A girl's guide to Atlantic City
You may think Atlantic City is nothing more than bingo and boardwalk, but America's Playground has enough martinis and Manolos to cash in as a top girlfriends' getaway destination. No matter how you throw the dice, your odds of encountering cosmos and couture are as high as finding saltwater taffy and slots, thanks to a boom in chic hotels, luxurious spas, upscale shopping and celebrity chefs.
"I wanted to go someplace where I could relax and get spa treatments but still have plenty of nightlife and shopping options within walking distance," says Astoria resident Christina Kennedy, 25, who had her bachelorette party there in March. "Atlantic City was easy to get to - a lot cheaper than flying to Vegas - and had something for everyone."
And while no two women's vacation agendas are a perfect pair, traveling with a group doesn't have to call for constant compromise. Those craving pampering can indulge in treatments such as a balancing Ayurvedic facial. Shopaholics can score kitschy souvenirs next to Coach bags. Gamblers can try their luck at Powerball or blackjack. Foodies can sample everything from king crab tempura to Godiva chocolates.
"When going with a group, I highly recommend having an itinerary," says Kara Ehler, 26, of Norfolk, Va., who visited Atlantic City last year with her friends. "There's just so much to do that knowing the plan in advance will make it easier to keep everyone under control."
If this all feels a little overwhelming, you've just hit the jackpot because we've done the legwork for you. Whether you're whisking a bride-to-be away for a weekend bachelorette party or planning a girls-only retreat, consider this your guide to the city's hottest places to stay, play, dine, shop and unwind.
THINGS TO DO
Shopping
There's nothing like a little retail therapy to encourage female bonding. Atlantic City satisfies both label lovers and bargain shoppers. The Walk (609-872-7002, acoutlets.com ) has more than 100 outlet stores, such as Coach and H&M. The Quarter at Tropicana (800-345-8767, tropicana.net ) is packed with dining and night light hot spots. It's also home to dozens of shops ranging from Tahari to Bluemercury Apothecary to James Salt Water Taffy. Built on a 900-foot pier over the Atlantic Ocean, The Pier Shops at Caesars is the East's answer to Vegas' Venetian, with high-end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Michael Kors as well as new boutique brands such as Trust Fund Baby (609-345-3100, thepiershopsatcaesars.com ).
Girl's Guide Tip: Burn off some cocktails before hitting the shops by renting bikes and pedaling along the 4 1/2-mile boardwalk from 6 to 10 a.m.
Spas
Check in at the two-story Immersion Spa at The Water Club, and you get all-day access to the fitness center, Jacuzzi and infinity pool with ocean views. The spa's "Ultimate Oxygenating Facial," $280, infuses moisture and plumps collagen (800-800-8817, thewaterclubatborgata.com). Whether you've won or lost in the casinos, you can get pampered without breaking the bank with the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa's "Beauty Break" package. For $70 you get a peppermint-infused manicure, express pedicure, makeup refresher and a tube of vanilla-fig hand cream (609-441-5333, reddoorspas.com ). You can soak in Roman Baths with mineral-enriched water at the newly opened Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Atlantic City, which is modeled after the spa in Vegas (609-343-2400, caesarsatlanticcity.com). There you can also have a "crystal artist" apply Swarovski crystals to your body ($130) after a sea sponge cleansing and sugar scrub.
Girl's Guide Tip: Many spas can arrange for your group to have manicures and pedicures poolside if you call to request in advance. If it's a bachelorette or birthday party, ask about having a gift put in her spa locker for a special surprise.
Gambling
For a gaming virgin, bellying up to a table with a group of hard-core poker players can be intimidating. You can take free game table lessons every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 and 9 p.m. at Resorts Atlantic City (800-336-6378, resortsaccom ).
Girl's Guide Tip : Many casinos, such as the Tropicana Casino and Resort, allow groups to reserve a private table, so don't be afraid to ask.
Nightlife
Your chances of dancing the night away while vacationing with your man might be slim, but going with a group of girls is the perfect excuse to let loose. Murmur, in the Borgata, has a loungey ambience with a sunken dance floor that attracts big-name talent like DJ AM to its turntables. Order the Strawberry Vanilla VOMO, with muddled strawberries and lime, to start the night on a sweet note. Or if you're up for a mega-club with multiple levels, you can hit MIXX (609-317-1000, borgatanightlife .com). At the Trump Taj Mahal, Casbah is a laser-light show for adults and houses hundreds of sweaty revelers. Ladies get in free (609-449-1000, casbahclub.com ).
You'll need to reserve tickets at least two weeks in advance if your group wants seats at Showboat Casino's "Savage Men Male Revue" on Saturday nights. If you're having a bachelorette or birthday party, the woman of honor gets in free ($25-$35, 888-572-8243, savage-men.com). Cocktail culture meets poolside lounging at The Pool in the newly renovated Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. This 90-foot high glass dome filled with palm trees transforms into a club on Wednesday and Saturday nights. With star sightings such as Carmen Electra and "Rock of Love's" Bret Michaels, beat the crowds by reserving a cabana and score a place to park your drinks (609-441-5233, harrahs.com ).
Girl's Guide Tip: If you know which club you're going to, call ahead and ask to be put on the VIP list to bypass the lines.
WHERE TO STAY
Let's face it, you're not going to get a lot of beauty sleep. After all, traveling with the girls translates to one big slumber party, so expect to sacrifice any shut-eye for fun that lasts until dawn. What matters more than having 400-thread-count sheets is having space to spread out to make playing catch-up comfortable.
You may want to opt for a suite so there's a common area and a place to retreat, such as those at Showboat's House of Blues, which come equipped with 42-inch plasma TVs for watching late-night "Sex and the City" reruns ($339 and up, 800-277-5990, harrahs.com ).
Be sure the spot you choose has the whole package: places to eat, drink, dance and relax all under one roof, which will save you a long trek back to your room at the end of the evening.
If you really want to go all out, the Borgata Hotel & Casino Spa opened the cosmopolitan Water Club earlier this summer ($299 and up, 800-800-8817, thewaterclubatborgata.com ). Overlooking the marina, it comes with urban-style lofts, a two-story spa and five heated pools inspired by Miami's South Beach. Rooms do have 400-thread-count sheets and iPod docking stations, but the party really starts on the floors at Borgata right next door. There, you'll find high-stakes games in the Poker Room, dining such as Bobby Flay Steak, and nightlife at the club MIXX.
For something a little more intimate, the first nongaming boutique hotel, called The Chelsea, is scheduled to open next month near the boardwalk (and the beach). Reminiscent of old Hollywood glam with Venetian fireplaces and poolside cabanas, it will have two Stephen Starr restaurants and a spa with a saltwater soaking pool ($149 and up, 800-548-3030, theChelsea-AC.com ).
GIRL'S GUIDE TIP : Pick up your own snacks and a bottle of wine to keep in the mini-bar's fridge. That way you can kick back while you're waiting for the group to get ready.
WHERE TO EAT
You'll find no shortage of salty hot dogs, cheesy pizza and ice cream along the boardwalk.
Within walking distance from the outlets at The Walk, The White House Sub Shop (2301 Arctic Ave.; 609-345-1564) is an Atlantic City staple. It has only six tables and has been known to serve the old Rat Packers ( Frank Sinatra) and the new ( George Clooney).
For more upscale culinary experiences, try the Asian-style Buddakan for culinary delights such as edamame ravioli (609-674-0100, buddakanac.com ) or The Continental (609-674-8300, continentalac.com ), a martini bar with international tapas such as lobster mac-and-cheese.
If you've got a group of 15 or more, take the stress out of planning by going for a package deal. Carmine's in The Quarter at the Tropicana is a family-style Italian restaurant offering group rates starting around $55 for a four-course meal (609-572-9300, carminesnyc.com ).
Girl's Guide Tip: Die-hard foodies can sign up for Caesars' celebrity chef series to score recipes and cooking tips from the likes of Iron Chef star Mario Batali or Paula's Home Cooking queen, Paula Deen. Tickets start at $25, 800-736-1420; ticketmaster.com .
GETTING THERE
BY CAR: Atlantic City is about 150 miles from Long Island, off the Garden State Parkway.
BY BUS: Greyhound's Lucky Streak Express buses run from New York City (800- 231-2222; greyhound.com /products_services/casino_nj .shtml).
Other bus companies, such as Paradise Trailways, make daily round-trips from various pickup points around Long Island (516-870-0558, paradisetrailways.com ).
GETTING AROUND: Taxi fares within Atlantic City cost no more than the maximum fare of $12. Or catch a jitney (small vans that run 24 hours a day) for about $2 a ride (609-344-8642, jitneys.net ).
