Atlantic City, NJ

[wvjules]

I’m thinking of a solo trip to AC in May. I want an ocean front casino hotel.

My plans include gambling, eating, laying by pool and laying by beach.

Suggestions? Where have you stayed and liked? Also since I am a single woman safety is a must.

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, safety is the big key. Pick one of the casinos clustered around the boardwalk and stay there. Atlantic City is a total dumpster fire if you go outside of the casino area. You'll be fine if you stay in the hotel and beach area.

Don't have a specific recommendation for hotels. We used to do a ton of day trips there. The last few times we stayed overnight, we stayed at the Atlantic City Convention Center for free. It is not beachfront. There is some nice shopping near by, but we didn't want to walk around there after dark.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. It used to be that your only choices for gambling were Nevada or Atlantic City. Now there are various resort style casinos all over the country (not sure where OP lives or how far you want to travel) and many of them are in very good areas. I would first do a search on what casinos are around and go from there. Atlantic city would be my LAST choice even if you weren't traveling solo. That area is VERY sketchy and never improved as was originally envisioned when they started building casinos.

 

[dclpluto]

Why do you want to go to Atlantic City? I live about a hour away. It’s been at least 5 years since I been there. Atlantic City is a dirty city. I’m there 2 hours and I had enough on the rare times that I go. . There is no way I would go there on vacation.

 

[L&Lfan]

I live within a half hour of Atlantic City and it’s an arm pit! Having said that, the Borgata is the only casino I’ve been to in the last 20 years. It’s beautiful but not on the beach. But it would nicely fulfill 3 out of 4 of your qualifications.

 

[gina2000]

Borgata/Water Club. All the other hotels are dumps. Water Club has a gorgeous indoor pool and gorgeous outdoor pool. Borgata opened a beautiful outdoor pool last summer. You're not on the beach but the Atlantic City beaches adjacent to the casinos aren't pristine.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I live within a half hour of Atlantic City and it’s an arm pit! Having said that, the Borgata is the only casino I’ve been to in the last 20 years. It’s beautiful but not on the beach. But it would nicely fulfill 3 out of 4 of your qualifications.

I agree. I live close to AC, too. The only time I go there is when I have jury duty.

 

[L&Lfan]

I agree. I live close to AC, too. The only time I go there is when I have jury duty.

Thank God the AC “International” Airport isn’t in AC!

I live 11.5 miles from AC and avoid it like the plague. I’ve got lots of friends who make their living there so I am grateful for that..... but if AC is what it is now after 41 years of legal gambling, imagine what it would be like without it!!!!

 

[ncc1701]

If you are going to the Boardwalk go to Caesars/ Bally's . They have an internal connector . You are also a short walk from the outlets if interested ( during the day) If you venture to another Boardwalk casino do it during the day. Like another said I would stay at the Borgota. They put in a new outdoor pool area a year or 2 ago. Not sure about the pools at the Boardwalk hotels.
We live in South Jersey (Philadelphia suburbs) & are area natives ( DH grew up in Philadelphia, me in SJ). We have only done AC as a short get away in winter ( staying at the hotels mentioned).Even then we take day trips to other towns for lunch. In the summer season ( May thru September) I would vote for staying at another town then going to AC for a day.

 

[pens4821]

We haven't been for going on 3 years, but we always liked Resorts. We've stayed at most the boardwalk (haven't stayed at Trop or Oceans) casinos and it was always our favorite. It's small, but we liked the bars and dining options. There is also a pool that they can open the roof (so if the weather isn't great, it'll be indoors).

The Ocean Resort is the newest and it looks really nice, but I've never stayed there. It's a little further down the boardwalk though, with nothing right there.

 

[skyblue17]

The new Hard Rock is open and quite nice. It is the only resort on the Boardwalk that actually feels brand new and exciting. Not sure if it's the best place for a solo trip but it has a fun vibe. It also connects to Resorts and Showboat (which is now being used as a hotel only).

I go to Atlantic City at least once a year. It is definitely starting to trend back up, at least tourism-wise. I'd suggest Ocean/Hard Rock/Resorts simply because they are all close together, with a bunch of stuff on the Boardwalk, including the Steel Pier. Tropicana is also nice if you are interested in a hotel that has everything on site and you won't need to venture further than the hotel itself.

If you stay at the Borgata, you will not have the beach and will need to take a Uber/Jitney to go to the beach. The Boardwalk hotels are perfect for the beach, and should have good weekday rates. Weekends, not as much.

 

[ChickieToo]

Where do you live? It can still be pretty cool in May--too cool the beach, imho.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

The beach in Atlantic City isn't particularly nice. Better to stick with the hotel pool.

Where do you live? It can still be pretty cool in May--too cool the beach, imho.

There are days warm enough to sit on the beach, but forget about going into the ocean unless you're a polar bear. BRRRRRR!!!!!

 

[wvjules]

I am open to other places. AC is just the first one that came to mind.

I also don’t plan on swimming in ocean. But want nice enough to sit on beach and read for a while.

Any suggestions since it seems AC may not be such a good idea? I want to drive. Oh. I’m in the DC metro area.

 

[ncc1701]

We stayed in Avalon& Ocean City . There are 2 hotels on the beach in Avalon , Windrift and Icona Avalon. We have stayed at both and& prefer Icona. There hotels in Ocean City but we have only rented houses in OC. FYI OC is also a dry town so no restaurants have alcohol or allow BYOB.
Other towns we have visited to eat &/or shop on our trips are Cape May (plenty of hotels and B&Bs), Stone Harbor ( new hotel The Reed's a few blocks from the beach in the center of town). We have only driven thru The Wildwoods or Sea Isle so no recommendations.
You will get the best rates Sunday to Thursday nights. Weekends are more expensive .
All these locations are south of Atlantic City. Avalon and Stone Harbor are on the same island

 

[pens4821]

I am open to other places. AC is just the first one that came to mind.

I also don’t plan on swimming in ocean. But want nice enough to sit on beach and read for a while.

Any suggestions since it seems AC may not be such a good idea? I want to drive. Oh. I’m in the DC metro area.

I wouldn't let people talk you out of it if you do want to go. People tried telling me how bad it was, and we ended up going 3 times a year for 6 or 7 years. We really enjoyed it. The beach and boardwalk are nice, there are plenty of places to eat/drink, and all the hotels are nice (not going to lie, they aren't 5 stars, but they are nice). The only reason we stopped is because we started doing other trips, and couldn't justify the gambling anymore.

Atlantic City is a dump though, and I wouldn't go off the boardwalk. But I never felt unsafe on the boardwalk, and I've been on it day/night, with people and with very few people.

 

[skyblue17]

If you're interested in gambling/outlets/etc., AC is still a fine choice for you. I've done solo trips there and had a fine time. But if it's mostly beach, Cape May or Ocean City might be better, since they are calmer and a bit nicer, while still having their own vibe and a small town feel.

 

[Klayfish]

I am open to other places. AC is just the first one that came to mind.

I also don’t plan on swimming in ocean. But want nice enough to sit on beach and read for a while.

Any suggestions since it seems AC may not be such a good idea? I want to drive. Oh. I’m in the DC metro area.

If you want Jersey beaches, I'd go with Ocean City (right near AC) or Cape May.

 

[mamamary]

We rented a house in Avalon 3 summers ago.

 

[donac]

May is not beach weather in NJ. Sept is better for crowds and weather. AC is not my idea of a destination