Weekend Getaways: Atlantic City, New Jersey

If you live in the area around New Jersey, Atlantic City is a perfect place for a fun-filled weekend getaway. The city on the boardwalk has all the makings for those who enjoy fine dining, trendy clubbing, Vegas-style shows, outlet shopping, and of course, world class casinos. Just a stone's throw away from many municipalities in the southern New England / mid-Atlantic region, Atlantic City is a short ride to another world. Who knows? It just might become a regular thing!

Interweaving the old with the new, the city named for an ocean provides enjoyment for people with a variety of tastes. Walks along the world-famous boardwalk, a visit to Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, and trump Taj Mahal's Steel Pier amusement center are just a handful of things to do outside of the casino attractions.

The casino hotels are located in two main areas: lining the boardwalk from "downbeach" to "midtown", and in the vicinity of the marina on the north side of the city. The overall layout of the city is rather small in scope and getting around is quite simple. A "jitney", or local casino bus, taxis passengers from casino to casino between the two areas. Many of the boardwalk casinos, as well as the marina casinos are but a few-minute walk of one another.
Here's a simple guide to some of what Atlantic City has to offer:

Shopping

Atlantic City is best known for its casinos, but in recent years the city has successfully begun to draw new visitors by providing entertainment for non-gaming visitors. The development of the Atlantic City Outlets, known as "The Walk", has drawn bargain hunters in droves as the word has spread. There is no sales tax on clothing and footwear in New Jersey, so shoppers can find deals galore in this clean, hip, 100-store shopping district. The retail hub is located between the boardwalk and the Atlantic City Expressway, at the center of the city and within walking distance of midtown casino hotels such as Caesar's and Bally's. Some of the trendy shops here include Calvin Klein, Guess, Nike, Fossil, the GAP, H&M, and a whole lot more.