Atlantic City, A great place for a weekend getaway

Atlantic City

If you live in the area around New Jersey, Atlantic City is a perfect place for a fun-filled weekend getaway. The city on the boardwalk has all the makings for those who enjoy fine dining, trendy clubbing, Vegas-style shows, outlet shopping, and of course, world class casinos. Just a stone's throw away from many municipalities in the southern New England / mid-Atlantic region, Atlantic City is a short ride to another world. Who knows? It just might become a regular thing!

Interweaving the old with the new, the city named for an ocean provides enjoyment for people with a variety of tastes. Walks along the world-famous boardwalk, a visit to Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, and trump Taj Mahal's Steel Pier amusement center are just a handful of things to do outside of the casino attractions.

The casino hotels are located in two main areas: lining the boardwalk from "downbeach" to "midtown", and in the vicinity of the marina on the north side of the city. The overall layout of the city is rather small in scope and getting around is quite simple. A "jitney", or local casino bus, taxis passengers from casino to casino between the two areas. Many of the boardwalk casinos, as well as the marina casinos are but a few-minute walk of one another.
Here's a simple guide to some of what Atlantic City has to offer:

Shopping

Atlantic City is best known for its casinos, but in recent years the city has successfully begun to draw new visitors by providing entertainment for non-gaming visitors. The development of the Atlantic City Outlets, known as "The Walk", has drawn bargain hunters in droves as the word has spread. There is no sales tax on clothing and footwear in New Jersey, so shoppers can find deals galore in this clean, hip, 100-store shopping district. The retail hub is located between the boardwalk and the Atlantic City Expressway, at the center of the city and within walking distance of midtown casino hotels such as Caesar's and Bally's. Some of the trendy shops here include Calvin Klein, Guess, Nike, Fossil, the GAP, H&M, and a whole lot more.

Great shopping haunts in Atlantic City are not restricted to "The Walk", however. Each casino houses several, more upscale, shops for those looking to splurge a little. Some notable spots include the Tropicana's "The Quarter", and Caesar's, "The Pier".
"The Quarter" is located between the shopping garages at the Tropicana and its main casino floor. The walk through the mall gives visitors the feel of strolling through a typical street in Havana, complete with blue skies, streetlamps, and distinctive Cuban architecture. The center includes notable shops, such as White House Black market, Chico's, Swarovski, and Farmer's Almanac.

"The Pier" at Caesar's is the newest of Atlantic City's retail attractions located on the boardwalk across from the gaming hall. With over 70 distinctive shops and restaurants, "The Pier" has fast become a favorite destination for an afternoon of window shopping. Retail outlets here include Banana Republic, Kenneth Cole, Movado, Tiffany, and many more.

Dining

Atlantic City contains a plethora of great eateries. The casino hotels all serve up fine dining, quick and easy eats, and of course the buffets made famous in casino hotels. Notable once again, Tropicana's "The Quarter" houses several fine dining options, from the world-famous Carmine's of New York City and P.F. Chiang's to Corky's Ribs n Barbecue and Hooter's. Adam Goode Deli and the Marketplace Shops offer quick bites for those in a hurry. There's surely something here for a wide range of palettes and pocketbooks.

The Borgata is yet another casino hotel with a wide variety of great cuisine. Fine dining restaurants, such as Wolfgang Puck's American Grille, Bobby Flay Steak, Specchio, and much more beckon patrons with their scrumptious menus. Casual diners can feast on grilled sandwiches at Bread and Butter, casual Italian fare at Risi Bisi, or get a quick meal at the food court beneath the casino, known as the Cafeteria.

Wonderful bistros and well-known chain eateries can also be found throughout the city, within the walls of the other casino hotels and on the streets of the city itself. Some notable restaurants include Applebee's, the Rain Forest Caf, Ruby Tuesday's, and much, much more.

Nightlife

Atlantic City heats up after dark with a wide variety of clubs and Vegas-style shows for guests who enjoy evening jaunts. Trendy clubs, such as Borgata's Mur.Mur' and Mixx' and the current hot spot at Harrah's The Pool', provide city-style atmosphere and pulsating music for club-goers eats to dance the night away.

The many venues housed within the hotels offer a wide variety of alternative nighttime entertainment. Broadway-style musicals like the Mamma Mia-inspired "Dancing Queen" at the Tropicana and Trump Plaza's "The Rat Pack is Back" entertain theater goers with great musical entertainment, comedy clubs, such as "Comedy at the Trop" and "The Borgata Comedy Club" offer laughs galore, and concert venues host the wide spectrum of musical and entertainment artists making Atlantic City stops on their tours.

Clearly, Atlantic City has much to offer for the entertainment its visitors. From shopping to dining and nightlife, the city has all the makings of a great time. For those who still believe that gambling is all Atlantic city has to offer, take another look. You just may like what you find!