But I must admit there was one thing I was excited to do during my very first time at a casino – throw some quarters in a machine, pull a lever, watch my luck flash before my eyes and hope that millions of dollars would come spilling out faster than my hands could grab it. You know, like the movies.
When I entered my first casino last weekend I rushed toward the slot machines only to find that their methods resemble those of an upscale apartment complex’s laundry room. You have to use a card. For someone who had no interest in making an investment in Atlantic City, I had to walk away.
To start at the beginning, we arrived at the Hilton and were amazed by our room. 17th floor, ocean view.
My friend Leigh had an in and we were able to stay at the Hilton for free, that’s just how we roll.
We quickly got ready and headed out for a night on the town. Aside from the disappointing slot machines, I was most shocked to find out that the casinos are kind of like a big mall with random sections that have gambling. It’s kind of horrifying if you really think about it.
Inside this crazy world we went to dinner at The Continental at The Pier in Caesars. It was hip and trendy with a whole mix of tapas and family style entrees – American style tapas if you will. The food was amazing and shockingly inexpensive, though I may be a little too used to Boston. I spent about $32 on my meal, with wine. Plus, any place that has a mountain of thinly sliced fries on the menu is good by me…
After dinner, we entered the fray where I experienced first hand, exactly how they design casinos to make people lose all sense of space and time. There aren’t just no windows, they have fake skylines and palm trees.
Our night was filled with karaoke at Planet Rose, where they have wireless microphones, which was the best part. We also went to a bar where we danced our hearts out until the wee hours of the night, ahem, morning. I feel like I was in AC for an eternity that one night and the exhaustion hasn’t quite left me.
But at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are, when you wake up to this…
…even if only a few hours after you went to bed, you realize you’ve got nothing to complain about.
Your description of casinos resembling malls made me laugh. I live in Vegas, and that’s surely true of places here. You can play video poker at the convenience and grocery stores (though I don’t), but if you want to go to the movies or shop… you go to a casino. Thanks for sharing your Atlantic City experience.
That is absolutely GORGEOUS, and I felt the same wave of disappointment this summer when I went to my first real casino. Officially.
Those french fries look awesome! Who knew the jersey could be so nice? or did you photo shop the beach picture?
i’ve never been to atlantic city, but i think it would be a fun weekend with friends!
i did have fun the few hours i was in vegas though!
Those fries look amazing! And it’s true about casinos
wow I would love to wake up to that also
and those fries look yummy
carnivals on the beach?
gambling in malls?
this nj place sounds kinda awesome.
Sounds like a great time overall, very interesting to hear about the slot machines aswel. The meal sounded fantastic and at the price what more could you want.
that last picture of the beach is quite stunning. I agree with you, the casinos are very depressing.