ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – For a long time, Atlantic City (AC) was THE resort city destination and the inspiration for the Monopoly board game. Classic images of AC were of families coming down to the shore town to enjoy the boardwalk and the beaches.

With casinos coming to AC, the way people think of AC has changed dramatically. People forgot all of the other elements that made AC great and thought of it as just the east coast gambling Mecca. While that may be true, there are many other aspects of AC that make it much more than just casinos.

One of the best things about AC is that it has not forgotten its legacy, but has added to it. The boardwalk is still a great place to relax and have fun. You’ll find everything you’d expect including great food (pizza, ice cream, funnel cakes, cotton candy, etc.). At several locations throughout the boardwalk, there are great shops that still sell the salt water taffy that AC is known for. For a bit of classic AC, you can take the kids to the Steel Pier (across from the Taj Mahal on the boardwalk at Virginia Ave.) where they can ride many classic rides (bumper cars, ferris wheel, go karts, etc.).

If things get too hot, take a dip in the Atlantic. The beach is protected by a staff of lifeguards and the water quality is protected by strong State regulations.

What else is there to do in AC during the day beside the boardwalk, beach and gambling? Easily one of the biggest improvements to AC has been the emergence of the shopping scene. One of the most noticeable changes was the addition of The Walk, AC’s outlet shopping center. Some of the stores include Calvin Klein, DKNY, Ecko Unlimited, H&M, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren and everything in between. There are also great places to eat in and around The Walk.

Another big addition to the AC shopping scene was the Pier Shops at Caesars. Formerly the Ocean One Mall, the entire place has been renovated and includes great shops like Armani Express, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Gucci, Coach and many more.

One of the most overlooked aspects of AC is the food. A short distance away from the boardwalk is the White House Sub Shop (2301 Arctic Ave.), another classic AC location. The White House is well known for both hot and cold subs, its rave reviews and the many famous people that have visited it. If you’re in the mood for a great steak, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (2020 Atlantic Ave.) or Gallagher’s New York Steakhouse (inside Resorts Casino & Hotel) are definitely places to go. If fine dining is more your style, AC boasts a lineup of great restaurants from famous chefs (think Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, etc.). For the foodies, the AC Food & Wine Festival is taking place July 30th to August 2nd.

Another area of vast improvement in AC is the nightlife. Both inside and outside of the casinos are a vast array of bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes. A much publicized addition was the 40/40 club (2120 Atlantic Ave.) The 40/40 franchise of clubs is most famous for being owned by hip hop mogul Jay-Z and when the 40/40 came to AC, it elevated the city’s nightlife immensely. Another big splash in AC nightlife is the Pool After Dark at Harrah’s, where the pool area becomes an award winning nightclub with all of the amenities you’d expect from a full-time nightclub venue. For a laid back bar scene, try the Atlantic City Bar & Grill (the corner of South Carolina and Pacific Aves.). A favorite with locals, the AC Bar & Grill features a great menu and great cocktails.

A vast array of shows are also a key part of AC. One of the most famous venues in AC is Boardwalk Hall (www.boardwalkhall.com). The site of many great sporting events and concerts, upcoming events include the American Idol Live Tour and the family friendly "Walking with Dinosaurs" spectacular. In addition, various other venues are showing a large variety of shows including comedy (Dave Attell, Dane Cook), concerts (Stone Temple Pilots, Maxwell, Donna Summer) and other miscellaneous shows (Cirque Dreams Pandemonia, A Bronx Tale).

There are plenty of other great things to do in AC including spas, festivals, tours and exhibits. In addition, many of the large casino hotels are running specials on room rates and stay packages making a visit to AC affordable. For an even greater bargain, there are various other hotels in and around AC that offer extremely affordable room rates. Many of these deals can be found both online and by contacting the various hotels directly.

With all of these great options available in one place, AC is a great place to visit. So if you’ve got a time for a day trip or a more extended stay, take a trip down to AC, where there’s a little something for everyone.