Atlantic City for non-gamblers

[BobH]

Hi Chris!

Please take Bob's warning about safety in AC to heart. It is a very unsavory place and can be quite dangerous very near the casinos and the boardwalk. I'd not use public transit there without a squad of US Marines well armed and fitted out for the occasion. It ain't worth the risk to find out first-hand.

[Gloria E]

As a lover of Atlantic City and its casinos and one who's been there numerous times, I'd like to jump in here and give you my opinion of AC.

There are jitney buses running up and down Altantic Avenue, right off all the casinos.

Now there's a fabulous shopping center easily found by asking anyone inside the casino who will gladly supply you with directions.

There are first-class restaurants in and outside the casinos. For example, at the entrance to AC, there's a restaurant named Knife & Fork, where men need to wear a jacket, make sure you have plenty of money or a high end credit card. The food is delicious and attractively served. Check out their ratings before you go.

I've been visiting there for the last 20 years, with my sister and we have never had a problem. When it was decided to take my husband along (he doesn't like to gamble either), he visits the bookstores on the boardwalk and that keep him happy for hour upon hour. Just don't pick a time when it's snowing or raining for days on end. If you do you will probably be bored to death, because the only place to go to stay dry and warm is inside the casino.

I wish I could join you, I just love AC and it's casinos.

Gloria E

[Doc Watson]

I suspect that AC is not a town (it's not a "city") that will hold much for you Chris. It's probably only useful as a place to park the Mrs. while you catch a bus or train to Philly or NYC and visit their libraries or cultural attractions (check out the Mutter Museum in Philly).

Atlantic City has no cultural attractions because it has no culture....... except gambling.

[ChrisGreaves]

There are jitney buses running up and down Altantic Avenue, right off all the casinos.

Hi Gloria.
These "jitney buses", are they a free jump-on-jump-off transportation, the sort that you can just ride-and-view?

... he visits the bookstores on the boardwalk ...

Now we're talking.
Are these "new" books or "second-hand" books? And roughly how many book-stores are there? 5? 20? 50?

[ChrisGreaves]

Please take Bob's warning about safety in AC to heart. It is a very unsavory place and can be quite dangerous very near the casinos and the boardwalk. I'd not use public transit there without a squad of US Marines well armed and fitted out for the occasion. It ain't worth the risk to find out first-hand.

Hi Bob.
This is quite an alarming response.
A squad of marines?
Really?
How can the place get away with advertising all these "fun for all the family" events?

I've often cautioned Ms B about walking to her car after she (claims she) has made a significant winning; I figure there have to be shady people in a casino who'd happily mug you for $1,000 in cash.

But presumably millions of visitors/tourists are wandering around Atlantic City each year, no?

[ChrisGreaves]

It's probably only useful as a place to park the Mrs. while you catch a bus or train to Philly or ...

Hi Doc.
I see that Philadelphia is only 60 miles back up the highway, that's an hour's drive.
I suspect that you're right, that Philadelphia (and Chesapeake Bay and ...) would be of more interest to me.
But then the prospect of leaving Ms B alone it Atlantic City for the day isn't sounding quite so appealing after all.

Not to mention that we have the most fun when we are out together, so a 2-hour drive and a 6-hour exploration of a new city on my lonesome isn't quite so appealing, either.

(Sinks into deep gloom ...)

[PaulB]

I suggest you view season 1 of "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO, 2010-2011) before venturing into the wilds of New Jersey.

[viking33]

Let's put it this way. If confine yourself to the casinos and possibly the boardwalk, you might be OK. Go one block away from the BW and you are asking for trouble. AC was always this way even before the casinos came to town. The big casinos promised to clean up the city and improve it's image. Yeah sure, believe that and I'll tell you another one.

[PaulB]

Bob, is it true you have a bridge to sell?

[viking33]

Bob, is it true you have a bridge to sell?

Absolutely!!!
Exclusive broker for the famous "bridge to nowhere."

[BobH]

Please take Bob's warning about safety in AC to heart. It is a very unsavory place and can be quite dangerous very near the casinos and the boardwalk. I'd not use public transit there without a squad of US Marines well armed and fitted out for the occasion. It ain't worth the risk to find out first-hand.

Hi Bob.
This is quite an alarming response.
A squad of marines?
Really?
How can the place get away with advertising all these "fun for all the family" events?

I've often cautioned Ms B about walking to her car after she (claims she) has made a significant winning; I figure there have to be shady people in a casino who'd happily mug you for $1,000 in cash.

But presumably millions of visitors/tourists are wandering around Atlantic City each year, no?

Hi Chris!
My post was based on what I've heard from folks who went there and what I've read and seen on TV, not on personal experience. From those sources, I discovered that the boardwalk and the area immediately around the casinos are reasonably safe and well policed. Beyond those relatively small areas, there is a high crime rate. The fact that millions of people visit the casinos doesn't necessarily imply that those people visited other areas of the city safely. From the reports, much of the crime is driven my drugs (addicts will do anything for their next fix) and high unemployment rates among young people.

Gloria probably has better information than I do. I just didn't want you to think that you would be visiting a Mayberry where you might expect to see Barney, Sheriff Andy, and Aunt Bea.

You can tell us about your experiences and observations when you return.

[ChrisGreaves]

You can tell us about your experiences and observations when you return.

Well, an executive decision has been made to keep our $$ in Canada and maybe do a trip to Tobermory/Owen Sound, about 2 hours drive north of here.
No shopping mall, no casino, but the biggest ice-cream cones in Ontario!
We will steer well clear of New Jersey in future (shudder!)

[Bowlie]

Bob, is it true you have a bridge to sell?

Absolutely!!!
Exclusive broker for the famous "bridge to nowhere."

Actually that famous "bridge to nowhere" was actually a "bridge to everywhere (else)", seeing as it would connect Ketchikan with its airport - and there are no roads to anywhere from Ketchikan! That was before the politicians got a hold of it.

[ChrisGreaves]

and there are no roads to anywhere from Ketchikan!

I've been to Ketchican; overnight stay. Ferry from Prince Rupert in the a.m, afternoon & evening in Ketchican, sleep on ferry on way back. Arrive back in Prince Rupert 24 hours after leaving.

How relaxing!

[Bowlie]

and there are no roads to anywhere from Ketchikan!

I've been to Ketchican; overnight stay. Ferry from Prince Rupert in the a.m, afternoon & evening in Ketchican, sleep on ferry on way back. Arrive back in Prince Rupert 24 hours after leaving.

How relaxing!

If Ketchikan is an overnight ferry from Prince Rupert, that proves that it is at the end of the earth. I too have visited Prince Rupert, land of rainbows (as the welcome to PR sign says!)

[ChrisGreaves]

land of rainbows (as the welcome to PR sign says!)

"World's largest outdoor car-wash facility" I call it!