Atlantic City may not be as internationally famous as Las Vegas, but this casino-friendly city still packs a powerful punch, especially for visitors from the UK. Since it’s on the eastern coast of the United States, flight times are generally much more agreeable than flying to Nevada. Plus, by taking a trip to Atlantic City, you’ll also have an opportunity to explore all the fantastic nearby cities, including Philadelphia and New York.
Since Atlantic City is a little further off the beaten path than other well-known USA destinations, we thought putting together a guide for first-time visitors would be handy. Happy traveling!
Fly into a Nearby City
You could fly into Atlantic City, but we recommend flying into Philadelphia or New York City. That’s because there are no direct flights between Atlantic City and the UK, so you’ll have to transfer somewhere anyway. In addition, the cost of flights — even with a connection — to Atlantic City is more expensive than flying into, say, New York, which is extremely well-served with flight routes. You can easily take a train from Manhattan or Philadelphia to Atlantic City after exploring for a few days.
Consider Going Midweek
We said at the beginning of the article that Atlantic City wasn’t as globally famous as Las Vegas, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it when you’re there. Perhaps it’s because it’s smaller, but it always feels lively and full of action. If possible, try to book your stay during the midweek, when hotels are cheaper.
Also, we recommend visiting between April and October. You can visit during the winter and benefit from cheaper rates and fewer crowds, but you’ll miss out on some of the best bits about visiting Atlantic City—including the beach!
Choose Your Casino Wisely
People compare Atlantic City with Las Vegas for one simple reason: casinos rule the roost in both places. Virtually every casino in Las Vegas is top-quality, but you’ll need to be a bit more selective in Atlantic City. There are good casinos and ones best avoided. The Borgata Hotel and the Tropicana are probably the best in town. Also, if you’re from the UK, be aware that some games will differ from how they’re played back home. For instance, there are subtle differences between American Roulette and European Roulette, so visitors may find it helpful to play online at a site that has both variants before they travel. Remember that some of Atlantic City’s finest restaurants are found in the city’s casinos, including the Old Homestead Steakhouse and Cuba Libre. Bring your appetite!
Be Mindful of the Birds
You’ll absolutely take a walk along Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk when you’re in town. It’s something every visitor does, usually multiple times a day. After all, it’s along the boardwalk that the city’s main life is found.
But keep in mind that the boardwalk isn’t exclusively reserved for humans. It might be, but the local seagulls do not pay any attention to whether it is. They’re more aggressive in Atlantic City than in other parts of the world, and by that, we mean they’re all too willing to steal a bite of whatever a passing human seems to have in their hand. You’d be unlucky to get injured, but no one wants to lose their delicious food! And talking of food…
Try the City’s Seafood
If you love seafood, then you’ll love Atlantic City. After the casinos, it’s what the city is known best for. You won’t have to search very far to find a seafood restaurant since they’re everywhere, but The Barbera Seafood Market, Cafe 2825, and Dock’s Oyster House are generally considered the best in the city. If you’re deeply passionate about seafood, then consider visiting during the Atlantic City Seafood Festival, which takes place each September, during which the city’s best seafood establishments take over the Atlantic City shoreline.
