Enjoy Atlantic City Now Before the Memorial Day Rush
By Raymond Tyler
“The weather outside is delightful.” However, in three more weeks it will be Memorial Day weekend in Atlantic City, which for shore town merchants is the equivalent of Black Friday and the start of “the holiday season.”
My advice is to take some time off and make your way to Atlantic City before the Memorial Day weekend surge. Swimming at the beach is probably not your best option right now, but here are some great things you can enjoy in Atlantic City before the “summer Christmas rush.”
Hotels
The price of hotels here at the shore will be creeping up the closer you get to Memorial Day. However, right now, there are still great deals to be had for weekday, weekly and weekends in Atlantic City.
Pros – Great rooms at great deals. You can almost steal suites at the Atlantic Palace and The Flag Ship via websites like Hotwire and Hotels.com. You will also save money on off-season parking around town and at casinos.
Cons – The amusement areas like Steel Pier are only open on the weekends right now. However, if you are staying at a resort like The Flagship, there are great options for game rooms and other activities for the children. Also, with the water temperature not yet great for swimming in the Atlantic, you and the family can utilize the indoor pools. (You can always walk to the beach, grab some sand and pour it into your car directly if you miss that just-off-the-beach experience). My niece, by the way, loves swimming at the family pool at Harrah’s.
Gardner’s Basin
A staple of the City of Atlantic City for decades, “The Basin” is beautiful this time of year. The kids can run and play or you can take the family to visit the Atlantic City Aquarium, which has two floors of marine life, most of it native to the Atlantic Ocean.
You can get a great meal at the Back Bay Ale House, and enjoy a relaxing cruise with AC Cruises. You may even see some dolphins. Or you can charter a fishing boat. Gardner’s Basin is the most native experience you can enjoy in town.
The African American Heritage Museum
Absolutely no trip to Atlantic City is complete without visiting the African American Heritage Museum of Atlantic City located at 2200 Fairmount Ave.
The museum and its curator, Mr. Ralph Hunter, have been endorsed by Oscar Winning Actress Whoopi Goldberg. In fact, members of the museum can take a look at a special exhibit that was donated by Ms. Goldberg herself.
The AAHM of AC is a gem with standing exhibits that span to Africa itself, and many new exhibits that make coming back for additional visits worthwhile.
So if you have some time, why not beat the traffic and the mobs and get your “holiday vacationing” done early in Atlantic City.
You can connect with Raymond Tyler via Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram @RaymondTyler2018.
