Fact File: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Distance from Baltimore: 116 miles
Average August temperature: 73.4° F
Average August water temperature: 72.5° F
What’s New: The Pier at Caesars (Boardwalk at Arkansas Avenue) dazzles with luminous skylights and suspended patios jutting out over the ocean, and brims with tony shops. Even the food court is frou-frou: Order a Grape Crush Cocktail (three olives, raspberry vodka, black raspberry liqueur, sour mix and Sprite) and check out the bizarro bathrooms at The Continental. Make reservations to dine at the hip European bistro, Sonsie’s. Try the lobster tempura with mango and grapefruit, with a side of the blue cheese fries. If you can move afterward, head over to the wild new Providence Nightclub at the Tropicana. Visit Trump Taj’s Spice Road, a sultry section of shops and eateries. Best there is Burger for fresh Angus sliders with unusual toppings. The Waterfront Buffet at Harrah’slets you select from hand-rolled sushi, a Mongolian fire pit and char-grill steaks, a Brazilian Rotisserie, Brick Oven Pizzas, gourmet seafood, and more. Try to snag one of the roomy digs with breathtaking views in the new Latin Tower at The Tropicana. Watch their website for mid-week specials.
Where To Relax: The coolest sand in AC is at one of the three resort-operated beach bars. They have live music, dance parties, and cabana rentals: The Beach Bar at Trump Plaza,Bally’s Atlantic City Bikini Beach Bar, and The Beach Bar at Trump Plaza. Just a voyeur? Level 3 of the Pier at Caesars is a breeze-free spot with Adirondack chairs to sink your toes in the sand, and lets you enjoy the most romantic sunsets over the city. Mediterranean Flames, on the Boardwalk at California Avenue, is the best perch to people-gaze, while munching on fresh kabobs and sipping Sambuca. Bayside at Harrah’s, The Pool is a 23,000-square-foot tropical oasis. Luaus, dive-in movies, and live music happen nightly.
What To Do: Roll along the boards between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. daily; rent a ride at B&K Bicycle Rentals, locations near Resorts Casino and near the Tropicana. Ante up to AC’s largest and poshest new 70-seat Poker Room at Borgata—it’s even smoke free. Wander along the funky makeshift crafts shops in the Gardeners Basin, in North Atlantic City. Wait out a thunderstorm at Game On, the sports bar in the Pier at Caesars, with 70 high-def screens, a DJ, and even a mechanical bull. Design your own candy bar at IT’SUGAR, a confection department shop at The Pier at Caesars. And catch a free movie after dark every Sunday at Kennedy Plaza.
