How is Atlantic City these days?

We are in AC right now. I will write up a proper trip report when we get home but, for a guy who really didn't want to come here I'm having a good enough time. There is some good and bad, but not sorry we came. Mostly because my daughter is enjoying the hell out of the place.

 

Had a decent time in July @ Caesars...

Going back in October staying at Harrahs..

Easier than going to Vegas for me, that's for sure, and has more of a gambling destination feel to it than Biloxi imo.

 

I'm from the Midwest. Iowa to be precise. If anyone should feel threatened by Atlantic City, it should probably be a guy like me, or at least someone from my area. I was last there in 2016, IIRC, and had no issue with the area. My largest complaint is that it isn't easy to get there, unless Chicago has a direct flight again.

 

I hear this often and it’s a valid point, but Philly airport is 65 miles away, all highway. With light traffic it’s about an hour. With “Shore” traffic on Fridays (eastbound) and Sundays (westbound) it’s about an hour and a half. Almost took me as long to get from O’Hare to McCormick Place and I think that’s about 32 miles.

 

Like anywhere, it depends where you go as far as how safe you should feel. My complaint about AC is the places you don't feel safe are just too close to the tourist/boardwalk area. Everyone's experience is different, but I'll put in my TR what I was first hand.

I think we've decided to leave a day early and head home this evening rather than tomorrow morning. We'll see how Philly traffic treats us.....

 

be very careful of your surroundings in ac-----I have a 2nd home in brigantine and frequent the American legion post there------locals will tell you the ac press does not publicize the many muggings,stabbings and shootings since the city is a resort town and depends on the tourist trade and when they go to a boardwalk casino they take the long way thru the tunnel and valet park avoiding self-park for safety reasons

the 3 casinos on the inlet are relatively safe because they are isolated and do not get the ac locals that drift into the casinos on the boardwalk

ac does not have 1 supermarket or a wawa, a result of internal and external theft in the past, and they are the largest city in atlantic county and the county seat-----locals from ac can be seen driving to the shopping center in brigantine to shop at the acme and wawa

ac has a hospital and court house that employs many doctors ,nurses ,judges and lawyers who choose not to live in the city----where else can you find a county seat that only has a handful of law offices-----this is one reason that the ac government has had issues for years,a lack of professional-type people to get involved in politics and run the city in a professional manor

tons of money have poured in for years to upgrade housing ,parks,neighborhoods in general to no avail as the crime rate continues------inside the casinos you are relatively safe since there is adequate security who do a good job as do the ac police on the boardwalk and the beaches-----do not wander past pacific ave and you should be ok

 

Also don't forget they have restarted the rail service. It's now a very easy trip without even renting a car. Fly to PHL, train to 30th st, train to AC, uber/cab (13$cap) to your hotel.

First and FWIW, the NJ Department of state considers Mays landing the county seat. Simply having a civil courthouse does not make it the county seat.

I think some of these statements are over-exaggerated. Atlantic City is a city (like you stated, largest in the county) and like all cities has good and bad. Simply not having a wawa does not define anything. It has, from a quick google search, at least 5 7/11s and roughly 30 other convenience stores (that's all wawa is) it also has 2 super markets not named Acme (a Boom and a Save A lot) both fitting into their demographics of a poverty stricken resort town. Additionally the Acme in Ventnor city is within 5 minutes of most AC residents. Hell the entirety of the island is only 8 miles long

As to professionals not living there, that's becoming the norm most places, especially in tourist destinations and in areas where there is not a lot of luxury living. It can be said for nearly every midsize city (calling AC even that is a stretch with 39k people) The professionals will always live in nicer areas (especially when commuting is super convenient.) Again a quick google search shows 15 different law firms in AC, and another dozen or so in Ventnor city which is virtually walking distance despite the fact that this is not the county seat. Think like living in lower merion and working at St Joseph's University (the acme, wawa and darby tell me you're familiar with that area). In that instance you live in a nice neighborhood and work in philly, but since city line avenue is the divider the commute could be 2 blocks.

Some of the best restaurants in AC are up on Atlantic and Fairmount aves, and the outlets themselves go all the way to fairmount. Heck even the convention center is up above baltic.

Does that mean every area is safe, no. The most important thing is to know your surroundings wherever you are.

Atlantic City is improving dramatically, but you're either trying to make it sound bigger than it is or worse than it is, neither of which is necessarily fair to people trying to decide if it's a place for them.

The tourist parts of AC, like most resort destinations (LV included) are very nice safe and enjoyable. The non-tourist parts are a little more questionable (like the walk from the strip to downtown).

 

To be fair, it's clear you like the place and your view is a bit slanted in that direction, which is fine, but it is what it is. From the perspective of someone who used it as a vacation destination years ago, quit going and went back this year.......well.........I don't want to use any words that would offend you because I'm not looking to make any enemies and appreciate that you enjoy the town, but it does leave a lot to be desired and certainly isn't what it could be.

I would agree with @dukeofdarby in the sense that if you wander past Pacific you are taking a needless risk. We drove into town in the daylight and left during daylight and the things we saw were not the things that make you feel very safe on vacation. The boardwalk area, while needing many improvements, did feel safe and the inside of the hotels/casinos felt safe as well, for sure.

One thing is (or should be) crystal clear, leadership/government has failed that town. in so much so that the town should be the poster child for failed leadership. It could be and should be SO MUCH better, but it shows no signs of it.

 

I figure it's kinda like doing Jerry's Nugget in LV. If you park at the casino and don't go wandering around, you will be fine.

 

In all honesty, @alexm is correct, most places are like that. I just found those places in AC to be way too close to the Boardwalk/tourist area. A good example is the outlet mall. Depending on which way you walk and which hotel you are coming from you may find yourself on a street less than a block from your hotel and feel the need to "pick up your pace".

It just seems to me that potential trouble, or even feeling like there is potential trouble shouldn't be that close to the tourist areas and in this case, directly between two tourist areas that aren't half a mile apart.

 

I stand corrected-----the county seat of atlantic county is in the mays landing section of Hamilton township

actually egg harbor township is the most populous community at 43,000, larger than the cities of wildwood, cape may and atlantic city-----technically atlantic city is the largest CITY

50% of st joseph's university is in lower merion township-----there is a pedestrian bridge that takes you over city line ave-----employees at st joes strive for the jobs that are physically located in lower merion to avoid the philly wage tax,a situation similar to those employees who work in the southern end of the philly airport in terminal A which is in Tinicum twp Delaware county

I would not consider boom and save-a lot full-fledged super markets----and yes there is also an acme in Ventnor,which is most likely frequented by residents on the south side of town----my reference on the acme in brigantine was based on my personal observation and most likely frequented by residents on the north side

as to 7-11 and wawa-----the 7-11 chain has taken a beating from wawa----I am old enough to remember when wawa 1st started and 7-11's were everywhere
now 7-11's are in marginal areas all over the Delaware valley where wawa will not go----

your point is well taken as to reasons why professionals may choose to live outside the city----the issue goes further-----there is a lack of middle income people choosing to live in the city with most of the residents being extreme lower income-----the one exception being the extreme south end next to Ventnor on what I believe is atlantic ave---

a ton of monies have been poured into the north end inlet area for housing in the last decade with only mediocre results-----a check of housing prices reflects the lack of demand for those properties------back to the big issue of the prevalence of crime

most[not all] of the better restaurants on atlantic ave have valet parking for the convenience and safety of their customers-----I am only aware of 1 restaurant on Fairmont ave near the exit of the ac expy and that is angelo's who for years employed this big husky black guy,about 6'5", as a greeter ,standing on the corner outside the restaurant------word was he was there for safety of their customers

as to the outlets and the area around the convention center and railroad terminal-----tons of money put out to build and improve that area which appears safe to me-----however some legion members state that there are a good deal of muggings in that area that never get reported in the papers

 

Fully aware about Saint Joe's as I went there. My point was that an impoverished area can be very close to an upscale area without making the upscale area a dangerous place. Just the other side of the Philadelphia campus of St Joe's is an area of higher crime and lower income. 2 blocks the other way is merion township with it's million dollar homes and such.

I think the reason for no middle class is that there are also no middle class communities, but Atlantic City was never focused on that. The focus has been on the blocks on or next to the boardwalk and hoping for a strong tourism industry. Most tourist spots function exactly the same way. My point was more of it's getting a bad rap it doesn't really deserve because of the areas tourists typically don't frequent.

 

THE HAWK IS DEAD------check with PHIL MARTELLI

 

lol The hawk will never die... That SOB just keeps on flapping

 

I like the place fine. I know they cleaned up the front of Trop, and that casino is a dichotomy in and of itself, given they, at least at that time, had an entire high limit floor that was by invite only. But again, I'm not the best person to base safety on as I've gone to the Bronx for Italian food, and the place was full of guys with handguns. But I knew where I was going, and knew what to expect. Another time BMXT had me as a guest for a seminar, which I mostly blew off, and wandered around NYC alone.

 

We have done the Borg to Brig run many times, and I cant recall getting an actual beach tag from anyone. Maybe they hand them out when you go to get a chair or umbrella? No clue. But never once have I been asked to show my tag by beach patrol either.

Yup, the easy cheap and quick flights from Ohare were awesome! Spirit screwed AC out of the deal though. Once AC stopped subsidizing each seat in and out, Spirit just gave up. I still fly in via the FlyBorgata program. But my kids obviously cant come with.

 

I love AC, I have fun in AC. I do wish there was more to do in and around AC though. With that said, I don't buy the "every city has warts" distraction that gets tossed around here. AC is a rough and tumble town. Yes, you are mostly safe in the casinos. But that doesn't mean a bum wont ask you for change, a vagrant wont be looking to bum a smoke or you wont have to listen to "I'm on my way to Philly and ran out of gas" every hour on the hour. "Safe", in Atlantic City, means you are less likely to be mugged, raped or killed. You have to face facts. There is a reason why the crime index is 4. On a scale of 100 being the safest city, to 1 being "grab your guns", AC is a 4.

You know where else there are a ton of liquor and convince stores, like 7-11? Every improvised area ever. Yes, Ventor is not bad at all! But that is not where Tourist go, and is far removed from the action on the Boardwalk. Walk behind that action, and its an absolute scary shithole for tourist.

I'm in Chicago, and we absolutely have our warts. But all the Chi-Raq stuff you read about, is tucked away into the South side of the city, where tourists and vacationers have zero reason to go. We are talking miles away from our Downtown. And nearly an hour away from the museums, parks, shops, sites and restaurants of the North side of the city where people come to play.

Our former Mayor Rich Daley cleaned that all up in the 90's. Downtown had too many street performers and bums, so he fixed all that. There is no place you can walk to, from your fancy hotel in Downtown, that you will feel unsafe. Miles in each direction, by design, are safe for tourists. Crime in AC is steps away from where you are, at nearly every turn. Walk out behind Ballys, and look around at the Bus Terminal. Walk into Gem Liquors, just a couple blocks from the beach there, and tell me if you feel safe. Go next door to late night liquors, its more of the same.

Now, Chicago sees 60MIL tourists a year. And we don't tell people "just stick to the lakefront". Or "you are safe in your hotel".

I would never spin a tale that AC is pretty due to all the lawyers in town. Those lawyers are there to help with the crime processing, and that is why they are everywhere for the same reason there are over two dozen bail bonds places around the Boardwalk itself. And the Professionals don't live in AC, since AC cant support professionals due to the crime and blight. No one is building fancy high dollar town homes near that hospital because the area is shit.

Again, I love AC for what it is. I know, when I take my kids, to stay on the Boardwalk or beach and to never go out at night. When I go with the guys, we stick to the hotels/casinos or just bum around the marina. These choices are not our own. We wish we could do more in town, but are limited to where we can walk, and where we are less likely to be stabbed. And, when people chose places to go on vacation, a lot of people wont go to AC, since they don't want to work around the whole "Non-Stabby" area situation.

Yes, AC is better. But no, AC is still bad. But fun when done right! Just keep your head on a swivel.

 

Is this the general consensus? I'm headed down to AC on Thursday...should we avoid self-park at Bally's, and do valet instead?

My trip consists of me and another male friend (so, 2 of us), we're both in our 40's. Is the walk down Ventnor from Bally's to Bare Exposure OK? Should we walk "boardwalk side" as much as possible, then cut through Boardwalk Hall (if we can even do that)?

 

If you like the Wynn, then you MUST book reservations for Amada if you can find any available spots. It's one of the THE BEST restaurants I've been do. Dolce was also very good. What's great about Ocean's is that there's so many chairs / places to relax that aren't by the casino. In fact, you can stay there without ever going in a casino. If the kids are older, have them go to HQ2 for a pool party. Oh man, I could go on about Ocean's. There's also a great cheap Taco Truck.

Oh, and COMPS are very easy to come by so definitely run by a host desk after...

 

I have self parked at Bally’s and Caesars too many times to remember with my wife and two adult daughters, I’ve never felt unsafe. I also visited the bar next to the Bare Exposure, strictly because they had a beer special one evening...$3 Bud Light. It was around midnight on a weeknight. At one time they had a Thursday special, bring your mug and they will fill it with Bud Light for $2, but I forgot my 1 liter plastic mug. That said, if I was a female who just hit a slot machine for $2k and let the whole floor know it, I might get an escort to my car. As I would recommend at any casino.

I have walked on the boardwalk at night going between casinos and have not felt unsafe, many times I park on the street when I’m collecting a quick $10 free play run. Never had a problem. The last time I was approached for a handout in a casino was 2 years ago at Resorts and a security guard had been watching the guy and he was escorted out.

I think the strip club has a shuttle bus, for what it’s worth. But if you walk, I would just exit at Caesars valet area on Pacific Ave and walk down to Bare Exposure.

I went to City Data and the Crime Rate for Atlantic City was 593, Chicago was 510, Philadelphia was 458, Baltimore was 909. The lower the number, the better. The population of Atlantic City is less than 40,000 and I would estimate there are about 20,000 hotel rooms, so on weekends with hotels filled to capacity and day trippers, the population could easily double. Just like when there’s a Penn State home game, State College is the third biggest town in Pennsylvania. I have to believe these crime figures based on population are skewed due to the high number of transient visitors.

As I said before, I am totally biased because I have been coming to AC for many years. I also had a sales territory that required travel to not so nice places in North Philly and the greater NYC area. I am aware of my surroundings at all times. I never valet, I visit many non-casino bars, restaurants and attractions that require street parking and never had an incident. Except for the time I gave the bartender a $20 at the Ducktown Tavern and he gave me change for a $10. My only experience with getting robbed in AC, but the offender said “have a nice day.”