Where to stay, play and “partay” in Atlantic City

Highrollers' heaven: Play all day on the beach, then play to win at Trump Plaza Casino & Hotel.

By Vince Font

There are few cities in the United States that can lay claim to all of the things that Atlantic City can. Vegas is a killer gambling town, but there’s no beach. You can take gorgeous summer vacations in southern California, but good luck finding any casinos. And the nightlife up in San Francisco may be top notch, but I dare you to dip your foot into the bay oneven the hottest day of the year. For all intents and purposes, A.C. is one of the best summer vacation spots in the country — and it’s not just great prices on Atlantic City hotels that keep people coming back in droves.

The beach and boardwalk
Undoubtedly the most famous Atlantic City landmark, the boardwalk is the epicenter around which everything cool, awesome and any other colorful adjective you can think of to describe A.C. has sprung up. You could spend an entire day and evening wandering around here, getting wet from head to toe trying your hand at everything from boogie boarding to kayaking, or visiting the abundance of beach bars that line the oceanfront. You can even ride the rocket at the Steel Pier amusement park. Just don’t forget the sunscreen or you’ll be fully baked before you can hit the nightlife.

Nightlife
It doesn’t matter what you’re into, you’re going to find it in Atlantic City. From uber chic dance clubs to mellow, laid back lounges and bars, you never have to settle for an environment you’re not into just to get a drink. And if you’re a music or theater lover, you’re really in for it. Atlantic City is known for hosting some of the world’s biggest entertainment luminaries, and there are more Broadway-caliber shows playing here than you can shake a stick at. Not that you’d want to, but still.

Dining
You’d better come with an empty stomach. It also helps to have a somewhat adventurous dining spirit, although that’s not an absolute necessity. But with chefs like Wolfgang Puck, George Perrier and Bobby Flay demonstrating their culinary skills in A.C., you’d rank high on the fool meter if you opted instead to hit the local Burger King.

Atlantic City Hotels…
Next to the boardwalk itself, the Atlantic City hotel skyline is one of the most recognized — and inviting, might I add — man-made landmarks that practically screams summer vacation comfort and relaxation. And that’s without even taking a look inside. You’ve got the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Caesar’s  Casino and Hotel, the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel, and the Tropicana Casino and Resort Atlantic City just to name a few. This is where you’ll find the most comfortable beds and coolest casinos in town, both within walking distance of one another for you die hard gamblers that like to keep the slots moving ‘til the early morning light.

Related resources

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Vince Font is a travel writer with a deep love of weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations — as long as staying in a luxury hotel is part of the deal.

Tagged: Hotels