Ocean Life Center, 800 North New Hampshire Av., (609) 348-2880, [9]. Daily 10AM-5PM. Features eight giant aquariums (including a touch tank), shipwreck artifacts, etc. Adults: $7.00, Seniors: $5.00, Children (ages 4-12): $4.00, Under 3: Free. * Unless you're under 3, you are getting ripped off. You will probably see more fish at your local pet shop. The "observation deck" provides a view you can see from the third floor of your hotel. As for the "eight giant aquariums," there was one aquarium that I would consider giant and the rest were probably bought at the local pet shop.

• Absecon Lighthouse, 31 S. Rhode Island Ave., tel. (609)449-1360, [10]. Monday 11AM-4PM, Th-Su 11AM-4PM; July and August daily 10AM-5PM. Built in 1857 and is the tallest in New Jersey. 228 steps to the top to will yield a magnificent view of the Jersey shoreline. Adults: $5.00, Seniors: $4.00, Children (ages 4-12): $4.00, Under 3: Free.

• Lucy the Elephant, 9200 Atlantic Av. at Decatur Ave., (609) 823-6473, [11]. A 65-ton building built to look like an elephant. Built in 1881 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of those curious pieces of Americana that one doesn't see too much of anymore. 30-minute tours of its interior are avaliable. Adults $5, ages 3-12 $2.

• Atlantic City Historical Museum, New Jersey Av. and the Boardwalk, (609) 344-1943; [12]. Interesting insights into the city's history through various exhibits and artifacts. Look for the larger-than life Mr. Peanut!

• Monopoly Monument, Park Place and the Boardwalk, across from Bally's Atlantic City. The streets in the world's favorite board game take their names from Atlantic City's streets.

[edit] Do

• Casinos and Gambling

There is plenty to do in Atlantic City. Most people go to "AC" to gamble in one of the many resorts. Atlantic City casinos offer slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, keno, race books and specialty table games.

• Boardwalk

One can also explore the world's first boardwalk! The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the backbone of this seaside resort city, providing access to hotels, resorts, shops, casinos and more. Stemming from the Atlantic City Boardwalk are several piers featuring a number of attractions. Steel Pier features an amusement park right off the Atlantic City Boardwalk with rides, games and food. Garden Pier is known as the arts and cultural center of the Atlantic City Boardwalk complete with Atlantic City historical museum and Atlantic City Art Center.

• Beach

Atlantic City is right on the Jersey Shore! One could go swimming, tanning, fishing, or surfing! Many of the resorts are located right on the beach and boardwalk!

Wildwood Beach in Atlantic City is voted the best sports beach in the United States. It's a very clean beach with lots of family fun! Visit Wildwood Beach on the Web!

[edit] Buy

• Steel's Fudge, 1633 Boardwalk, tel. 888-783-3571; [13]. The oldest continuously family owned & operated fudge producer in the world, Steel’s has two locations on the famous Atlantic City boardwalk, and makes and sells delicious fudge, taffy, cookies, and candies.

[edit] Eat

• Street vendors on the Boardwalk sell items such as salt water taffy, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and the like.

• Red Square, 2901 Pacific Avenue .,609-344-9100 . Red Square specialises in vodka, chicken kiev, caviar, and communism.

• Mama Mott's Restaurant, 151 South New York Av., 609-345-8218, [14]. Mama Mott's Restaurant specializes in mouthwatering traditional Italian cuisine, as well as serving an extensive array of American classics. - Closed for renovations as of April 14, 2007

• Dock's Oyster House, 2405 Atlantic Av., 609-345-0092, [15]. Dock's Oyster House opened in 1897 and continues to offer items from their original menu. Along with the raw bar, they have an extensive selection of sea food. the food and service are both great.

• Tony's Baltimore Grill, 2800 Atlantic Av., 609-345-5766. Old-style pizza and pasta, reasonable prices, a local favorite. Great stuff.

• White House Subs, 2301 Arctic Av., 609-345-8599. THE place to get submarine sandwiches ("hoagies" if you're from Philadelphia). Some theorize that it's the great bread, or even the water that's used to make the great bread, but whatever it is, it's great sandwiches. A must-do in AC, check out the celeb pictures on the wall - look for the Beatles pics.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

• Irish Pub & Inn, 164 St. James Place, 609 344-9063, [16].

• Book The Jersey Shore, [17]. Rental properties along the Jersey Shore.

• Atlantic City Hilton, , Boston Avenue & The Boardwalk, [18].
• Bally's Atlantic City, Park Place & The Boardwalk, [19].
• The Borgata, One Borgata Way or 1501 MGM Mirage Boulevard [20] Luxury hotel with casino, spa, shopping, entertainment, and restaurants.
• Caesars Atlantic City, Pacific Avenue & The Boardwalk, [21].
• Flagship Resort, Main Street & Gramercy Place (60 N. Main) AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS Visit Flagship Resort.
• Harrah's Atlantic City, 777 Harrah's Boulevard, [22]
• Resorts Atlantic City, North Carolina Avenue & The Boardwalk, [23].
• Showboat, South States Avenue & The Boardwalk.
• Tropicana Casino And Resort, Brighton Avenue & The Boardwalk, [24].
• Trump Marina, Huron Avenue and Brigantine Boulevard.
• Trump Plaza, Mississippi Avenue & The Boardwalk, [25].
• Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Virginia Avenue & The Boardwalk.

[edit] Get out

U.S. Highway 40 (also US 40) is a United States highway route extending from Atlantic City, New Jersey in the east to a junction with Interstate 80 north of Park City, Utah in the west.

WikiPedia:Atlantic_City,_New_Jersey