Lustrously gleaming on the New Jersey coastline, is the alluring temptress known as Atlantic City. Only a brief, two-and-half hour drive away from the Big Apple, the city is internationally renowned for its lavish resorts and boasts a fiery reputation for gambling, beauty pageants and aggressive commercialism. Did you know that Atlantic City served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game, Monopoly? Having said that, roll the dice, move yourself forward and regardless of where you may land, a startling surprise awaits you.Featured in episodes of ‘Sex and the City’, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and ‘Jersey Shore’, Atlantic City has been portrayed as a place of exuberance. Unrestrained decadence is showcased here –the city is filled with hotels, glitzy skylines, sparkling casinos and fancy restaurants –leading to Atlantic City being dubbed, the ‘Gambling Capital of the East Coast’.
The city’s history is comparable to a gambler’s fortunes at the roulette table. There are ups and downs, but at the end of the day, everything might just come around. That’s not exactly the most sensible piece of advice to curb chronic gambling but it does fittingly describe the city’s past and present. Atlantic City experienced a Golden Age that began in 1920s, and saw the opening of numerous clubs and hotels, thriving during Prohibition, where much alcohol was consumed and gambling took place in the backrooms of restaurants and nightclubs. However, it endured a steep decline in prosperity after World War II, as it was plagued with corruption, crime, and poverty until the mid-late 20th century. Many buildings were demolished and the value of land dropped rapidly. To many, the city’s luck was clearly evaporating into thin air.
However, the odds swung in Atlantic City’s favour with the legalisation of gambling in 1976. The city underwent a meteoric transformation as world-class casino resorts and spectacular entertainment venues were constructed. Waves of visitors soon expedited to Atlantic City, bringing with them lofty investments that contributed to the city’s ascent into a district of opulence and grandeur.
Nowadays, the city has continued to draw millions of visitors annually. The perfect place for a buck’s night or a weekend of unkempt fun –Atlantic City is a location where you can flash your wallet and not feel any encumbrances for doing so. Visit Caesar’s, the premier choice for ornate accommodation and a plethora of tempting casino games. Marvel at the profusion of wealth and splendour, that has been deeply etched within the venue’s foundation, strengthening its status as a source of elite entertainment. Another major feature is the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the first boardwalk in the United States, starting at Abescon Inlet and stretching along the beach for four miles (six kilometres) to the city limit. Notable attractions along this boardwalk include the Boardwalk Hall, House of Blues, and the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, all guaranteed to have you mesmerised with their exhibits for hours.
Quick –grab your buddies and journey into a world of pulsating risks and bold temptation. After all, this is where Jersey Shore was filmed! Cross your fingers, roll the dice and perhaps, it might just be your lucky day in the Vegas of the East Shore.