Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey is located just 60 minutes from Philadelphia. The best way to visit Atlantic City is to arrive in style, and you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime if you rent a car from Champion Exotic Rentals, and head to Atlantic City in luxury. To get there exit Philadelphia and take the Walt Whitman Bridge to the North South Freeway and then to the Atlantic City Expressway. If you are looking for a longer drive to fully experience your exotic rental, you can take the Route 40 exit, which also heads into the City.
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Atlantic City's best temperatures occur from June through August, which is the height of the tourist season. Late June's Beach Fest is a good excuse to visit if you enjoy sharing barbecue, beer and beach balls with 100,000 other people. The Miss America Pageant is held in September, which brings contestants from all 50 states to the City to battle it out in bikini and talent contests. The festivities last a full week, with 3 nights of preliminary competition taking place before Saturday night's tear jerking televised finale. The beauties also take part in the Miss America Parade, which involves cruising along the Boardwalk waving from the back seat of a convertible. In August there is the Film and Music Festival.
Attractions
There is more than just casinos in this city, so pack up the family and head to some of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk was the first in the world, built in 1870 by local business owners who wanted to cut down on sand being tracked into hotel lobbies by guests returning from the beach. Alexander Boardman came up with the idea, and the long stretch of planks became known as Boardman's Walk, which was later shortened to 'Boardwalk.' The Boardwalk is still the lifeline of the city running along an 8mi (13km) stretch of beach. There are several casinos along the Boardwalk as well, including Showboat Casino Hotel, Trump Taj Mahal, and Claridge Casino Hotel.
Atlantic City Historical Museum
The Atlantic City Historical Museum preserves the rich history of the one of a kind seaside resort. The permanent exhibition, 'Atlantic City, Playground of the Nation', has artifacts, costumes, posters, photographs, song sheets, postcards, souvenirs, and an array of Miss America memorabilia. Located at Garden Pier, Boardwalk at New Jersey Ave., call 609-347-5839. Open daily 10am-4pm.
Birch Grove Park and Wildlife Zoo
Birch Grove Park and Wildlife Zoo is complete with lakes for fishing, a playground, a mini zoo, walking paths, and picnic areas. There is Miniature-golf and camping which are seasonal. The park is open 9am - 5pm daily, call 609-641-3778 for more information.
Cape May County Park Zoo
Cape May County Park Zoo has over 85 species of wild animals, a bird aviary and a 35-acre African Savannah. Located at Garden State Parkway Exit 11, Rt 9, Cape May Court House, call 609-465-5271 for more information.
Gilligan's Island Water Theme Park
Gilligan's Island Water Theme Park has large water slide and other water amusements along with a popular miniature golf course. Located on The Boardwalk at Plymouth Pl., Ocean City, call 609-399-0483 for more information.
Lucy The Elephant
A National Historic Landmark, Lucy, the elephant, was constructed in the late 1800's by James V. Lafferty. A large 65 feet tall and 90 tons, Lucy once served as a hotel, summer home and tavern, but is now a museum. Admission is $3 for adults, and $1 for children. Call 609-822-6519 for more information.
Ocean Life Centre
Ocean Life Center has eight tanks totaling 29,800 gallons of aquariums, and more than 100 varieties of fish and marine animals. There are 10 exhibits featuring themes on the marine and maritime environment. Each exhibit features computer-enhanced information stations for self-tours in addition to a 16-station Ocean Life Education Center for personal, in-depth exploration. Call 609-348-2880 for more information.
Renault Winery
Renault Winery is the oldest vineyard in the United States, featuring wine cellar tours, a glass museum, wine tasting, gift shop, and a gourmet restaurant. The winery is open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, and Sun noon-5pm. Located at 72 n. Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor, call 609-965-2111 for more information.
Ripley's Believe it or not Museum
There is a large world globe as a wrecking ball splitting this building in half, making it very difficult to miss. Exhibits are based on Ripley's comic strips about natural curiosities and eerie coincidences, making it a great place to take kids who love the strange or odd. The museum is located at 1441 New York Ave. and Boardwalk. Call 609-347-2001 for more information.
Steel Pier
Steel Pier is the best known of the City's ocean piers, opening on the Boardwalk in 1898. The pier once required formal evening dress and offered 16 hours of continuous entertainment for one admission price. Some of the country's biggest bands, TV stars and vaudeville acts appeared at the pier, and for 40 years one of the biggest attractions was the High Diving Horse, a noble steed whose party trick was to dive into the ocean. Today, the pier is a gigantic amusement park, with 25 different rides dropping, spinning or sliding bodies this way and that. Call 609-345-4893 for more information.
Story Book Land
Storybook Land has 20 acres of great family entertainment. The timelessness of childhood will ring true as your family literally walks through its all-time favorite stories and nursery rhymes at Storybook Land. Call 609-641-7847 for more information.
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