Advice wanted on holiday to Atlantic City please

dealer wins

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Oct 25, 2006
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London the sh$thole
I would be grateful for any info.

Me and the missus normally go to Vegas every year but fancy a change and are looking at at Atlantic City.

We fancy a long weekend in New York following by 5 nights in Atlantic City.

Firstly is AC remotely like Vegas, ie reasonable table limits ($10 BJ $5 craps), buffets, shows etc. and where would you recommend we stay (again reasonable budget $120 or so a night)

And we are looking at going late Sept or early October, is this a good off-peak time that is not freezing cold?

And lastly is there a train to get from New York to AC, or do we need an internal flight.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.
 
I would be grateful for any info.

Me and the missus normally go to Vegas every year but fancy a change and are looking at at Atlantic City.

We fancy a long weekend in New York following by 5 nights in Atlantic City.

Firstly is AC remotely like Vegas, ie reasonable table limits ($10 BJ $5 craps), buffets, shows etc. and where would you recommend we stay (again reasonable budget $120 or so a night)

And we are looking at going late Sept or early October, is this a good off-peak time that is not freezing cold?

And lastly is there a train to get from New York to AC, or do we need an internal flight.

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

I hardly ever stay overnight when in AC, so I'm no help there...

But for gaming, you're looking at $10 minimum Craps & BJ at most all casinos. I don't think I've seen a $5 craps table except in Vegas. The weather should be great for the time period you're looking at.

It's probably much cheaper (and maybe faster) by train. I'm not sure if there's a direct line from NYC to AC, but I know for a fact you can ride into Philly and get a direct line from there. If I remember right, it's < $15 round trip for the train from Philly to AC and they run every couple of hours.
 
I go often and prefer the Tropicana. Sept is beautiful and October is getting a little risky. Ill give you everything I know:

1. No, not like Vegas in the very least, but trying lol

2. Stay at the South End of the Boardwalk, it's safer

3. If you dont have a card for any of the casinos, $120 is going to be very tough in September. It's about $250 a night w/o a card in any casino, sometimes $170-$180 in October. The Trop is having owner issues, you may get a deal there, they have over 2000 rooms

4. Do not eat at any Trump restaurant, food is very mediocre

5. Good Buffet: Harrahs Marina

6. Great Restaurants : the Trop

7. Best shows in town: The Borgata and Ceasers

6. Love Blues? Go to Showboat

7. Like Don Rickles or Motown? Trop

8. Like 80's Rock Bands? The Hilton

The South end is called "down beach" It goes in this order from South to North: Hilton, Trop, Caesers, Balleys, Trump.....etc etc.....dont go farther than that....too many druggies and prostitutes.

9. Dont go off the boardwalk

10. You can catch the train

5 nights is a long time to be in AC in October unless you plan to do alot of gambling. Me, I could live there because Ive been going for 45 years and know it like the back of my hand.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me, I havnt been in here alot latley

Oh...If you want a real treat and have alot of money to spend on dinner The Knife and Fork in Atlantic City has been there for over 100 years, they just did a remodel and it's a 4 star restaurant. You cant miss it. Its that Brown and White Single standing place right at the fork of Atlantic and Pacific and Black Horse Pike

If you love seafood....go to Crab Trap in Somers Point...Its a 20 minute coastal drive but very worth it. They all have Concierge and can help you.

The Trop has : Cuba Libre, Carmines, Red Square, the Palm, PF Changs, Hooters, and 15 other restaurants in it.

The Hilton has a wonderful Italian place called Caruso's (about $150 a couple for dinner)
 
If you ever played at MGM and have a card, you can use your comp dollars from there to stay at The Borgata to save a few dollars and vice versa. It is a beautiful casino. The elevators to the rooms go right to the lobby of the casino floor (lobby has a nice sitting area and tables for just lounging before hitting the casino floor).

My husband and I usually take the trolley ($1.00 a trip) if we want to go to numerous casinos and the car if we want to go to maybe 1 or 2 for the weekend.

And
said it the best on the rest.....
 
I agree with Babs that 5 nights in AC is an awful long time unless you're a gambling addict. There's nothing much else to do.. and like she said... you don't want to venture off the boardwalk on foot.
 
hahahaha Gary, your funny:lolup:


The knife and fork doesnt look posh, but believe me, its very old and they wanted to keep the outside the same. Its pretty expensive (well for US standards, euros seem to think everything is cheap here lol) I mean, inexpensive because of the exchange
 
Thanks very much for all your replies, maybe we will spend a bit longer in NY and a bit less in AC!!!

Coming from a dodgy area in London I am quite used to shady characters everywhere so AC should be a home from home really LOL

Keep the tips coming if you have any more please.

Thanks!!!
 
I don't know when your trip is but here is my 2 cents.
I, like Babs have been going to A/C for a long time. I guess since 1979. My favorites are Ballys and Hilton. Ballys is very centrally located on the Boardwalk. The Hilton has a simple layout and you won't get lost in there. It used to be The Golden Nugget. The have one of the nicest restaurants there called Peregrines. It's exspensive but worth it.
I think A/C has cleaned up the Boardwalk alot since I first started going there. I'm sure you would agree Babs. I would say you could venture off the Boardwalk a block or two.
You should stay somewhere between Ballys and the Hilton.
Trumps food is mediocre!
Virginia City Buffet at Ballys is good.
Harrahs seafood buffet is great. Sometimes crowded.
Don't know if you smoke but they have cut back alot on where you can light up in the casinos. You can't smoke anywhere else.
Even if you don't have a players card where you want to stay, you can sign up online for most casinos. Then when you call for a room you should get some kind of discount. Just ask.
Be sure to use the spa wherever you stay. We went to Ballys for so long and only started using the spa a few years ago. They have a great one!
If you visit the Hilton be sure to check out the view of the ocean when you go up to the restaurants on the second floor. They have great floor to ceiling windows.
That's all I can think of right now. Enjoy!:)
 
Thanks very much for all your replies, maybe we will spend a bit longer in NY and a bit less in AC!!!

Coming from a dodgy area in London I am quite used to shady characters everywhere so AC should be a home from home really LOL

Keep the tips coming if you have any more please.

Thanks!!!

As you know dealer, glasgow has been ranked 41st best city in the world. Casinos galore & we love to meet the english
 
Hey Balley

I loved it when it was the golden nugget! Have you tried Carusos yet? It use to be Stefanos when it was the nugget. Great Italian. Im glad Im not the only one who thinks Trump hotels have 'mediocre' food. He should be ashamed of himself lol

Rich wanted to get beer from a store because he was tired of paying $5 for one beer. THere is a liquor store one block away from the Trop ($5 for a six pack) and we passed atleast 3 dealers/ a hooker on crack (saw her pipe) and a pimp (just in that one block)

I know what your saying dealer.....but even though your use to shady places and might feel at home (lol, btw)....it's still an area you dont know. I dont go out on the streets after dark. They are trying to clean it up a bit but it's kind of sad really. There are huge huge houses for the wealthy and broke down row homes for the poor not even 6 blocks away. Its Rich and Poor in the heart of Atlantic City. Trust me, I wasnt an angel in the past and some of the people look eerie to me!

You will have a nice time though...Make sure you drive to the Marina and see the Borgata, Harrahs and Trump Marina. Beautiful yachts there as well.



Ill tell ya what: If you let me know a week in advance, Ill make a trip overnigt at the Trop and show you around. You can have your own tour guide (free of charge lol) for the day! Seriously, I would love to meet you. I just love the Brits and Europeans
 
Babs, as I may have said already my ex is a bad alcoholic so I know exactly where to buy beer and liquor!
7-11's don't sell beer in NJ! There is a liquor store that sells it right next door.
You can also buy a 6 pack at the bars and nightclubs. I have walked the Boardwalk many times from Ballys to Hilton and have seen my share of the criminal element. I think as long as you seem to look like you know what you're doing they will leave you alone. I mean don't look like your scared.

I've never tried Carusos.
I love Pickles jewish deli at ballys!
The Sunday Brunch at Ballys is awesome! About $30 or comped of course is a great bargain for the white glove service and food you get.

I kind of miss The Sands...
Do you remember Trump Worlds Fair Casino? It used to be The Playboy. They had the worst customer service there. Also as you descended down the escalator you were forced to look at a huge portrait of "The Donald"!

There is a little pub in between Ballys and Showboat called the Irish Pub I think. It has VERY cheap rooms for rent and good but cheap bar food.

I find the Borgata very pretentious. I would much rather be down and dirty with my fellow gamblers than worry about what I'm wearing!

That's what I've always loved about A/C...you could be sitting next to anyone of any race any age. Rich poor or somewhere in between and you are all gamblers laughing and having a great time. You don't think about what differences you have. You just want to play and have fun and watch each others bonus rounds and cheer each other on!
 
Ive been to the Irish Pub, great food! Do you remember the Atlantis? It was also playboy/trump lol. So many changes. I won there often. You and I need to take a trip to Atlantic City. I agree about the mixture as well. I always tell Rich not to look too scared. (he's a born suburban boy lol). Im comfortable anywhere I go, I had the best and worst of both worlds.

Gosh, I remember when the Trop had a ferris wheel in it and Frank Sinatra had his own suite at Resorts. I think that's why I love it down there, it may still be a little gritty, but it's MY gritty. We grew up like that dirty dancing movie.....My mom took us kids every summer and dad came down on the weekends to Wildwood. We eventually moved up after a few years to that huge house in Margate (it use to be pink/white with 2 lions in front) You know that house? That was my Aunt and Uncle's house. It has an elevator in it! They sold it 10 years ago and moved to Florida. They bought it for $56K and sold it for over a million dollars. Beach block too. Before casinos even existed.

We would have a good time. You must know of Maynards in Margates then LMAO....what a great dive! We gotta PM each other and make a trip one day. I have free rooms at the Trop and Im sure you have free rooms at Ballys. We would probably chat all day on memory lane. Are you close to 45? I just turned 45. Been going since the 60's and will go till the day I die
 
I am having work problems again...my new job at Mercedes is being phased out. Ay least I have warning this time to get a new job.

I would LOVE to go and meet you there as soon as I have some money saved.
Hopefully around May. I don't trust my truck so I would have to rent a car.

I was supposed to go to A/C back in '79 for a Bruce Springsteen concert but I never went. I had never been to A/C until '81 when I had my first bus trip with my parents and a friend. I think I brought $40!!! I actually came home with money! Remember those machines with 4 reels? All fruit symbols. I think our money lasted longer back then. Next time I went I hit 3 7's for $375 and I kept yelling for my Dad to come see it. I think that's one reason I love it there so much. It's my history. My memories. Vegas is great but this is MY A/C!

I went to Wildwood twice during high school. Stayed in some funky old homes that were converted to hotels. Good old fun!

I haven't been to many other spots in Jersey but I feel like it is my second home.
I remember my friend and I went to Vegas and we were at the pool. We noticed two girls being loud and having fun. We started hanging out with them and of course they were from NJ! Our kind of gals!

I've never heard of Maynards or the house in Margate but wow that house sounds nice! Was it famous?

I remember the ferris wheel. My ex and I always said we would go into Tivoli Pier one day but we could never stop gambling!

I turned 43 in September so we are very close in age. It's tough getting old huh?

They don't have the Pier anymore at Taj do they?
I haven't been to A/C since July '06. That is crazy for me. I used to go every other month but no more Mom or boyfriend to go with...no money either!
 
About AC

I grew up out in jersey and I have to say that I would not stay for more than two nights max down in AC. If you love to gamble I can understand staying for the 2 nights but I would much rather explore NYC if I were you. It gets pretty dodgy there at night even if you do stay on the boardwalk.

I was pretty young, about 23, and I got extremely board after I was done gambling. Not to say that the shows and restaurants aren't good, but after going to vegas, NOTHING in the U.S. compares.

Enjoy shows in NYC and all that the city has to offer and do a one nighter in AC.

Just my opinion.
 
Ill tell ya what: If you let me know a week in advance, Ill make a trip overnigt at the Trop and show you around. You can have your own tour guide (free of charge lol) for the day! Seriously, I would love to meet you. I just love the Brits and Europeans


That is so nice of you!!!!!

We are still undecided whether to risk the AC "ghetto", or stick to Vegas but if do fancy some ghetto action it would be lovely to meet up.

Once again many thanks indeed!!!
 
Oh my, have you walked off the beaten path in Vegas? Even on Freemont Street I've had 'situations' and you sure as hell don't want to wander... :)

But if you can push the vacation into August, there's a potential of a Meister gathering then :D
 
Thats True,

about Freemont. Ive heard lots of stories about that street after dark! If you have a choice between Vegas and A.C. and you can only do one, I would definitely do Vegas, much prettier even though I love my AC. I am making my choice based on you , not me lol
 
Please don't be worried about A/C being dangerous. You could spend a few days there and never encounter anything bad. Of all the times I've gone, and we're talking probably 200 times, I have never felt scared and I've walked the whole Boardwalk at all hours of the night.
 
Please don't be worried about A/C being dangerous. You could spend a few days there and never encounter anything bad. Of all the times I've gone, and we're talking probably 200 times, I have never felt scared and I've walked the whole Boardwalk at all hours of the night.

I'm not sure that I totally agree with you Bally, the last time I was up there I got mugged really bad by a couple of large, ulgy looking corporate giants. One of them called himself Caesars and the other one I think was known as Trump or something like that....they were real badasses.....:lolup:
 
I'm not sure that I totally agree with you Bally, the last time I was up there I got mugged really bad by a couple of large, ulgy looking corporate giants. One of them called himself Caesars and the other one I think was known as Trump or something like that....they were real badasses.....:lolup:


:lolup:

Just watch out for the Homeless people under the boardwalk when you're outside at night!

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Fires under the Boardwalk have historically been attributed to the homeless people who commonly live below in the warmer months.
 
What bally said is true....not to worry...Ive been going for 45 years and ive never had any problems with anyone except for beggers asking for money. I just wanted to make you aware of it that's all. Especially if your walking by and talking with your wife and they hear an accent. There really is no need to even go off the boardwalk anyway unless you wanna pawn something LOL...tons of pawnshops....they buy gold dont ya know! <snicker>

If you like Victorian Homes, Cape May (roughly 40 minutes South of AC) has beautiful ones and they have a fantastic seafood restaurant called The Lobster House and if you want fancier (kinda phoophooish) the Washington Inn is also a good place to dine. They also have those quaint little shops. Very nice town.
 
Years ago you could walk along the boardwalk and look at the ocean. Beautiful!:) Then I was there one time and the ocean literally came into the casinos and flooded parts of them. It was unbelievable! We woke up in the morning and the streets had a foot of water. I was two blocks off the boardwalk and my hotel was flooded. Since then, they've put up a huge sand burm along the beach which prevents you from being able to see the ocean from the boardwalk. What a damn shame! (no pun intended) I haven't been there in about 10 years, but I presume it's still like that.
 

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