Jaunted

So, is this a cyclical downturn, or the end of AC's dominance of the east coast gambling market? It's tough to say, but the city does have something its competitors lack: an ocean. Granted, the weather's kind of crummy for much of the year, but maybe the resorts should take more advantage of the proximity to salt water with short pleasure (booze) cruises, fishing expeditions, and an increased focus on sustainably-harvested east coast seafood in their restaurants.

It's a shame that the town of Atlantic City itself isn't nicer. When gambling was approved in AC in 1976, the idea was that the whole area would improve as the resorts made their fortunes. The resorts have done well indeed (until recently), but any visitor to AC can tell you that things get really sketchy just a block or two from the main strip, and sadly, there are very few landmarks to visit that are unrelated to gambling.

But there is one non-gambling destination I love: Lucy the Margate Elephant. If you find yourself in AC, I highly recommend you cash in your chips a little bit early and climb to the top of Lucy for a sweeping view of the ocean and surrounding neighborhoods. You'll emerge from her right rear leg with a new hope for this once-proud beach town.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· ACES Train [Official Site]
· Revenue Keeps Falling at Atlantic City Casinos [AP via Yahoo! News]
· Lucy the Elephant [Official Site]
· Surviving Atlantic City Coverage [Jaunted]