Enticing Destinations

Destinations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region are experiencing a strong resurgence, with many offering a range of new choices as well as some familiar favorites for planners of meetings, conventions, special events and group travel.

Featuring a growing list of offerings that appeal to a wide range of audiences, these places attract both meetings and tourism. Here is a look at what’s happening in a few select areas that boast a number of enticing opportunities.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ

There is always a lot happening in Atlantic City, an oceanfront town that is constantly changing and evolving. It has been enticing vacationers and gaming enthusiasts for generations, and in recent decades has been a top draw for meetings, conventions and events, as well as those seeking fine dining and celebrity chef culinary experiences.

One of the newest food and beverage offerings in the city is Sandpiper Coastal Bar and Grill at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, a new coastal tapas experience with free-flowing shared dishes.

Caesars Entertainment recently announced that Gordon Ramsay HELL’S KITCHEN, the restaurant inspired by the globally popular FOX television series, is set to open in Caesars Atlantic City this summer. This will be Chef Ramsay’s third restaurant in Atlantic City, joining Gordon Ramsay Steak at Harrah’s Resort and Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill at Caesars.

“Caesars Entertainment is committed to leading Atlantic City’s evolution as one of the country’s modern-day capitals for entertainment, sports, and world-class culinary experiences,” explains John Koster, regional president for Caesars Entertainment’s Eastern Division.

On the heels of its 40th anniversary celebration last year, Tropicana Atlantic City will debut eight new dining and entertainment concepts starting this summer and will undergo gaming enhancements to further the resort’s evolution. The new additions and enhancements are part of Caesars Entertainment’s commitment to invest $400-million into its Atlantic City resorts by 2023, including the addition of NOBU Atlantic City, and a new show by Spiegelworld in 2023 at Caesars.

New restaurants at Tropicana include: Wild Honey Smokehouse and Tavern in The Quarter (opened in April); Ossu Japanese Tavern (Memorial Day weekend); Hash House A Go Go; Purple Zebra daiquiri bar (Fourth of July); Gin Rickey’s, featuring nightly live performances and dueling pianos; plus three dining destinations coming onboard this fall - The Royce Social Hall, a beer hall meets adult rec room and entertainment destination; Il Verdi gets a new beachfront location and redesign; and Hawthorne and Cork, which offers an intimate, refined signature bar and lounge experience.

Gaming enhancements at Tropicana will further add to its already strong dining, nightlife, and entertainment portfolio, as the property continues to transform into a casino of the future.

Bally’s Atlantic City is an escape overlooking the beach and boardwalk. With over $100 million in planned renovations to its hotel rooms, hotel lobby, lobby bar, and indoor/outdoor entertainment venue in 2022. For meetings, Bally's boasts 80,000-square feet of space. If more space is needed, the property is connected to and partners with The Claridge, A Radisson Hotel, that can offer more space and additional hotel rooms.

The oceanfront property features over 1,200 rooms, gaming, the new FanDuel Sportsbook, live entertainment, a rotating bar, a beer garden, a beach bar, and ten dining outlets, including five new restaurants that were introduced at the property in 2021.

For large parties, or when restaurants are at capacity, visit Dining On The Sixth and enjoy menu items for Guy Fieri’s Chophouse, Jerry Longo’s Martinis and Meatballs, Red Bowl 88 or The Yard. Live entertainment includes the area’s hottest DJs and favorite local bands in both intimate settings and large party atmospheres at venues like Carousel Bar, The Yard, Jerry Longo’s Meatballs and Martinis, Water Dog, Bally’s Beach Bar (seasonally) and Bally’s Showroom.

American Bar and Grille, a new eatery at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, serves up classic grill favorites influenced by global flavors.

For a relaxed culinary experience, Waterdog at Bally’s Atlantic City blends craft casual cuisine with New York-style deli favorites. Meanwhile, nearby Cuzzie’s Pizzeria Kitchen features wild and unique pizza combinations.

The recently opened Dougherty’s Steakhouse and Raw Bar at Resorts Casino Hotel is owned and operated by the Dougherty family, Atlantic City restaurateurs and staple in the AC dining scene for more than 120 years.

Nola's Bar and Lounge is just steps from the casino floor at Ocean Casino Resort with rich wooden walls, emerald accents, and a stunning 35-foot bar.

Showboat Hotel launched NJ’s largest arcade, Lucky Snake, which also includes a sports bar, boxing ring, indoor venues for live entertainment, a speakeasy, and convention and meeting space.

Create lasting, beachside memories at Lighthouse Cove Event Center, featuring over 18,000-square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space overlooking Rehoboth Bay in the heart of Dewey Beach. The team at Lighthouse Cove can customize private or corporate events for the ultimate waterfront experience.

For overnight accommodations, its sister property, Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, is home to spacious guest rooms, a heated indoor swimming pool, and The Lighthouse Restaurant, which serves coastal American cuisine and boasts outdoor seating and waterfront dining. The Placery, located at the lobby bar, features a thoughtfully sourced, cleverly curated menu, while The Market offers a selection of grab-and-go items.

Pat Fasano, developer and investor in the Orange Loop and owner of Bourré on New York Avenue, recently added shipping containers to create an outdoor court and bar, as well as viewing areas for live music in the Orange Loop Arena outdoor stage.

Also noteworthy, the Atlantic City Convention Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall became the state’s first convention center and arena to achieve GBAC STAR facility accreditation. Boardwalk Hall went through a $10-million renovation, too, featuring the Atlantic City Experience.

WILDWOODS, NJ

As visitors make their way over the bridge and onto the island, they are greeted by the new “Welcome to the Wildwoods” Doo Wop style sign with its vivid colors and lighting, setting the tone for the fun that lies ahead. The new Gateway also features a digital billboard announcing the latest events and information.

This five-mile island has appealed to visitors for over a century, boasting expansive clean, free and safe beaches with plenty of room to spread out. These beaches offer

Just minutes outside of Washington, DC, Prince George’s County, MD offers a blend of experiences in a unique destination that is home to over 12,000 guestrooms and more than 850,000-square feet of meeting and exhibit space in exceptional venues like Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and the MGM National Harbor Resort and Casino. More outstanding options include The HOTEL at University of Maryland, the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Crowne Plaza College Park, Harborside Hotel and many others.

One of the area’s hottest attractions, National Harbor, is situated on the banks of the Potomac River and features boutique shops, restaurants, water activities and world-class entertainment in a very walkable area. Groups will find nearly limitless options for fun and entertainment, such as TopGolf, breweries, the Legacy Wine Trail, and golf courses nearby. Plus, there are working farms, historical landmarks, art districts and museums in Prince George's County, too.

award-winning tranquility while also providing the opportunity to enjoy exciting activities on and in the water.

The Wildwoods also is home to the largest collection of mid-20th century architecture in the country, known as “Doo Wop Architecture,” with the opportunity to enjoy a self-guided tour on foot or by car to witness the bright neon signs, vibrant architecture and colorful motel names. During the summer season there’s a free fireworks extravaganza on the beach every Friday night, visible from almost anywhere on the boardwalk and throughout the island. The nearby Cape May County Park and Zoo features a collection of more than 550 animals and is a fun for all ages.

For meeting and convention goers, the Wildwoods Convention Center is a modern, multipurpose facility equipped with exhibit, ballroom, meeting and pre-function space. Situated on the boardwalk and its “two miles of smiles,” this unique convention center overlooks the beach and ocean. A state-of-the-art, 260,000-square foot facility, it offers one of the most spacious, flexible, innovative and inviting venues available for groups as small as 100 or as large as 10,000.

Snuff Mill Restaurant, Butchery and Wine Bar, offering up delectable fare in Wilmington; photo courtesy: Greater Wilmington, DE CVB WILMINGTON, DE

Riverfront Wilmington is an attractive destination that offers something for everyone. Home to indoor and outdoor activities and dining, as well as attractions for all ages, its open areas and larger venues make it a popular choice for corporate events.

The area is home to multiple dining options, museums, concerts, an IMAX theater, and even a minor league baseball team, the Wilmington Blue Rocks. This diversity of attractions and multiple hotels make it a great place for leisure travel, too. The Riverfront is easily accessible, including via a newly completed bridge, and offers an abundance of free parking.

“The summer is definitely the time of year with the most to do along the Riverfront,” notes Joe Valenti, marketing manager, Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware. “Our mini golf course returns for the season, as well as the popular beer garden. We offer bike rentals to tour the Riverwalk, and will have free live music at several venues throughout the riverfront. Additionally, our popular tour boat and tiki boat happy hour cruise will return for the summer and fall.”

Chase Center on the Riverfront is the Wilmington area's premier event and meeting venue, with over 70,000-square feet of space that includes two ballrooms, as well as a 20,000-square foot exhibit hall. For overnight guest, Chase Center is connected to the Westin Wilmington Hotel, while just steps away are the Homewood Suites and the Hyatt Place Hotel.

SUSSEX COUNTY, DE

Southern Delaware is home to FiveStar beaches, bays, waterways, and trails. It is full of meeting-friendly venues, too, for groups of 25 to 500 and a range of accommodations from oceanfront luxury to budget-friendly. For dining, the area offers everything from boardwalk fries to fine dining along its Culinary Coast™. Year-round outdoor adventure, watersports, indoor activities, and entertainment are among its many offerings, as are tax-free shopping, dining, and meeting space.

Consisting of more than 20 small, historic seaside, bayside, rural and riverside towns and five state parks, each has its own distinct personality and culinary contributions, as well as museums, outdoor adventures, events, entertainment experiences, and incredible scenery. Southern Delaware’s accommodations and tourism partners can create custom experiences for visitors, collaborating with corporate meeting planners, group leaders, and fellow tourism professionals to build tailored, memorable visits.

“Our abundant outdoor adventure, team building, and relaxation options, our Culinary Coast™ dining, and our wide variety of meeting and retreat venues make Southern Delaware a fantastic destination for businesses wanting to gather their employees or clients in more open, less urban settings, yet with all the big city amenities they expect,” observes Tina Coleman, communications manager for Southern Delaware Tourism.

CHESTER COUNTY CULINARY CHALLENGE

Cook, Compete and Connect with the Chester County Hospitality Industry

The surprise theme includes both a food and cocktail challenge.

Thursday, August 18 5 – 8 P.M.

DESMOND HOTEL AT MALVERN, A DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

An Exclusive Event for Meeting and Event Planners Hosted by the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau

For more information, contact Courtney Babcock at Courtney@BrandywineValley.com

Mural Fest in Virginia Beach, VA; photo courtesy: Virginia Beach CVB

The area also is home to seven signature golf courses along with Sports at the Beach, Sandhill Fields, and DE Turf, providing opportunities to plan beach vacations in conjunction with sports tournaments.

“Southern Delaware Tourism offers a ‘$300 for 30’ incentive. Businesses or groups that book 30 or more hotel room nights at a Sussex County property for a single event receive a $300 rebate from Southern Delaware Tourism upon proof of payment at time of stay,” explains Coleman. “Additionally, several tourism partners offer private group land or water tours, including Cape Water Tours and Delmarva Discovery Tours, and Quest Adventures, just to name a few.”

This year, there are a number of new activities, events, accommodations, venues, restaurants and more in Southern Delaware. A few highlights include: Hyatt House Lewes-Rehoboth Beach; Avid Hotel Millsboro; Hotel Bethany Beach; and Camp Arrowhead Retreat Center’s Jane Clifton Ashford Center, new pavilion, lounge, state-of-the-art building and kitchen located in a secluded, protected area with a beach on a wooded property along Rehoboth Bay.

Bramble and Brine at the Buttery is a recently opened restaurant, and Lewes Brewing Co. is projected to open this coming fall. Starboard Claw is opening in the former Hammerheads Dewey Beach property with outdoor dining available. Additional new or soon-to-open options include: Bethany Bay Brewing; Ocean View Brewing; Agave Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar; and Lewes Oyster House.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

Virginia Beach’s coastal beauty, accessible location and mild climate make for an enticing visit any time of the year. Stretching along 35-miles of shoreline, the city is ideal for marrying business or

sports travel with an extended vacation. Its three-mile boardwalk is an ideal place to bike, blade, jog or stroll while enjoying panoramic views of the ocean set against a backdrop of outdoor festivals and seasonal entertainment across three oceanfront stages.

Summer is prime beach season and tops everyone’s must-visit list, but several special events add to the area’s allure this year. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art opens its highly-anticipated “A Study of Water” exhibit by renowned artist Maya Lin, on view through September 4, 2022.

The East Coast Surfing Championships, the world’s longest continuously-running surfing competition, celebrates its diamond anniversary August 21-28 as a stop on the World Surf League tour with numerous other activities that showcase the beach sports lifestyle.

Step into the creative ViBe District August 20-27 to see the walls of local buildings come alive during MuralFest, and the Boardwalk Art Show returns October 21-23 with juried works available for sale by 200 artists.

Enjoy expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean at Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach, or explore the trails winding through the maritime forest environment of First Landing State Park. The beauty of the sea is complemented by the vibrant displays and original work of artisans throughout the ViBe District, and the Virginia Beach Sports Center is the East Coast’s largest and newest indoor sports complex on the same campus as Virginia Beach’s LEED Gold Convention Center.

Virginia Beach Town Center is just ten minutes from the shore and offers a performing arts center, restaurants, shopping and entertainment, plus free concerts and festivals throughout the year.

Each of these destinations, along with many others throughout the region, are providing planners with enticing options for upcoming meetings and events. They all have much to offer when it comes to recreation and leisure travel, as well, adding to their allure.