Creating New Traditions In Atlantic City

By Susan Ferrier Freelance Travel Writer

What is a tradition? Merriam-Webster calls it “an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior.” But every custom started as a one-off. That’s one of the wonderful things about tradition. There is always room for a new one.

Therefore, once the family has finished the Thanksgiving Thursday stuffing (pun intended), why not create a new tradition of a multigenerational family three-day weekend in Atlantic City? Before dismissing the idea and saying, “Atlantic City is a casino town centered around adult activity,” perhaps it is time to rethink that notion.

This may have been true 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. But in the past half-decade, this casino town has started to shift to a more family-friendly destination. Today, families can find something in this seaside town that every member can enjoy.

If a tradition for your family is to shop in brick-and-mortar stores on Black Friday, there is no reason to ditch that. While in Atlantic City, head to the Tanger Outlet. Formerly The Walk, the mall features more than 75 stores including name brands such as Coach, GAP, and Timberland, plus Bass Pro Shop.

Adjacent to the outlets you will find the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, a collection of art galleries, museums, studios, and shops. A visit to the Arts Garage is sure to reveal the perfect unique gift for that hard to buy for person on your holiday shopping list.

Plan to stay at the family-friendly Showboat Hotel. This former casino not only offers accommodations suited to families, but also has enough entertainment options under one roof to keep the entire clan happy and having fun.

This full-scale entertainment complex provides activities both adults and kids will love. Without ever stepping outdoors, enjoy GoKarts, roller skating, a rock climbing wall, a mini-bowling alley, miniature golf, and more. Additionally, the Showboat is home to the Lucky Snake Arcade which has everything from Virtual Reality games to old-school pinball and arcade games like Asteroid.

Don’t let winter weather spoil the summer fun. Families can enjoy the newly opened Island Waterpark at the Showboat. At 120,000 sq ft, this wet and wild mecca is the largest indoor beachfront entertainment complex of its kind. It features 11 slides, a 1000 sq ft Wild Wave FlowRider surf simulator, a 6500 sq ft Island Drift Lazy River, and Kids Cove, an interactive splash zone. Additionally, the park includes two attractions not seen at any indoor aqua park in the US; a 1000-foot Coconut Zero Gravity Coaster suspended high above the park and offering spectacular 360-degree views, as well as a 300-foot-long RipTide Zipline. Plus, the park’s Paradise Adult Island sets aside 10,000 sq. ft. for the grown-ups. This space, overlooking the ocean and waterpark includes a swim-up bar, Bliss Pool, DJ entertainment, Peloton Bikes, manicure stations, chair massages, VIP Cabanas, and workstations.

If you haven’t crossed every person off your list or if you want to take the kids to see the holiday lights then head to Historic Smithville, located about 20 minutes from Atlantic City. This historic village on Lake Meone features a collection of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. Beginning on Thanksgiving, the lake lights up with 120 Christmas Trees with over 50,000 twinkling lights that dance to holiday tunes. Kids can meet the Magic Talking Christmas Tree or ride the Smithville Train decked out for the holidays.

For the little ones, a visit to Storybook Land is a wonderful holiday tradition. This family-owned and -operated children’s theme park features more than 15 rides and dozens of themed attractions. During the holidays, the park is ablaze with holiday lights and the little ones can visit with Santa.

The entire family can enjoy their favorite holiday classic tunes on the world’s largest pipe organ at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Couple the recital with the Curators Tour so you can marvel at this magnificent musical machine.

And of course, all the casinos up the glamor and glitz for the holiday season. They all get decked out in their holiday finishings. While kids are not permitted on the casino floor, they are permitted in all the public areas.

If you can’t incorporate a visit to Atlantic City into your Thanksgiving Holiday tradition, the holiday family fun continues throughout the season. Check forperformances of the Nutcracker by the Atlantic City Ballet and holiday concerts by the Bay Atlantic Symphony. There is no time like the present to make memories that will last a lifetime.