Atlantic City is making headway in its fight toward recognition as a worthy competitor to Las Vegas. With three huge expansions underway and smaller developments opening several times this year, this beach town turned-gamblers playground of 40,500 citizens is growing exponentially. With all these developments and local favorites, Atlantic City is more than a slotters paradise. It is both an East Coast Vegas and a beachcombers playground. It is an easy day trip from Philadelphia and New York and a great getaway for those wanting excitement one night and a getaway the next. It is one of the United States most popular destinations, especially for groups, but there is always plenty to discover or rediscover.
The Historic Gardners Basin district of Atlantic City hosts several festivals and special events each year. The park is home to the Atlantic City Aquarium and Ocean Life Learning Center, restaurants featuring fresh seafood, an alehouse, an ice cream shop, an antique shop and a variety of boat cruises and fishing boat charters. Groups can have dinner looking out onto the water. Clam boats are docked nearby, making for a charming atmosphere. The area also holds an annual Seafood Festival in June.
Atlantic City Cruises offers sailings for up to 100 guests. Dolphin watching, morning skyline cruises, bird watching and happy hour outings have regular schedules throughout the summer. Starting in June they are offering parasailing trips as well, which are a great way to see the skyline and shoreline of the city while getting your soft-adventure kicks as well. (Parasailors are strapped into a seat connected to a parachute and pulled by a speedboat for a very relaxed and safe ride.)

Opened in the summer of 2006, The Pier at Caesars will open as a high end retail, dining and entertainment complex right in the middle of the city’s historic Boardwalk. The Pier is connected to Caesars Atlantic City and measure four floors up, resembling a skyscraper turned on its side. With nine new restaurants; a large collection of choice retailers like Gucci, Hugo Boss and others; and a three-level glass enclosed, multimedia water, light and sound display, groups might just have to spend a couple of days at this new attraction. Family reunion groups can come here to watch their family members renew their vows at the Atlantic Club, a guaranteed destination wedding hotspot.
Atlantic City Outlets The Walk, Atlantic City’s premiere retail complex, underwent a 350,000-ft. expansion that more than doubled the size of the original space. The expansion included international brand restaurants, entertainment and additional parking space.
Caesars Atlantic City guests love Morton’s The Steakhouses 69th location last August. Another Caesars debut last year was the Caesars Poker Room, which holds poker tournaments daily. The popular television series, World Series of Poker, just wrapped filming on an event held in March. On a first come, first serve basis, groups can come to watch televised matches or play a little Hold Em of their own.