If You've Been to Vegas, How does Atlantic City compare?
 

If you have been to Vegas and Reno, how does Atlantic city compare? Is it worth the long bus ride from NYC?

I was disappointed but it's been several years - maybe they've built a lot of new places or redone a lot since then. To me it seemed like a very old Vegas, but maybe someone with more current info could help you more.

The "long" bus ride???? Compared to a "short" flight to Vegas?

If you need a gambling fix, it will do, but it just isn't the same as Vegas.

On a scale of 1 to 10 if Las Vegas is a 9, Atlantic City is a .25

Amen, Patrick. I was in AC this summer for a show and the only thing I can reccomend it for is gamblimg. Las Vegas wins hands down.

While there is no comparison, Tropicana and Borgata have done a lot to improve this. I was really impressed with the improvements at Trop , adding restaurants, clubs and some shopping. Caesars and Taj still seem to be behind the times. The bus ride should only be about 2 hours right? I'd say worth the bus trip but don't expect Vegas.

Leave NYC for a day in Atlantic City?

You'd be sorely disappointed.

If I lived in NYC, I'd maybe go down there on a Saturday night if a good concert was playing. If I was visiting NYC, there is NO WAY I would bother. A/C is a total hole, with the exception of Borgata and Tropicana.

It doesn't. We make a trip there every once in a while when we are on business in Philly. But it is purely to gamble, w/no frills.

Thirty years ago Atlantic City was a tired, depressing beach town that was way past its glory and with no reason for anyone to want to go to it. Now its a tired, depressing beach town way past its glory and no reason for anyone to want to go to it, except to lose money through gambling it away.

Ditto. The only similarities with Vegas are the insides of the casinos. The city itself is run down and a little grim.

Consider going to Foxwoods or Mohican Sun -- they are just single casinos too, but at least they are in lovely wooded parts of Connecticut.

There is no comparison between Las Vegas & A.C.

However, they both have Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods beat by about a mile.

Hello, ilovetotravel29!

It sounds like you are in NYC for a spell, and are wondering if it's worth your time to take a day tour down to Atlantic City.

My suggestion would be: Yes! You should really plan the trip though for a nice clear day, when you'd be comfortable doing some walking.

The casino area of Atlantic City is mostly (with a few exceptions) along the ocean. There is a boardwalk running the length of the casino area, and at the northern end, near Showboat Casino, is an art gallery and a history museum. Admission is free, both gallery and museum consist of about 3 or 4 display rooms, and there are clean restrooms and sitting benches. The gallery and the museum are open from about 10am to about 4pm.

Apart from visiting the art gallery and the history museum, there is the boardwalk. On a cool autumn day, walking the length along the oceanfront can be bracing! To say nothing of good excercise.

The three casinos that are NOT near the boardwalk are the Borgata, Trump Marina, and Harrahs.

All casinos have a 24-hour coffee shop as well as a buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner.

The drive from NYC down to Atlantic City is about 2 1/2 hours each way. Most tour buses have toilets on board in the back.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself and have a nice time.

If you like shopping & going to restaurants, AC is really adding lots of those attractions. An outlet mall, plus new upscale shopping at Trop & the Pier @ Caesars. Lots of restaurants @ Trop & Borgata.

House of Blues brings in top entertainment. Plus, there are shows at every casino & the boardwalk hall.

Even if you just want to gamble casually, you'll have no problem filling up your time there. I could easily spend 2 or 3 days & find plenty to do. No it's NOT Vegas, but it's a unique destination on the shore. If you like to see new places, give it a try.

Vegas is fantastic and we love that best. But with living on the East Coast, Atlantic City is a 3-1/2 drive for us and we do that frequently.

We love the Trop and their new Havana Quarter which features three floors of shopping, dining, IMAX theater and spa services in a state-of-the-art complex. The shopping area is gorgeous with upscale shops and the restaurants are wonderful. They include Red Square (same as in Vegas), Carmines, Cuba Libre to name a few.

Also the Borgata is a class act (off the boardwalk).

Across from Caesars in the new Pier at Caesars shopping complex. In addition to the world-class shopping and dining, the project features a three-level, glass-enclosed multimedia presentation of water, fire, light and sound. There are some fantastic restaurants there in addition to upscale shops.

Lois

Obligatory Simpson's quote:

"Oh, what happened? I gave you a glittering Vegas, and you turned it into a skanky Atlantic City."

-Homer Simpson

Homer Simpson may be right that parts of AC are skanky, but at least if you don't like it, you are within range of NY, Philly, the shore, and countless other great places. If you're in Vegas, you're basically stuck with Vegas. So there. :S-

I've done the long bus ride and it is not even worth comparing with Vegas. The ride is very scenic if you like heavy industrial wastelands and depressed neighborhoods along the way.

Um, there's more to the Vegas area than Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyou, Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and 2 1/2 hours to Zion National Park to name a few. ;-)