Atlantic City, NJ
I last visited Atlantic City about thirty years ago. And to tell you the truth, not much has changed. The boardwalk is pretty much the same as I remember. Steel Pier is like an amusement park on a dock with a ferris wheel and other rides that’s great for children…weather permitting of course. The boardwalk has some arcades, entries to other hotels and casinos, and a few grimy restaurants.
There is also an outlet mall (which is relatively new) if you want to go shopping. And of course, the Atlantic City staple is White House Subs, which has been opened since 1946 and frequented by many celebrities! You must stop here for an amazing sandwich at one point of your stay. Other than this, there’s really very little to do in Atlantic City unless you go during the summer and can actually go to the beach.
The big draw to AC is that it is less than a three hour drive from NYC (depending on traffic) and that the hotels are grand…which gives your children a sense that they’ve travelled somewhere extravagant. And in the winter, there is no better option than to stay at the brand new Ocean Resort Casino that is a Hyatt Hotel and just recently opened on the boardwalk. I’ve been told by a few that this hotel used to be the old Revel and just needed new management. The hotel amenities are fantastic, as are the rooms and views. The indoor/outdoor pool and jacuzzi outside (videos below) are phenomenal. The casino is decent. The spa is fabulous! It is definitely worth staying here for a couple nights with friends and family during a winter school break! But don’t expect to do much more outside the hotel.
For those who are strictly kosher, there are a couple of restaurants (both dairy and meat) within a 10 minute drive of the hotel. But beware, they do not deliver. And aren’t so great. Just google them! You can always try contacting the local Chabad to see if they can accommodate your family for a meal (and just give them a donation if you decide to dine here one evening).