By Scott Cronick
Atlantic City might not be the first place you think about visiting to soak in the holiday spirit, but it’s a winter wonderland certainly worth exploring … especially for adults.
After a successful parade on the boardwalk and the second year of the Tinseltown Holiday experience programming, visitors are beginning to notice.
The casinos, in particular, go all out for the holidays. Here’s my list of must-see and must-do things that I am aware of in Atlantic City that you can still take advantage of.
Tropicana shines
Perhaps of all the casinos in town, the Tropicana Casino & Resort offers a spectacular holiday experience, and in my opinion offers the most attractions under one roof for the holidays. And, as long as I can remember, it has always stood out thanks to the late Dennis Gomes’ vision.
President Joe Giunta continues that long-term vision by expanding that vision over the years, including an aggressive holiday campaign for 2024.
Let’s start in Palm Court, the main walkway through the casino area, where the most beautiful tree in Atlantic City stands. It’s a 25-foot-tall Christmas tree made entirely out of fresh poinsettias. Yes, they are real. 800 of them! And they are constantly being cared for and changed out for the season by Parker Plants, a North Jersey operation that also has other poinsettias and flowers adorning everywhere you look.
Then head to The Quarter, where another massive, more traditional Christmas tree serves as an amazing photo opportunity right in front of all of the restaurants, including Carmine’s, P.F. Chang’s, Broadway Burger and more.
Not only does this gorgeous tree look awesome on its own, but there is a sound-and-light show that happens at the top of every hour that really brings the holiday spirit in full measure.
Then there’s the holiday-themed bar Holidaze, which transforms Tango’s Lounge into a winter wonderland complete with decorations, a reindeer with The Grinch as a passenger, candy canes floating from the ceiling and holiday movies and programs like “Elf” and my stop-motion-animated favorite “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” gracing all of the flat-screen televisions throughout the space.
Tropicana is also the casino destination with the most options to indulge. Whether you party at Kiss Kiss Nightclub or Gin Rickey’s, want some Mexican to break things up at Casa Taco, dance the night away at Boogie Nights – which always has themed performers for the holidays – take in a comedy show at Royce Social Hall or whet your whistle at Wet Willie’s, there is no shortage of things to do.
It’s also a one-stop shop so you can cross some people off your shopping list. Check out the new Diamond District jewelry store, grab a bottle at A Time for Wine, choose some clothing from francesca’s, The Dean, Marshall Rousso, White House/Black Market and many others. You can even find some candy and saltwater taffy at the historic James’ Saltwater Taffy.
Restaurants are abundant, as well.
Standouts include Il Verdi, the stunning, relatively new Italian restaurant overlooking the ocean. They have an amazing Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve that is an amazing deal: Five courses for $84.99!
Selections include fried calamari, steamers and antipasta for appetizers; a variety of salads for the second course; a pasta course including choices of cavatelli with jumbo crab and pancetta and rigatoni Bolognese; an entrée course with choices ranging from seared salmon with lump crab to shrimp piccata to flounder Francaise to filet mignon; and an Italian pastry sampler to end things the right way.
Carmine’s is another one of my faves. Located in The Quarter, they go all out decorating the space, and it’s truly a place to celebrate with the family.
And don’t leave without having a craft brew, some seafood and CrabFries from Chickie’s & Pete’s, especially if the games are on.
There’s also some holiday-themed shows in Trop’s awesome showroom to check out, including Babyface’s annual R&B, holiday-themed show on Dec. 13, and Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg — playing the Ramones’ classics and some punked-up holiday tunes — on Dec. 14.
And, there is only one movie theater in Atlantic City — and it’s a big one. The IMAX at the Trop will have all of the big new releases for the holiday season and, as usual, will bring back the Tom Hanks classic “Polar Express” for limited showings.
To make things even more attractive, there are winter room rates as low as $40 on select nights. So, make it a staycation!
Ocean riding
the holiday wave
Ocean Casino Resort has been building every year to give the Trop a run for its money. The most stunning casino in Atlantic City oozes class in every way, and their holiday decorations and programming are impressive to say the least.
Perhaps the coolest thing to experience is Santa’s Hideaway Adventure, a magical experience where you enter a virtual elevator that takes you and your family to the North Pole where you land at Santa’s workshop to meet the man of the hour himself for some great photo opportunities. It’s an absolute blast.
Ocean was also the first in town to debut holiday-themed rooms, and they are upping the ante this year with more options. Rooms in a variety of styles and suites are available to be booked. When you arrive, the entire floor is decorated with lights and other attractions. Once you enter your room, you will find holiday decorations, a Christmas tree and more festive décor. New this year: the Mean Green Holiday Suite inspired by The Grinch.
Every Saturday, Ocean is also offering a Holiday Village from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at its Shops at the Row. About 8 or so extra vendors will join the other shops for a great holiday retail experience with special focuses each weekend, including Blissfully Liss Jewelry on Dec. 21, 2 Chicks with Chocolate every week, Making Waves Boutique on Dec. 14, The Card Capital sports cards and memorabilia every week, Hank Sauce on Dec. 14, NC Woodworks every week, Santa’s Sweet Shop every week, Exhale Spa & Bathhouse every week, and more.
If you like Italian food, check out Linguini by the Sea, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a snowy winter landscape.
And don’t forget the Jingle Bell Bar, one of the most awesomely holiday-themed bars full of festive lights, trees, drink specials, live piano music, TVs with Christmas shows plus Winter Wonderland-themed drinks. It is open until New Year’s Eve.
Finally, there’s a slew of Ocean merch that has been holiday-themed and is available on ShopOceanAC.com, with select gifts also available at Ocean’s Holiday Village and Bottled. From Ocean snow globes to holiday ornaments, plus a special Ugly Sweater collaboration with Tipsy Elves, and other over-the top holiday attire like the specialty Mean Green holiday socks, there’s something for everyone on your holiday list at Ocean.
Where else can you hear the Jingle Bells?
While Trop and Ocean may top Santa’s list, all of the casinos have plenty to check out and celebrate.
Resorts Casino Hotel: Resorts always has an awesome seasonally-themed bar, and this year is no different as the Candy Cane Lounge is back in all its holiday splendor. Great drink concoctions and over-the-top decorations makes it worth a holiday bar crawl stop.
Resorts is also decked out with festive trees and larger-than-life ornaments everywhere you look.
On Dec. 13, the stellar John Eddie will bring his Holiday Ho Ho Hoedown to the Superstar Theater, offering his rock standards and some holiday twists.
On Dec. 21, check out the Candlelight Holiday Special featuring the Nutcracker and more for a multisensory experience by candlelight in the Superstar Theater.
The Landshark Bar offers a holiday pop-up experience where you can visit Caribbean Santa for some photo ops, so if you like your feet in the sand as opposed to the snow, this is where to go.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa: You can always count on Borgata’s foyer after you get off the self-park elevators to offer gorgeous flowers and plants. And their winter/holiday beautification planter is off the charts this holiday and worth the visit alone.
They have some great holiday entertainment planned, including Christmas In Concert, a magical celebration of the holiday season that treats the audience to an exciting performance of holiday classics featuring breathtaking costumes, choreography and musical arrangements, on Dec. 12. R&B superstar John Legend will bring his A John Legend Christmas on Dec. 20. And Grammy Award-winning musician Mark Tremonti will offer Tremonti Sings Sinatra — Christmas Classics New and Old on Dec. 21.
My favorite A.C. chef — Aram Mardigian — will do another Savor Borgata Lunch and Learn event noon Dec. 14, when he will prepare some of his personal seasonal favorites during an interactive cooking demonstration. Complemented by wine, enjoy a multi-course lunch while taking a flavor-filled journey through the ingredients and preparation of specialty dishes certain to impress at your next at-home dinner party. Tickets are $69 per person.
Caesars Atlantic City: Another perennially gorgeous place to check out for the holidays, the decorations start right in front of the property on Pacific Avenue, where Caesar and his chariot have some wreaths and other festive decorations. Inside, the newly renovated lobby looks stunning with decorations and a giant Christmas tree that is meticulously dressed.
If there is a show you want to see this holiday season, it’s The Hook, Spiegelworld’s fantastic variety show that added some festive costumes as well as some additional acts to get you in the holiday spirit. The for-adults-only, risque show is always a blast, but for the holidays, they added a new hula hoop act and more. Make sure you have some awesome over-the-top Italian food from its backstage restaurant Superfrico, and stop by the Horse Dive Bar, the coolest themed bar in town modeled after the historic diving horse at Steel Pier, which has been really decorated for the holidays and features some holiday drink specials.
And if you are a fan of The Nutcracker, there is no better place to catch it than Caesars on Dec. 15, when the Atlantic City Ballet once again performs the timeless classic in the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets with young Clara.
Harrah’s Atlantic City: Entertainment is the name of the game here for the holidays. Start off with a legend — Engelbert Humperdinck — as the crooner offers A Winter World of Love featuring his classics and some holiday tunes. Harrah’s also does an amazing job of making the place look festive, including its gorgeous lobby and Eden Lounge, where you can always catch some great music.
Speaking of the Eden Lounge, it has been transformed into a themed holiday bar called the Tipsy Elf, and it’s one of the more elaborate bar transformations with creative themed drinks.
Golden Nugget: Rise up the escalators from where you park and you are transported into a beautiful winter wonderland as the giant foyer has been adorned for the holidays with ornaments, trees and more.
If you are a spa fan, there is a holiday spa special happening called the Warm Vanilla Bourbon Massage that includes complimentary Hot Stone add-on the foot or back for 50 Minutes for $150. This gentle kneading is complete with a blend from a delicious body oil lightly scented with warm notes of Madagascar vanilla and a dash of Texas distilled bourbon. Skin drinks in the jojoba seed oil and cocoa seed butter – adding the hydration factor into this massage and some pizzazz to skin’s holiday glimmer.
One of the few places offering Feast of the Seven Fishes in town, the Chart House is an awesome choice for Christmas Eve dinner. Overlooking the bay and the Atlantic City skyline, the feast is a deal for $75 and includes a traditional Italian holiday dinner with items including flounder Francese, seared Chilean sea bass, seared scallops, shrimp bruschetta, crispy calamari and cannoli for dessert.
And the hot spot is always Rush Lounge, which is also nicely decorated and features holiday drink specials with live entertainment on weekends., with a Rat Pack theme for the season.
Bally’s Atlantic City: Bally’s was the home for a Tinseltown Atlantic City tree lighting, so make sure you head outside and check out the beautiful tree near The Yard. Once inside, the beauty continues, particularly on the Sixth Floor Dining Level, where all of the restaurants are sharing the spirit in a big way.
Speaking of The Yard, head there 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 14 for their Ugly Sweater Contest, which will feature the casino giving away a whopping $1,500 in cash and prizes! You could snag $1,000 in cash and prizes for being the ultimate sweater champion, plus $250 in cash and prizes for 2nd and 3rd place winners.
Phil’s Carousel Bar — named after legendary executive, the late Phil Juliano — is also adorned beautifully and renamed the Holiday Cheer Pop-Up Bar, and the great food and beverage staff assembled a nice holiday drink menu, including a Peppermint Espresso Martini and Cousin Eddie’s Nog. Phil would be proud!
For the gamblers out there, check out the $75,000 Bally Rewards Holiday Drawing, including a $37,500 edition on Dec. 21 where 10 winners will be picked from 5 to 11 p.m.
The brand-new, stunning Park Place Prime Steakhouse is the place to go on Christmas Day. Why cook when you can indulge in surf and turf — a wood-grilled, 5-ounce filet with crab cakes, wine demi, chipotle aioli and fingerling potatoes — for $70?!
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City: The Hard Rock, well … rocks of course for the holiday season. The greatest lobby bar in town has been transformed to the Rockin’ Holiday Bar and is open through Dec. 28 with festive décor, specialty cocktails and the best cover band lineup in the city. On Dec. 13, the Rockin’ Holiday Bar will offer a Country Christmas Party featuring the incredible Austin City Nights, a high-energy country band. Check out the Sugar Cookie Martini.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood will offer a pastry series, this one titled Gingerbread Cottages, noon Dec. 14. Unleash your inner architect and join the delightful gingerbread cottage assembly class. Dive into a world of creativity as you decorate your petite masterpiece with seasonal delights like royal icing, chocolate, and an array of candies. Build memories and a cute-as-heck gingerbread cottage to display proudly or devour with joy.
On the entertainment side, the hilarious play My Big Gay Italian Christmas comes to the Sound Waves on Dec. 13 and 14. My Big Gay Italian Christmas brings the holidays into the mix for the continuing adventures of the Pinnuziato family. This time, it’s Christmas and on the menu is a bisexual love triangle, heated political conversations run amuck, over-the-top characters and a crushing snowstorm … all of the perfect ingredients for a hilarious night out.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
