Best of the Atlantic City Casinos

Our Local Expert Says:

For the ultimate in luxury, visit the Borgata's plush Spa Toccare; their array of services will melt away all of your tensions.

Description:

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, located at The Marina, caters to a younger crowd than most of the other casinos. Sleek and beautiful, this resort, decorated with hand-blown glass art pieces is the most plush casino resort in Atlantic City. It's also the most expensive. Everything here is modern and contemporary, and the resort's Spa Toccare, located on the second floor by the indoor pool and outdoor terrace, is a destination unto itself, the best spa in the city. The resort's 2,000 rooms are comfortable and chic.

Fine dining is available at Izakaya, a Japanese pub that features extraordinary sushi, sake and robatayaki served in a contemporary setting. For steak, dine at the Old Homestead or Bobby Flay Steak, or try the classic fare at Wolfgang Puck American Grille. For more casual fare, the Borgata Buffet is a good option if you have a hearty appetite. The Metropolitan offers the charm of a French bistro and it's open 24 hours a day. Or savor a feast from the far east at N.O.W., which offers less expensive, Asian noodle dishes. If you're in a hurry, grab a slice of pizza or panini at Roma, it's fast and delicious.

For drinks, head to B Bar and Mixx, which also serves Asian... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Tropicana's Cuban-themed shopping and entertainment district, The Quarter, makes the Casino and Resort unique to Atlantic City and fun for the whole family.

Description:

One of the largest casinos in Atlantic City, the Tropicana Casino & Resort is also one of the best. This resort, located Downtown, definitely a more family-oriented casino, with activities available for all ages.

Stroll through The Quarter, Tropicana's Cuban-themed shopping, dining and entertainment area that opened in 2004, where you'll feel as if you've been transported to Old Havana, as you walk beneath a domed sky painted with clouds. An IMAX theater offers the latest movies. Browse shops that sell everything from Brooks Brothers suits to spy equipment (nanny camera, anyone?) Or visit the Old Farmer's Almanac General Store to savor American Midwest style and pick up a few of their sweet treats.

Dining options in The Quarter are many. Choose from fine-dining restaurants such as New York's Carmine's, The Palm Restaurant, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Il Verdi, and the Soviet-themed Red Square. Some of Tropicana's more casual eateries include Hooters, Corky's Ribs & BBQ, Adam Good Deli, great for a quick sandwich, and Boardwalk Favorites. For those who love beer, Firewaters is a must -- they've got more than 101 different brews in bottles, and 50 brews on tap.

The Comedy Stop Café... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Harrah's has one of the most beautiful indoor pools in Atlantic City. Surrounded by tropical greenery and covered by an enormous glass dome, when the sun shines through, it feels as if you're in the tropics.

Description:

Location. Harrah's Atlantic City is located in Atlantic City, N.J., overlooking the Absecon Channel. The Shell at Trump Marina is one-half mile from the hotel and offers a casino and 462-seat live performance theater. The Atlantic City Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center on Garden Pier are two miles from the hotel. Farley State Marina is less than one-half mile away and offers a casino and more than 600 berths for boating. The Mark G. Estess Arena is one mile from the hotel and features concerts and live performances. Steel Pier is adjacent to the Estess Arena.

Hotel Features. Harrah's Resort Atlantic City features seven restaurants and cafes. The hotel's nightclub, Xhibition, offers cocktails and dancing. The hotel's 112,000-square-foot casino offers slots and gaming tables. The hotel includes an indoor pool, spa tub and fitness center.

Guestrooms. The 1,174 guestrooms at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City provide views of the city or the waterfront. In- room safes are provided. Guestrooms are equipped with cable television. Refrigerators are included.

The indoor pool is open to guests who are 21 years old or older. There is a separate children's pool. read more

Our Local Expert Says:

When you enter the Temple Lobby at Caesars Atlantic City, stop a moment to take in your surroundings. The beautiful sky-painted ceiling, palm trees grouped on the second floor balconies, Roman columns and dusky lighting make you feel as if you've stepped back in time.

Description:

Location. The iconic Roman-themed gaming halls and colonnades of Caesars Atlantic City host thousands of gambling tourists on the Atlantic City Boardwalk each year. The casino hotel is located at the center of the city's gaming action, just off the beach and steps from the Boardwalk's many shops and amusement piers. The hotel is close to Atlantic City Expressway, providing quick access to Atlantic City International Airport 11 miles away.

Hotel Features. The main entrance to Caesars Atlantic City is a magnificent colonnade of imported marble. Inside, the four-story atrium presents the feel of a Roman plaza set against the backdrop of a twilight sky. Property amenities include valet parking, a full-service spa and on-site shopping. The gaming room has more than 1,400 slot machines and 20 table games, including Texas Hold 'Em.

The property has eight restaurants, including Mia, witch serves Italian and Mediterranean inspired classic dishes in the dining room or a small plate menu at the bar. The KWI Restaurant & Noodle Bar offers guests a chance to savor trend-forward Asian cuisine. For a more casual atmosphere, try the sandwiches, seafood and deserts at the Café Roma. ... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

This large, upscale resort is heavily themed with Indian royalty. Even if you don't stay here, you should at least stroll through to admire the intricate decor.

Description:

Location. The billowing white-marble domes of Trump's Taj Mahal Casino Resort bring the architectural majesty of India's famed Taj Mahal to the glittery Atlantic City Boardwalk. Located 10 blocks from the Boardwalk Convention Center, the hotel is adjacent to the Steel Pier amusement park. The Atlantic City Convention Center is less than two miles away.
Hotel Features. The sprawling casino and 51-story hotel tower occupy 17 acres with night clubs, restaurants and boutique shops. Seven two-ton stone elephants greet visitors upon arrival. More than a dozen distinctively styled dining venues offer a variety of food options throughout the hotel. Room service is available. For special events, the hotel has conference rooms, banquet and meeting rooms as well as wedding services available. The full-service health spa offers various treatments. An indoor pool, sauna, steam room and spa tub are available.
The hotel's 35,000-square-foot casino boasts 210 table games and more than 5,000 slot machines. The poker room hosts the United States Poker Championship every year and is the only smoke-free poker room on the East Coast. Top-name entertainers perform throughout the year in the 5,000-seat... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

This New Orleans-themed casino has a perpetual party atmosphere. Stop in at The House of Blues for some unforgettable music and entertainment.

Description:

This venue brings a New Orleans vibe to the New Jersey boardwalk. They offer a gift shop, many restaurants, beauty salon and spa. The casino boasts slots, poker, blackjack, and much more. It is home to the House of Blues and many delicious New Orleans dining choices. They also offer meeting facilities. Guests can choose from a variety of rooms and suites, from the lavish House of Blues Studio and Showboat Suites, to the more affordable Deluxe Tower rooms.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Hilton is one of Atlantic City's more traditional casinos, elegant and subdued rather than showy.

Description:

Located in Chelsea at the southern end of the Boardwalk, the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort is slightly south of the busier, noisier part of the Atlantic City, a fact in its favor for those who want to be near the action but not right in the heart of it. This is one of the more traditional casinos, classy and upscale with subdued elegance rather than tacky showiness. Originally called the Golden Nugget, the casino has changed names several times over the years.

The resort has received a four-star rating from AAA. It has about 800 rooms and suites and a casino floor with 60,000 feet of gaming space. A choice of restaurants includes Peregrines', which specializes in seafood dishes, The Oaks Steakhouse, and Patsy's Italian Restaurant. If you prefer something more casual, dine at Horizons, which features the Coney Island Deli, serving appetizers and sandwiches.

When you want to take a break, visit the indoor pool and spa, or the 13,000 square foot fitness center. Bellezza - the Salon at the Hilton, is a good place to get your hair done. In the evenings, visit the 1,200 seat Hilton Theater which brings in top name entertainment. The Hilton Beach Bar (when open) also offers entertainment... read more

Description:

Located in the most populated part of Atlantic City, the mid-sized Trump Plaza Hotel Casino towers 39 stories above the Boardwalk, with 900 guest rooms that reflect a subdued, contemporary style. You'll find an olympic sized pool here with a summer outdoor sundeck, and the Plaza Spa, which offers a variety of relaxing treatment options, including tanning beds. There's a fitness facility as well.

New Yorker Donald Trump carried out the New York restaurant theme throughout this resort, offering dining options such as the mouthwatering northern and southern Italian cuisine at Roberto's Ristorante, or the four-course menu at Max's Steakhouse. For more casual fare, try Trump's signature buffet at the Broadway Buffet, or head to the tropics where you can dine in an animated jungle setting at the Rainforest Café. Then take in an evening show at the Plaza Showroom, or enjoy live music at The Beach Bar.