Atlantic City, a vacation you can bet on
Seaside resort offers much to entertain visitors
While driving into Atlantic City from the Capital Region, some run-down buildings and neighborhoods peppered with the occasional interesting restaurant or art mural flew by the window. First impressions of the city were not what was expected, to be honest. But once inside the hotel with its views of the ocean, countless activities, beautiful pools and direct access to a boardwalk with shops, fair foods, rides, live music and the beach, it began to feel more like a vacation.
Hotel: Ocean Casino Resort500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; theoceanac.com
There are so many resorts in Atlantic City that it’s a little difficult to know which one to choose. While researching the options, Ocean Casino Resort really stood out. Not only are its prices very affordable, but there are nearly 1,400 rooms, many with beautiful views of the ocean. There’s a spa to relax in, plus plenty of restaurants, bars, a casino, fire pits and so much more.
Activities:
The pools at the Ocean Casino Resort were definitely one of the highlights of the trip. While beach views and direct access to the shore are convenient, having a clean, spacious, indoor-outdoor pool to soak in the sun without being covered in sand is a huge plus. Enjoy Eclipse, the indoor-outdoor pool, or rent a cabana for the day. There’s even a boardwalk pool and bar available to guests in addition to HQ2, the beach nightclub featuring DJS, performers and celebrities.
There’s also an incredible Topgolf Swing Suite where you can play virtual golf in private bays while indulging in food and drinks. With plenty of huge screens available in the suite, visitors also can play
other games like baseball, hockey, football and zombie dodgeball.
While staying at Ocean Casino Resort, be sure to indulge in what Spas of America calls the numberone spa in New Jersey, Exhale Spa. It offers some wonderful treatments to soothe your sore muscles, but one of the best parts is the bathhouse. Following a relaxing treatment, it feels amazing to sink into the hot, bubbly water.
Make sure to check out the casino. Even if you’re not a gambler, get a players card to check out the various slot machines and games. You can just start with $20 on the card, and parking validation is usually available to cardholders. The penny slots are fun — or you can learn to play the table.
A trip to Atlantic City wouldn’t be complete without exploring the boardwalk, which is lined with a wide variety of shops to grab souvenirs or food, like a soft, salty hot pretzel, ice cream, or fried dough. There are also plenty of games offering prizes, rides to go on and beautiful views of the beach. Grab some taffy or fudge from James Candy Company or Fralinger’s. You can mix and match to create your own box or buy one of the premade boxes.
Dining:
Zhen Bang Noodle & Sushi offers Japanese,
Vietnamese and Chinese casual eats with standard options like lo mein and dumplings or indulgences like lobster or Dungeness crab made a few different ways. The crab was delicious, but it was difficult to unleash all of the meat in the hard shell; I’d recommend the lobster to future diners.
If you’re a meat lover, you have to check out American Cut for some truly delicious dishes. Their double-smoked bacon on a bed of white bean puree with honey and herb oil was deliciously crispy, and the rack of lamb was perfectly cooked. For sides, I’d recommend the cooked spinach with fontina and smoked salt for a delicious, creamy pairing.
If you’re a sharer, you’ll enjoy Amada. Chef Garces serves up Spanish tapas, and you’re encouraged to share and try different things. The lamb meatballs with sherry and foie gras cream were tender and tasty — although the real star was the lobster paella. This dish was absolutely loaded with seafood on a bed of squid ink risotto mixed with mini squid.
Nearby:
Lucy the Elephant9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate, N.J.; lucytheelephant.org
Consider heading to Lucy the Elephant to check out America’s Oldest Roadside Attraction: a six-story elephant that you can explore from within. For a time, one
could even stay inside Lucy through a partnership with Airbnb — but for now, settle for a tour and learn about the history of this highly unique landmark.
The Wildwoods Sign and Boardwalk4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, N.J.
About 50 minutes south of Atlantic City is Wildwood, which offers a
boardwalk of its own: 38 blocks of shops, amusement parks, water parks, games and food. Rent a bike if you want to see it all, or start at the Wildwoods Sign and walk at least until you see Douglass Fudge.