I woke up around 7:00 on our last morning and, with Ben just descending into REM sleep, I decided to take a stroll along the boardwalk and check out some of the “old-time” areas further north between Bally’s and Resorts. When I walked out to the Boardwalk, I was amazed to see people lined up at the beach entrance next to the Pier at Caesars waiting to stake their claim on the sand. It seemed that not much has changed on this section of the Boardwalk which I actually saw as a good thing. I was concerned about the fire damage that apparently happened in front of the Central Pier Arcade. I think I wouldn’t have minded indulging in a shoulder or foot massage from one of the many shops offering the service. I was also sure that Ben wouldn’t mind indulging in the more moderate food prices at the dining establishments I passed. When I got back to Caesars just before 8:00 and saw an even longer line waiting to enter the beach, I hoped to myself that they were just minutes away from starting their day.
I was curious about both the Qua Spa and the rooftop pool. In fact, I considered indulging in a spa pass for Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, I was not able to convince Ben that relaxing in a pampering environment for a couple hours was worth the equivalent of five hands of blackjack. We were both mildly interested in the pool, so I thought I’d do the legwork to see if either the pool or spa were worth squeezing in that morning. After trekking over to the Centurion Tower where the spa was located, I realized that I would have to go through the spa to get to the elevator leading to the rooftop pool. Not being really dressed for either, I decided to decline going any further and headed back to wake Ben for breakfast.
Our last meal of the trip was to our eat-in kitchen Café Roma. The $4 short stack of pancakes put a smile on Ben’s face. Along with my own short stack, my bland taste buds decided to go “wild” and order chicken-apple sausage. The sausage turned out to be a bust but I had certainly taken bigger risks in the casino.
We packed up and by 10:30 were on the road. Four and a half hours later, I was back in Virginia and Ben had returned to Maryland, each of us managing to have some leftover change in our pockets.
Before I finish, here are some notes and thoughts on getting around town:
Although I was used to free parking (or a tip to the valet) in Las Vegas, I was not surprised that Atlantic City casinos charged to drive into their facilities as day trippers make up a considerable portion - if not the majority - of their visitors. I believe we paid $5 a night for a total $10 plus the occasional valet tip. However, I found the rules for hotel guests to be a bit confusing if not also annoying. When we went out on our first night to the Tropicana, the valet told us that we could park at any casino for free until 3:00am. That seemed fair to us. Upon riding out to the Borgata and Showboat the next day, however, we had to pay $3-5 to park at each of them. I think it would be beneficial if there were some consistent cross-honoring system between casinos for hotel guests.
At a length of two-and-a-half miles, the Boardwalk isn't quite as lengthy as the four-mile Las Vegas Strip. Nonetheless, the idea of strolling aside the ocean may not be enticing for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options, each with their benefits depending on how one values their time versus their money.
Taxis are the quickest choice and aren't always the most expensive option. The maximum fare within the city limits is currently $13 plus tip. If you're traveling between Boardwalk casinos, it is sure to be much less.
Jitneys, which were once horse-drawn wagons in Atlantic City, are now modernized 13-passenger mini-buses that travel to every casino and all around the city 24 hours a day, every day. A single ride fare can be purchased for $2.25 with the option of a multiple-ride discount. For some, the one drawback to this option would be relying on a schedule.
The rolling chairs are a popular way to get around the Boardwalk and take a relaxing self-guided tour while a hard-working attendant pushes you towards your destination. The cost varies by the amount of blocks one travels, from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $40 for a one hour tour. The attendants do appreciate tips; a person of size may want to be particularly generous.
And finally, each casino has access to personal scooters for rent. The scooter would be useful both inside the hotel and out on the Boardwalk. It would be good to confirm with the hotel before arrival that they will have the appropriate size in reserve.
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