I'm leaving in about an hour, should arrive around 7 this evening and will be staying until I ride back Sunday. Where are the best stops for bagels, pork roll, pizza and are there any decent breweries around town? This will be my first weekend ride road trip where the ride isn't the trip.
IIRC, its a crap-hole. Hope I am wrong!
pinchvalve wrote: IIRC, its a crap-hole. Hope I am wrong!
Just spent a few days there for a bachelor party a few weeks back. Can confirm it is indeed still a festering E36 M3hole. I have zero interest in gambling and cannot see the appeal of AC otherwise.
Thanks to Spirit Air, we had the chance to be stranded in Atlantic City for a day. We chose to take a Cab to Philly. Had a great time!
Where's mad_machine? He'll know if there's anything worth doing there 
The board walk is not a bad place to spend time.
In reply to Furious_E:
I'm not a gambler but I find people losing there E36 M3 fascinating. I could watch people getting hosed all day.
AC is getting better, but you need to go looking for the better spots. It is sadly true that outside of the casinos and the boardwalk area, AC is indeed quite the depressing place to be. This was actually done on purpose by the many of the Boardwalk Casinos to keep you from wandering the boards or streets. They want you IN the casino and spending money.
If you have to go to the Casinos, the best are The Borgata, Golden Nugget, and Tropicana. The fourth spot is reserved for Harrahs. While gaming is the mainstay of any of the Casinos, you are better off finding something to do at the Borgata. The Music Box (their true theatre) has something going every night 364 days a year (It is only dark on Christmas day) even if it is only comedy. The prices are reasonable for tickets, but the room prices there are eye-wateringly high as we are almost always at 80% or more capacity.
I am unsure of the steel pier (off of the Trump Taj) is still operating or if it will re-open when hardrock takes over. The boardwalk itself has a lot of tacky stores, a few really good candy shoppes, and a few beach style restaurants. The Irish Pub is decent, the Tun Tavern, which is attached to the Convention Centre is good and they do their own brews.
Unfortunately it is cold and damp here right now, Summer seems a month late, or I would suggest the beach. The water and sand are clean and safe, but I can guarantee you will run a small low grade fever that night. The Locals call it "beach fever" and almost all tourists who visit the beach for the very first time get it as your body gets used to bacteria that naturally lives in the sand and water.
That is all the info I can give you though, as a non-drinker I do not go out often and as I almost always work evenings, I don't get to go out to dinner that often, and I am certainly not driving "back to work" to do so.
While they have some decent places, Brigantine (the island north of Atlantic City) and Ventnor, Margate, and Longport (which are south of "downbeach" are bedroom communities and do not offer much in the way of entertainment. Ocean City, the island south is a Dry town and has a very nice selection of restaurants and a very nice boardwalk. Somers point, across the bridge from OC has some of the better local restaurants such as the Crab Trap (overpriced IMHO) and the Anchrorage and all the taverns and quant bars you would want.
In short, if you want to eat well and get entertained without a lot of hassle , go to the Borgata. There is something going on every night and the list of executive chef restaurants is extensive, I just would not stay there unless you like paying $300 a night. If you do stay there, stay in the newer tower the "Water Club" as there a amenities there you can ONLY use if you stay in that part.
As usual, I mostly agree with Mad Machine's info although I do think he is a bit of a pessimist (easily done around here). A lot AC is a E36 M3hole but there are some great things in the area, too. For casino options I spend my time in the Borgata, Ceasar's and The Tropicana, in that order.
I'm living in Brigantine, the small island north of AC and am usually around and if you need help with anything at all don't hesitate to get in touch.
In AC the "Whitehouse" is a good option for take out sandwiches if you need to pick up a bite. I also like "Angelo's Fairmount tavern" for large Italian meals and good deserts. "Tun Tavern" is definitely a decent bar I used to frequent. "Wingcraft" isn't a world class brewery but has a well curated selection and edible bar food. "Back Bay Alehouse" is popular with locals as a simple bar with acceptable prices for great views and decent food. "Gilchrist" is the staple go-to for a simple,hearty breakfast on the bay. If your tastes are for more upscale fine dining there are some good options (among the plentiful mediocre ones) that I could recommend, too.
The beach in AC is ok but any other local town is better. Margate & Ventnor are popular with college kids, Brigantine is more of a friendly local's type small town. If you like hole-in-the-wall mom-and-pop type places driving over to "Ernest's and Son's" deli or "Hooper's" seafood is worth the 10 minute trip.
If you are more into peaceful, pristine nature stuff or the novelty of driving on the sand we could probably meet up sometime and can show you a few places you can drive my jeep out on Brigantine beach. I play tour guide all the time so it really is not an inconvenience at all. I'll try to keep tabs on this thread if you have questions and can be reached through the board email if need be.
South Jersey Region SCCA autocrosses on an abandoned airfield within sight of downtown AC, but they're not running this weekend. last time I went there I paddocked next to a guy from Atlanta who was in town on business and decided to see what the rental Sonic Turbo would do.
There's a minor league ballpark right there, too - don't know if they're playing this weekend or not.
Sorry TB, as a non-drinker, I cannot really steer people towards any bar, so I can only comment on the few I have been in or walked past. As for White House, I find them very overrated. A lot of people love them, Seinfeld really loves them and always gets a couple dozen when he plays at the Borgata.. I find Wawa better.
I will add, if you love nature, the Northern part of Brigantine is NOT to be missed. It's miles and miles of sandy beach, dunes, marsh, and NO HOMES or streets. It's how the NJ shore looked before we turned it into a resort.
Gardner's basin is also interesting with our homegrown aquarium and displays. Also good for some surf fishing if you are into that.
Pedaled in about 20 minutes ago. Going to TUN after I get cleaned up and grab some food. Brigantine sounds awesome, how accessible by bike is it before it goes completely unpaved?
In reply to mad_machine:
I'm not a drinker anymore, either... but most people are and if you actually want to socialize that is often where things end up going down.
I agree that White House is overrated but I would put it slightly above WaWa. Certainly not the best in the world but quality, though.
Driving up to the North tip is a year round weekly pleasure of mine. Great way to spend some time relaxing with the family and enjoying a little nature. I especially like the solitude in winter but there isn't a downside to any season on the beach...
In reply to captdownshift:
The entirety of the paved Island is very bike friendly with wide, straight, flat streets and bike lanes for miles.
Paving ends abruptly at the North end where it becomes a nature preserve for the last couple of miles. I don't ride but I would consider it very nice by most standards and see plenty of people do it around here.
One thing to note: much beach access happens after walking through thick dune grass beds on narrow paths of deep sand. exceptions being the sea wall at the far north end or the dirt roads in the far south... many areas it take a bit of walking in between paved road and actual beach but less so the further north your might get.
Most of the island is a typical small surbuban town.
Another Note about Brigantine. The very south end where it shares the inlet with Atlantic City (Absecon inlet btw) is a locals hangout. Great place to spend a day on the sand and in the water. Especially with how calm "the cove" is.
AC has plenty of new and great food options in the past few years. Personally looking forward to attacking a Tony Boloney's Taco Pizza. Looks kinda amazing for a small party.
Beach Eats: The best grab-and-go food in 14 Jersey Shore Towns via BillyPenn
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