Atlantic City exists in a realm all its own.
It’s well-known—to those with their ears to the ground—without being cliche. It’s got grit and a colorful history filled with seedy but charismatic characters. Yet, it’s also an ideal destination for vacationing families.
If you’re a card shark, a foodie, a daredevil, or someone who wants to work on their tan at the beach, Atlantic City—the largest city along the Jersey shore—could be your ideal getaway spot.
Atlantic City’s versatility is best captured by its two nicknames: Monopoly City and America’s Playground. There’s a perfect blend of adult-only and rated-G fun.
Read on as we discuss what you need to know for your pending trip.
If Possible, Take A Train Into The City
Those traveling to Atlantic City from surrounding areas like New York, Philly, or DC should do what they can to escape the obscene parking prices of America’s Playground.
Given Atlantic City’s close proximity to the Northeast corridor, it won’t be hard to find a train in from the above cities.
For instance, Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station has daily service to the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, which takes only 90 minutes. Buy your ticket ahead of time to fully capitalize on the savings.
Once you arrive at Atlantic City Rail Terminal, a shuttle bus service will take you to the major casinos throughout the city.
Come Equipped With Cash
Those visiting Atlantic City to gamble will run into the cruel reality of ATM transaction fees if they don’t come equipped with cash.
Casinos don’t make it easy to find your banks’ ATMs within their confines. The resulting fees will cut significantly into your gambling funds—some ATMs charge as much as $5-plus per withdrawal.
Bring the precise amount of cash you intend to spend at the casino to avoid getting gouged by ATM fees.
Leave Your Car Keys Behind—Taxis Are Cheap
You don’t have to rent a car when you vacation in Atlantic City. Taxi rides are incredibly affordable here—and cabs are always parked outside the casinos and other popular areas.
Atlantic City caps its taxi rates before you tip, meaning you typically won’t need to pay over $13 (give or take) for a cab ride unless you leave the city limits.
Since five people can fit into one cab, it could feasibly cost $2.60 per person plus the tip to get from one end of the city to the next with a taxi.
Enjoy The Free Beaches
While gambling might be Atlantic City’s main attraction, there’s much more to enjoy. After all, we’re talking about a city with sandy shores hugging the vast Atlantic Ocean.
What’s more? You get to enjoy the beautiful beaches for free, making Atlantic City an outlier from the rest of the Jersey Shore.
If you want to spend a day away from gambling, you can kayak, surf, and fish in the ocean or sunbathe on the beach.
Prime surfing spots include Delaware Avenue Beach, Crystal Beach, and Downtown Beach.
Take Advantage Of The Excellent Seafood
It’s unsurprising to hear that a resort town beside an ocean would have a thriving fishing industry and delectable seafood. Yet, the beaches, casinos, and the boardwalk often overshadow Atlantic City’s many excellent seafood options.
You’ll find tantalizing surf at casino buffets. Plus, Atlantic City is home to yearly seafood festivals—all huge attractions for foodies from all over.
Multiple seafood restaurants throughout the city tailor their menus to the catch of the day, offering customers the freshest possible meal. Salmon dishes are always something special, as are the crab cakes, shrimp, lobster tail, scallops, oysters, and ahi tuna.
Stay Safe And Use The Walkways
In Atlantic City, walkways connect most casinos, which is crucial come nightfall when the streets near the boardwalk become less safe.
This isn’t to say that Atlantic City is some post-apocalyptic landscape after dark. But caution is king, and you’d be wise to practice it.
On the above notes, use the walkways between casinos at night to sidestep thieves and other seedy sorts.
These walkways also cover pedestrians during rain, hail, and other unfavorable weather conditions.
Be Mindful Of The Birds On The Boardwalk
Anybody traveling to Atlantic City must prepare for the seagulls on the boardwalk. These birds with a bad attitude have a nasty disposition and a tendency to steal food from visitors. They’ll poop on your head, too, if given half a chance.
Seagulls are attracted to the abundance of sweet and salty foods eaten on the boardwalk and are a consistent menace to visitors.
In short, keep your head up and remain vigilant of these mischievous gulls, and you’ll be fine.
Seek Out Free Drinks At The Casino
Those visiting Atlantic City with a focus on gambling can enjoy a steady stream of free drinks.
Whether you’ve burrowed into a slot machine or made a new home at a card table, tip the service staff well. They’ll typically repay you with non-stop complimentary drinks. This way, the bulk of your money can be dedicated to gambling instead of getting chewed up at the bar.
Cannabis Is Legal In Atlantic City
Gamblers and beach lovers alike can enjoy a newer aspect of the Atlantic City scene—legal adult-use recreational cannabis.
Atlantic City’s always been a hidden gem—the life of the party under everybody’s nose. Now, with legal cannabis dispensaries throughout the area—like The Healing Side—the good-time vibes have only been amplified in America’s Playground.
You now have the option to spend the entire trip—no matter what you have planned—up in smoke. Or, you can set aside a little green treat for a special occasion. Either way, you can do so legally and without worry (as long as you consume your cannabis responsibly).
Considering the complexities of US and international cannabis laws, you don’t want to travel here with weed in your possession. Fortunately, dispensaries like The Healing Side make it easy to procure and indulge in high-quality strains at reasonable prices while reveling in everything else Atlantic City offers.
Visiting Atlantic City soon? Peruse The Healing Side’s online cannabis selection before your trip.
