Full disclosure: As chief strategy officer for the Atlantic City Alliance, it is my job to tell people about the new in A. C. Before joining the organization behind the “Do AC” ads, I frequently wrote about A.C. in this column. Now that I am the official “AC Insider,” I wanted to share a few tips on what I think you will enjoy.
Lots of new
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened a new restaurant (28 West Bar & Bites), debuted a new burlesque show and updated its club, mur.mur. Resorts Casino Hotel opened the brand-new Margaritaville on Memorial Day while Revel opened its ultra-luxe HQ Beach Club. Steel Pier added more new rides and a great boardwalk bar and grill. The Atlantic Club has a Jazz Sunday Brunch and Tropicana launched new restaurants and a renovated IMAX theater.
For LGBT nightlife, there is Pro Bar at Resorts and a new after-hours bar called the Rainbow Room, at 55 S. Bellevue Ave.
Hotel deals
With 20,000 hotel rooms in A.C., many of which are newly renovated, there are usually great deals to be found. Midweek hotel prices are the best bet in Atlantic City. Right now the casino resorts and hotels deliver summer midweek deals geared for every taste and budget (all under $200 per night) and with no minimum stays that are often found in beachside resorts in high season. Yes, Saturday-night stays are in high demand — especially in summer.
Free events • July Fourth Fireworks: Imagine standing on the famous A.C. Boardwalk at the legendary Steel Pier and seeing fireworks everywhere—to the left and to the right and even behind you! On this July Fourth, the rocket’s red glare will be 10,000 multicolored fireworks that will illuminate the night. The “DO AC Fireworks Spectacular” is four beautifully choreographed, visually stunning and elaborate fireworks shows along the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Marina on Thursday, July 4, starting at 9:30 p.m.
• World Championship of Sand Sculpting: The century-old art form returns to its roots in A.C. The competition marks the first time the World Championship of Sand Sculpting will be held in Atlantic City, where sand artistry had its earliest beginnings in the late 1800s. Check out the massive displays created by artists from 13 countries.
• “Boardwalk Beat” — a new, family-friendly, nightly 3D light and sound show — is a foot-tapping, heart-thumping journey through eight decades of musical history, including ’20s ragtime, ’30s cotton club, ’40s Broadway musicals, ’60s surf music, ’70s disco, ’80s pop and ’90s hard rock. Historic Boardwalk Hall is magically transformed into a gigantic whimsical jukebox hopping randomly from one musical era to another.
• Miss America’s return to her home in Atlantic City will be a 13-day event following Labor Day weekend and will include three nights of preliminary competitions that will take place on Sept. 10, 11 and 12 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. This historic return will be a monumental event complete with the much-anticipated Miss America “Show Us Your Shoes Parade” that will be held on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Jeff Guaracino is the author of “Gay and Lesbian Tourism: The Essential Guide for Marketing.”