Atlantic City on a Budget? (school, casinos, price)

[+Daimon]

Hi all,

Me and my girlfriend are visiting Atlantic City this weekend...she has a med school interview at Penn on Thursday so we figured while we're down there we'd see what AC is like.

Looking for advice on places to eat and such that wouldn't break the bank...unless I win some money at the poker tables we would only have a couple hundred dollars to spend.

I know there should be good dining in AC, any specific recommendations on seafood or casino buffet type places that aren't ridiculously expensive?

[HeatherLynn822]

My favorite place to eat is Carmine's in the Tropicana!

As for budget places to stay.... anywhere on the boardwalk is definitely going to cost you on the weekend. You may be better off staying off the boardwalk to save a few bucks.

[PokingMyPancreas]

Carmine's is awesome! PF Chang's (right next to Carmines in The Quarter) has good food and well priced. In my opinion, the Tropicana has the best, inexpensive places to eat.

Heatherlynn is right about staying off the boardwalk on a weekend. If you do your research, you might be able to book a cheap room in a boardwalk property on the weekend.

If you and your GF are going to be out of the room most of the day and just need a place to rest, I would suggest staying at Trump Marina. It's not very modern, but it's clean and super cheap.


Maybe some other posters on here have more suggestions..

[block911]

Save your money and go to vegas, it will be cheaper and better. AC == crap

[NY Annie]

Carmine's has changed - avoid it!

My all time favorite place is next door to the Trop - outside on the boardwalk, just south - it's called Country Kitchen. Great for breakfast or lunch or a VERY early dinner. Other than that, if I've got some bucks or comps, I'll go to Bally's Wild West for the Virginia Buffet. If you like seafood buffet, there's one that's known for it, but we don't eat seafood so I can't remember.

Also, there are plenty of pizza places as well as McDonald's, etc. along the boardwalk. Sometimes it's nice to just "grab a slice" and roam the boardwalk. Just watch out for dipping airborne scavengers. The sea gulls have become a major nuisance.

If you're staying overnight without comps - go out Blackhorse Pike to the Best Western. (Next door to a bingo hall) There are a bunch of cheap places along the way.

As for Block's comment - We found Vegas just ok - same with Mohegan Sun. If you're not hanging around the casino, what's to do? We did the Dam and Canyon, gambling, other sightseeing and then what? We've done shows both in AC and NYC and there wasn't anything specific to Vegas. At least when you're tired of gambling, AC has the boardwalk and the beach and the sounds and smell of the ocean - and the IMAX at the Trop. And boardwalk taffy and fudge.

Don't let anyone tell you the boardwalk isn't safe. We have gone out for a walk at all times of the night. There are cops everywhere - and the casino security people have radios in constant contact with the police. The AC PD is out there - in cars, on bikes, rollerblading, walking. I remember one winter night there was a patrol car driving up and down the boardwalk with the windows down and music - "Bad Boys" - they were having a good time and so were we. Another time we saw a "fracas" developing in front of a casino. By the time it got going, less than 5 minutes, there were 2 cop cars and others on bikes and rollerblades. It was ended before it had a chance.

[GiantRutgersfan]

McDonalds. Be a dollar menuaire

[CaptainNJ]

pf changs. get the mongolian beef and crispy honey shrimp.

[PokingMyPancreas]

I'm a big fan of the egg rolls appetizer. Soooooooo yummy!!!

[NY Annie]

No matter what you do, get a player's card - at the least it'll get you free parking. We were at the trop 3 weeks ago, they didn't even charge the $5 AC parking fee.

The casinos are so empty. and quiet. From one end to the other, quiet. The boardwalk had no crowds, either and it was a truly gorgeous couple of days. Not too hot, but a gentle breeze and lots of sun.

[CaptainNJ]

AC isnt a glamorous place. the boardwalk is absolutely gross. its littered with toothless homeless people and petty cabs. the gambling crowd in the casinos for the most part are degenerates. the most normal crowd is the borgata on the weekends. you get the nightlife action there saturday night that brings normal people.