I visited Atlantic City yesterday for the first time in a good 20 years. My family and I used to prowl AC frequently in the1980s, playing the casinos, seeing shows and enjoying the Boardwalk.
Seeing the city on Saturday was both happy and sad. I relived a lot of fond memories as me and my girlfriend strolled the boards, taking in the Atlantic Ocean on a warm, humid afternoon. It was nice seeing familiar places yet somewhat sad to see what AC has become.
Getting of the AC Expressway, the first thing I noticed was no "Trump" signs- no more Taj Mahal or Trump Plaza. A truly different Atlantic City form 30 years earlier.
I always thought so much more could be done with Atlantic City other than the casinos. Nowadays, my family goes to Valley Forge if they wish casino gambling. The AC casinos are less now, and I fondly remembered the long-gone days of the Showboat and My late mom, my Uncle Henry Henry and Aunt Sue, all goen now, had so many good times at the old Sands and Claridge casinos. To see them gone, with not much taking their place even now, was depressing.
We stayed on the Boardwalk. since we had a show at the Tropicana later that night. So we didn't get to the marina area, where casinos like the Borgata and Harrah's sit. We strolled from the Trop past Caesar's and Ballys. The Boardwalk wasn't too crowded on a sunny afternoon.
The Boardwalk itself hasn't changed much. There are more sound snow, ads for meals and casinos, more music too, but with the same pizza shops, little clothing spots, and shops where one cna buy salt water taffy and fudge. Salt water taffy was big with Atlantic City when I was a kid. Not so much anymore. We only saw one store advertising salt water taffy in our limited journey.
Same diving seagulls. Same little gynies or trams rolling up and down the boards. A few people were on the beach, even some in the churning water, even though officials warned people to stay out of the water due to rough surf form once-Hurricane Jose.
Boardwalk Hall is the iconic symbol of AC, still old and majestic, a sight for sore eyes among all the glitz and glamour. I noticed more outdoor cafes on the boards, a millennial trend, even in Phoenixville.
Inside the Trop, we actually had a hard time finding a restaurant that only served American food. Immigrants- both visitors and employees- were everywhere. Cuisines catering to Mexican, Cuban and even Argentinian tastes abounded. We finally ventured back out to the Boardwalk and hit up nearby Chickie and Petes for sandwiches and crab fries.
The Trop itself is massive and somewhat confusing. From the parking garage we ended up near the casino and had to ask numerous workers how to get downstairs to the Boardwalk. Either they didn't know or didn't take the time to properly direct us to elevators that were hidden in corners of the casino.
Casinos have no clocks and few elevators. They want you to stay and spend your money.
We played Joker Poker machine and won a few bucks. It's always good to leave a winner. The tables were packed, especially after the show, all with high limits. Even the table games seemed to be different- less Blackjack and Roulette tables, more exotic and strange games.
Saturday night... well-dressed guys and ladies..alcohol flowing..waitresses flying everywhere..the whistles, beeps, and cheers near the slot machines. Same atmosphere as 30 years ago. But different..
No more quarters clanging into empty buckets. Now, instead of change coming out after a win, a paper ticket voucher is issued.. When cashing in, no more cashiers for coins- coin redemption is now ATMs that dole out cash in exchange for the vouchers.
Even the term "one-armed bandits" doesn't apply anymore.Players don't pull handles now- they push buttons.
Still lots of excitement and hopes of winning it big. Some things never change.
Going to and from the casino, there are more mall-like, high-end stores than before. In the past, one could walk into the casino from any entrance. Now, one has to wind through stores and stores to get to where you want to go. More ways to spend your money.
So, my visit to Atlantic City was a nice time, concert included. But it did bring back memories of the good 'ol days when life- and AC- was simpler. It also reminded me that AC still could be so much better with a clearer direction.Plenty of high-rise hotel rooms. But who will fill them?
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