Atlantic City Beaches

**City Man** · 06-08-2010, 11:00 AM

I hear that some beaches in AC are pretty good. Does anyone have info on this? I've heard that there are nice spots in front of the casinos where they let you use the facilities and can drink at the tiki bars, etc.

Is there parking for this? Is the beach free?

Thanks for any info.

**thoth** · 06-08-2010, 11:40 AM

Is there a reason more people don't take the train down to AC in the summer for the beach? I've also heard the beaches are nice, and the train seems like a nice way to bypass traffic if you're just going down for the afternoon.

**radiocolin** · 06-08-2010, 12:24 PM

The train from Philly is a ridiculously long ride (over an hour and a half) and drops you at the foot of the expressway, leaving a nice hike to the beach. Service also isn't frequent (once an hour at best, sometimes once every 2)

**thoth** · 06-08-2010, 12:38 PM

an hour and half doesn't seem so bad compared with being stuck in traffic for considerably longer than that. How long is a typical drive to AC from Philly? An hour? I wouldn't call it ridiculously longer.

Also, don't they run free jitneys from the train terminal to popular places around the city?

**robot** · 06-08-2010, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

an hour and half doesn't seem so bad compared with being stuck in traffic for considerably longer than that. How long is a typical drive to AC from Philly? An hour? I wouldn't call it ridiculously longer.

Also, don't they run free jitneys from the train terminal to popular places around the city?

The train is a little long, but it is a pretty nice ride and there are bathrooms.
It puts you off at the train station which is about a 25 minute walk to the beach bars/casinos and you can walk through the new outlets. I can't remember if the Jitney is free, but i don't think it is more than 2 or 3 dollars. Cab is more, but not much.

**YuppieEatsPhill** · 06-08-2010, 12:42 PM

The train from Philly to AC is great. Its pretty cheap, about $15 round trip, and gets you there in about the same amount of time it would take to drive. The "hike" to the beach is no more than a half mile. And while you used to have to walk through a wasteland of empty lots, the trek now takes you straight through The Walk (outlet stores). Its well lit, and even has a few benches where you could take a break if you need too.

The nicest Atlantic City beaches are at the southern end of AC. Go about a block or two past the Hilton. The beach is definitely free and you can find parking in any of the casinos for about 7 bucks for the whole day.

**BeardScraper** · 06-09-2010, 08:51 AM

i'll put in another vote for the train from philly to AC. it doesnt really take 1 1/2 hrs to get there. not quite. and the shuttles are FREE to most casino hotels. i think the AC beaches are decent, atleast they're free, compared to some other NJ beaches that charge out the ass to pack in like sardines (point pleasant, seaside, etc.) surfing in AC is fun too, nice scenary while catching some waves.

**desolate** · 06-09-2010, 08:58 AM

Driving directions to Atlantic City, NJ
61.8 mi – about 1 hour 4 mins

and that's at 65.

and no one does 65.

I can do it easily in under an hour. No traffic during the week.

**thoth** · 06-09-2010, 09:23 AM

I'm sure you could...I just don't think the extra 30-45 minutes or however long on the train is as much of an option killer as one poster suggested, especially on a weekend.

Of course I don't have a car anyway, so it's automatically more attractive to me.

**eldondre** · 06-09-2010, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by thoth

an hour and half doesn't seem so bad compared with being stuck in traffic for considerably longer than that. How long is a typical drive to AC from Philly? An hour? I wouldn't call it ridiculously longer.

Also, don't they run free jitneys from the train terminal to popular places around the city?

it's about an hour drive. we've done the train a couple times mainly because I'm not big on driving after a day in the sun and a few drinks at dinner but on the whole, ot does take a lot longer. it's single track and not particularly fast between lindenwold and AC, it's circuitous and ridiculously slow between lindenwold and 30th st (strangely, they don't stop at north philly OR the river wards). It's a tack on route. there once was a time when there were plans to tunnel under the delaware, something that would be useful today since regional rail might also run to NJ, but barring that, it will continue to be a slow ride. as is, I've always thought friday afternoon specials from Paoli or something via the Pittsburgh subway, stopping in north philly makes some sense since it's the western suburbs that have the worst traffic to get to AC. from cc I used to take PATCO to lindenwold. the AC line was just downgraded and lost a few trips a day on an already light schedule. at this point, it seems NJ should either improve the line, or start running from lindenwold. it used to be a pretty crappy walk from the station as well, but that's gotten a lot better, and at least it's not far from the white house. also, the bus is 90 minutes as well, so you're better off on that if you're in center city.

regarding the beaches, I've always been pleasantly surprised at their condition. I used to park at the tropicana for $2. there are beach bars, etc.

**thoth** · 06-09-2010, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by eldondre

it's about an hour drive. we've done the train a couple times mainly because I'm not big on driving after a day in the sun and a few drinks at dinner but on the whole, ot does take a lot longer. it's single track and not particularly fast between lindenwold and AC, it's circuitous and ridiculously slow between lindenwold and 30th st (strangely, they don't stop at north philly OR the river wards). It's a tack on route. there once was a time when there were plans to tunnel under the delaware, something that would be useful today since regional rail might also run to NJ, but barring that, it will continue to be a slow ride. from cc I used to take PATCO to lindenwold. the AC line was just downgraded and lost a few trips a day on an already light schedule. at this point, it seems NJ should either improve the line, or start running from lindenwold. it used to be a pretty crappy walk from the station as well, but that's gotten a lot better, and at least it's not far from the white house. also, the bus is 90 minutes as well, so you're better off on that if you're in center city.

regarding the beaches, I've always been pleasantly surprised at their condition. I used to park at the tropicana for $2. there are beach bars, etc.

Full disclosure: I did actually take the train once to meet friends at the Borgata. It was just a while ago, only one time, and I didn't recall if there was maybe a reason more people didn't take it. I did the PATCO connect from CC and have pleasant memories. I think I would still take it over the bus, just because I generally feel trains are more comfortable.

Since I haven't heard anything bad about the beaches yet, I think this is going to be my first shore trip when I get back.

**desolate** · 06-09-2010, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by thoth

I'm sure you could...I just don't think the extra 30-45 minutes or however long on the train is as much of an option killer as one poster suggested, especially on a weekend.

Of course I don't have a car anyway, so it's automatically more attractive to me.

Me personally. I've taken the train. Not a fan of being sandy on the Patco transfer. Jitneys and shuttles are effective. THere are showers (outside kind) provided by several casinos.

I just like having the car as almost a locker. If you take the train you need to guard anything on the beach you bring.

**thoth** · 06-09-2010, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by desolate

Me personally. I've taken the train. Not a fan of being sandy on the Patco transfer.

Yeah I was thinking that. Maybe I'd just go direct from 30th street then... Definitely going to be drinking while I'm down there though, and this is a nice way to get around forcing someone to DD.

BTW, are the beaches free? Is there space to change on site/showers/etc? How crowded does it get during peak season?

**D-man** · 06-09-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by YuppieEatsPhill

The nicest Atlantic City beaches are at the southern end of AC. Go about a block or two past the Hilton. The beach is definitely free and you can find parking in any of the casinos for about 7 bucks for the whole day.

The further south you go, the wider the beaches are. When I was up by the Showboat, a month ago, the beach was pretty narrow, however I understand they are replenishing it. The AC beaches are clean, for the most part (they are certainly no worse than Wildwood). The Hilton has a beach bar (as does Bally's, I believe), which beach patrons are welcome to use. The Chelsea hotel has beach services (chairs, umbrellas, etc.) and private cabanas for rent, but you may have to be a guest to use them. There is a municipal parking lot at the south end of the boardwalk, near the Knife & Fork, and there is metered parking on every street that leads to the beach. If you drive around, its not hard to find a spot.

During the week in the peak of summer, you can usually get a room at one of the casinos for about $100 a night. IMO that's a bargain compared to other Jersey shore towns where you'll pay upwards of $200 a night for a shabby beach motel. Throw in the free beach and the plethora of dining options, and AC becomes a good choice for a mid-week beach getaway.

**thoth** · 06-09-2010, 09:59 AM

Do you need a beach pass?

**D-man** · 06-09-2010, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by thoth

Do you need a beach pass?

No. The beaches are free.

**thoth** · 06-09-2010, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by D-man

No. The beaches are free.

Oh that's great. I'm totally going. Thanks!

**Alley** · 06-09-2010, 10:27 AM

I have taken NJ transit from 30th Street to AC several times. Sure it might be longer than driving, but I find it relaxing. In AC you get off at the convention center (last stop). This was convenient when I met my parents at a car show there several times. They complained about traffic coming from the Pocono's and I hopped on the train in Philly to meet them. The walk to the beach is not bad at all. If you like to shop "The Walk" stores are decent. I will carry a large bag with a towel, bathing suit, and anything I buy at the walk. Trying to get my husband to do a day/late night trip on the train sometime before the end of the summer.

**desolate** · 06-09-2010, 10:39 AM

One great thing is that the walk has vastly improved from the station to the casinos.

The "Walk" itself is a major reason. THere are people strolling about down there.

Proof that crappy suburban strip malls cna save an area if done correctly.

THe showers are nothing more than the showerhead on a wall thing. Hence my need of a car and a dark garage corner to change.

Or, bite the bullet and get a room down there.

When we took the train, we always suffered from the "hump all the beach stuff" issue.

**eldondre** · 06-09-2010, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Alley

I have taken NJ transit from 30th Street to AC several times. Sure it might be longer than driving, but I find it relaxing. In AC you get off at the convention center (last stop). This was convenient when I met my parents at a car show there several times. They complained about traffic coming from the Pocono's and I hopped on the train in Philly to meet them. The walk to the beach is not bad at all. If you like to shop "The Walk" stores are decent. I will carry a large bag with a towel, bathing suit, and anything I buy at the walk. Trying to get my husband to do a day/late night trip on the train sometime before the end of the summer.

the walk has helped a lot, it wasn't so pleasant before that.

thoth-I prefer the train as well, but it's a hang up I can get over if the bus leaves at a more convenient time or place. on the way back, the two are in the same place so you can just take whichever leaves next, which is what I usually do. it isn't a SEPTA bus designed for a short ride, the seats are pretty comfortable.