Looking for a destination that’s accessible, lively, and thoroughly unique? Then Atlantic City could be just the place you’ve been searching for. This popular East Coast city welcomes more than 25 million visitors each year, who are drawn to the city’s famous boardwalk, casinos, and delicious eateries.
Atlantic City is designed for visitors to have a good time. Yet, with that said, it’s best for travelers to know a thing or two before setting off on their journey. We’ve put together some helpful tips that’ll ensure you can get the most from your trip to this East Coast gem of a city.
How to Get There
Atlantic City does have its own international airport, but it can be tricky to find affordable flights that land there. As such, most people who travel to Atlantic City do so via train. You can easily reach the city from Philadelphia and New York by train; the journey from Philadelphia takes around 1.5 hours, while the train from Manhattan takes around 3.5 hours, including a change.
It’s generally not advisable to drive right into the center of Atlantic City since parking can be difficult to find and expensive. If traveling by car, look at leaving your car in secure parking just outside of the center and then make the rest of the journey via public transportation.
It’s Best to Visit in the Summer
Atlantic City is a truly east coast city and has the temperatures to match. Visiting during the winter months is technically possible — the city’s tourism industry doesn’t shut down — but is not recommended unless you’re looking for a truly leftfield experience.
The best times to visit are between May – September, though be mindful that the climate can be pretty hot and humid during the height of summer.
The one upside of visiting during the winter months is that you can score some exceptional deals. If you’re looking to save some dollars and can stomach the sub-zero temperatures, then go for it!
Experiencing the World-Class Casinos
The city is well-known for being the ‘Vegas of the East,’ and you’ll quickly discover why once you touch down. Atlantic City may only have nine casinos, but all of them are world-class, and anyone who is at all interested in those kinds of games should swing by for the experience. Visitors from the United Kingdom or elsewhere in Europe should note that some of the games are slightly different from what they’ll play back home. The roulette on offer, for example, is the American version, not the European version. Playing at a site that has both versions before traveling can ensure that visitors are ready for action when they visit the Borgata, Golden Nugget, or Tropicana, which are the three best casinos in the city. After finishing playing, visitors can explore other parts of the casino resorts, which typically include high-end retail stores and restaurants.
Bring Your Appetite
And talking of restaurants: travelers are well-advised to bring their appetite with them on a trip to Atlantic City, which has a long history of serving up delicious seafood dishes. There are a bunch of excellent restaurants dotted around the city, and since the quality of food is generally pretty high, you usually can’t go wrong. But if you have any doubts, point your phone in the direction of the White House, Pho Sydney, Carluccio’s, or Angelo’s, which are four of the best restaurants not only in Atlantic City, but on the East Coast.
See a Show
Finally, make sure to see a show when you’re in town. Atlantic City can’t quite compete with Las Vegas for top-end shows, but there are still some amazing performances in town, especially for people who like magic shows. The talk of the town at the minute is The Hook, which has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Book your tickets to this outrageously entertaining show, and you’ll have a memorable trip to Atlantic City.