1. Surf City

   Atlantic City sits on the southern end of the New Jersey coastline. A lot of the ocean side hotels offer beach clubs with bars on the beach and chaises. Catch some sun here on the beautiful beaches . If you want more privacy, drive to the island directly north of the city. This is Brigantine, a long sand spit with the best beaches north of the Caribbean. The sand is like powdered sugar and the water is clean, clear and surprisingly warm.

2. Shop til You Drop

   Why waste that recently one money on more slots or poker. Atlantic City boasts a large outdoor outlet mall (similar to what Las Vegas has). This is a dazzling array of high end and low end stores. You can buy some jeans at Tommy Hilfinger',s a tee at Nautica and a bag at Coach. Take a break and eat at the new fondue restaurant there or at the new Creperie. Theirs is also a Stewarts Root Beer stand for a quick pick me up. There are also the Crafter's Village located in North Atlantic City off North New Hampshire Ave. Here you can buy funky tie dye paint yourself Frisbees and neat old prints of Atlantic City. If you want beachy fun stuff , then head over to the Surf Shop in Brigantine. Here you can buy Brigantine tee shirts, shell anklets and fun seashore themed gewgaws to take home.

3. Pet a Mantra Ray

   The Atlantic City Aquarium, located at the very northernmost tip of the town, has a small tank full of sweet faced cow nosed rays as well as the pink edged Southern Sting rays . There is also one lone small spotted bamboo shark too. For extra fun participate in their lunchtime. A small cup of food (frozen mackerel ) is only a dollar and it's worth it , just to have a ray eat out of your hand. Other cool exhibits are the moray eel , the piranha tank and the living coral reef. For surrealism take a look at the jellyfish floating in a darkened tank There are also some cool things for the kids to do as well , including some brass rubbings and a kind of mini maze involving a yellow submarine. There is a small admission fee.

4. Go on a Foodie Frenzy

   This city has some of the best restaurants and chefs on the East Coast (well second to New York City). You can dine at Harrah's newest import, McCormick and Schmicks. This is an upscale seafood restaurant which has the best of the sea . The town also boasts of Tun's Brewery in the Sheraton which you can go for boutique beers and ales. Head over to North Atlantic City, where you can find The Flying Cloud Café. This is a great New England type of dockside restaurant. The crab cakes are heavenly as are the fish and chips. The Flying Cloud also has a sinful chocolate cake covered with hot fudge, caramel walnuts and chocolate drizzled whipped cream. For burger there's the Back Bay Ale House located near The Flying Cloud (right by the Atlantic City Aquarium)Steak lovers will rejoice because there is a Ruth Chris; Steakhouse and Manhattan's The Old Homestead. Also the best pizza in town is at Harrah's food court in a place called Walt's This is the thinnest crust pizza you'll ever eat.

5. Get Lost in History

   This area is the stuff of legends with New Jersey's greatest one being born in nearby Smithville. This is the birthplace of the Jersey Devil, the mythical dragon like beast that has terrorized the area for 250 years. (legend has it that he was the unwanted cursed child of a Colonial woman and a British soldier). There is also stories of Blackbeard's treasure buried somewhere in one of Brigantine's many bayside inlets. Real history includes one of the skirmishes during the Revolutionary War with the fallen heroes being buried in Smithville's country cemeteries. There is also the town of Smithville, known for its' restaurants and crafts but it also has several original buildings from the 1700's. Atlantic City itself is rich in history with its many tales of rum runners and glamorous robber barons It's also the birthplace of salt water taffy.

The next time you're in Atlantic City gamble on the fun you'll have by not gambling. There is so much to see and do in this town. You won't have any time to hit the slots , or even the poker tables. You'll be too busy exploring Atlantic City's other lures.

Don't bother with valet parking here. They are slow and rude. Knowing this from previous visits we parked in the garage and went straight to the check-in. The line was long, but it moved along at a good pace.

When we got to the desk I asked if they had a suite for us. Now note, I only reserved a regular room and this was free. The clerk asked to see our Ids and asked if there were any special occasions. I mentioned an anniversary and he upgraded us to a Fiore Suite at no charge! The room was great! Great view. Lots of room. Nice deep tub and a large shower.

We ate at Bobby Flay Steak the first night. It was bad. The service was Ok but the food was awful.

My wife had a massage the next day. She really enjoyed the great service.

We ate at Homestead the next night. They were great, as usual. If you go to Homestead consider splitting the salad, potatoes, and main course. The portions are huge. More than enough for two. Service was outstanding.

Room service was fast, courteous, and accurate.

The Borgata is a place where you go to spend money. Even with a comped room we spent a lot on drinking, dining, and the spa. Of course the casino is the casino… If you are looking for an inexpensive AC trip, try somewhere else. But it you are looking for the closest thing to a five-star Vegas resort on the East Coast, nothing beats the Borgata!