on location: northeast ❖
sarah nelson
All About
Atlantic City The Eastern Seaboard’s casino capital is a winning destination for tour groups
High-rise casino hotels, like the Showboat and Trump Taj Mahal, light up the shoreline of Atlantic City, a holiday haven since the late 1800s.
32 August 2011
golf, souvenir and clothing stores, a shopping/dining pier, Boardwalk Hall (entertainment arena), attractions and great people-watching opportunities.” From traditional sights to new developments, here is an overview of what’s what in Atlantic City: GAMING There are 11 casino hotels in Atlantic City: Atlantic City Hilton Casino & Resort, Bally’s Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Resorts Atlantic City, Showboat Casino, Tropicana Casino & Resort,
Photos courtesy Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Bureau
A
tlantic City, New Jersey has been a tourist Mecca for more than a century and continues to reinvent itself. For group travelers, the “Las Vegas of the East” offers a Mother Lode of gaming, shopping, dining and sightseeing opportunities, many of them concentrated along the famous Boardwalk. Elaine Zamansky, manager of media relations of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority, said the iconic oceanfront promenade includes “four miles of free, wellguarded, white sand beaches and a boardwalk lined with seven casinos, restaurants, amusement piers, miniature
Travel the Boardwalk on a rolling chair, a classic tourist experience. LeisureGroupTravel.com
Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino and Trump Taj Mahal Casino & Resort. Zamansky said, “Trump Marina has been sold to Landry’s Inc., owner of the Golden Nugget, and has been transformed into the Golden Nugget, with new restaurants by Landry’s and renovations throughout the property.” (goldennugget.com) Revel Entertainment plans on opening Revel, a new beachfront casino hotel, in May 2012. When construction is complete, Revel will include 150,000 square feet of gaming space and 500,000 square feet for entertainment, dining and shopping. Revel’s two towers will hold 3,800 guest rooms. Plans also include a 5,000-seat special events center and Atlantic City’s first wedding chapel. (revelentertainment.com) Resorts, Atlantic City’s first casino hotel, opened Club Piscopo on June 30, 2011. Stand-up comedian Joe Piscopo, born in New Jersey, is well known for his Saturday Night Live skits, film roles and impressions. Performers at Club Piscopo will include Piscopo himself and other comedians, musicians and entertainers. Zamansky added, “Resorts Casino has re-branded itself under new ownership with a Roaring 20s theme, and has opened Prohibition nightclub, Torch whiskey bar, East Wind Asian gaming area and noodle bar, among others.” (resortsac.com) Borgata opened in 2003 and was the first hotel casino built in Atlantic City since Trump Taj Majal in 1990. It includes fine and casual dining, two entertainment venues, nightclubs, a spa and specialty shops. Borgata’s main tower has 2,000 rooms with floor-toceiling windows and the casino has 161,000 square feet of gaming space. (theborgata.com) LeisureGroupTravel.com
Oceanfront diversions include beach frolics and Steel Pier thrill rides.
SHOPPING AND DINING Atlantic City Outlets - The Walk is a 15-block retail outlet mall that also features dining and entertainment venues. This open-air shopping center has 100 well-known retail stores, including Bath & Body Works, Coach, Eddie Bauer, Guess, H&M, J Crew, Nike, Old Navy and The Gap. (acoutlets.com) Pier Shops at Caesars, located next to Caesars Casino, includes many upscale designer stores as well as nine
restaurants. The shops are on four underwater-themed floors: the Boardwalk (gift and entertainment shops), Skybridge (higher-end shops), Promenade (restaurants and nightlife) and One Atlantic (space for special events and parties). The fountain at the Pier Shops at Caesars is famous for its daily choreographed shows. (thepiershopsatcaesars.com) The Quarter at Tropicana is an Old-Havana-themed shopping, dining and entertainment center at Tropicana
Carmine’s at The Quarter at Tropicana serves Italian dishes family-style. August 2011 33
on location: northeast ❖ Casino & Resort. The Quarter also has an IMAX theater and a spa. (tropicana.net) Other casino hotels with shopping include Borgata (Borgata Shops and The Shoppes at Water Club), Harrah’s (The Waterfront Shops), Trump Taj Mahal (Spice Road) and Resorts. SIGHTSEEING TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS Groups traveling to Atlantic City should definitely spend time at the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the world’s first boardwalk (opened 1870). The Boardwalk, Atlantic City’s lifeline, has souvenir shops and restaurants and provides access to casinos, hotels and other entertainment venues. Download a podcast or print a copy of the “Boardwalk Walking Tour” to learn about the Boardwalk’s history and main attractions.
WHEATONARTS
One of Southern New Jersey’s Most Popular Cultural Destinations! Located Less Than An Hour From Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Cape May! Visit the Museum of American Glass Only museum collection devoted exclusively to American glass. Special exhibitions and tours.
Enjoy Special Glass Studio Shows Watch Artist Demonstrations in the Ceramics and Woodcarving Studios Shop Award Winning Museum Stores One-of-a-kind gifts. Free packaging!
Bake Shoppe and Café
Scenic Picnic Area
April through December Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 10am to 5pm We offer Flexible and Affordable Adult and Student Group Packages!
wheatonarts.org 800.998.4552 | Millville, NJ 08332
34 August 2011
Garden Pier, a pier stemming from the Boardwalk, serves as a cultural center and includes the Atlantic City Historical Museum, Atlantic City Art Center and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. One unique way to see the Boardwalk is a ride in a rolling chair. Relax with up to three people as an attendant pushes your rolling chair along. The chairs have been around since 1887. Royal Rolling Chairs offers Boardwalk tours. (609-347-7148) Zamansky mentioned trolley tours as a fun way to see Atlantic City. Among offerings from Atlantic City Trolley Tours are “Shorelines & and Shipwrecks Tour,” “Splash of Atlantic City Tour” and the brand new “Roaring 20s Trolley Tour.” (gatrolley.com) Steel Pier is Atlantic City’s family amusement pier. The pier originally opened in 1898 and was known for the famous entertainers that performed there. Steel Pier has been making a comeback since 1993 and features games, helicopter rides, prize wheels and 24 rides. (steelpier.com) Visitors can also explore Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1857 and remained active until 1933. Climb the 228 steps to the top and visit the museum in the keeper’s house. (abseconlighthouse.org) Atlantic City Aquarium displays 100 marine species including coral, eels, fish, octopi, sharks and turtles. Make sure to watch the “Dive and Dine” show where an aquarium diver feeds and interacts with marine animals in the Fish of the Mid-Atlantic tank. Guests can ask the diver questions during the show. Groman, a 100-lb. loggerhead turtle, is a must-see. (acaquarium.com) Another way to see marine wildlife is by going on Atlantic City Cruises’ dolphin watching cruise. The twohour ocean cruise is narrated by a ma-
Historic Absecon Lighthouse is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse.
rine naturalist. (atlanticcitycruises.com) Lucy the Elephant is an example of novelty architecture in nearby Margate City. The elephant is six stories high (65 feet tall) and was built by real estate developer James V. Lafferty in 1881 to draw potential buyers to his properties. Lucy has been more than just a tourist attraction over the years— she has been a business office, campground centerpiece, cottage, restaurant and tavern. Climb a stairway through her hind legs for a panoramic view. A gift shop and restaurants surround Lucy. (lucytheelephant.org) Atlantic City offers more group travel options than almost any other resort city on the East Coast. For gaming, shopping, dining out and sightseeing, the choices are limitless. For more information, contact the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority, 609-449-7151; atlanticcitynj.com. LGT
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For a look at other New Jersey coastal resorts, log on to http:// leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=24616.
Obtain New Jersey visitor guides and itineraries – and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info LeisureGroupTravel.com
ATLANTIC CITY Excitement Is Always In Season! • • • •
Sizzling Casino Action Exhilarating Nightlife Distinctive Dining Rejuvenating Spas
• • • •
Stylish New Shopping Free Beaches Electrifying Entertainment Legendary Boardwalk
For group tours, contact Heather Colache at 609.449.7151 or hcolache @accva.com
STAY CONNECTED