PARKING/TRANSPORTATION

Where do jitneys run?

The Atlantic City Jitney Association is comprised of 190 individually owned and operated jitneys (small buses) that run 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. They go to all of the casinos on Pacific Avenue, along four color-coded routes:

- Route 1, or pink, goes from New Hampshire Avenue to Jackson Avenue, via Pacific Avenue.

- Route 2, or blue, covers the Marina area, going from Trump Marina Hotel Casino to Harrah's Atlantic City or The Borgata, via Delaware and Pacific avenues.

- Route 3, or Green, also covers the Marina Area, going from Trump Marina, The Borgata and Harrah's, via Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. to the Inlet on Pacific Avenue.

- Route 4, or Orange, rides along Pacific Ave. from Jackson Avenue to Indiana Avenue, then from Atlantic Avenue to Michigan Avenue to the Atlantic City Bus Terminal, Convention Center and Train Station. The Orange route only runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Insider Tip: Don't look jumpy as your jitney barely misses people and signposts along Pacific Avenue and leave the last "s" in "Arkansas Avenue" if you want to sound like a local.

How do I ride them?

You find your desired jitney stop, along your desired route. The stop will have a sign posting your route number and color. Then you wait for a jitney to come, which should only take a few minutes. Just flag down the jitney, pay the driver, pull the cord when you near your destination and enjoy!

Insider Tip: If you have the time and want a more relaxing ride, try a Boardwalk rolling chair.

How much do jitneys cost?

If bought individually, rides cost $2. Riders can purchase of strip of 10 for $17.50, or $1.75 per ride. Senior and disabled citizens can buy a strip of 10 for $6, or 60 cents per ride. (Incidentally, the word "jitney" comes from the Old English term for nickel.)

Strips of tickets can be bought at the following locations:

- Atlantic City Jitney Association, 201 Pacific Ave. is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5p.m., closed holidays and weekends. It can be reached at is 609-344-8642.

- Atlantic City Check Cashing, 1226 Atlantic Ave., between North and South Carolina avenues, is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached at 609-347-3333.

- Checcs, 1429 Pacific Avenue, between New York and Tennessee avenues, is open Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 24 hours per day; and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information, visit:

www.jitneys.net

Insider Tip: Jitney drivers are usually jitney owners, private contractors who work for themselves while also members of the Jitney Association.

What is parking like in the city?

There is metered parking throughout the city, and a quarter usually buys a half hour.

If you would prefer to park in a lot or garage, South Jersey Transportation Authority offers a couple options:

- There is an open-air, paved parking lot at Fairmount and Mississippi avenues that is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It costs $6 per day during the week, $10 on weekends. However, The Pier Shops at Caesars and Trump Marina use the lot, so it is not always open to the public.

- There is another open-air, paved parking lot at Atlantic at Mississippi avenues that is open 24 hours, 7 days per week. It costs $6 per day during the week, $11 on weekends and holidays. Customers have the option of paying with E-ZPass Plus.

- There is parking garage at 19 S. New York Ave., between Atlantic and Pacific avenues, and it is open 24 hours, 7 days per week. Customers have the option of paying with E-ZPass Plus. As many as two hours costs $3, and the maximum is $7 for 24 hours.

Lastly, if you are coming into town for a convention, underneath the Atlantic City Convention Center is a parking garage that's open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Parking costs $10 for the first four hours and $1 for each additional hour.

Insider Tip: The major casinos also have their own lots. Prices vary from $5 to $20, depending on the length of your stay. Casinos also offer free Players Cards, which afford cardholders many benefits, including cheaper parking rates.

For more information visit our Transportation Guide

Is driving the only way to get to town?

New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line has trains traveling from Philadelphia into the resort. There also are NJ Transit buses running from New York, Newark and Jersey City, as well as Ocean, Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic and Camden counties - all to Atlantic City.

Special rates are available for disabled passengers (personal assistants ride for free, with proper identification), as well as passengers older than 62, including non-New Jersey residents.

For more information, visit:

www.njtransit.com

In addition, you could charter a private bus, limousine, etc.

Once in Atlantic City, you can ride a cab anywhere for less than $8.

For more information visit our Transportation Guide

Can I fly to Atlantic City, or do I have to fly to Philadelphia?

Atlantic City International Airport is located outside the resort, in Egg Harbor Township. Spirit Airlines is the major carrier operating at the airport.

PLACES TO STAY

How do I find the best deals at a casino hotel?

For more information read our Guide to the Casinos

Do I have to stay at a casino hotel?

No, some less expensive options would be The Ascot Motel, by the Boardwalk, or a Super Motel 8, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn, Marriott's, Ramada or Best Western, which all have locations in and around Atlantic City.

Click to find and book a hotel room.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts also offers package deals for Atlantic City. Its Web site is www.wyndhamtrips.com

What are the least-expensive hotels in Atlantic City?

There are motels that charge hourly rates, which would probably be the cheapest; however, for quality's sake, it probably is a good idea to splurge.

How can I find out about time-shares?

Some local time-shares are:

- Visit www.fairfieldsresorts.com for information about Wyndham Skyline Tower.

- You also can visit www.fantasearesorts.com for information about The Flagship, located at 60 N Maine Ave.; The Palace, located at 1507 Boardwalk; and La Sammana, located at 1400 W Brigantine Ave, which is in nearby Brigantine.

GAMBLING

They're all pretty much the same. Unlike Nevada, where casinos can set their own rules for the games, Atlantic City casinos have to follow rules established by the Casino Control Commission.

There are a couple of exceptions.

A few Atlantic City casinos have single-zero roulette, which offers better odds for bets inside the layout because the odds against hitting a single number are 36-to-1 instead of 37-to-one on double-zero games. These wheels are mostly at high-limit tables, so prepare to wager $25 a spin for the privilege of playing these.

Most casinos deal blackjack games out of an eight-deck shoe. The Borgata uses six decks, which gives a very slight advantage to card counters. (There may be a couple differences in how many times players can split their hands. I can check that out, if you want.)

For more information read our Betting Guide

Which casino has the best odds at the slot machines

That varies by denomination of machine. The Casino Control Commission publishes slot-machine paybacks every month. The Borgata is usually the best overall and at the penny slots, but different casinos come out ahead for quarter, 50-cent, dollar and higher machines.

Be careful reading the tables, because video poker results are mixed in, and some casinos have better tables on that game, where skilled players can make their money last a long time. Also be aware that paying out a couple of large jackpots can influence a casino's payout in a given month. That's why you occasionally see a casino paying out more than 100 percent of its take on a given denomination of machines.

For more information read our Betting Guide

How do I get a preferred customer card at a casino?

Customers 21 or older can get a players card by showing an ID and applying for one. Their play is tracked when using the card and they receive parking deals and other comps based on their level of play. Each casino also has a preferred customer card and a different setup for what level of players get what comps.

Which casinos have more table games vs. slots?

According to 2004 data from the Casino Control Commission, Bally's Atlantic City and Trump Taj Mahal had the most table games, just more than 200 apiece, while Bally's had the most slots, 5,862. The Showboat Casino Hotel had the fewest table games, 59, while the Atlantic City Hilton had the fewest slot machines, 2,043.

The Casino Control Commission recently allowed blackjack dealers to "hit" on a soft 17, or an ace and a 6. This rule increases the house advantage on blackjack by about half a percent, meaning it's worse for the player. So far, Bally's, Showboat, Caesars and the Wild, Wild West have introduced this rule on all their blackjack tables except those in the high-limit areas. For best odds, look for blackjack games where the dealer must stand on all 17s.

For more information read our Guide to the Casinos

Do I have a better chance of winning at a progressive slot?

Since some of the money played goes toward the progressive jackpot, gamblers have a better chance of winning at a nonprogressive machine.

For more information read our Betting Guide

Why can't I gamble anywhere in Atlantic City?

Unlike in Las Vegas, where you can gamble almost everywhere, New Jersey's Casino Control Act sets limitation on the areas in the city in which casinos can be located.

How can I find out about recent casino slot jackpots?

Visit Recent Jackpots on goac.com

Which casino gives out the best "comps" to good customers?

This changes all of the time, depending on how badly the individual casinos want to get people in the door. It also depends on what's important to the player. Customers should find a casino that rewards their style of play by checking with the promotions department.

Do I have to carry cash in the casino?

No. There are ATMs on the floor where customers can get cash, or they can apply for a line of credit based on their personal finances.

Are children allowed in the casinos?

Casinos have different policies regarding children, but in general they are not allowed on the casino floor while a parent is gambling.

How do I tip a casino dealer?

Customers can tip dealers with chips or by placing a side bet. Chips must be slid to the dealer on top of the table, never handed to them. A side bet placed for the dealer can wind up be nothing or the payoff on the successful bet.

RULES / REGULATIONS

What's the legal age to gamble?

The legal age to gamble in New Jersey is 21.

How much money does New Jersey get from the casinos and how is it spent?

The Casino Revenue Fund, which is used to fund state programs for senior citizens and the disabled, is financed by an 8 percent tax on annual gross gaming revenue from the resort's 11 casinos. An additional 1.25 percent tax on ggr is used for economic development and housing. That fund is controlled by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. There are many other taxes as well, including property taxes, corporate taxes, etc., that go into the state's general fund and are used for things such as road improvements, State Police salaries and many other things.

$1.1 billion per year is generated from a combination of the casino revenue tax, luxury tax, income tax, sales and corporate taxes. This means the casino industry is the fourth-largest tax-generating industry in the state, generating more than either of the amounts New Jersey receives from taxes on cigarettes, alcohol or gasoline.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Where can I find wireless access?

Wireless access is available in the business center at Resorts Atlantic City, located in the hotel lobby, and in all rooms and suites in its Rendezvous Tower. Tropicana offers access in all of its hotel rooms. Showboat Casino Hotel and Harrah's, Caesars and Bally's Atlantic City also offer wireless access as well as Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, where access is available in most public areas, including the Living Room and Event Center.

Do any hotels offer accommodations for pets?

The Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, located at the foot of the Atlantic City Expressway, allows dogs weighing less than 80 pounds in traditional rooms. For more information on the Sheraton, visit www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/atlanticcity

The Atlantic City Pet Hotel offers a 24-hour pick-up and drop-off service for owners staying in nearby hotels and area residents within a half-hour drive.

- Dogs can participate in a complimentary "day care" service in which they can play with other dogs.

- Daily lodging rates depend on dog size: up to 25 pounds is $25, 26 to 49 pounds is $30 and 50 pounds and above is $35. Cats are $20 per night. Private, personalized attention for a pet is $125 per night.

- Information: 609-348-8660 or

www.atlanticcitypethotelandgrooming.com.

BILLMAE COTTAGE

- First dog is $50 for two days, $70 for three days and $15 each additional day, up to $100. Additional pets are an added cost. Pet fees are in addition to regular room costs, which vary.

- Stay seven or more nights and dogs are free.

- Information: 609-898-8558 or

www.billmae.com.

What should I do if I get sick in a casino?

Each casino has a nurse's station or medical facility on the premises. Guests are advised to call security in an emergency.

Do casinos offer childcare services?

No, but the concierge can provide information on sitters and childcare services in the city.

Do any casinos cater to ethnic groups?

Casinos offer a wide range of culturally diverse entertainment and dining options. Many also have Asian-themed gaming pits.

Is there a supermarket in town?

Not in Atlantic City proper. The closest supermarkets are the Pathmark in Ventnor and Acme in Brigantine. The Pathmark is located in the Ventnor Plaza at 5100 Wellington Ave. (traveling out of the city on the Black Horse Pike, turn left onto West End Avenue and go about three-quarters of a mile. You will see the plaza at your left). Store hours are 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days per week. The Acme is at 4236 Harbor Beach Blvd. (from Route 30, follow the signs to Brigantine, cross the bridge and go about one mile. Turn right onto Harbor Beach Boulevard and left into the shopping center). Also, there are small grocery stores and ethnic grocers throughout the city.

RESTAURANTS

Are casino restaurants open at all hours?

Not all casino restaurants are open 24/7. Hours vary by restaurant.

Find a Restaurant

How can I find a good seafood restaurant?

Seafood Restaurants

Find a Restaurant

Does Atlantic City have family-friendly restaurants?

Yes. In addition to traditional fast-food fare, the city's outlet shopping district, The Walk, boasts an Applebee's. Casinos also offer some family-friendly options.

Find a Restaurant

Are there outdoor dining options?

The Tun Tavern and Irish Pub both include outdoor sections that are available in warmer weather. Some casinos also offer beach bars during warmer months.

Do all casino restaurants allow children?

No, some restaurants - normally the more pricy ones - have strict rules on allowing children, plus a dress code.

Find a Restaurant

ABOUT ATLANTIC CITY

When and how did Atlantic City get casino gambling?

Atlantic City, once considered America's Playground, had its heyday from the 1920s to the early 1960s. The town was in decay when the Democratic Convention and the Beatles both came to town in 1964. "1964 was used as a turning point," said local historian Allen "Boo" Pergament. "The hotels were rundown, and there was a lot of attention, but a lot of it was negative. It didn't stop overnight."

Ten years later, when the first statewide referendum was put to vote in 1974, it was defeated 1,202,638 to 790,777. Two years later, with support of then Mayor Joseph Lazarow and many Atlantic County politicians, the referendum passed 1,175,225 to 924,412. In the deciding year, Lazarow was named chairman of a local committee that gathered support for a plan to use casinos as a "unique tool" for urban redevelopment for Atlantic City

"We asked the people of this state for the right to rebuild Atlantic City and it's our job to do that now that they have given us the right," said then Assemblyman Steven Perskie in a Press article in November, 1976 the day after the vote passed.

"At that time, they were looking for a shot in the arm," Pergament said. "It did a lot more then a shot. It has been way beyond their expectations."

Resorts International was the first casino to open on May 26, 1978. Caesars Boardwalk Regency Hotel Casino was second, almost a year after Resorts opened, in 1979. Today there are 11 casinos in Atlantic City.

"Resort established itself before the vote even passed," Pergament said. "They took a real chance."

How safe is Atlantic City?

Atlantic City, like many other major cities, has its "safe zones," which could change depending on the time of day. Generally, areas near casinos, the business district along Atlantic and Pacific avenues, the Walk shopping outlets, the Inlet area near Gardner's Basin, the marina area near Brigantine and parts of Chelsea Heights seem to be the safest areas. Also travel in pairs and use common sense. Daytime hours are safer overall and go to the casinos with a parking garage that connect to the casino/and or a walkway over Pacific Avenue, especially at night. The Boardwalk is safe for pedestrians; however, it is not suggested to go under the Boardwalk - feral cats and homeless people are said to spend their nights in what locals call the "Underwood Hotel."

How can I buy tickets to a show in Atlantic City?

Tickets to most casino showroom events and Boardwalk Hall concerts are sold through a company known as Ticketmaster. You can buy tickets for Ticketmaster events one of three ways. A person can visit the casino's box office or visit a Ticketmaster outlet. A Ticketmaster machine and operator can be found on the second floor of Boscov's in the Shore Mall, Egg Harbor Township. You can go online and order tickets through the Ticketmaster Web site at www.ticketmaster.com. You can also call and order tickets to shows over the phone by calling the Ticketmaster number at 800-736-1420. The one exception to this is Borgata. Borgata tickets can be purchased in one of three ways. You can visit the Borgata box office and buy the tickets in person, or you can visit one of two different Web sites. You can order tickets online from the following Web sites - www.theborgata.com or www.comcasttix.com. You can also order tickets over the phone for Borgata events by calling Comcasttix at 800-298-4200.

Find an Event

Beaches

What watersports are available?

You can surf at Crystal Beach at New Hampshire Avenue, Delaware Avenue Beach and Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue.

Kayaking and windsurfing are allowed at Jackson Avenue Beach. You can use boogie boards at any bathing beach, but they must have a leash.

You can fish on jetties in the inlet area and along the Oriental/Maine avenues Boardwalk. Fishing is not allowed on bathing beach while lifeguards are on duty, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During October and November Atlantic City has a surf fishing tournament.

Do I need a beach tag?

No. Not on Atlantic City beaches.

Where can I change clothes when I'm on the beach?

There are no longer any private facilities for changing into swim wear in Atlantic City, according to Chief Rod Aluise of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol. The city has a changing booth at South Carolina and the Boardwalk and expects to have one at Albany Avenue this summer. Casinos frown on use of their restrooms for changing, but it has been known to happen.

Where can I get surfing essentials/lessons?

Try Atlantic City Surfing Club on the beach at Boston Avenue, near Hilton. Call 609-271-6937 or go to www.surfingac.com. Also try Atlantic Surf Sessions at Boardwalk Information Center at 2301 Boardwalk. Call them at 609-517-5069.

You can rent surf boards at Web Feet Watersports in Gardners Basin at 800 N. New Hampshire Ave. Call 609-572-1004.

Things To Do

What can a family do in town?

You can go to the beach. It's free. So is checking out the attractions along the Boardwalk. Stop in at the Atlantic City Historical Museum in Garden Pier. It's free. Visit the Absecon Lighthouse. There is a fee for this one. Head to Margate and visit Lucy the Elephant (a fee for this one, too).

The Atlantic City Aquarium is at Gardner's Basin. Call 609-348-2880 for ticket prices and times.

Steel Pier (across from Trump Taj Mahal) has been reprieved for at least one more season, and although it is a shadow of its former glorious self, if you want to take children on rides at the A.C. Boardwalk, this is the place.

Remember that children are not allowed on the casino floor, so when you enter from the Boardwalk you may have to take a circuitous route to the areas where children are allowed.

There is an IMAX theater in The Quarter at Tropicana Casino and Resort.

If you want to try ice skating, check Flyers Skate Zone, 609-441-1780.

If the Atlantic City Surf are playing at home, you can attend an independent league baseball game at the Sandcastle.

Which casinos have beach bars?

Like the beach itself, beach bars tend to ebb and flow. With luck, you can have a drink at Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort Beach Club, Bally's Atlantic City Bikini Beach Bar and the Beach Bar at Trump Plaza. Check At The Shore during your visit for information.

Are there hang-outs for 20-somethings?

Plenty. Every casino has lots to offer 21-somethings (You must be at least 21 to gamble or drink), but here are three places to get started. The Quarter at Tropicana Casino and Resort offers a posh lounge, a sports bar, a karaoke bar, a comedy club and an Irish pub. Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa has a comedy club, plus nightclubs mixx and mur.mur and the Gypsy Bar. Trump Marina Hotel Casino has live entertainment at The Wave and The Deck.

Check out our events calendar for everything that's happening in the casinos and throughout the resort.

Find an Event

Are there places to shop in town?

The Boardwalk is one big shopping mall, but for some serious shopping try The Walk, which spreads out from Michigan Avenue between Pacific and Baltic avenues, and Pier Shops at Caesars, connected to the casino by a skybridge over the Boardwalk.

What are the rules for riding bikes on the Boardwalk?

Bike riding is permitted on the Boardwalk between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. daily.



Can I rent a bike to ride on the Boardwalk?

Yes. You can try B&K Bike Rentals at 1743 Boardwalk, call 609-344-8008, or AAAA Bike Shop in Ventnor, call 609-487-2453 or on the Web at AAAAbikeshop.com. In the Gardner's Basin area, there is Web Feet Watersports. Call 609-572-1004.

How do I book a fishing tour?

Here are some places to try.

Captain Applegate, 609-345-4077

Duke O'Fluke, 609-926-2280

Miss Atlantic City, 609-348-6900

Atlantic City Fishing Center, 609-926-5353

HRD Work, 609-335-4977

Jessie O'Fishing, 609-412-3635

Keeper Back Bay Fishing, 609-823-6428

What kind of sightseeing tours are available?

You can see Absecon Island by water with Atlantic City Cruises, based in Gardner's Basin. Call 609-347-7600 or go online at www.atlanticcitycruises.com

And you can always take a ride in a rolling chair and take in the sights along the Boardwalk.


Can you play tennis in Atlantic City?

Near Atlantic City, you can play at

Ventnor City courts, S. Suffolk and Atlantic avenues, 609-823-7946

Margate City courts, 400 N. Jerome Ave., 609-822-8650

Golf and Tennis World, 8029 Black Horse Pike, in the West Atlantic City section of Egg Harbor Township, 609-646-5333 and 609-641-3546

How can I find a golf package near Atlantic City?

The only golf courses in Atlantic City itself are the kind with windmills you have to shoot through, but the immediate area has a number of exceptional courses open to the public for a daily fee.

For a golf package, check with Atlantic City Golf Partners, 800-252-5866, online at www.golfac.com

and Greater Atlantic City Golf Association, 800-GOLF-222, online at www.gacga.com

- Compiled by Arielle Gomberg, Craig Schenck, George McWilliams, Dan Grote, Devin McLaughlin, Scott Eisenlohr

Editor's Note: The information on this page was last verified on Jan. 18, 2008.

Is something on this page incorrect or out of date? Please e-mail us with corrections, additions or changes. Note: Your message will go to The Press of Atlantic City, not to any groups or organizations listed. Email:cwray@pressofac.com