Forget what you've heard about the plight of Atlantic City. Sure, casinos are closing, but the resort town still offers plenty of appeal, especially during the summer months. Here's a look at what's new this summer for anyone thinking about a staycation or a weekend getaway:
Resort vibe heats up
Several AC properties have spruced up in time for summer. The Tropicana Casino & Resort has just unveiled a $50 million facelift for its North Tower that includes 434 all-new hotel rooms, a renovated casino floor, a state-of-the-art fitness center, new shops and a multimedia sound and light on its boardwalk facade. The nearby Chelsea, the only non-casino boutique hotel on the boardwalk, is opening a beach bar and enhancing its fifth-floor rooftop pool with a hookah lounge and table tennis.
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has recently invested $13 million in upgrades to its buffet, spa, casino floor and more than 40 suites. At the Golden Nugget, you can enjoy pop-up mini spa treatments on the lawn for just $25 or sip a cocktail on the Tiki Bar at The Deck on weekends.
At Caesars, Gordon Ramsay (“Hell's Kitchen” and “Kitchen Nightmares”) is the latest celebrity chef to come to AC. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill is an upscale restaurant specializing in British staples like a Scotch egg and ale-battered fish and chips, along with the requisite burger, steaks and lobster tail.
On the shopping scene, the 100-store Tanger Outlets The Walk has gained a new anchor in Bass Pro Shops, a mega-store specializing in outdoor gear that features a 13,000-gallon fish tank. This latest “Outpost” is the only one between AC and Harrisburg.
By July Fourth weekend, uber Philly developer Bart Blatstein is promising to unveil the first phase of a multimillion dollar re-do that will turn The Pier Shops into The Playground. The 500,000-square-foot facility is being reimagined via a series of six themed music clubs on the first floor, as well as a 2,000-seat venue for national and regional touring acts, an upscale bowling alley, a sports bar and a pool and club for visitors 21 and up.
Hot tickets
As part of its rebranding, Atlantic City has proclaimed itself the “Entertainment Capital of the Jersey Shore” –– the summer boasts acts like Lana Del Rey (June 6 at the Borgata's Event Center), Idina Menzel (July 10 at Borgata's Event Center), The Eagles (July 17 at Boardwalk Hall), Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (July 24 at the Borgata's Event Center) and Culture Club (Aug. 1 at the Trump Taj Mahal), along with an early fall visit by Madonna (Oct. 3 at Boardwalk Hall).
Meanwhile, Philly favorites The Hooters, joined by G. Love and Special Sauce and Southside Johnny, will kick off Borgata's new outdoor Festival Park venue on June 13. Other acts slated for the 4,500-person facility include The Killers (June 20), Meghan Trainor (July 3) and Willie Nelson (Aug. 16).
Borgata also has unveiled a new production of its “The Burlesque Show,” with a 1940s vibe that runs through Oct. 15, while Golden Nugget is hosting a production of “Beatlemania NOW” from July 14 through Sept. 6.
There also are two free beach concerts slated for August –– one pop and one country, acts to be announced –– that will follow up the widely successful appearances on the beach last year by country stars Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum.
Get the party started
Over the past few years, AC has become a regular stop on the international DJ circuit. This summer, the fourth annual BeachGlow Music Festival, a daylong celebration of electronic dance music on June 27, will be held for the first time in Atlantic City. Headliners like Tommy Trash and Dutch duo Vicetone will be supported by a roster of newer names in EDM. Also making its AC debut is Sand Blast Weekend, a gay circuit party previously held in Asbury Park. The July 17-19 event will feature a cast of internationally known DJs.
At the Borgata's MIXX and mur.mur, boldface club names will include Dutch House DJ Fedde Le Grand on May 23 and DJ Ruckus on June 8, while the Golden Nugget's Haven Night Club will kick off its “Summer of Sunday Nights” with Dutch spinner R3hab on May 24.
Meanwhile, The Pool After Dark at Harrah's Resort will spotlight a host of resident DJs, including Camilo on May 29, Brody Jenner on June 20 and Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” fame on June 27.
Family fun
AC hasn't forgotten those too young to hit the casino floor. The Bass Pro Shops is offering weekly workshops on topics including fishing, archery and water safety, while a range of other outfitters feature lessons in surfing and paddleboarding, as well as special events. The Steel Pier is home to some two dozen rides for various ages and is also developing a 200-foot-tall observation wheel and zip line ride; neither new attraction will be ready for this summer. Also in the pipeline at the Claridge Hotel is a satellite version of the Garden State Discovery Museum for children.