Atlantic City info
 

We are off to Atlantic City this weekend for a week stay there and I have read some very disturbing reports about how horrible it is. We are staying on S North Carolina Ave. We are interested in gambling - slots and tables - where are the best places for reuturns and some of the less pricey tables - do they change the minimum according to how busy it is like they do in Las Vegas?

Some people say it is not safe and not to go there - any hints from anyone on this site who seem to think it is an okay place to be.
What is the boardwalk like and any suggestions of where to eat?
Does anyone know what kinds of things there are to do besides gambling?

We will have a car and have never been to Jersey. Later in the week we will go to Phili and have no desire to go to New York - have been there often. Are there other places to go in Jersey - we like water seafood scenery and historic places too

MOst of all I am hoping to hear that this was not a big mistake - I mean this is not the trip of a lifetime but I would like to know that I will be safe - we are street savvy since we live in Chicago - but some of the reports are frightening. Any insights appreciated!
bh

If you're coming from Chicago, you're not going to have any problem in Atlantic City. Anyone who tells you otherwise is ignorant.

Don't know about the gaming. There does tend to be more distance between the casinos than you'd see on the Strip. You can walk up and down the boardwalk between most of the venues, with the main exception of the Borgata, and one or two others.

The Atlantic City police and social-services folks did just have their annual roundup of vagrants who were living under the boardwalk--found about 40 of them--and relocated them, or put them in hospitals, if needed.

For other things to do, I'd look downbeach. NJ's got some nice beach towns to the south, all the way down to Cape May.

I think you'll enjoy your week--there's a lot of options in the area.

I've been there. You'll be fine. Just don't wander too far from the touristy/ boardwalk area (which you won't, because there is nothing interesting to walk towards).

There is a really big ocean for swimming in, and a pleasant-enough beach right out front.

You might enjoy Ocean City, just a little bit south. Quintessential boardwalk experience. Several nice seafood restaurants -- we like Periwinkles. (Note OC is a dry town, but most places will let you byob. )

Cape May has the really good resturants, but it is probably out of your way if you are heading for Philly.

There are some interesting national historical sites relating to the Revolution (eg washington's crossing), but I'd need a map to see if any are convenient for you.

Eat at Opa on the boardwalk, or try a restaurant at the Tropicana (the new hot spot now that it's renovated). Borgata is still good, too (drive there). There is a big strip with outlet shops, and the new pier mall should be opening any week now. Fear not!

As far as other towns, sounds like you're staying in the shore area & then heading to Philly. So, Cape May is nice. Not that far.

That's so Funny. I was going to suggest Opa as well. When my girlfriends and I go down from Philly we eat there or at the Trop. Carmines is a good family style rest.
Some of the hotels have beach bars which are nice.
Go to the Borgata at least once. There is more to do than gambling.

Hi, bcirish.

At this point you've already been so can you tell us how it was?
I'll answer a few questions from your post anyway. Atlantic City isn't that bad. I would suggest staying at a casino, though, instead staying at a non-casino hotel. A lot of the areas behind the casinos (but not at the casinos) can be very shady.
The minimums do change with the amount of action and the time of day. It isn't unusual for some games (like Pai-Gow Poker) to not have any tables open until noon, depending upon the casino.

There are a lot of dining, drinking, shopping and entertainment possibilities in AC. There are multiple comedy clubs, some family activities (like Madame Tussaud's), headliners, lounges with bands playing in the evenings ...

I'm really curious to hear about your trip.

Take Care,
Mark