Atlantic City, New Jersey, also known as the “Las Vegas of the East” is a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining.
Claim to have the world’s most famous boardwalk, the city that inspired the Monopoly board game first built the boardwalk in 1870 to help hotel owners keep sand out of their lobbies.
Due to its effectiveness and popularity, the stretch of boardwalk slowly expanded to cover up to 11 km, before the 1944 hurricane. Today, its only 3 km shorter.
Although it is said that the Atlantic City Boardwalk is admittedly not what it used to be, there are still some unique attractions along the 8 km boardwalk.
Considered the "Gambling Capital of the East Coast" (thus also being known as the “Las Vegas of the East”), it is second to Las Vegas in the number of casinos, yearly gaming revenue, and the number of rooms. Besides the 4 at the marina, a total of 7 casinos line the boardwalk.
First and foremost, Resorts International, the first legal casino in eastern United States.
Opened on May 26, 1978, a whole host of celebrity hand prints decorated their entrance.
I guess the only person that I have heard of is Kenny Rogers.
Next up, is Bally's Wild Wild West Casino, the only themed casino in the world.
Also worth mentioning is the Trump Taj Mahal, with its supposedly Taj Mahal-inspired architecture.
Other interesting ones included the Showboat, …
… Caesars, …
… and Trump Plaza.
Besides casinos, piers also played a large part of Atlantic City’s history. Among them, the most famous is the Steel Pier, once billed itself as “The Showplace of the Nation”.
Located opposite the Trump Taj Mahal, it is today, an amusement park. The nearby Central Pier is also another amusement pier which hosts a go-kart circuit.
For the shopaholics, the Million Dollar Pier which was opened in 1906 now houses the Pier Shops. Located just opposite Caesars Casino, Pier Shops is a high end shopping centre with an underwater-themed restaurant. But for those who doesn’t want to spend a “Million Dollar”, a range of shops are available along the Boardwalk.
Shopping and gaming aside, Ripley’s also established the “Strangest Place in Atlantic City” through its Believe It or Not! Museum.
Another family-based attraction along the boardwalk is the Atlantic City Miniature Golf.
For a little bit of history, there’s the New Jersey Korean War Memorial, …
… Atlantic City Workers Monument …
… and Kennedy Plaza.
Not forgetting also is the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, now known as the Boardwalk Hall, which provides the “Best Seat at America’s Shore”.
And the best way to travel the 8 km boardwalk to take in all the sights and attractions, is through the city’s iconic rolling chairs.
With good eateries, shopping and amusements mixed in, it is no wonder that Atlantic City still maintains its position as the city that is “Always Turned On"!!
