ATLANTIC CITY HOLIDAYS

After gambling was legalised in the 1970s, it soon added casinos to the hospitality and tourism draw to become a popular destination for travellers from inside and outside the country. Get a glimpse of how big – quite literally – it has grown by going up Absecon Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey, for a wonderful view out across the city.

The east coast Sin City, it has elegant hotels, extravagant shopping and a beautiful beach to enjoy. Often used as a weekend break for New Yorkers and added onto a trip to the United States for a few days when visiting the country, it is a grand, unique spot to enjoy. Don’t forget to try some saltwater taffy – it is part of the history of Atlantic City and has been a specialty here for more than a century!

Boardwalk Empire

Prohibition is over but it is the iconic boardwalk that keeps Atlantic City in the minds of people across the globe. The hit television series is centred around the city and how it worked in the 20s, and the first thing you should do is hit the boardwalk. So named because of Alexander Boardman who came up with the idea – to cut down on the amount of sand that made its way into hotel lobbies – it is the heart of the city. The place where you can find great shopping, action-packed piers and a plethora of gambling options, it’s no wonder that the original Monopoly was inspired by Atlantic City.

Just off the boardwalk is the historic Steel Pier. Once famed for its ballroom and attracting bands like the Beatles and the Rat Pack, a fire decimated it in the 70s. Now it is an amusement park where The Mix is the main attraction as it sends you out over the Atlantic Ocean. Developers are planning to bring a wax museum, ballroom and a London Eye type wheel to the area in the near future.

Atlantic City casinos

One of, if not the, biggest draw to Atlantic City is the casinos. The place to go for high-stakes poker, there are 12 themed casinos throughout the city that go from the Wild West style to black tie.

Enjoy the outdoors

You don’t have to spend all day inside Atlantic City’s attractions and the wide soft sandy beach is a tempting option in the afternoons. In the summer it is lovely and warm with a nice ocean breeze, the surf is quite enticing too so be sure to give yourself time to enjoy this part of the city.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Get out on the water for some sport and try your hand at parasailing or surfing. Alternatively get out fishing or head out on a dolphin/whale watching tour.

Aside from the beach, there are other outdoor activities to get you active on your trip to Atlantic City. Bike rental is available as you explore, the County Parks at Weymouth and Lake Lenape are beautiful, the Bass River State Forest offers hiking and camping while the Cape May national wildlife refuge is one of the top ten North American hot spots for bird watching.

Also, there are an array of wonderful golf courses and academies to practice your drive, wineries to have a taste of the local tipple, sight-seeing flights and the New Jersey motorsports park all on your doorstep as you enjoy an action packed stay.