Atlantic City Holiday

Those holidaying here will see the real-life model of Monopoly and boasting the United States' first boardwalk, Atlantic City is steeped in popular culture.

Famous since 1854 when rich Philadelphians first built a train terminal resort there, the city reached its height of popularity at the beginning of the 20th century, attracting a number of US firsts.

Atlantic City was home to the first boardwalk in 1870, the first colour postcards in 1893, the world's first big wheel in 1892, but most importantly of all, the first Miss America Beauty Pageant, which is still held there to this day.

However, Atlantic City's history was neither as illustrious nor as innocent during the crime-filled days of prohibition, when it became a hot-bed of rum-running, illegal speakeasies and gangsterism.

But these illegal activities went into rapid decline under pressure from places such as Florida, leaving the city economically vulnerable.

Since those black days Atlantic City has legalised gambling, reinventing itself as something of an American playground in the process, boasting an immense collection of casinos, nightlife, sport and shopping, ensuring that whatever time people visit there will be something the entire family will love.

Inevitably the casino's of Atlantic City are widely seen as its major attraction, and is considered to be second only to Las Vegas in the scale of the gambling operation. Indeed visitors can enjoy a 24-hour gaming experience in one of Atlantic City's 12 casino resorts, featuring headline entertainment, shopping, five-star dining and a host of amusements.

However, for those of you taking holidays in Atlantic City you should remember that it has so much more to offer than a gaudy neon sign directing visitors to the nearest casino.

The boardwalk is an experience in itself, boasting a vast array of rides, shops, entertainment piers and amusements to keep both children and adults alike entertained, or try some saltwater taffy or a bag of fresh roasted peanuts, considered to be a local delicacy.

Atlantic City also offers a selection of weird and wonderful museums to furrow some brows, with the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum and Lucy the Elephant, a museum contained inside a gigantic elephant, drawing large crowds.

For the more culturally inclined the Atlantic City Art Center and Historical Museum at Garden Pier are well worth a visit, while the waterfront in Somers Point, and the Towne of Historic Smithville, where holiday makers can browse 60 colonial-era shops are literally steeped in history.

But perhaps the greatest landmark of Atlantic City is the 171-foot Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857. This is New Jersey's tallest lighthouse, which from the top of its 228 stairs offers spectacular panoramic views.

As a tourist destination Atlantic City may lack the ostentatious glamour of Las Vegas or the refinement of Monte Carlo, but in terms of family entertainments few destinations come close.

With a beach and boardwalk packed with more amusements than could fill a theme park and any number of historical and cultural places of interest, Atlantic City truly has something for everyone and flights are on the more affordable side compared to other US destinations.