Atlantic City may not be the only game in town anymore, but it still hasn’t lost its standing as glamour-and-glitz central. Even iconic Steel Pier is in the midst of a three-phase, $102-million renovation that will bring in a new museum, a 2,000-seat ballroom, rides, restaurants and nightclubs. Eight new family rides—including bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and a kiddie coaster—have opened for the first time this summer.
Revel just debuted its new HQ Beach Club, an extravagant, adults-only, day-into-night pool party experience in conjunction with the property’s HQ Nightclub. Also new is the Pearl High Limit Lounge slot area and private players lounge. Events include Wine Garden Wednesdays, a celebration of wines and classic cinema, and “S’mores After Sunset.” Even Fido is welcome at this luxe beachfront resort.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is marking its 10th anniversary with its newly redesigned mur.mur nightclub. Both mur.mur and sister nightspot MIXX are great places for celebrity spotting, having hosted the likes of Gwen Stefani, Fergie, Kanye West and Cee Lo Green. Also look for big-name entertainment at the Borgata’s performance venues. If you’re looking for more of a boutique hotel experience convenient to all of the casino excitement, there’s the 800-guestroom Water Club at the Borgata.
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino recently rolled out the red carpet for Ke$ha, who hosted the grand opening of the property’s Haven Nightclub on Memorial Day weekend. Featuring slots, blackjack tables and roulette, Haven is the first spot in Atlantic City to combine the gaming and nightclub experiences in a single venue.
Atlantic Club Casino Hotel invites guests to take in a headliner show without breaking the bank. Tickets are only $20 to see well-known entertainers like BJ Thomas, Bobby Rydell (Sept. 1) and Rich Little. Check out the new Sunday Jazz Brunch at Ono restaurant.
Tropicana Casino and Resort is focusing on food with the introduction of six new dining options: Chickie’s & Pete’s, Tony Luke’s, Broadway Burger Bar and Grill, Casa Taco and Tequila Bar, Perry’s Pizza and Marketplace Express.
Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City’s first casino, now has a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café, Land Shark Bar & Grill and the Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar on the beach where the old Steeplechase Pier once stood.
Trump Plaza has added 165 new slots to its casino floor. It’s also touting the new Back in the Day Buffet as the lowest priced ($7.98) buffet in Atlantic City.
More highlights …
Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar has a new theme and extensive new drinks and eats menus. … Showboat’s Worship Surf Bar is another one of the city’s hottest spots to soak up the sun. … Aqua Fridays at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City’s Pool After Dark kick off any summer weekend in style. … Caesars Atlantic City hosts a colorful roster of headline artists on its Circus Maximus schedule.
And they’re off! Atlantic City doesn’t have a track, but if you want to see live racing, the Garden State does offer three options. Monmouth Park in Oceanport traces its racing roots back to 1870. In August, the $1 million Haskell Invitational is held here. … Founded in 1853, central New Jersey’s Freehold Raceway is the nation’s oldest daytime half-mile harness racing track.
CASINO DIRECTORY
NEW JERSEY
Atlantic Club Casino Hotel
Boston Avenue and the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 347-7111, atlanticclubcasino.com
Bally’s Atlantic City
1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 340-2000, ballysac.com
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 317-1000, theborgata.com
Caesars Atlantic City
2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 348-4411, caesarsac.com
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Huron Avenue and Brigantine Boulevard, Atlantic City, N.J., (800) 777-8477, goldennugget.com/atlanticcity
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 441-5000, harrahsresort.com
Resorts Casino Hotel
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (800) 772-9000, resortsac.com
Revel Resorts
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (855) 348-0500, revelresorts.com
Showboat Atlantic City
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (800) 621-0200, showboatac.com
Tropicana Casino and Resort
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (800) 345-8767, tropicana.net
Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino
Mississippi Ave. at the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 449-1000, trumpplaza.com
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, Atlantic City, N.J., (609) 449-1000, trumptaj.com
» for more from the 2013 Casino Guide, click here.
