It's hard to believe that a town as synonymous with casino gambling as Atlantic City, N.J., has only had legal gaming for 25 of its 150 years. Built at the turn of the 19th century, the Boardwalk spurred the addition of beachfront hotels, making it a summer destination for East Coast families.
It wasn't until 1978 that Atlantic City welcomed its first casino to the Boardwalk to court more grown-up visitors, not to mention year-round travelers.
Today, you can try your luck at one of a dozen casinos, but your odds of entertainment choices have increased. The town offers live performances, tantalizing dining options and deluxe day spas.
The latest addition to the Boardwalk isn't even a casino. Tropicana just opened the much-anticipated The Quarter (as in Latin). Inspired by the romantic ideal of old Havana, The Quarter is billed as an entertainment complex, with numerous shops, upscale bars and lounges, gourmet eateries and an Imax theater. There's even a spa, bluemercury.
With so much to do, there's no way to lose on a night out in Atlantic City.
CASINO GUIDE
More than a dozen casinos line the Atlantic City Boardwalk and the nearby marina. Each casino provides its patrons with a way to engage the mind (and the pocketbook) and relieve the stress of the day.
Whether you're an experienced player or a novice to even the most basic of games, you're sure to find a way to relax. (Note: Most show acts and schedules were not available at press time. Check with guest services to see what's playing closer to the show dates.)
Atlantic City Hilton
Due to its marina location, the Atlantic City Hilton is a quiet casino, relative to the main Boardwalk's hubbub. Dining: The Oaks for steak; Peregrines' for intimate dining; Empress Garden offers Chinese with an ocean view; Caruso's serves Italian. For casual fare, try Horizons Coffee Shop, Cornucopia Buffet or Empress Breakfast Buffet. Nightlife: Start out with a drink at the Dizzy Dolphin and relax with the sunset view. Then head into the casino for a game of blackjack or try your hand at pai gow poker. Location: Boston and Pacific Avenues; (609) 347-7111; www.hiltonac.com
Bally's Atlantic City
Bally's is central to a climate-controlled pedestrian gateway extending five city blocks through casinos, hotels and shopping. Dining: New York-style Italian at Arturo's; Mr. Ming's for Chinese; The Twenties or Prime Place for steaks. Fifteen casual dining restaurants available, including Animations Coffee Shop, open around the clock. Nightlife: The Mountain Bar at the Wild West Casino features live entertainment nightly. Or work your way through more than 100 martini options (shaken and presented at your table) at the trendy Blue Martini. Live music most nights. Location: Park Place and the Boardwalk; (609) 340-2000; www.ballysac.com
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
The Borgata, the first new casino built in Atlantic City in 13 years, has gotten rave reviews in praise of its glamorous digs. Dining: Executive chef Luke Palladino heads up both Italian eateries on premises, Ombra and Specchio; Suilan by Suzanne Foo serves updated Asian; Old Homestead Steakhouse is an extension of the NYC location. Casual dining is plentiful, from Noodles of the World (aka NOW) to the Borgata Buffet. Nightlife: If you really want to unwind, check out the Toccare Spa and choose from 22 body treatments. Laugh it up at the Borgata Comedy Club; its lineup changes weekly. After 10 p.m., Mixx turns from a trendy fusion restaurant to a bonafide nightclub. Sexy young dancers are strategically placed for your viewing pleasure. Private lounge rooms are available. Location: Borgata at Renaissance Pointe; (609) 317-1000; www.theborgata.com
Caesars Atlantic City
Caesars provides lessons on blackjack, dice and roulette every Wednesday and Thursday, offered at designated table games located on the second-floor casino. Dining: Primavera offers Italian; The Bacchanal for an endless bottle of wine; Nero's Grill for steak; and Temple Bar & Grill for California cuisine. Nightlife: Part of the Caesars gaming floor, the Party Pit features live bands and a DJ. Across the floor is Toga Bar, where you can relax without straying too far from the gaming action. Location: Arkansas Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 348-4411;
www.parkplace.com/caesars/AtlanticCity
Claridge Casino Hotel
The Claridge building has been around since the 1930s, and offers an intimate alternative to the sometimes overwhelming glitz of other Boardwalk casinos. Dining: Luna dishes up contemporary Italian; Garden Cafe serves lunch and dinner 24 hours a day. Nightlife: The "Legends in Concert" series features celebrity impersonator vocalists. Call the box office for performance schedules and tickets. Location: Indiana Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 340-3400
Harrah's Atlantic City Casino Hotel
Borrowing from its marina location, Harrah's Atlantic City carries a nautical theme throughout its 82,000-square-foot casino, lending an almost serene air to the gaming floor. Dining: Florentino's italian and The Steakhouse both recommend reservations for dinner. Bluepoint Raw Bar and Fantasea Reef Buffet offer a great selection of seafood. Nightlife: The Eden Lounge features live music nightly, and performance bartending at the Sapphire Bar. Location: 777 Harrah's Blvd.; (609) 441-5000; www.harrahs.com
Resorts Casino Hotel
Resorts was the first of the Atlantic City casinos, and it still holds its own. Major renovations in 2004 highlight the casino's art deco facade. Dining: Reservations are suggested for an elegant dinner at Capriccio, an award-winning Italian restaurant. Camelot for steaks; Asian Spice for noodles. Beach Ball Deli and Seafood House for seafood in a casual atmosphere. Nightlife: Visit the Boardwalk Lobby box office to see what's playing at The Screening Room or the Superstar Theater. Or let the talent at the Improv Comedy Bar lighten your mood. Location: 1133 Boardwalk; (609) 344-6000; www.resortsac.com
Sands Hotel & Casino
The Sands is smaller than surrounding Boardwalk casinos, but what it lacks in scale, it makes up for in its newly refurbished casino and hotel. Players like the Poker Room for its great customer service. Dining: Brighton Steakhouse offers up (surprise) steak; Medici serves Italian; The Corner for a 24-hour coffee shop menu. Nightlife: Various artists headline at The Copa Room; and, after the show, relax with a drink in the Copa Lounge. Swingers bar books live music nightly. Location: Indiana Avenue and Brighton Park; (609) 441-4000; www.acsands.com
Showboat--The Mardi Gras Hotel
A New Orleans-inspired casino comes replete with "street corner" musicians wandering the casino. Free entertainment! Can't beat that. Dining: Rib & Chop House and Casa di Napoli offer great food in a casual atmosphere, but reservations are recommended. Showboat has recently expanded its French Quarter Buffet, to help you expand your waistline. Nightlife: Stop by the Delta Bar for a late-night snack or nightcap and unwind watching your favorite sporting event. Location: Delaware Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 343-4000; www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/sac
Tropicana Casino and Resort
The Tropicana has built a new Cuban-themed addition called "The Quarter" with dining, entertainment and, of course, shopping choices. Dining: Wellington's Steak & Seafood with an Atlantic view; Il Verdi serves Italian. In The Quarter, check out Cuba Libre for Cuban food and an extensive rum bar, Palm for steak, Red Square for an endless array of chilled vodkas, and Brulee dishes dessert only. Nightlife: Top of the Trop for live music nightly and a great view. If you thought gambling was a risk, try karaoke at Planet Rose. Or check out Ri'Ra to see the literally reassembled Irish pub, complete with clog dancing. Location: Brighton Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 340-4000; www.tropicana.biz
Trump Marina Hotel & Casino
Formerly the Trump Castle, this casino tends to attract the younger crowd. Trump Marina joins the Borgata and Harrah's as one of A.C.'s bayside casinos. Dining: Harbor View for upscale seafood; Imperial Court for Chinese classics. Nightlife: The Wave Nightclub offers live music, dancing and a killer view of the marina. Location: Huron Avenue and Brigantine Boulevard; (609) 441-2000; www.trumpmarina.com
Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino
Compared with Trump's two other Atlantic City properties, the Trump Plaza extends a simple elegance to its visitors. Dining: Max's for steak and seafood; Roberto's dishes up Italian with a view of the Atlantic; New Yorker offers 24-hour dining. Nightlife: Evo has an extensive wine list, or take a quick break in The Boardwalker Bar just off the casino floor. Location: Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 441-6000; www.trumpplaza.com
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
Lavish, outrageous, gaudy and loud. The Taj has a lot of everything; more than 4,400 slot machines, nearly 250 gaming tables and fans from all over the globe. Dining: Scheherazade has an international menu and overlooks an operational baccarat table; Marc Anthony's for Italian; Dynasty offers Chinese and a sushi bar. Nightlife: Headline entertainment in Xanadu Showroom; check with the box office for tickets and schedule. The Casbah Club is billed as a hot and hip nightclub, and employs a cadre of dancers, featured nightly. Location: Virginia Avenue and the Boardwalk; (609) 449-1000; www.trumptaj.com
DINING GUIDE
Atlantic City has restaurants that make it worth your while to leave the blackjack table, no matter how hot your streak. Many of them are family-owned, some going on their third generation in the kitchen.
Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
This home-style Italian restaurant in the Ducktown area of Atlantic City is worth the trip away from the casinos. Cooking since 1935, the Mancuso family has developed a following for their house specialty of lobster- and cheese-stuffed ravioli served with a lobster tail. Or try their "always available" combination seafood platter of flounder, shrimp, scallops and broiled clams. Location: 2300 Fairmount Ave.; (609) 344-2439; www.angelosfairmounttavern.com $$
Atlantic City Bar & Grill
A favorite with the locals, this place offers an extensive menu of pub fare at excellent prices, making it a must-see experience for visitors, whether for a meal or just a stop at the bar. What to order? Great ribs, twin 8-ounce lobster tails or the homemade pasta. Location: 1219 Pacific Ave.; (609) 348-8080; www.acbarandgrill.com $$
Dock's Oyster House
Allergic to shellfish? This is not the place for you. Dock's has been offering up seafood (and a pretty mean steak, too) since 1897. Try one of the time-tested selections from the original menu: the 16-ounce broiled lobster tail or fried oysters. If you're feeling adventurous, belly up to the raw bar for an impressive selection of oysters. Think of it as American sushi. Dock's is centrally located and within walking distance from the Boardwalk and the convention center. Location: 2405 Atlantic Ave.; (609) 345-0092; www.docksoysterhouse.com $$$
Knife and Fork Inn
Bouillabaise. Hard to spell, hard to say, harder, yet, to make. But Knife and Fork Inn succeeds at putting together this dreamy seafood stew. Open for business in one incarnation or another since 1912, the restaurant has settled on a classic, simple menu: a rich Lobster Newburg, panned baby flounder and prime rib of pork, to name a few. Don't skip dessert; any meal here is an incomplete experience without a slice of the restaurant's legendary creamy lemon pie. Location: 29 S. Albany Ave.; (609) 344-1133; www.knifeandforkinn.com $$$
Lefty's 1200 Club
In an inconspicuous location, Lefty's is a favorite with locals and travelers in the know. The Italian restaurant occupies a historic 19th-century fruit market, making for a lovely, spacious dining venue with high ceilings and large windows. This hot spot offers elegant, grown-up Italian fare. Check out the live music at the 1200 Club after-hours. Reservations recommended. Location: 1200 Atlantic Ave.; (609) 348-5677 $$
Mama Motts
Hankering for a bit of Little Italy just off the Boardwalk? At Mama Motts, you could easily make a meal ordering solely from the menu of hot and cold antipasti. From the comforting (to the soul, not so much to the belt) baked ziti, to the more adventurous zuppa di pesce, this menu won't disappoint. It's a bargain, to boot. Location: 151 S. New York Ave.; (609) 345-8218; www.mamamotts.com $$
Mexico
Who knew you could travel to Atlantic City, and wind up in Mexico? This restaurant offers a tasty alternative to the domination of the city's Italian and seafood restaurants. The "come to life" (vuelve ala vida) appetizer, essentially a seafood ceviche, garners consistently great reviews. You'll find solidly good Mexican food at great prices. Location: 3810 Ventnor Ave.; (609) 344-0366 $
Tony's Baltimore Grill
Famous for its pizza (some say it's the best in town) and its old-fashioned Italian atmosphere. Prices are reasonable, and Tony's is as perfect for a late-night snack as it is for lunch. Lots of local flavor. Soups, salads, pasta and seafood are on the menu, as well as a full bar. Location: 2800 Atlantic Ave.; (609) 345-5766 $
White House Sub Shop
Subs, hoagies, heroes, grinders or just plain sandwiches. No matter what you call 'em, you'll have to agree that no one does it better--or stuffed with more stuff--than White House. An Atlantic City institution. Location: 2301 Arctic Ave.; (609) 345-1564 $
NIGHTLIFE
Not everyone finds spending an evening in the casinos relaxing. From live jazz clubs to local watering holes, Atlantic City has more beyond the Boardwalk. Shake off the wear and tear of your day at one of these nightspots.
Bubba Mac Shack
Enjoy blues, jazz and gospel music nightly, each style with its own stage. Located in nearby Somers Point, Bubba Mac enjoys a solid reputation for dinner and some of the area's best live entertainment. Cajun-inspired menu. Location: 520 Bay Ave., Somers Point, N.J.; (609) 926-7575; www.bubbamac.com
Chelsea Pub
Chealsea Pub is a local hangout, equally popular with casino employees and the city's visitors. It's long on neighborhood flavor, short on tourist trappings, so don't mess it up. Serving 24 hours, including the grill. Location: 8 S. Morris Ave.; (609) 345-4916
Club Tru
Things don't really get jumping here until after midnight. The club offers three levels of dance floors. If you think you'll have trouble staying up much past midnight, saunter over to Club Tru's Red Bull Bar to replenish the energy you left on the show floor. Location: 9 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.; (609) 344-2222; www.clubtru.com
Croctails
In the mood for a garage band or a genuine local band? Croctails is a neighborhood bar, slightly off the beaten path (not too far from the Taj) that caters to the home music crowd. A laid-back place to grab a beer and escape from the hustle and bustle of tourists and conventioneers. Location: 20 S. Virginia Ave.; (609) 348-3360
Deja Vu
Pumping out house music and hip-hop until 8 a.m., Deja Vu is definitely the place for a late night out. VIP lounges are available at this nightclub for your group, small or large. Dress code, and two forms of ID required for entry. Location: 245 S. New York Ave.; (609) 348-4313; www.dejavunightclub.com
The Irish Pub
Serving an array of Irish beers, and a full menu at truly affordable prices just off the Boardwalk, this Irish pub shouldn't be missed. Have a seat at the bar for a real Irish pub experience. Location: 164 St. James Place; (609) 344-9063; www.theirishpub.com
Key
$ = Inexpensive (entrees $10 or less)
$$ = Moderate ($10-$20)
$$$ = Expensive ($20 or more)
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