The Atlantic City Family Staycation

Spring Break lots of families head to Disney. Or take Caribbean cruises. Or go up to Great Wolf Lodge. Then there’s you and me. Seven days with kids home from school, there are many hours to kill, and dying Easter eggs only kills one.

This year, I decided to join the ranks of the lucky who change their scenery. We went to Atlantic City for a little staycation. There, a family can spend a quality day or two getting away from it all, with very little actual effort, or much of a budget.

Here are my picks for the Top Ten Family Friendly AC Activities:

1) The Water Show (see video) Free! at the Pier Shops at Caesars

This amazing, seven million dollar water, light and sound show is a must-see. And, with shows running every hour on the hour, if your kids are as easily amused as mine, you can see it more than once. Did I mention it’s FREE?

2) Boardwalking: Free!

A.C.’s Boardwalk is so famous, it’s prime Monopoly real estate.  Spend the whole morning strolling this five-mile stretch and you’ll encounter everything from gaudy casinos and colorful tourists to saltwater taffy, a Korean War Memorial, and both seagulls and pigeons.

TIP: If the kids are too beat to make the walk back, treat them to a Rolling Chair Ride (aka Jersey Shore rickshaw). And yes, prices are negotiable. I found a guy to push us the whole 5 miles for just five bucks.

3) Atlantic City Aquarium at Historic Gardner’s Basin:

 I expected very little from this not so big ocean life center, and was totally surprised. The kids got to pet sharks and feed stingrays. We also saw cool ocean creatures like clown fish, moon jellies, and sea anemones.

TIP: Try the “draw your own ocean life picture” center on the 2nd floor. The kids can trace stencils of crabs, sharks, and such, and get to take home their artwork. My children spent a half hour sketching away.

4) Hotel Pools

Kids love to swim indoors when it’s still winter coat weather.  Most AC Casino Resorts run midweek specials for affordable rooms and many hotel pools, like the one at Bally’s, even have hot tubs and a bar for Mom and Dad.

TIP: If you know anyone who’s a big AC gambler (thanks Mom), see if they can score you a room comp.

5) IT’SUGAR on the Pier at Caesars

With shelves and bins filled with every color M&M, each jellybean flavor, and any candy known to man, IT’SUGAR is a candy shop superstore. You can get off cheap and buy each kid a lollipop, or blow your whole bankroll letting them fill their own bags with whatever their hearts desire.

TIP: Upstairs, there’s an ice cream café with a great view of the Boardwalk for inconspicuously entertaining people watching.

6) Arcades there’s one near Resorts, and another at Tennessee
Save at least one roll of quarters for the kids to hit a Boardwalk Arcade. After a fun-filled hour, my gang had enough prize tickets to win a couple of squirt guns. It may not be much, but it’s more than most casino slot machines pay.

7) Ripley’s Believe It or Not! New York Ave and The Boardwalk
This world-renowned oddity emporium claims to be the strangest place in Atlantic City. That’s no small feat, but attractions like the two-headed cow, Human Unicorn, and the guy who can pop his eyeball out of his head make the rest of the Boardwalk feel as conservative as the Hamptons.

TIP: Be sure to head to the restrooms, where fun tricks await, like a red button on the wall that triggers “potty humor” noises.

8) The Quarter at Tropicana Free!
This colorful shopping and eating galleria is styled to look like old-world Havana. Kids will love the painted scenery and “sky” that makes you think you’re outdoors, and magic shop Trick Zone is sure to amuse.

TIP: Instead of blowing your budget on boardwalk souvenirs, treat everyone to something slightly more useful, like a gag gift or cheap trick. My crew picked out trick “knives” and handcuffs, which garnered tons of sideways glances.

9) Rainforest Café—at Trump Plaza.

This theme park-esque theme restaurant is the closest thing to Disney you’ll find in the tri-state area. If the Jungle Book decor, animatronic animals, and  simulated thunderstorms don’t make you feel like you’re in Orlando, the sprawling gift shop/entrance will.

10) The Beach­– Free!

One of the rare beaches in NJ that’s doesn’t charge admission.  In non-swim season, you can still fly kites, picnic, and kick or throw a ball.

TIP:  If the weather is iffy, hit the fun, fake beaches inside the Pier Shops at Caesars instead. Big sandboxes with Adirondack chairs line rows of panoramic windows overlooking the ocean and boardwalk. Recover from your IT’SUGAR crash by watching the sunset over the waves while the kids bury themselves in the sand at your feet.

For a few minutes, it’ll feel like you did go to the Caribbean….