“Atlantic City is like Cher: We reinvent ourselves every five to 10 years.”
Heather Colache, director of tourism for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority, is no stranger to the rhythm of change in that New Jersey beachfront destination. She’s spent most of her life there and works to help educate visitors on the city’s past, present and future. And she enjoys the fact that her hometown has so many facets.
Atlantic City enjoys a long history as the primary playground on the Jersey Shore, attracting visitors from New York, Philadelphia and other areas around the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. To keep them coming back, the city is constantly coming up with new ways to entertain people.
In a destination that evolves as rapidly as Atlantic City, there’s always something new to do. Here are 10 ways to play in Atlantic City on your group’s next trip.
1. Roam the Boardwalk
Since 1870, the beachfront boardwalk has been an icon of Atlantic City. Built in sections throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it now stretches more than five miles along the coast and remains one of the most important visitor attractions in town.
Many of the city’s hotel properties line the boardwalk, which means visitors can stroll from one property to another at their leisure. Along the way, they’ll find an array of restaurants, souvenir shops, arcades and other diversions.
The city employs a crew of year-round ambassadors to help people find their way around the boardwalk. For a memorable experience, take a ride in one of the rolling chairs that run along the coast, giving you a pleasant ride and an introduction to area history.
2. Press Your Luck
Modern Atlantic City is a world-renowned gaming destination with more casinos than any other city in the Mid-Atlantic. There are 11 casino hotels in town — eight situated along the boardwalk and three near the marina on the other side of the island — and each brings its own flavor to the gaming experience.
All Atlantic City casinos offer a full menu of gaming, including table games, video poker and thousands of slot machines. Many have casino credit and other promotional offers for groups (with meal credits and other amenities), so it’s worth getting in touch with the property you plan to stay at ahead of time in order to make the most of its group travel reward program.
