One Tank Trip: Atlantic City
Casinos in Atlantic City, N.J. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
The Northeast's favorite playground never sleeps and has something for everyone, day and night. If you've never been to AC, or if you want to discover favorites you never knew existed, it's time to hit the open road and make your way to the Boardwalk.
Getting There
Take the Lincoln Tunnel to Interstate 95 and pick up the Garden State Parkway at Exit 14. Take the Garden State Parkway to the Atlantic City Expressway at exit 38 straight into Atlantic City.
Play All Night
Bally's Atlantic City
1900 Pacific Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 340-2000
www.ballysac.com
Get nice and relaxed at Bally's world-class spa and then make your way through 185,000 square feet of gaming area in two distinctly unique casinos – Bally's and uber-hip wonder child, The Wild Wild West. Six restaurants scattered throughout the casinos will vie for your taste buds, but don't miss out on the award-winning Blue Martini cocktail bar, known for its creative drinks, bottle service and non-stop dancing.
Anthem at the Tropicana Casino and Resort
2801 Pacific Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 576-5206
www.anthemlounge.comIf your grandma had a favorite after-hours club, this wouldn't be it. Die-hard party people start flocking to Anthem after 2 a.m. for the great mix of house, dance and top-40 music, a 360-degree can't-escape-it cylindrical screen and high-energy pulse. Bottle and VIP service are reasonably priced by AC standards and the crowd is gorgeous by any standard.
Play All Day
Atlantic City Surf School & Club
(609) 347-7873
www.acsurfschool.com
You know you've always wanted to learn, and this is your chance. The AC Surf School offers up instruction and coaching for surfers of all levels, from beginners to intermediate and beyond. Ocean safety, wave dynamics and currents are stressed. Stand-up paddle board lessons are also available.
Atlantic City Aquarium
800 N. New Hampshire Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 348-2880
www.acaquarium.com
From rarely seen ocean oddities, to reef predators and moray eels, the AC Aquarium houses a vast and unique array of Mid-Atlantic Ocean sea creatures ranging from massive to pinky-nail size. If you've ever wanted to get up close and personal with a shark, the Tropical Touch Tank is your opportunity. Other special exhibits include the Live Coral Tank and Moon Jellies.
Dining
Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
2300 Fairmount Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 344-2439
www.angelosfairmounttavern.com
Restaurants may come and go, but Angelo's has been pleasing AC patrons since 1935. Located in AC's Ducktown, this old-world gem is a welcoming and warm place to sit and enjoy the Italian family-style meals you loved as a kid, if you were lucky. Don't miss the fried spicy cheese ravioli or the Sicilian pasta.
Knife and Fork Inn
3600 Atlantic Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 344-1133
www.knifeandforkinn.com
With roots in the Roaring Twenties, Knife and Fork Inn features a simple, good menu of steaks, chops and seafood, plus a sophisticated, far-from-the-madding-crowd happy hour nightly. Sit and relax or belly up to the bar, make new friends and enjoy specialty drinks like The Dirty Sue or Peppermint Patty. Legendary desserts include the banana chocolate burrito and melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin cheesecake.
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
