on location: northeast O 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.

tlantic City, has been golf, souvenir and clothing stores, A a tourist Mecca for more than a a shopping/dining pier, century and continues to reinvent itself. (entertainment arena), attractions and For group travelers, the “Las Vegas great people-watching opportunities.” of the East” offers a Mother Lode of From traditional sights to new de- gaming, shopping, dining and sightsee- velopments, here is an overview of ing opportunities, many of them con- what’s what in Atlantic City: centrated along the famous Boardwalk. Elaine Zamansky, manager of GAMING media relations of the Atlantic City There are 11 casino hotels in Convention and Visitors Authority, Atlantic City: Atlantic City Hilton said the iconic oceanfront promenade Casino & Resort, Bally’s Atlantic City, includes “four miles of free, well- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars guarded, white sand beaches and a Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic Photos courtesy Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors & Convention courtesy City Photos Atlantic boardwalk lined with seven casinos, City, Resorts Atlantic City, Showboat Travel the Boardwalk on a rolling restaurants, amusement piers, miniature Casino, Tropicana Casino & Resort, chair, a classic tourist experience.

32 August 2011 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 open- ing Revel, a new beachfront casino hotel, in May 2012. When construc- tion is complete, Revel will include 150,000 square feet of gaming space and 500,000 square feet for entertain- Oceanfront diversions include beach frolics and thrill rides. ment, dining and shopping. Revel’s two towers will hold 3,800 guest SHOPPING AND DINING restaurants. The shops are on four rooms. Plans also include a 5,000-seat Atlantic City Outlets - The Walk underwater-themed floors: the Board- special events center and Atlantic is a 15-block retail outlet mall that also walk (gift and entertainment shops), City’s first wedding chapel. (revelen- features dining and entertainment Skybridge (higher-end shops), Prome- tertainment.com) venues. This open-air shopping center nade (restaurants and nightlife) and Resorts, Atlantic City’s first casino has 100 well-known retail stores, One Atlantic (space for special events hotel, opened Club Piscopo on June including Bath & Body Works, and parties). The fountain at the Pier 30, 2011. Stand-up comedian Joe Pis- Coach, Eddie Bauer, Guess, H&M, Shops at Caesars is famous for its copo, born in New Jersey, is well known J Crew, Nike, Old Navy and The daily choreographed shows. (thepier- for his Saturday Night Live skits, film Gap. (acoutlets.com) shopsatcaesars.com) roles and impressions. Performers at Pier Shops at Caesars, located next is an Club Piscopo will include Piscopo to Caesars Casino, includes many Old-Havana-themed shopping, dining himself and other comedians, musicians upscale designer stores as well as nine and entertainment center at Tropicana 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-to- ceiling windows and the casino has 161,000 square feet of gaming space. (theborgata.com) Carmine’s at The Quarter at Tropicana serves Italian dishes family-style.

LeisureGroupTravel.com August 2011 33 on location: northeast O

Casino & Resort. The Quarter also has , a pier stemming from the an IMAX theater and a spa. (tropi- Boardwalk, serves as a cultural center cana.net) and includes the Atlantic City Histori- Other casino hotels with shopping cal Museum, Atlantic City Art Center include Borgata (Borgata Shops and and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The Shoppes at Water Club), Harrah’s One unique way to see the Board- (The Waterfront Shops), Trump Taj walk is a ride in a rolling chair. Relax Mahal (Spice Road) and Resorts. with up to three people as an attendant pushes your rolling chair along. The SIGHTSEEING TOURS chairs have been around since 1887. AND ATTRACTIONS Royal Rolling Chairs offers Boardwalk Historic is Groups traveling to Atlantic City tours. (609-347-7148) New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse. should definitely spend time at the Zamansky mentioned trolley tours Atlantic City Boardwalk, the world’s as a fun way to see Atlantic City. rine naturalist. (atlanticcitycruises.com) first boardwalk (opened 1870). The Among offerings from Atlantic City Lucy the is an example of Boardwalk, Atlantic City’s lifeline, has Trolley Tours are “Shorelines & and novelty architecture in nearby Margate souvenir shops and restaurants and pro- Shipwrecks Tour,” “Splash of Atlantic City. The elephant is six stories high vides access to casinos, hotels and other City Tour” and the brand new “Roaring (65 feet tall) and was built by real estate entertainment venues. Download a pod- 20s Trolley Tour.” (gatrolley.com) developer James V. Lafferty in 1881 to cast or print a copy of the “Boardwalk Steel Pier is Atlantic City’s family draw potential buyers to his properties. Walking Tour” to learn about the Board- amusement pier. The pier originally Lucy has been more than just a tourist walk’s history and main attractions. opened in 1898 and was known for attraction over the years— she has been the famous entertainers that performed a business office, campground center- HEATON RTS there. Steel Pier has been making a piece, cottage, restaurant and tavern. W A comeback since 1993 and features Climb a stairway through her hind legs games, helicopter rides, prize wheels for a panoramic view. A gift shop and and 24 rides. (steelpier.com) restaurants surround Lucy. (lucytheele- Visitors can also explore Absecon phant.org) Lighthouse, New Jersey’s tallest light- Atlantic City offers more group house. The lighthouse was built in travel options than almost any other re- 1857 and remained active until 1933. sort city on the East Coast. For gam- Climb the 228 steps to the top and visit ing, shopping, dining out and the museum in the keeper’s house. sightseeing, the choices are limitless. One of Southern New Jersey’s (abseconlighthouse.org) For more information, contact the Most Popular Cultural Destinations! Located Less Than An Hour From Atlantic City Aquarium displays Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Cape May! 100 marine species including coral, eels, Authority, 609-449-7151; atlanticci-

Visit the Museum of American Glass LGT Only museum collection devoted exclusively to fish, octopi, sharks and turtles. Make tynj.com. American glass. Special exhibitions and tours. sure to watch the “Dive and Dine” show Enjoy Special Glass Studio Shows where an aquarium diver feeds and ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Watch Artist Demonstrations in the interacts with marine animals in the For a look at other New Jersey Ceramics and Woodcarving Studios Fish of the Mid-Atlantic tank. Guests coastal resorts, log on to http:// Shop Award Winning Museum Stores One-of-a-kind gifts. Free packaging! leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=24616. can ask the diver questions during the Bake Shoppe and Café Scenic Picnic Area show. Groman, a 100-lb. loggerhead April through December Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 10am to 5pm turtle, is a must-see. (acaquarium.com) Obtain New Jersey Another way to see marine wildlife visitor guides We offer Flexible and Affordable and itineraries – is by going on Atlantic City Cruises’ and contact group- Adult and Student Group Packages! friendly suppliers wheatonarts.org dolphin watching cruise. The two- 800.998.4552 | Millville, NJ 08332 directly – at hour ocean cruise is narrated by a ma- leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

34 August 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com ATLANTIC CITY Excitement Is Always In Season! • Sizzling Casino Action • Stylish New Shopping • Exhilarating Nightlife • Free Beaches • Distinctive Dining • Electrifying Entertainment • Rejuvenating Spas • Legendary Boardwalk

For group tours, contact Heather Colache at 609.449.7151 or hcolache @accva.com

STAY CONNECTED