I think the last time I was in Atlantic City, I was about seven years old. I vaguely remember the boardwalk and playing a round of putt-putt. I’m not really into casinos, so Atlantic City has never been high on my travel list. However, my mom and much of her family grew up near Philadelphia, so this was always a popular destination for them. This trip was for a family reunion.
Getting to the boardwalk from Philadelphia Airport is relatively easy. You take the subway from the airport to the Amtrak station, then catch a train to Atlantic City. From the Atlantic City train station, there are free shuttle buses to the major casinos, most of which are located right on the boardwalk. We had zero wait time getting from the train to our shuttle, but some other family members had to wait a bit. It's only a few blocks if you want to walk it, but the blocks in the boardwalk area aren’t your average city blocks—I’d estimate each is about an eighth of a mile long.
The casinos aren’t as fancy as the ones in Vegas—but really, what casinos are? We stayed at Bally’s, which falls into the mid-tier price range. It was decent. Caesars Palace next door, the Hard Rock, and especially Ocean (at the far end of the boardwalk) were noticeably nicer.
The beach was surprisingly nice. The sand was soft and clean, the water was clear and a perfect temperature, with gentle waves. The beach also offers great views of the boardwalk. You can rent umbrellas and beach chairs, and as a bonus, our hotel had a huge bar right on the beach.
As a former rickshaw driver myself, I’m always fascinated by rickshaws and pedicabs. Atlantic City’s take on this concept was a bit different. They were a much-needed service for some of our older family members. Interestingly, most of the guys pushing the carts were also on the older side—but that didn’t stop them from moving at a solid walking pace. Impressive stuff.
It’s always fun to experience new places, and I’m glad I made the trip. That said, if I’m ever in the mood for some casino time again, I’ll probably head to Vegas.
As far as beaches go, I hear there are some pretty great ones in Hawaii.
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