| Atlantic City is better than ever! | | | | resurgence as a major destination for fun and |
| This fun filled destination, famous for gambling and | | | | entertainment. |
| ritzy casinos, offers great entertainment, good | | | | Since then, the City has experienced continued |
| restaurants, shopping, relaxing on the beach, and | | | | development of hotels, casinos, nite clubs, |
| more. While casino gambling remains its major | | | | entertainment, and other fun attractions offering |
| attraction, the city is intent on becoming a destination | | | | more than casino gambling. |
| that offers fun and excitement for the entire family. | | | | When is the best time to visit? |
| With over 37 million visitors a year, this New Jersey | | | | While there is year round activity, with the summer |
| beachfront resort now rivals other major tourist | | | | being the peak season, the more budget minded |
| destinations like Las Vegas and Disney world. | | | | visitors might consider coming in the winter from |
| It certainly lives up to its motto "Always Turned On!" | | | | January - April, when almost all hotel casinos offer |
| Atlantic City has a long and fascinating history. | | | | outstanding deals and the facilities are less crowded. |
| Dr. Jonathon Pitney originally developed the city as a | | | | What can families who do not gamble do? |
| seaside health resort forthe wealthy residents of | | | | Atlantic City provides lots of entertainment beyond |
| Philadelphia. Development as a major resort for the | | | | the casinos. Stroll the famous Boardwalk, six miles |
| not so wealthy took off significantly after 1854 when | | | | long and 60 feet wide, paralleling the ocean, it is the |
| Philadelphia investors created a rail line linking Atlantic | | | | largest of New Jersey's boardwalks. It's free! Hop on |
| City with Camden, just across the river from | | | | a historic rolling wicker chair and ride in style. The |
| Philadelphia. | | | | Boardwalk is the place to see and be seen. Forget |
| It is the real-life model for the board game Monopoly, | | | | the calories and indulge in a juicy hot dog with all the |
| the nation's first Boardwalk, the world's first big Ferris | | | | trimmings, chewy saltwater taffy and filmy cotton |
| wheel, the first color postcards, and the home of the | | | | candy. |
| first Miss America Beauty Pageant. | | | | In the mood for some shopping? Try the Atlantic |
| During prohibition and the depression, Atlantic City | | | | City Outlets - The Walk. It's an outlet mecca offering |
| was a center for bootlegging, smuggling, speakeasies | | | | very good shopping from children's clothing to home |
| and illegal gambling. The mafia found Atlantic City to | | | | decor and jewelry, to quality clothing including Coach, |
| be a good place for profitable business operations | | | | Banana Republic, and Brooks Brothers. Enjoy the |
| and vacationing. The nearby Pine Barrens were | | | | many restaurants and clubs located within this |
| convenient and well suited for the mafia's activities. | | | | complex. |
| Because of its seclusion and forest cover, and close | | | | Try the Quarter at the Tropicana, where the streets |
| proximity to Atlantic City (as well as New York and | | | | of Havana come alive, with many unique shops and |
| Philadelphia where many mafia resided), the Pine | | | | restaurants, from a burger with the kids to fine |
| Barrens proved to be ideal for distilling, bootlegging, | | | | dining. |
| and body disposal. In was in Atlantic City where the | | | | This city boasts the best concentration of first class |
| Mafia established itself as a national organization. | | | | restaurants in the state, as well as outstanding Philly |
| Fearing the end of prohibition and the loss of | | | | cheese steak sandwiches, pizza, and family |
| profitable bootlegging operations, Mafia leaders from | | | | restaurants. |
| the Midwest and East Coast, --- Al Capone Frank | | | | Enjoy a day at the beaches or on the water with a |
| Costello, Meyer Lansky, and Lucky Luciano --- held | | | | dolphin/whale-watching cruise, parasailing, or a fishing |
| their first national conference in 1929 at the President | | | | expedition. This destination also offers great ocean |
| Hotel. It was here that they were able to develop a | | | | fishing and depending on the time of the year, you |
| system of arbitration and solidify networks made | | | | might catch Marlin, Shark or Tuna. |
| through bootlegging to become a national | | | | Check out the Atlantic City Aquarium located in the |
| organization. | | | | Historic Gardner's Basin. It offers a fun and |
| With airline travel flourishing and the Caribbean and | | | | educational look into more than 100 varieties of fish |
| Florida becoming a magnet for east coast tourists, | | | | and marine animals. |
| Atlantic City experienced a decline during the 50's, | | | | For golf enthusiasts, there are several championship |
| 60's, and 70's. This phenomenon prompted visionary | | | | golf courses nearby, including Blue Heron Pines East |
| city officials to seek an alternative draw as they | | | | and West, The Links at Brigantine Beach, Harbor |
| campaigned to get the state to open the city to | | | | Pines, Mays Landing Golf and Country Club, Sand |
| gambling in the hopes of revitalizing the city and | | | | Barrens Golf Club, Shore Gate Golf Club and Twisted |
| restoring it to its former glory days. With the | | | | Dune Golf Club. |
| passage of the Casino Gambling Referendum in 1976, | | | | If you'd like to learn more about the city in its glory |
| and with the opening of the first casino at Resorts | | | | days, visit the Atlantic City Historical Museum and |
| International in 1978, Atlantic City began its | | | | Cultural Center. |