Atlantic City - How does it compare to Vegas?

With regards to all of these negative comments about Atlantic City, I wonder how many are based on first hand experiences? Yes there is crime, yes if you stray from the casino you will encounter a run down neighborhood. You will find the same things in Vegas, but without the Atlantic Ocean:Þ. or the numerous oceanfront bars. Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville opens tomorrow at Resorts.

The Jersey Shore attracts millions of visitors each year during the summer and there is plenty to do. From June to September, you can bathe in the ocean and ride the waves, the water's fine. September is great as the kids are back in school and the ocean water temperature is still warm.

Like anything else, a good idea attracts competition, just like in 1976 when Resorts International became the first casino. Today there are casinos in adjacent states and Pennsylvania just passed Atlantic City in gaming revenue last year. AC needs to reinvent itself, just like Vegas and every other business that suffers a loss in revenue.

I'm no wide eyed Pollyanna either, evil exists all over the place and I am always aware of my surroundings if I'm in AC, North Philly, NYC, even when I head to Vegas for a trade show. Every time I travel to Chicago for business, I am approached by panhandlers several times a day. Enough with all this hating.

 

A.C. doesn't compare to Vegas.
.
Vegas is a world apart.
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AC has higher table mins -
crabbier people
......I'll stop there...

 

I've been to AC far more times than I care to remember. Many more than Vegas (I'd say at least 50 times... I used to drive there every weekend). I have walked the streets late night, walked the boardwalk late night, shopped the outlets many, many times, eaten at the White House Sub Shop many times, been to the strip clubs and all most of all the casinos, and flown in to Bader Field before it closed (flying 500ft over the top of the Taj while banking right was quite an experience!). I'd say that makes me qualified to respond about the overall safety and crime of the city.

I've seen enough, personally been through enough, and heard enough stories that I'd say the city is NOT safe and is very crime ridden. Right up to the doors of the casino. I wouldn't let my mother go there by herself and I would suggest only groups venture out at night (at least 4), though I've done solo trips.

And, the beach sucks. Perhaps to the south of AC along the jersey shore it gets better, but not in AC (at least not that I've never seen). And the weather there is prohibitive to be on the beach at least 9 months of the year anyways.

There's nothing attractive about the city except the gambling (especially the poker). And, if they don't legalize sports betting, that city is going to start closing doors on casinos left and right.

 

I've been to AC a few times. I've had the italian subs at White House, dined at Chef Vola's (took a cab when I left so we wouldn't get mugged on the two block trip back to the boardwalk). I've been to both the Marina and the Boardwalk. AC simply does not compare to Las Vegas, and I can't recommend it as a substitute (or for more than a short trip).

AC is crime ridden and the casino security and local police are ill prepared to keep their guests feeling safe and secure. Walk a single block from the boardwalk and you are surrounded by graffiti, boarded up shops, barred windows. Why do you think that Pennsylvania is surpassing AC in gaming revenue? It's because noone wants to go to AC.

I'd love to be able to recommend AC, but I just can't. I wish it were like Vegas (I'd be there at least once a month if it was) but it's not.

 

I've been to AC way more than a few times, more than I could ever remember. I've been going since before I was legal aged. We often used to just drive down from the city on a whim in the middle of the nights, good times.

As far as the crime thing goes there's no denying AC is has a crime problem and is pretty ghetto. But I guess in terms of how comfortable you are there it depends on the individual. I've only lived in urban areas my entire life, even in college, and I personally rarely feel worried when I'm in ghetto areas. I've walked outside the casinos a lot, I always walk to White House Subs, been drunk walking down Atlantic Ave in the middle of the night looking for a slice of pizza, etc.

But the bigger issue is, why would most people ever walk in the town? If you're at the marina casinos there's nowhere to walk. If you're at the boardwalk casinos you'd walk along the boardwalk to different hotels. I'm sure there are some people who might even be scared of the boardwalk at night. Some people will be scared of anything where any crime ever happened. I see teenage girls walking along the boardwalk at night especially now in the warmer season. Other than that the only other reason you'd walk outside is to go to the outlet shopping area which is a busy and safe area. Again, a place where women go shopping while their husbands are gambling. Unless you're looking to pawn some gold or buy some crack there's no reason you'd be walking around ghetto areas.

AC gets about 30 million visitors per year versus Vegas' 40 million. Some people are making it sound like its a crack den in the Bronx.

Also the Pennsylvania comparison isn't evidence of what you're saying. Pennsylvania is an entire large state with casinos spread out near all the population centers. AC is one small city in southern NJ. The PA casinos have definitely cannibalized a lot of AC's market from the PA area, but its not drawing people from AC's other areas. The PA market is purely a convenience market.

 

These excerpts reflect my feeling about AC. I won a free trip from Harrah's last year and had a great time. Stayed at Harrah's Marina and while I prefer to walk along the Boardwalk, taking the shuttle there was easy. The Harrah's and Borgota properties were as nice or nicer than most Vegas strip properties and my room was very nice.

You can find FP JOB and other quality VP games in most AC casinos, something you can rarely find on the strip. There are enough tourists and people there to have fun to not make it seem you are at some random locals casino, which can be depressing at times.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I concur with Hammie’s comments regarding safety and panhandling. I was comfortable during my entire weekend in AC and if any airline besides Spirit flew directly, I would probably return with the nice CET comp offers based on by PIAD play during my stay ($1 3 Line 9/5 JOB Bally’s).

While I wouldn’t make a trip from England to go solely to AC, I wouldn’t make a trip to Vegas either without incorporating other locals (California, Grand Canyon, other NPs, perhaps Seattle) during a longer American visit.

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I was @revel AC again for two days last week. Was kind of nice. Ver slow paced. No clubs were open and they had no shows.

 

I mentioned PA casinos as a reason AC needs to reinvent itself. They can no longer take for granted customers from Philly, Baltimore, NYC as there are more options for gamblers.

In a way, it is reinventing itself via bankruptcy and re-capitalization of many properties. The Trump Plaza which cost maybe $200 million in the 1980's is being sold for $20 million. The deal is contingent on release of a mortgage lien. Trump Marina was sold for $39 million and Golden Nugget pumped in $150 million to refurbish. (they have a great happy hour, BTW) I think Tropicana was to have been sold for $1 Billion, but the deal fell through and Ichan bought it for $200 mil. The Revel cost $2.4 billion to construct and before the first bet was placed, Morgan Stanley wrote off 90% of its $1.2 billion investment. Then, Revel went into a pre-packaged bankruptcy. The Atlantic Club was supposed to have been sold to an online poker site, but the new owners never were approved by the gaming board. The Atlantic Club kept the downpayment. Resorts went bankrupt, and so did many casinos in Vegas.

Just received a mailer from Revel for a free stay Sunday-Thursday, this was my first free offer from Revel. Will be heading to Tropicana over the Memorial Day Weekend, hope to rent a bike and ride the length of the boardwalk, get a whiff of the salt air, have a White House special or try to convince my wife to try a pie at Tony's Baltimore Grill, she will want to go to Angelo's, though.

Viva, not a knock on Chicago either, its one of my favorite cities, I find it to be very clean with a great public transportation system. Took the bus from McCormick to the red line and a few stops later, walked up the stairs and had some great $1 oysters at Devon Seafood. See if you can get an upgrade to Spirit's big seat to Atlantic City or fly into Philly and rent a car. The waves will be still rolling in and the bar at Bally's still has $2 beers.

 

Would you let you mom walk along the boardwalk at night by herself? Or crossing the street to the outlet mall from the casinos on the boardwalk at dusk?

I've walked by myself and wasted from Caesars to the McDonalds and over to the Sheraton before. Not smart... had a few passerbys make comments trying to pick a fight. I've walked drunk to the bus station by myself from Caesars as well. Down the boardwalk to get a slice or three of pizza when wasted. During the day a walk to White House Subs... though that's not a short walk... but definitely okay. When I stay at the Marina I rarely walk outside unless I'm going to the car.

But, if I wouldn't want my mom walking outside the casino at night, that's what I'd call unsafe and crime ridden. Mom, stay indoors!

 

I agree, though I pass through the same gauntlet of panhandlers each day at work (station through Michigan Ave) and there have been many incidents on Michigan Ave over the past few years.

I flew into Phily last year and had a car which came in handy to see the Hambiltonian at The Meadowlands. I would likely just stay in AC on a future trip. I would have to decide whether to stay at Harrahs or go to Caesars or Bally's on the Boardwalk (the comp and freeplay is good at any of the three casinos).

 

ALL of my comments are based on first hand experiences. I am a native New Yorker, currently live in New York City and do go to Atlantic City several times a year - however I rarely venture to the Boardwalk and prefer to stay on the premises of the Borgata while I am there. I like the Borgata, Harrahs next door - and the casinos and hotels along the Boardwalk are fine - but I stand by all of my comments - the streets of Atlantic City are seedy and grimy. Crime is everywhere, even in Vegas of course, but I feel 100% safe walking the streets of Vegas. I can't say the same for Atlantic City.

 

I've stayed at all three. Unless they've renovated Ballys and Caesars hotels, they're complete dumps (think older motel 6). Last I stayed was about 4-5 years ago though. Harrahs was very nice last time I stayed there.

I like Caesars casino though. I think I like Harrahs better. Borgata is close to Harrahs as well. You should get over there and take a peak at least.

 

undathesea the rooms at Caesars were renovated. Don't remember exactly when but it was at least a few years ago. Just like in Vegas it all depends on what tower you're in. At Caesars the Temple tower is considered the worst, I've never stayed in it though. The Centurion and Ocean towers are the best. I've stayed in both. They are all new and modern, things like TV built into bathroom mirrors and all that jazz. Check them out I'm sure you'll like them. You can also see recent pics of them on Oyster. Weird thing about Caesars on the TR site it never shows comped weekend rooms for me there but does for Harrahs and almost always for Borgata on their calendar as well, both of which are better anyway.

I stayed in Ballys once like over 10 years ago and it was the worst casino room I was ever in. It had one tiny window facing a pillar or something. I have no clue how the rooms are now but that casino definitely needs some investment.

Harrahs also depends on the tower. I've only stayed in the Waterfront which is considered the best and get upgraded to this cool 1-bedroom corner suite which is real nice. Bayview and Marina towers are supposed to be good too but the Harbor is considered the worst. So it all depends on what you get.

 

Thanks for lots of feedback, really appreciate it. FYI, I actually lived in the US for quite some time and been to almost all of the major cities (except Boston and San Diego). 4 of my Vegas trips were back when I lived in northwest and 2 of them were from where I live now, abroad.

I have an itch to make another trip soon, but I just wondered if another closer alternative would've cut it. Looks like I will arrange another week-long Vegas + surroundings trip and reach out to the southern pacific as well. Or can do a Vegas sandwich like 3 nights in Vegas, 2 nights in CA beach and 2 nights in Vegas, so I have some time to miss it again

 

Oh, yeah, the White House on Artic. Now THERE is a reason to make the trans Atlantic flight. Get the house special, which is the Italian Hoagie with double meat.

 

While its not vegas. Atlantic city IN SUMMER is a nice alternative.

 

AC has its own charm and character but definitely in no way in the leagues of Vegas that is for sure. Best is the Borgata and Harrah's. Maybe Golden Nugget since the revamp. They are located in the Marina which you can take jitney #2 which would take you there from the Boardwalk. If you don't know what the jitney is, it is the shuttle that takes you to all the casinos in AC. Cost is $2.25 per ride. There is a pretty good shopping Tanger Outlet in the back of Ballys.

The Revel sucks. What a total waste of good space. Snotty attitude all around. Trump stay away from. Bad attitude especially from the dealers and waitresses.

I say on the boardwalk, the Taj Mahal, Ballys, Caesars and Showboat are pretty good casinos with the Showboat having the most friendly staff all around. On par with the ones you will find at the Wynn/Encore and surpassing the ones at the Bellagio.

Agree with some folks say two days is enough. For me a day and a half is enough. If things go well at the bac tables I stay for two days or even less than that since I can catch the bus since there is one every hour. If not I leave within a day or less. Find AC too depressing. Hopefully Wynn is able to build his casino in Everett and if the bac rules there are as lax and liberal as his casinos in Vegas, I would venture there as my go to destination in the East Coast as opposed to heading to AC.

 

Heading to Harrahs 2pm today

Trying to continue my VP winning streak . Comp room in Marina Tower ,free upgrade probably not gonna happen this week.
I'll try not to become a crime victim,Holmes Projects and Back Maryland not on our itinerary tonight. Outdoor deck is open at Nugget,good band playing over there if we walk over .Should be a big weekend in AC,Margaritaville opening on the beach.

 

Got a comp at Tropicana for Thursday night, didn't want to go home, so stayed a second night at The Chelsea Hotel next door. Went to The Golden Nugget and had dinner at the buffet with a BOGO coupon which made it about what it was worth. The next day, played some blackjack at Trop, walked up to the Pier shops at Caesars looking for lunch. All of the restaurants are on the third floor of this pier and all along the south facing side are adirondack chairs set in sand, so when the weather is chilly, you could grab coffee and look out at the ocean and relax watching the waves roll in. Played a little at Caesars and Bally's next door and had a few brews at the Mountain Bar, $2 Coors light and Miller Light. $3 for others, a 16 oz pour in a plastic cup.

All in all, the casinos were packed, boardwalk was busy despite the cold weather and rain, had a great time. And the best part is we will come home with a little more than we started with. And I was never approached for a handout the whole weekend, nor did me or my wife feel a bit unsafe in our travels.

As for the ocean water being dirty, it is the same ocean that laps the sandy beaches of Brigantine, Long Beach Island, Ventnor, Longport, Margate, Ocean City and dozens of other beach communities up and down the coastline of New Jersey. Millions of visitors can't be all wrong.

 

You do a lot of the same stuff we do

Hit the Nugget thu.afternoon ,have been getting the buff. free,not all that bad BOGO0 or free .Had the happy hour burgers(2.95 w/fries) at M&S in Harrahs ,nice lounge good prices .VP was a disaster but still had a nice time.
May go to Boardwalk sunday,friend from No. Jersey coming down on bus trip.
Glad to hear you won.