From NJ to the Met: Best way to go?

Hello,

I posted this on Sunday on the NYC forum and haven%26#39;t received a response.

I am trying to plan a trip to the Metropolitan Opera with a friend, who lives in New Jersey (Elizabeth/Newark area). I will be driving up from Virginia and staying at his house/picking him up.

What is the best way to get into the city from New Jersey?

How far is the drive? How long would it take to get there on a Saturday night (8 pm)?

Is parking easy? Should we just take a cab both ways? Or hire a car?

Should we book a hotel room for the night (it will be an Saturday night, 8 pm opera that usually runs 3-4 hours w/intermissions).

Any guidance/suggestions/alternatives are appreciated.

I grew up on Long Island and have been to the city before (driving in and taking the train to Penn Station, but never taken the subway) so I have a general idea of what I%26#39;m getting myself into.

Thanks!

From NJ to the Met: Best way to go?

For two people on a Saturday, it doesn%26#39;t cost that much more to drive into Manhattan and park then it is to take public transportation.

Use www.iconparking.com to find parking. Print out the reservation

and bring it with you to get that rate.

How are you about driving at night?

Traffic coming back should be light.

I would leave about 4pm and park and have a leisurely dinner near Lincoln Center.

You won%26#39;t be able to find a cab that will take you to NJ except for Newark Airport from Manhattan.

The other choice you have is to arrange with a car service.

From NJ to the Met: Best way to go?

Excellent info. Thanks so much. I don%26#39;t mind driving at night, so it won%26#39;t be an issue.

Be sure to listen to traffic reports about the Turnpike.

Two Saturdays ago an accident caused a long delay southbound.

Never know, so leaving early is always the better option.

The area around Lincoln Center is lovely. And walking a few blocks south is the big Time Warner Center with the

http://www.shopsatcolumbuscircle.com/

to help kill some time. :-)

Good tip. Thanks.

I would suggest going in early in the day and making a day of it. If you try to drive in through the Lincoln Tunnel at 4 pm on a Saturday night, you%26#39;re liable to hit a lot of tunnel traffic. Listen to 880 AM or 1010 AM for trafffic reports. You may want to take the Holland Tunnel instead of the Lincoln Tunnel.

Great idea to go early to New York and have more time there and less stress about traffic delays.

If you%26#39;d prefer not to drive, there is train service from Elizabeth and Newark and many other towns, using New Jersey Transit, but check the schedules since the trains may not run late enough for your evening return. Another alternative is to dirve to Harrison and take the PATH train from there to 33rd Street. It will be a long but interesting walk to the Opera. The PATH runs all night.

You can park your car at the Met - it is really easy and convenient after the opera. There are lots of places to eat - try Cafe Fiorello - http://www.cafefiorello.com/ a very nice place to eat and not too far of a walk.

With the Lincoln tunnel you need to leave a lot of time as it it quite unpredictable. Also you need nerves ot steel to just drive through the crush of cars and buses - not a great introduction to New York and if you are like me you%26#39;ll end up with your teeth hurting by the time you sit down for the opera!

As an alternative you could get the ferry from Weehawken (lots of parking) and they have buses that drive around town and drop you and pick you up - http://www.nywaterway.com/

Enjoy your opera!!

Acacia Beachfront motel

We recently booked a 4 day stay at the Acacia read alot of great reviews from other trip advisor travelers.Would love to get some recent feedback from anyone who has had the opportunuty to visit.Our other choice was the Armada By The Sea. We would also love to hear suggestions on some fun things to do.Haven%26#39;t been back to Wildwood since 1978.

Thanks,Mikeyv.

Acacia Beachfront motel

Hi Mikey,

Brace yourself.

The Wildwoods changed very little from 1978 to 2002. But since 2002... whoa. At last count by people who know what they%26#39;re talking about, 85 motels have met the wrecking ball thanks to a surge of condomania, spiked by the 10,000-sq-ft convention center they plunked down right on the beach by the boards in %26#39;02-03. It%26#39;s going to look pretty different from what you remember. The boards have their problems too, with a couple of piers just sitting there, lifeless (including Hunt%26#39;s). If you want to know more about what%26#39;s been going on, see http://www.doowopusa.org.

That said, it%26#39;s still the wonderful Wildwoods and I still go back every year, with the occasional skip because I%26#39;m too broke to go anywhere :). I stayed at the Acacia for a couple of nights last August. I wanted an oceanfront room and I was booking at the last minute, so of course they gave me the one on the ground floor, where the area in front of the door to the room is a high-traffic passageway from their pool to the coffee shop at the neighboring motel (that coffee shop is very sweet, by the way--you may enjoy it for breakfasts). If your family likes to sit by the pool, you might not like the Acacia, where the pool is quite small and not particularly festive. And I%26#39;d try to make sure they don%26#39;t put you on the first floor (but I%26#39;d give that advice for any motel in the Wildwoods due to noise considerations as well as the lack of view). I remember thinking I probably would have been very happy in one of the oceanfront rooms on the second floor or higher, which have private balconies. But there are only a few of those--most of the rooms have the typical sideways view of the beach.

Have fun!

Acacia Beachfront motel

P.S. I meant to mention that the Acacia is no longer a true motel, it%26#39;s a condo being operated as a motel. And I thought I could feel the difference, in terms of the attitude of the front desk staff. Nothing terrible, but they just weren%26#39;t friendly.

I stayed at the Acacia last summer. It was fine -- nothing great but nothing really bad. As ninaromeo said, all units are privately owned (condo), which we did not find out until after we checked in. But it is still operated like a motel, with daily maid service. However, I do remember the maid service being performed quite late on some days of our stay which really annoyed me! There is no ground floor because the parking is under the building, but there is an elevator. There%26#39;s no free ice either, but you can purchase a bag of ice from the front desk. Oh, and the pool is really small. On the positive side, the beach down in this area of the Crest is really nice -- not as wide as it is closer to the boardwalk (this is a good thing!).

Jerseygurl, thanks for clarifying about the ground floor. There are two or three ground floor rooms on the narrow oceanfront end of the building, one of which I occupied last year. But other than those rooms, you%26#39;re correct, the ';ground floor'; consists of lobby and parking space.

Jerseygurl, thanks for clarifying about the ground floor. There are two or three ground floor rooms on the narrow oceanfront end of the building, one of which I occupied last year. But other than those rooms, you%26#39;re correct, the ';ground floor'; consists of lobby and parking space.

Ninaromeo, you%26#39;re right. I forgot about those oceanfront ground floor rooms by the pool, probably because I did not use the pool at all while I was there.

I stayed at the Acacia 9 times between 1990 and 2000. It was the only place my wife and I would stay. The rooms were clean, decently decorated, management seemed to care about the place. Never seemed to rent rooms to unruly teenagers during Memorial weekend. The 2 room efficiency was a good room.

Daily management seemed to change in 2000, had a bad stay there Memorial Day weekend that year. I do not know who management is now.

We visit Wildwood Crest 1 or 2 times a year and I am willing to give the place another try, but wife and children say no. The pool is small which my kids do not like.

We just got back last night from a week at the Acacia. Loved it. The room was spotless, the maid service thorough (if we were still not ready to leave the room and said we didn%26#39;t need anything, they still left us towels, etc. in a bag by the door), and the front desk helpful. The kids had a blast in the pool.

But, yes...as someone else posted, good ol%26#39; Wildwood is changing. Condos are the norm, Duffinetti%26#39;s is gone, and more and more old do-wop places are being plowed under.

Enjoy it while you can...

Palms Down the Shore II?

Just curious if anyone knows anything about this place in Wildwood, NJ. I don%26#39;t see any reviews of it.... Thanks

Palms Down the Shore II?

This is a privately owned building not a motel.

Buckingham Motel

There is a reason that there are no negative posts about the Buckingham Hotel!! It is a clean, inexpensive and friendly location. Our family stayed there for 4 days( 8/13-8/17/2006). Right across from the beach, near center city ,excellent hosts( Crystal), etc.) We will actually PLAN our visit next year and stay longer.

No one could say anything negative if they were honest.

Buckingham Motel

Hi:

Have to tell you I have worked in Cape May 15 years and never heard a bad thing about the Buckingham. I think lots of people are unaware it exists. It is on the east end of the island which it the quieter end. It is next to some condos, not surrounded by larger hotels. It is clean, well run and maintained. It is directly across from the beach and is in a good location. I agree that if you stay there you will want to come back. Glad to see you acknowledge the hotel. I am sorry I haven%26#39;t suggested it before! Glad you enjoyed the Buckingham and Cape May.

get time from datetime

Nature

I was concerned by the lack of shells on the beach, and the non-existences of Sandpipers. (this extends to shorebirds in general) A few years back I noted that the population of these birds was diminishing. They now appear to be completely gone. There even seem to be fewer gulls. There are a number of dolphins in the water but I%26#39;ve been told that they are feed to keep them around for the tourists. We were with our grand kids so there was no opportunity to hike around for a close look at the birds. I wonder what is happening to the ecology of the shore?

There also seems to be an element of what use to be called honky tonk creeping into town. The town fathers may want to watch this trend along with the over development of the area which may be causing some of the problems with the environment.

Nature

The numbers of birds naturally fluctuate, depending on whether they%26#39;re nesting or migrating, though some numbers may be down. You can contact Cape May Bird Observatory at (609)884-2736. These nice people will gladdly answer your questions.

Several dolphin pods can seen playing near shore, as they have since I can remember; but I don%26#39;t think there%26#39;s any trueth to the rumor that they%26#39;re fed to keep them around for tourists.

There will always be diversity among the townspeople and visitors that come to Cape May. That%26#39;s because Cape May offers so much! You%26#39;ll find cultural events, like professional equity theater, art exhibits, and jazz, to name a few. There are many fabulous restaurants, shops, and crafts people. You may find some %26#39;honky tonk%26#39; , but the majority of people attracted to Cape May are well educated and mature. Professionals, families, and artists also enjoy coming to Cape May.

Nature

Hi:

It is nice to see others concerned with our nature environment. Each spring and fall there are major birding weekends. There is a weekend called the ';World Series of Birding'; April and October are the most popular months for birders as I can see. I see Sandpipers everyday here in Cape May. Dolphins abound aas they follow the Gulf Stream. They follow the ferry boats and sightseeers all the time. Down at Cape May Point they often play close to shore. Last month there were so many dolphins in the Delaware Bay one day it was unbelieveable. As far as Sea Gulls I don%26#39;t see any real significant lack of them in the area. They swim and play along the beach each morning just as I can always remember. This time of the year because it is so busy, it may seem they are less in number. As our season closes and our second season begins and it is quieter, like in april and October, we can all enjoy nature at bit more. Cape May is an important nesting ground for many birds and important flyway on the Eastern Seaboard. The Cape May Point Bird Observatory, as mentioned in the previous post is a wealth of knowledge. Come down in October for the hawk banding, it is awesome and your grandchildren will love that and the Nature Center.

victoria days in october

what are my chances of getting a b%26amp;b with 2 beds during this

victoria days week? can we come down there and get a place to

stay without a reservation? we are 2 seniors

victoria days in october

I would highly recommend making a reservation. It%26#39;s a very popular week and, while I%26#39;m sure you will be able to find %26#39;something%26#39;, it would be a lot easier on you to just go ahead and make a reservation at a B%26amp;B that looks appealing to you.

There are so many sites that will allow you to view and read descriptions of the rooms online - and many will let you book that way as well.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy Victorian Week.

victoria days in october

Make sure you make a reservation. The first weekend, Oct. 6, 7 %26amp; 8 is usually a 3 night minimum at most places because it coincides with Columbus Day weekend. The second weekend, or Finale Weekend is usually at two night minimum. Generally there is no minimum during the week. There is so much to do and see and so many tours and workshops you won%26#39;t get board. Contact the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts, they have a Victorian Week list of activities. Better yet, visit their website to view the activities. The weater is great in October, my favorite month and you will really enjoy yourselves. No matter what you decide, have a great time.

skin

Trop-the Quarter- 2 restaurants

Tried Cube Libre and Brulee Saturday night. Cuba Libre first. The food was good, but not great. My wife had a watermelon mohito before dinner and it was very good. We had sweet potato croquettes as an appetizer. Good. My wife had stuffed chicken breast which turned out to be stuffed thigh and leg. I had a rib eye. Both were OK. Bill was about $85- not terribly expensive, but the food really wasn%26#39;t worth it. And the service left a lot to be desired.

We thought we%26#39;d splurge for dinner at Brulee, the dessert restaurant. All I can say is save your money. The coffee was good- fresh ground @ $5 per cup. They only have about 7 items on the menu. Very disappointing. Nothing special at all. The place is all hype. Don%26#39;t waste your time or money.

Trop-the Quarter- 2 restaurants

Thanks for the heads-up. It isn%26#39;t a good idea to rely only on the glowing descriptions some of these establishments write about themselves. It%26#39;s good to hear what the paying customer thinks.

Party in October (or maybe November)

We%26#39;re having a birthday party (or just party in general) at The 40/40 Club in AC. I have a comp to reserve the A Rod lounge for free one night (it usually rents for $1500). the4040club.com/index.cfm/…27.htm

Right now we%26#39;ve got it tentatively scheduled for Friday, Oct 27th. (It%26#39;s possible the date may move slightly in the next month or so.)

Anyway, the room accomodates over 70 people. There%26#39;s no way we%26#39;re going to have 70 people coming up from VA for the party.

If any of the regulars here want to meet us there, let me know. I think it%26#39;s going to be super fun! (I%26#39;ve been to the one in NYC, but not the one in AC.)

Party in October (or maybe November)

Hmmm will think about this....I will be in AC 10/26 and 10/27, maybe even the 28th for the Rolling Stones concert if I can get tickets.

Great offer, thanks!

Gevurah aka Nancala :)

Party in October (or maybe November)

Would love it to see you if you could make it!!

Hey Ambrva,

This sounds like a great time and great way to get to meet people I am not sure about what is that far in advance.......but if you think you will keep this as a tentative date I%26#39;ll try to book my comp room now %26amp; bring some friends!!

Well, not like 70, maybe like 1...........

this right now is the tentative date. It will firm up pretty soon. I will post as soon as it does. Would love to see you!

ambrva... I would love to do this, but I am leaving for Las Vegas the next day, so.... If the date changes, by all means post it on here!

.... Sounds like it would be a blast!!! %26lt;grin%26gt;

Oooh I am sooooo sad u must go to Vegas on that date. LOL You are going to have a fantastic time!!

I would even personally ditch me to go to Vegas!! (My Vegas trip is in Sept!!)

You must tell us all about it!!!

ambrva.... Per your request, I am going to follow Billy Joel%26#39;s advice to fill you in on the Vegas trip...

';Tell Her About It';....

LOL

You must promise to act first, though, and tell us about your misadventures in Sin City! %26lt;wink!%26gt;

I promise to fill you all in on my misdeeds!!

Hi Ambr~~Wow, nice comp! You must really be milking those ';glitches';!

A little complicated to plan that far ahead, but it would be great to link up with some of the great folk here. (I assume I%26#39;m a ';regular'; here even though I%26#39;ve only been posting recently. Like many others, I think, I%26#39;ve checked postings here for some time before signing up and posting, [about 2 years]).

Can you give us a code name or something for the birthday celebrant? And maybe the year being celebrated. I always enjoy visiting happy birthday parties, but I always like to bring a surprise present. Hard to do without a label for the person, or the year being celebrated. Otherwise, I think I%26#39;d feel like a crasher, which I gave up doing some time ago.

Maybe if I hit it big next week I can rent the entire place and we can do our own thing by renting a some slot machines, tables, dealers, etc. as ACmama suggests. That would be a good start for our ';peoples,'; (treat the customers well) casino. We could get rich off just people we know! lol

easy

Dave,

You qualify as an invitee. ;-)

It is hard to plan that far ahead, and we don%26#39;t even have the date 100% locked down. But it will be within two weeks of that date, and I will post the ';firm'; date here ASAP.

My friend is a lady, so I won%26#39;t post her age. :-) No gifts are required or requested, tho I%26#39;m sure if you%26#39;re able to make it and offer to buy her a drink she would love it. (So you look savvy, her fav drink is a rum runner; but a drink purchase is also not expected. We just have a big room - for free - and I think it would be fun to have as many people there as can come. I just want to have a great birthday party for her; she is my best friend and kind of like surrogate family.)

I am hoping for a bunch of people there and a really good time. :-) This is somewhat of a milestone bday, so I would like it to be a real blow out.

I believe I get the room for 4 hours, and will get passes/invitations for everyone.

I promise it will be a fab time. We have discussed renting the old peep scooters and horrifying them that they have given us their VIP room!!

(BTW, I did not get this comp from a casino, I had an event at their NYC location. We also wrote a drunken, yet amusing, letter to the owner of the club. For whatever reason I got the comp.)

Place to watch NFL Football

My husband is a major football fan and I am looking for places to watch some of the Sunday games in September. I was looking online and I see that the Tropicana has ';adam good crab shack'; and ';hooters';. We are staying at the Taj Mahal. Is there any place there? Thanks.

-Lori

Place to watch NFL Football

I haven%26#39;t been to the Taj on a football Sunday, but they have a horse racing simulcast area. The other casinos I%26#39;ve been to on Sundays devote a lot of their simulcast screens to football.

In cases where there are just a few TVs around, you%26#39;ll find priority is to air the closest teams (Eagles, Giants, Jets).

Place to watch NFL Football

AC Grill , a few blocks from TAj has the games on . Toga at Caesar%26#39;s has a pair of screens as does the Eden at Harrahs . Many of the slot bars have the games - HOB at Showboat , Xhibition at Harrah%26#39;s , Slot Bar at Trump Plaza ( Free drinks ) , Mountain Slot Bar at Wild West . Also Near the Taj is Maloney%26#39;s uptown sports bar .

allure45 - is that Maloney%26#39;s any relation to the one in Margate? If so, it%26#39;s probably a great place to watch the games, at least they%26#39;ll have satellite feeds and lots of TVs so you can see all the games and not just the Eagles. Their food is not half bad either, typical sports bar grub.

Cheers,

LuvB

Malony%26#39;s in Margate closed last spring to make way for condos . This one is the same owner , same type of place but %26#39;newer%26#39; .

I knew the Margate location closed; that was the tragic demise of our annual Bike-A-Thon for the American Cancer Society. I didn%26#39;t realize they reopened in AC - now I%26#39;m curious to check it out.

Thanks,

LuvB

LuvBreezes:

I did that Bike-a-thon back in 1989, I think, the first year it went to 50 miles. The best time ever. Took my friend and I until 4pm, but we made every bar and reststop along the way (I kinda remember a band and dancing in Avalon). I do still remember cursing each of the causways, as they were the only ';hills'; on the ride. I don%26#39;t think I could do it today, but what a blast. Glad it still happens.

Cate58

cate58 - Unfortunately, the bike-a-thon is no longer, since Maloney%26#39;s was the local sponsor and they closed last year to make room for condos. It was such a fun event, though I have to say I only made the entire distance one time, and that was only because we missed the last truck out of Avalon (after that we wised up and started parking our own trucks in Sea Isle City). I was hoping some other establishment would pick up the event, but it%26#39;s probably a lot safer for everyone just to quit while they%26#39;re ahead!

Cheers,

LuvBreezes

with relationship advice

police fines

what are the fines for underage drinking? a son of a friend received a hefty fine. Was he telling all of the truth? need to know court costs, etc

police fines

The *minimum* fine in the state is $500.

This article gives some insight...

www.post-gazette.com/pg/03267/225302.stm

LBI question:

Does anyone know anything about the sunset bay cruises that leave out of someplace in Beach Haven? I am thinking of taking my 6 year old niece on on Thursday night, but can%26#39;t find any info on it. Also, is this safe for a 6 year old? Is the boat easy to get on and off of and do you have to wear a lifevest? Are food/drinks served on board? Anyone who has been on and can provide some info, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

LBI question:

The cruises out of Beach Haven are run by the Black Whale (www.blackwhalecruises.com), but now using the Crystal Queen Paddle Boat. I have never been on it, but it cruises right past our block on the intracoastal.. It is a paddle boat, and is in the intracoastal so it probably cannot get too much speed. There are dinner cruises, and I have seen people dancing, but they also book private parties, so you need to check what is available for public cruises. I cannot comment on the need for life jacket, other than it is a coast guard reg that anyone under either 12 or 14 wear one, but there may be exceptions for ';cruises';.. Also check out www.lbi.net. There is a forum there as well, I searched this question and no one has asked since 2004, so someone have more current info. Have fun.

Goodbye, Steel Pier

';Trump to redevelop another remnant of ‘America%26#39;s Favorite Playground%26#39;.';

See story in the Press of Atlantic City at:

pressofatlanticcity.com/news/…

Goodbye, Steel Pier

It%26#39;s a shame that with real estate prices so high this can%26#39;t be developed into somethin like it was in it%26#39;s Glory Days . You used to be able to see a top name band , another band for dancing , a top name act with several supporting acts , An amateur show , an afternoon DJ dance party , an %26#39;A%26#39; Movie %26amp; a %26#39;B%26#39; Movie , a water Circus with the Diving Horse , and it had a bunch of little shops and snack bars , ALL for an admission price that would equal about $25 today ! I would gladly pay $100 or more for that now . I saw the Beatles , Herman%26#39;s Hermits , The Everly Bros. , Jerry Lewis , Les Paul %26amp; Mary Ford , Dean Martin , and many others !

Goodbye, Steel Pier

';Fifty years have passed since a 10-year-old boy named John Baker visited Atlantic City on a summer day to enjoy the amusements on the Steel Pier.';

';......Baker, now 60, who returned to the Steel Pier this past week for the first time since his boyhood visit in 1956.';

';“If this city becomes nothing but a gambling town, there will be no reason to bring the children here,” Baker complained. “If they%26#39;re going to redevelop Steel Pier, it will be a big mistake. Where will the children go?”';

Things like this irritate me. Mr. Baker%26#39;s last visit was 50 years ago! Now he knows what will be a big mistake for Donald Trump?

Tho The Donald doesn%26#39;t come off like a brain surgeon in the article either!! LOL

';Trump said. “The pier is unique. It juts out more than 900 feet into the ocean.”';

I actually think their ';less likely'; plan of putting some casino space on the pier could be pretty cool!

You know, the picture of that horse diving off the pier into the ocean below will always be imprinted in my mind. We started going to Ocean City in 1955 when I was 5 years old and I think it was then or in the next couple of years when we traveled up the coast the 12 miles to AC and visited the Steel Pier. The diving horse and getting my feet massaged by a new massage machine are my only clear memories of that day (well, I also remember throwing up the hot dog and assorted other food items after the massage but we need not go there), but looking at he picture that accompanied the article I realized that what is called the Steel Pier today is nothing like the Steel Pier I visited as a child!

The reality is that if we were talking about the ';Steel Pier'; that I remember from my childhood being replaced by a shopping maul, it might be a bigger issue. But from what I see, beyond the name, there is little to tie this ';steel pier'; to the legendary pier of that name. Frankly, what would Atlantic City look like today if every ';historic'; structure that had fallen into wreck and ruin was deemed untouchable? I have a feeling it would look like the Atlantic City of the late 70s. I doubt Mr. Baker would find a reason to even consider bringing the children to that AC!! The reason the casinos came to town was because no one else did anymore!

Remembering what AC was like in the 50s is a nice trip down memory lane, but making decisions based on those memories rather than the reality of what we%26#39;re dealing with in 2006 is a huge mistake. Yes, it%26#39;s a shame the Steel Pier of Mr. Baker and my childhood is gone...but it looks to me like it%26#39;s been gone for a long time and ';saving'; what%26#39;s now called the ';Steel Pier'; will not bring it back!

Frank3, nice post.

Let%26#39;s not forget that the Pier at Caesars didn%26#39;t merely replace the godawful Ocean One mall, but that Ocean One began life as an amusement pier (the Million Dollar Pier) in 1906.

A.C. is not quite at the stage where they need to create real estate because there%26#39;s no available land (such as Manhattan, where you simply build vertically). But when it does reach that stage, the obvious opportunity for expansion is out into the ocean--redevelopment of old piers, and even building new ones.

A.C. in its heyday supported SIX amusement/entertainment piers, well-spaced from each other so that you still had nice expanses of uninterrupted beach. I%26#39;m as sentimental as the next guy, but 21st century pier development designed to appeal to the target A.C. market is, in fact, representative of the spirit of the A.C. of old.

I am very sad it is going away, especially as it is one of the few %26#39;kid-centric%26#39; attractions in AC. Since the boardwalk arcade closed [near Tennesee], only the Central Pier arcade remains.

My suggestion for a memory of the Steel Pier is to take the bungee ride. This is quick and fun! I can attest to it NOT causing a stomach upset [I had been drinking for several hours before riding it]. If they are not busy, the operators will offer you a 2nd ride at half price of the 1st, AND a 3rd ride at half price of the 2nd [I suggest taking them up on this offer]. The operators will film you on the ride and transfer it to a VCD [Video CD - will run video in a computer] or VHS for an extra charge so you can view it in the future. I am a cheapskate and did not bother to buy the video, but still think the ride was worth it!

If you go, try to go during the day as there is more to see from the ride %26amp; they tend to be less busy and more likely to offer the extra discounted rides.

Gosh, I AM GOING TO MISS THE STEEL PIER!

rship1~~I hope I can get on that bungee ride before it closes. Thanks for mentioning it. Yes, many things in our brave new world seem %26#39;Logan%26#39;s Run - esque.%26#39;

allure:

Wow, the Beatles played there? When?

I remember seeing the horse dive %26amp; Buddy Rich playing the drums.

Sorry to see the end of an era but its a different world now.

Look at the picture in the paper...it%26#39;s not the end of an era! The point I was making in my post above is that the era ended long ago...just the name remained!

skin

nervous single mom traveler with 2 kids 5 & 2

I will be visiting a friend in Whippany for 8 days w/ a rental car. Can you please give me advise on what to do? Want to visit NYC and go to the Jersey Shore. But I dont know the best spots with kids and a double stroller.

nervous single mom traveler with 2 kids 5 %26amp; 2

For going into NYC, I would take the NJ Transit train.

www.njtransit.com

Closest stations are Morristown or Convent Station.

Kids ride free on weekends.

Dinner with kids?

Im staying at the Borgata this Thursday. There are really no places I can bring a 3 year old and infant.

Can anyone recommend anything outside the Borgata for dinner?

Thanks

Dinner with kids?

Rainforest Cafe at Trump Plaza.

Dinner with kids?

Don%26#39;t know what you mean by ';no places I can bring a 3 year old and infant.'; We ate at the Borg%26#39;s buffet last week and there were kids and infants. Food was OK, about the same as it will cost you at the Rainforest.

There are plenty of other places along the boardwalk where people with kids and infants have dinner.

The Old Waterway in the Venice Park Section of AC will be very accomodating . It is the other side of rt 30 , the section accross from the ASPCA . There will be an ad and map in the restaurant section of the AC Weekly free paper .

Also The Pirate%26#39;s Den will be infant friendly . This is on Brigantine all the way up on the north east corner . The road outside the back of the Borgota will give you good driving to Brigantine .

The noise at the Rainforest might be disturbing to an infant .

java

Anyone know anything about West Cape Motel?

My husband and I have passed the West Cape Motel on Broadway several times while out for a bike ride. Has anyone ever stayed here or heard anything about it? It is a little far away from the center of things, but I%26#39;m thinking it may be a good value during peak season. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone know anything about West Cape Motel?

Good Morning!

The West Cape Motel is at 307 Sunset Bl which is off Broadway. It is next to the Bird Sanctuary. They have efficiencies and suites. There is a pool, cable TV, frig, AC %26amp; heat, maid service and a laundry. They are less pricy than the ocean fronts. I know a couple of people who stayed there and they said it was clean. Their telephone number is 609-884-4280 and their website is www.westcapemotel.com. Sorry, I haven%26#39;t stayed there myself but I%26#39;ve never heard any complaints about it either.

Good luck!

Anyone know anything about West Cape Motel?

Thank you Hannalei!

I%26#39;m still looking for comments on this motel if anyone out there has stayed here. Thanks!

Sorry to beat this post to death, but I would still like to hear if anyone has any personal experiences staying at this motel. Thanks!

We stayed there a few years ago--the beds were lumpy and the room very dated---hope they remodeled since then---price was right---fridge in the room--saves money on eating breakfast out-----LG

Thanks for the input LALG! I figured it wasn%26#39;t the best, but as long as it is decent and clean we may give it a try for budget accommodation. We don%26#39;t spend much time in the room anyway!

We stayed there a few years ago. It was very austere but clean. We drove by on a recent trip and looks like it was updated. Considering the price of the hotels at the cape I woud stay there again. Don%26#39;t go expecting a NYC hotel experience.

Thanks for your response Sageann. I thought it might be a good budget option considering the cost of accommodations in the summer. Especially because we don%26#39;t have kids, my husband and I could just hop on our bikes to get down to the beach.

Stayed there a few years ago on a winter trip to the Cape. Nothing fancy - kind of like a ';no tell motel.'; Very austere - seemed like the walls were bare - almost like cinder brick. Overall, it was clean, but nothing to write home about. If the price is amazingly less than other hotels, book it. If it is only a few dollars more for another hotel closer to the beach, I might consider the other motel. Just my two cents.

motels, hotels in cape may n.j. in oct.

any places to stay in cape may in oct. for only 2 nites.

we prefer the beach and a suite with separate bedroom,living room

etc. for 2 people. if that is not available, then 2 beds.

what is weather like?

motels, hotels in cape may n.j. in oct.

The weather will start to get chilly in October.

You should have no problem reserving two nights.

If you want to be across from the beach, I%26#39;ve stayed at: The Grand Hotel, The Inn of Cape May, and Congress Hall. It all depends on what you%26#39;re looking for and your price range. The Grand does have

%26#39;suite%26#39; type accommodations (with living room - or loft with extra beds) at decent prices.

Hope these suggestions help.

motels, hotels in cape may n.j. in oct.

thank you for your reply. i am going to keep all the names of hotels

and when we get there i wil look at them and then decide.

the reason for this is that they all want a 50% deposit and then a

cancellation date of at least a month. we have not decided if this

is where we are going to go, and so we will have to decide when

we get there. do you think that will be a problem?

we are also thinking of b%26amp;b%26#39;s. we have to have 2 beds. any suggestions?

It may not pose a problem as the hotels are relatively large and October is not high-season.

Many of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s seem to only have one queen/king bed per room. I know The Inn of Cape May (right across from the beach) has rooms with two beds. You%26#39;d need to double-check that one - as I believe they close for several months during off-season.

Another one of my favorites is Rhythm of the Sea - but I don%26#39;t know what the accommodation situation is there (as far as beds per room).

I%26#39;m sure you will get other recommendations as well.

Good luck and happy planning.

Atlas Inn is right on the beach (a bit further from ';downtown';) but I see from their website that an efficiency suite in October would be $110 per night. I stayed there 5+ years ago for a weekend and had a good experience. Cannot vouch for it now.

Homestead Hotel

My bf and I were considering staying at the homestead. We are young professionals and want to get away for a few days (live in Chicago but grew up in Jersey), and it seems affordable and decent. But the reviews a\re questionable.

Someone please tell me- what%26#39;s the deal with it? Bad/Good area?

Quality of room? ANY information would be appreciated! Thanks!

Homestead Hotel

The Homestead is a rat%26#39;s nest. Terrible. Don%26#39;t stay here. It%26#39;s a 100+year hotel that went ';condo'; and done very poorly. Exposed pipes, tine rooms and 3 stacks of wallpaper with closet bathrooms w/cast iron sinks. And they charge you for everything, including parking. We toured thi splace when they first codoed it, and we ran away without looking back. Usually you get what you pay for, but this place is a down right rip off.

If you want a hotel with a pool, try Porto Call or Flanders.

If you want a real nice upscale place, try Atlantis Inn. This is the best on the island, but a little pricy. However your stay is inclusive of meals, parking, and many “very nice” amenities so it may be worth it, depending on when you stay. Good Luck!

Homestead Hotel

Definitely not a place for young professionals! The Atlantis Inn is your top choice. www.atlantisinn.com. Breakfast is included.

If that%26#39;s too pricey, you could try the Scarborough Inn, which is clean and nice, but more family oriented and not as private. http://www.scarboroughinn.com/

skin

Night Spot's for 50's Crowd

Staying in OC, NJ for a girl%26#39;s weekend down the shore. Where do all the ';young'; 50 somethings go for dancing and a fun night out?

Night Spot's for 50's Crowd

Nowhere right in Ocean City, but there is night life very close by in the surrounding areas, like Somers Point, Margate, Sea Isle, and of course Atlantic City and Wildwood.

My daughter goes to Sea Isle quite a bit, and this is what she recommended in Sea Isle:

Braca%26#39;s

La Costa during the day - outdoor bar

Carousel - beach bar! nice during the late afternoon - very casual dress (people come in off the beach)

Pour House

Dead Dog Saloon

The other ones like Shenanigan%26#39;s and La Costa at night have more of a 20-30 something crowd.

Maybe you could get more information in other NJ forums for the surrounding towns.

Have fun, and let us know if you find a good place!

Night Spot's for 50's Crowd

no need to go further than Somers Point...

It%26#39;s not quite the live music capital it was in the days of your youth, but a good time is still to be had there.

I don%26#39;t know all the hot spots, but Caroline%26#39;s has a large, well-patronized outdoor deck/bar with great views of the backbay %26amp; live entertainment on weekends and some weekdays.

If you go into town via the Longport bridge, it will be on your right just as you enter Somers Point.

Memories in Margate is hugely popular with the 50%26#39;s crowd - it is only open Fri and Sat night and Jerry Blavet is there - it is about 10 minutes from OC. Cover charge is $10, I believe.

Suzanne

walking distance: borgata to harrah's

Hey, forgive my ignorance but I rarely go to AC let alone the marina area, but can you walk from Harrah%26#39;s to the Borgata? Or are the properties there more separated with fences and landscaping and whatnot? I was only at Harrah%26#39;s once and when we went outside onto some sort of %26#39;boardwalk%26#39; there was no way to get off of Harrah%26#39;s property (at least none that I could see).

walking distance: borgata to harrah's

Yes, there is a walkway sort of hidden around the back that can be taken from the Borg to Harrah%26#39;s, and under the bridge to the Marina. Beats trying to walk the highway. I assume it%26#39;s still open, but with all the construction can%26#39;t be sure. In nice weather I%26#39;ve seen joggers and a few strollers on it. Probably a 10-20 minute walk, and may not be very well lighted at night.

Or, take the Jittney. But then, why go to the Borg when it will also take you to all the Boardwalk action for the same fare?

walking distance: borgata to harrah's

We tried to make the walk last Saturday but there was too much construction going on to make it pleasurable ( or safe) . If you drive there , don%26#39;t make the right turn at the sign for Borgota after you leave the parking lot ( out of the lot you make a right , left, LEFT) . Otherwise you will be going back by the construction and will eventually have to drive back to where you should have made the left . Also be aware that from Harrah%26#39;s you have to back track almost all the way to the Marina before you can get on the road for the Borgata . The easiest way is to go to Trump Marina and make a U turn at the front entrance , then follow the signs for Borgata . It is much easier to take a cab or Jitney .

thanks for all the helpful responses. We%26#39;re actually staying at the Showboat, but want to check out the Borgata. I was debating whether or not to take the jitney or drive to Harrah%26#39;s and cash in a %26#39;free parking%26#39; coupon. I think we%26#39;ll take the jitney.

Very nice walk from Harrahs to the Borgata.Me and the Mrs just did it Monday evening.There is construction now but its easy to avoid. The walking path is very well lighted and there are benches about every 20 feet.Its really a beautiful place to take a stroll.

Well, we are back! I%26#39;ll post a TR later, but I%26#39;ll just say now that we took the jitney from the Showboat to the Borgata and it was a %26#39;good decision%26#39; (tm), mainly b/c of the weather. Oh, anyone know why the jitney doors are always open?

The Borgata was AWESOME! I didn%26#39;t find any 9/6 JOB, so I played 8/5, but when I asked for a beer, they brought the whole bottle and not a stupid dixie cup like all the other places do! And you gotta give %26#39;em credit for having a $5 blackjack table and a couple $10s when they really don%26#39;t have to. Contrast this with the Showboat where it was $15 all day, every day.

multiple tables

Trump Fires His Sidekick Carolyn

This just proves even more that he is a first class A Hole

www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,211524,00.html

Trump Fires His Sidekick Carolyn

Trump Fires %26#39;Apprentice%26#39; Sidekick

Donald Trump has fired his sidekick from ';The Apprentice,'; Carolyn Kepcher, after she reportedly became too enamored with her fame from the show.

Kepcher was relieved of her duties as general manager of Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff, N.Y., earlier this week.

Sources tell People magazine that Trump had been unhappy with her performance for some time.

The source says, ';This has been brewing for over a year. He has tried to get her on the phone, and she was either off giving a speech or was hard to reach.';

The real estate mogul reportedly felt that Kepcher was promoting her own career more than his golf course.

The source adds, ';She was supposed to be managing the golf course. She was supposed to be selling memberships. That%26#39;s her job to sell memberships, and she just wasn%26#39;t doing it.

';With the book, the speaking engagements and these endorsement deals, he%26#39;s looking at that and thinking, %26#39;She%26#39;s supposed to be working for me. Yet, she is off creating her own empire.%26#39;';

Trump%26#39;s representative Jim Dowd%26#39;s only comment on the firing was, ';Mr. Trump wishes her the best.';

Trump Fires His Sidekick Carolyn

Some more interesting read

tvsquad.com/2006/…

What else is new? Why does anyone even bother to watch stuff like Trump%26#39;s advertising shows? Isn%26#39;t there anything more intelligent on the screen these days? No wonder the world seems so sad lately.

Term~~interesting post, no negative intent towards you.

Cheers!

I agree, every season theres more idiotic reality shows on television. It seems like the younger generation is completely dis associated with reality and completely immersed in this pop culture fantasy of Rap Music, Video Games, Reality TV, Internet etc.. etc... etc....

We just keep building higher fences around our homes and stay inside communicating with the world visa internet.

HOW SAD WHAT THE HUMAN RACE%26#39;S VALUES %26amp; MORALES HAVE BECOME.

Actually what seems to be fueling the retreat to electronic culture ( Rap Music , Reality TV , etc ) is fear and depression . Society is in a negative state . The world is at was . Not just countries but belief systems , some of which wish to destroy us ( check out jihadwatch.com) . Pollution of chemical and biologic origins have become life threatning . Human sexuality has become repressed and negatively distorted , due partialy to unstable families . Many people have come to depend on alcohol to release them from their fear and depression . If the terrorists or natural causes don%26#39;t kill most of us first there should be a turn around in the human collective psyche due in a couple years . Very possibly this will be the result of a strong anti -war movement or war itself .

But for the most part the best we can do right nowis go OUT and have FUN ! Be informed , Be prepared , Stay healthy ... But go spin those reels , and dance the night away ! In Atlantic City of course !

I agree Allure 110%. Don%26#39;t forget '; and Bluff those hands '; LOL

CHEERS !!!!!!

Right on! To unstable families, I would add unstable ';leaders;'; unstable, or sold out, media; ignorant, and/or misinformed, ';educators;'; and the rise of comfort from, and/or retreat to, superstition. And add drugs to the alchohol mix.

Seems like we%26#39;re way overdue for that ';turn around.'; History must run its course. We meager folk are relatively powerless to change much.

Yes, the great times we have escaping in Atlantic City!

Newark, NJ location

Fed EX attempted to deliver a letter to me yesterday from an address on Paper Mill Road, Newark, NJ. It DID NOT give the senders name. I refused it because I don%26#39;t know any one or have any business dealings out of Newark. Does any one know what is located on Paper Mill Road or why I might be getting a letter (delivered via FedEX) from that address? ......thanks....

Newark, NJ location

Fed Ex isn%26#39;t cheap. I%26#39;d hardly think it was junk mail.

Are you sure you got the street address right?

Newark, NJ location

Are you sure it%26#39;s not Newark, Delaware? There is a Paper Mill Road in Newark, Delaware, but not in Newark, NJ.

Now, that would be funny.

Companies don%26#39;t send junk mail by FedEx. It was probably something legitimate.

And what is funnier, Jaxn1980 comes here asking about the address AFTER refusing the FedEx package/letter. That%26#39;s like closing the barn door after the horse is gone.

Coming this weekend

I%26#39;m bringing my wife to Cape May for the weekend. I grew up spending summers at CM but haven%26#39;t been back since I was 17(I%26#39;m 32 now). I see that it may rain this weekend with the tropical storm coming north. What is there to do if it%26#39;s raining the majority of the weekend? Any ideas? Thanks.

Coming this weekend

How about going to Atlantic City for some gambling?

It is supposed to be very rainy and windy on Saturday. Could curl up in bed with a couple of good books you%26#39;ve both been meaning to read.

Coming this weekend

ok, it is going to ran, no sense fooling ourselves. My suggestions are try the Nature Center in Cape May or the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor. Take a trolly ride/tour on an enclosed trolley that goes through the Historic area. Try a wine tasting at the Cape May Winery in Townbank. (4 miles from Cape May). Maybe a nice lunch at Henry%26#39;s located on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean. Climb the steps to the top of the lighthouse or run between the raindrops down at sunset beach where the sunken ship is. How about a relaxing session at the Cape May Day Spa? Like the previous poster suggested, a good book and an afternoon nap. There are 2 movie theatres not too far away, so maybe a good movie after a nice dinner. Try the Merion Inn, Tisha%26#39;s, Union Park, Pilot House or Lucky Bones. Whatever you do, be safe, relax and enjoy.

Highly recommend going to Cape May Stage to see ';The Price';, written by Arthur Miller. Robert Prosky plays the part of the antique dealer, while his sons, Andrew %26amp; John Prosky play the estranged brothers who are trying to settle their father%26#39;s estate. The acting, drama, stage set, everything, was great ! Both thought provoking and entertaining; don%26#39;t miss it!

transport to and from Hampton Inn Secaucus to Manhatten

Hi,

I%26#39;m from Belgium, europe and I will have a new york city trip in oktober-november. I plan to stay in the Hampton Inn Secaucus (Meadowlands Area) because of the good rate they offer and have a few questions :

- what%26#39;s the best way to go to my hotel for JFK airport. Is the train-bus combination an option or should I take a taxi (any idea of the cost and time ?)

- how long does it take from Hampton Inn Secaucus (Meadowlands Area) to the bus terminal in Manhatten ? According to the tripplanner it takes only 20 minutes but I read somewhere that in busy times it can take up to one hour. Is this so and what are the busy times ?

- do you pay on the bus ? is it allowed to take luggage with you ?

many thanks,

Frank

transport to and from Hampton Inn Secaucus to Manhatten

In general, taxis in NYC will not take you to NJ except to Newark Airport.

Travel time into Manhattan is determined by the traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel. Generally heavy during rush hour.

You can pay on the bus. Cash only.

The buses I have seen for the #320 route has place for luggage under the bus. You will have to ask the driver very nicely to open up the hatch.

beauty blog

Game Rooms for kids

When I was in Tahoe a few of the casinos had really nice game rooms for kids. Does anyone know if any of the casinos in AC have a game room? I can%26#39;t seem to see any advertised,

Game Rooms for kids

None that i know of. They have the Steel Pier on the Boardwalk but unfortunately it is gone after this summer season. They have a mini golf setup on the Boardwalk which is nice.

As far as anything else being kid friendly theres not too much in AC. I believe Ocean City is much more kid / family friendly and others on the board could give you more info on Ocean City as i have never been there.

There is an arcade called playcade

http://www.playcade.com/

There is also the central pier arcade %26amp; speedway on the Boardwalk near Resorts which has alot of games etc...

Central Pier Arcade %26amp; Speedway

1400 Boardwalk @ Tennessee, Atlantic City , NJ 08401

609-345-5219

CHEERS !!!!!!

Game Rooms for kids

Harrah%26#39;s has one..it%26#39;s not bad. also one between taj and showboat, but it%26#39;s smaller. there%26#39;s an arcade on the boardwalk just before tropicana, heading south.

Not much of casino game rooms for kids in AC. The casinos are adult playgrounds. Trump Marina had a small game room--don%26#39;t know if it%26#39;s still there. I guess Harrah%26#39;s has one. The Taj Mahal might have the biggest one I%26#39;ve seen just off the boardwalk on the connecting walk to Showboat. It%26#39;s a small arcade room, but seems to be a popular place to dump kids off while their guardians watch a show or play in the adult areas.

But why bother with a casino? Across from the Taj is the world famous Steel Pier, full of amusements for all ages. But only open for another month or so. And, if the kids are able to do a little walking, there are a number of other arcade game businesses, minature golf, bumper cars, etc. along the boardwalk. Not many left, as AC is dominated by casino businesses that cater to adults looking for their fun.

There are tremendous amounts of games for kids a short drive from AC. Depending upon their ages, or preferences, there%26#39;s Ocean City and Wildwood. Great places, but not adult playgrounds as AC.

Thanks Everyone for your help!

It seems that when our kids were smaller, (they are in their 20s now) there were lots of game rooms in AC. Harrahs had a nice one on the second floor, Trump Marina had one far away from the casino action and lets not forget bowling alleys at the Showboat! Times have changed in AC as they and Vegas and both seem to have decided that the ';Family Vacation Destination'; doesn%26#39;t really work for their business model.

Yes, if you want someplace kid friendly, Ocean City is your bet. Just 12 miles to the south, it is a dry town with a total family friendly mindset. The boardwalk is shopping, eating, game rooms, and rides. There are two large amusement parks (Wonderland at the north end and Playland mid boardwalk) and even a water park. No booze in town means no bars on the boardwalk and they take their slogan America%26#39;s Greatest Family Vacation Destination very very seriously! Check it out, you won%26#39;t be disappointed!

Re: Frank and the Showboat bowling alley.

I thought I was the only one who remembers that fondly. My very first trip to AC was for a three day training class. The instructor loved AC so the classes averaged about 4 hours per day (not the expected 7), so I had plenty of time to lose most of my planned gambling money at slots the first day. Needless to say, short of $$$, I looked for something else to do - and bowling it was. I can remember thinking then how great it was to have so much entertainment under one roof (I was so young then...).

Cate58

microsoft office

Cheap places to stay!!!

A friend and I want to spend a week down the shore. I don%26#39;t want to spend a ton of moeny, because I am saving up for school. Can anyone recommend a affordable place? Thanks!

Cheap places to stay!!!

What do you consider affordable?

Cheap places to stay!!!

I don%26#39;t think the question should be WHERE to stay as much as WHEN to stay. After labor day the prices at most hotels/motels drop signifigantly. Also, a lot of the motel have September specials. You can stay a week for around $300. Of course not everything will be open after labor day, but the weather is still hot and the ocean has been warmed up from the summer.

I booked the Matador Motel for September 5-7th for $75 a night for a 2 room efficency with kitchen and oceanview.

I actually prefer the North Wildwood beaches to the Wildwood or Crest ones because they are shorter. With a 9 month old baby and all the baggage that comes along with him, I can%26#39;t do the 1/2 mile walk to water.

whatever you do do not stay at the sandy shore resort it is so disgusting ,

Dog Friendly Eating, Lewes, Delaware

We have been traveling with our Labradoodle, Max (now one year and five months old) this past year.

If you take the Cape May Lewes Ferry there is a really good dog friendly restaurant in Lewes, can%26#39;t remember name, but is on water.

They served Max dog biscuits when we sat down. Food is good as well.

Dog Friendly Eating, Lewes, Delaware

Hi Jeabel! Thanks for taking the time to pass along your information. I will be taking the ferry from Lewes and will try to make time to find this place. How fast is the service? Maybe I can leave home earlier and treat the kees to a nice lunch (;0)!

Have an ice day and thanks!

Dog Friendly Eating, Lewes, Delaware

Hi,

here is the link to the restaurant in lewes:

http://www.irisheyespub.com/

Hi jeabel! I%26#39;ve got it and will see if time allows for a visit.Thanks again!

Have an ice day!

Check your TR accounts

The offers to the Winterfest Slot tournaments were just posted to the accounts for Platinum or higher. Your choice of different dates (2 free nights) at Ballys, Flamingo, or Caesars. I took the Thursday and Friday nights at Caesars Palace. Don%26#39;t just pick the room type at the top. Scroll down, at Caesars they offered me three different room types for free. (The ';classic'; guest room, the deluxe Palace tower room, and the deluxe Augustus tower room. - I took the Augustus tower room.)

I%26#39;ve never stayed at Caesars Palace before and am really excited!!

If you take the Flamingo offer you can get both Friday and Saturday nights free.

I%26#39;m thinking that the best dates (weekends) will book up fast, so I thought I%26#39;d give everyone a heads up so you get a jump on everyone who doesn%26#39;t book until the mailed offer gets there.

Check your TR accounts

Are the Vegas room offers only for those who have stayed in Vegas before ?

CHEERS !!!!

Check your TR accounts

I don%26#39;t think so. The ';invitation to Summer or Winter Slotfest'; is listed as a benefit to being platinum on their website. It makes no mention of a requirement about having stayed in Vegas before.

If you have the offer, it should be listed under ';My Offers'; after you log into the Harrahs website with your TR card # and pin.

I checked and there are just room offers for Sept %26amp; Oct nothing about Slot Tourneys etc..

CHEERS !!!!

If you are Platinium or Diamond you can play in Winterfest without having an offer, I think. I signed my husband up for Summerfest in August, and he didn%26#39;t have an offer. It was fun, unfortunately the Winterfest dates don%26#39;t suit us.

Is Winterfest only in Vegas ?

Interesting Borgata Poker Tournament Story

cbsnews.com/stories/…main1960650.shtml

Interesting Borgata Poker Tournament Story

Cool article!! I enjoyed reading that.

I gotta, say Term, you love AC so much, you really need to get out to Vegas!

Interesting Borgata Poker Tournament Story

But, he might never return. Sometimes it pays to stick with what works. Vegas has been the ruin of many a poor boy!

I just might end up getting drunk %26amp; married in vegas to some stranger LOL. Although AC is putting a wedding chapel in the new Pier Mall theres still hope LOL.

Ambrva1 how bout it, end of Oct ? LOL

CHEERS !!!!!!!!!!!!

End of October might actually work. I%26#39;m considering one.........but I%26#39;m not going to that chapel with you!! ;-)

Let me know once you know your travel dates. A Friday night is probably best for me.

Easydave this Poor Boy got ruined in AC last week LOL. Man i couldn%26#39;t hit anything anywhere i played. Hopefully AC will be better to me in Oct.

CHEERS !!!!!!!!

Term~~I almost got married to a stranger in Vegas once, but I had to call it quits after a one night stand.

As far as hitting it big in a casino. Well, do the NUMB3RS. It%26#39;s a gamble but the house will win.

Resistance is futile!

Plan for a good time in October! Maybe we can meet up?

I%26#39;ll even take pictures of you and ambr in the Chapel that we can post to show everybody how much fun AC is.

LOL LOL or drunk swimming in the new fountain

CHEERS !!!!!!!!

Since I saw the Ceasar%26#39;s fountain I was thinking about rigging up a small one in in my backyard; Won%26#39;t need a permit because it%26#39;s only a sprinkler. A friend of mine says we could rig one up with some pipes and valves for a few hundred bucks. If I can get the hacker kids down the street to help, I could get it all synchronised with music and lights. What parties we could have then! Maybe even patent it and finally hit a big one.

But by October it%26#39;s a little too cool around here for outdoor fountain splashing. So, that indoor dip in Ceasar%26#39;s Fountain sounds good. Talk about a Drunkfest! With skinny-dipping we could make the front page. LOLOL

(Gram Parsons/Rik Grech)

Ooh, Las Vegas

Ain%26#39;t no place for a poor boy like me

Ooh, Las Vegas

Ain%26#39;t no place for a poor boy like me

Every time I hit your crystal city you know

You%26#39;re gonna make a wreck outta me.

Well, the first time I lose I drink whiskey

Second time I lose I drink gin

Third time I lose I drink anything

%26#39;Cause I think I%26#39;m gonna win.

Now wheres the AC Song ?

CHEERS !!!!!!!!!

Mikaylas Cove - Any Reviews?

My sister has booked our family for a weeks stay there in July. Anybody have any experience with this place? Thanks.

Mikaylas Cove - Any Reviews?

These are privately owned rentals, not a Motel so doubt you will get any feedback. http://www.mikaylascove.net/

Mikaylas Cove - Any Reviews?

We%26#39;ve stayed several times at Mikaylas Cove and each of them was exceptional. The rooms were spacious, clean and homey.

We particularly liked that we were on the beach in just a few minutes walk after leaving our room.

We were very impressed with the amenties and extras provide by Marilena and Bob for our weeks stay.

We%26#39;re definetly returning next year.

Bob %26amp; Mauro

We did stay there the first week of July. While I ageree with Bob and Mauro the the rooms were clean, spacious and homey, If you book the first floor, you better hope that whoever is staying on the second floor has condsideration for you. We were not so fortunate as the second floor renters had extremely rambuntious teens who felt it was ok to run and stomp on the floor(our ceiling) and it diffucult to enjoy our stay there. While the manager did ask them to quiet down, they basically just ignored her request.

beauty blog

software

Why don't my posts get listed?

I%26#39;ve been trying all day to ask which of Harrah%26#39;s AC properties are the best, but nothing gets posted.

Why don't my posts get listed?

This one did...are you doing anything different???

Why don't my posts get listed?

Al, what qualifies as ';best'; for you? What are you looking for while you%26#39;re there?

Hi

Agree with Ambrva

A little more info on yoyr preferences would help

If your going to gamble in the Harrahs properties,not a good idea since the takeover.Just stayed overnite in A/C and did all our winning in non-Harrahs properties.Harrahs just not what they use to be.

Staybridge Suites (Somerset, NJ)-Important Info

I just wanted to let anyone who plans to stay at the Staybridge Suites in the near future know that the is hotel is temporarily closed due to a fire on May 13. Unfortunately, two people inside the hotel died as result of the fire. The hotel is scheduled to reopen in the middle of July. Again, this is in regards to the Staybridge Suites located in Somerset, NJ.

Staybridge Suites (Somerset, NJ)-Important Info

*This is an update to an earlier post.

The two people who died were actually two children-a brother and a sister. Four people were seriously injured, including the mother of the children that died and also a firefighter who was hurt went the floor gave way underneath him. What really bothers me about this incident is that it was most likely caused by a cigarette, which means it could have been prevented. Shame on whoever this careless person may be that they didn%26#39;t make any effort to put out their cigarette. I would also like to commend InterContinental Hotels for effectively dealing with this tragic situation and also for writing a letter on their website regarding this incident.

Staybridge Suites (Somerset, NJ)-Important Info

It is too sad! We often go there and kids play basketballs. It is like our extended home. We went there the other day saw the patrol car block the entrance and did not know why it was closed. We seldom stayed there ever since they made it a policy to have to stay at least 2 nights (it was like that since it was Summerfield Suites), otherwise, we could have catch the fire; we normally have people stayed up late. We have caught fire at Hilton Garden Inn at Edison and notified management and fire department early enough to prevent tragedy. There was another time at Courtyard Basking Ridge ...

The hotel is now expected to reopen sometime in November.

This is great news since we just passed by the other day when we stayed at Somerset Marriott and saw the police car still blocked the entrance. I would like to be one of the first customers to this hotel when it reopen. We like this hotel so much and, as I said, it is like our extended home.

Somerset Marriott is good hotel, but it is a hotel that does not have full kitchen nor complimentary hot breakfast, yet they charged $4.95 for their unreliable Internet which disconnect every dozen minutes.

Courtyard by Marriott at Somerset right next to this hotel is good too, but it does not have basketball court where kids love.

Besides, it%26#39;s business like breakfast would charge you $10 per person that makes us missed this hotel a lot.

Ramada at Somerset has nowhere to compare, and we just tried it once and decided not for us ...

Well, we have to use the one at Bridgewater for now, and we will be very glad to see this wonderful hotel reopen...

This is great news! I wish they will change their policy after reopen to let us only stay one night each time as we often stay one night for weekend getaway. We recently stayed at Courtyard at Basking Ridge and Wyndham Newark Airport and many other hotels, but none can complete with this great hotel.

Thank you all for the informaiton above. i knew that Staybridge had closed, but I did not know why. Since I read your reviews, I looked into the Residence Inn around the corner as we have traveling to Rutgers. It was a great hotel. Much like the Staybridge Suites. Internet was free as was breakfast...and they had rooms just as large. Thanks again.

Somehow, this Staybridge Hotel is still not open ... Just stayed at Courtyard next door the other day and having dinner at the newly open Ruby Tuesday ... Still wondering when this Staybridge will open again ...

I believe that the hotel is now open again and was just redone.

Yes, I just stayed there couple weeks ago. I got a wonderful priceline price at $45 ... and I was given a 2br 2ba suites!!!

If you want to get it a good price, you may want to bid $32 first on 3* to by pass Somerset Marriott ($33 will got this nice 3* hotel), and once rejected, lower the bid to 2.5* and bid $45, you should be able to get this wonderful suite hotel with complimentary breakfast buffet

Websites

I am interested in any websites about Somerset.

If you have an appropriate website (see www.somerset-england-uk.org.uk and www.1685country.co.uk), e-mail me at webmaster@ta7.co.uk.

Thanks.

Websites

How about this official Somerset website? http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i2876-Visit_New…

Baby Left Alone In Car

Absolutely sickening and unthinkable but unfortunately i%26#39;m sure this happens more than what we hear about in AC, Vegas etc...

What do you think should be done about this ?

I thnk the child should be taken away for a peiod of time while the parents are sent for help %26amp; the child returned or only visitation given for a set period of time and than the Parents / Child should be monitored very closely afterwards for up to a set period of time of 1 to 5 years.

Although the way Family Services ( The System ) are probably back logged / short staffed / limited resources etc.. who knows what will happen.

All around it%26#39;s a very sad situation. Thankfully the child is ok.

courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article…

DEFINATELY NO CHEERS !!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Left Alone In Car

What was underage 19 year old mommy Jennifer doing in Ceasars? Any other illegalities here? Seeing what time they parked would reveal how many hours the baby was abandoned in the car. It should all be on security video. Anybody checking AC crime rates must acknowledge that much of it comes from visitors like these. I believe AC had over 35 million visitors last year.

Baby Left Alone In Car

Wow - that is just crazy.

I do not have children myself. Part of the reason is that I want to gamble and party and I am not enough of a ';grownup'; to be responsible for them. (Or I would be responsible and miserable.)

I do have two nieces that I love very much. But I spend time with them in 4 hour intervals and don%26#39;t take them to casinos.

I hate it when irresponsible people have children. I feel like you need to think about all that entails before you have one. You shouldn%26#39;t have kids just because ';babies are cute';.

If there are responsible grandparents, then they should get custody. If not the child should go into foster care. Maybe in a few years these parents will be grown up enough to deal with this.

I also would like to know how 19/yo Jennifer made it into the casino.

Thank you ambrva1~~Wish there were more honest and rational people like you.

Respectable and worthy people wanting to adopt usually have to go through many hoops and hurdles of background checks and examinations. Yet, any fool without protection can have a shot at making babies. As has been said, since cave people days, children have been abandoned to their parents. You would think our ';modern'; society could come up with a better system.

I would guess 19 year old Jennifer gets into worse places than casinos.

I%26#39;d like to know the mind set of folks that would do that to a baby! Just how stupid (or messed up) do you have to be to leave a baby in a car in a parking garage at a casino??? Bad enough if they%26#39;d left a dog in the car like this, but a baby??? Scary stuff going on out there!

coming to stay from uk ?where?

we are coming over in november and have been looking for somewhere to stay for a week. apart from the borgata which is expensive all the others keep mentioning bed bugs and dirt- can anyone tell us somewhere clean and hospitable to stay near everything and has a good casino. we stayed at bellagio in vegas in april hard to beat cheers

coming to stay from uk ?where?

I%26#39;ve stayed at the Hilton plenty of times, and I%26#39;ve stayed at Caesar%26#39;s on occasion. I%26#39;ve never had any problem with bedbugs! I would recommend either one, but the Hilton is a bit isolated since it%26#39;s at the very southern end of the boardwalk. Getting around is very simple though; you just hop on a Jitney ($2) and you can get to any other casino in Atlantic City.

Cheers,

LuvBreezes

coming to stay from uk ?where?

Not sure where you are hearing about bedbugs and dirt. I and members of our parties have stayed at rooms in all the AC casinos in the past few years. None of us had any room problem worth repeating. Maybe we%26#39;ve been lucky, or the price was right--comps usually are. I know others have had different experiences. Put ';casino rooms'; or ';casino hotel rooms'; in the searce box above for some varying experiences.

There has been media attention given to bedbugs being spread by travelers in the past year or so, but it is a world-wide problem. They are being found in both low and top rated--and top priced--places. Care should be taken anyplace you stay. Be careful about unpacking to places where the bugs hide.

A Google search will give a lot of information about the recent spread of Bedbugs. Go to articles linked to the image search at:

http://images.google.com/images?q=bedbugs%26amp;hl=en%26amp;btnG=Search+Images

Also see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbugs

Good Luck. As is said in AC, ';it%26#39;s all a gamble';!

I checked some hotel reviews on TA and don%26#39;t see anything about bed bugs and dirty conditions . I saw a problem witha shower not working ,and a disappointment at the Taj%26#39;s spa , and someone complained about the bed at the Hilton being a pull-out ? ? seems like this would only be the second bed in a 2 roomsuite - what would you expect ! Also saw a complaint about Harrah%26#39;s using Travelocity .

I%26#39;ll add that if you stay at the Trump Marina make sure you have a renovated room . The older room are run down ,but clean . And if you stay at Caesar%26#39;s don%26#39;t get a ';classic'; room . They have no outside veiws .

For non-casino rooms they run the range from terrible to excellent , so ask for advice about a particular hotel .

Bed Bugs seemed to have been more of a problem in NYC .

Some people are now wary of hotels that cater to Asian Markets because of the Bird Flu .

Hi joandged ,

Be forewarned , AC is not Vegas . It is unique in it;s own way .

There are good casino/hotels centrally located , %26amp; there are ones not so centrally located , but a hop skip %26amp; jump away .

On the board walk centrally located , we patronize Bally%26#39;s . Never had any problems.

On the boardwalk as well , but not central . Hilton . Never was disappointed here either .

Away from the boardwalk , Trump Marina . The rooms are being updated %26amp; they are very nice .

As many years as we have been going here , never had an issue with bugs .

One time , I was not to happy about the way the bathtub was cleaned .(Bally%26#39;s ) This was corrected immediately , efficiently %26amp; readdressed by the Front Desk the next day wanting to make sure all was well. . ( I opted not to change rooms .)

When i was in NYC last Jan there was a bedbug scare but as far as AC goes i never heard anything from anyone on this board or while i was in AC about it. I called my host at 2 Hotel / Casinos %26amp; they haven%26#39;t heard any problems with Bedbugs either so no worries.

I just stayed at The Trop and the newest Tower is the Havana Tower and the newly renovated North Tower which i stayed in is very nice. All brand new beds, there is a safe, hairdryer, fridge, coffee maker with packets of coffee %26amp; sugar, iron %26amp; board in the room.

CHEERS !!!!!!!

Bed bugs + Dirt = Bally%26#39;s, I%26#39;m sure.

Horrible posts there (one of them being mine) due to getting stuck in Claridge.

Bed bugs + Dirt = Bally%26#39;s, I%26#39;m sure.

Horrible posts there (one of them being mine) due to getting stuck in Claridge.

I stayed at Ballys for 7 days last week and i can assure you there were no Bedbugs. I stayed in The Claridge for 1 night than moved to The Garden Rooms for the next 6 days ( read my trip report )

If people are claiming there are Bedbugs at Bally%26#39;s i would want to see pictures, copies of written complaints etc...as that bis a serious Claim %26amp; Health Risk before i would believe that.

As i said i called my Host at Bally%26#39;s and she would tell me if there was a problem and she hasn%26#39;t heard of one. Also i would have heard something from someone during my stay there as i talked to many people who were staying in the Claridge part and besides it being old, run down %26amp; some rooms dirty those were the only complaints i heard.

The nicest rooms at Ballys are their Main Tower Rooms but unfortunately their for comped guests now. If i had to pay for a room and i wanted to stay on the Boardwalk i would stay at The Trop in The North Tower or The Havana Tower.

If you read peoples claims about Lice, Bedbugs Etc.. call around to protect yourself. Remember, some people get disgruntled towards a Hotel / Casino because of many reasons ie. lost too much money , didn%26#39;t get the room they wanted etc... so it pays to inform %26amp; to protect yourself.

CHEERS !!!!!!!!!

Hi,

I did see your review your most recent trip report, and wasn%26#39;t surprised that you wanted to move out of Claridge %26#39;STAT%26#39;. We were one of the unfortunate people that did, in fact, wind up paying for a room there on a Sunday night. The whole experience was quite bad. Which is why I felt I needed to write a review for Bally%26#39;s.

I have stayed in the tower and, of course, prefer it. But we were told that there were no other rooms available.

And I was also not the person who wrote about bed bugs. I only saw it because I was checking recent posts after I had submitted mine.

Have a great holiday weekend to all.

I did a quick check of TA reviews of Bally%26#39;s . Only saw one about bugs . A person claimed they caught head lice from the room . This is highly unlikely . Head lice are most often transmitted person to person . It would be hard to connect a room with the lice outbreak and even if you could , it would be only an isolated one room situation .

Most of the bad reviews seem to have started out as bad experiences with the room not being ready at check in . Then people start nit picking .

Some reviews were from obvious complainers . ';Beach Bar staffed by pretty little girls pretending to be waitresses '; . How OLD was this peson . Whether or not they were effcient I would have seen attractive younger WOMEN . Maybe his condescending attitude got him poor service .

Quite a few complaints about the smokey Bally%26#39;s casino . Well lets write and call ALL the casinos telling them we want them smoke free ! !

ittwit

Beach Bars

Heading to AC for three nights, Sept. 22-24. Wondering if the Beach Bars will still be open and which ones you would recommend. Staying at Bally%26#39;s. The pic of the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally%26#39;s on their wedsite looks nice. Any help would be appreciated.

Beach Bars

Unfortunately their only open weekends now %26amp; the last weekend is Sept 15 than their closed for the season.

They do have a bar on the outdoor sundeck at Ballys ( great frozen drinks etc... ) at the back of the spa ( indoor pool etc.. ) and they might be open until the end of Sept on but weekends only.

CHEERS !!!!!!!!

beauty blog

Ferry from Jersey City to Manhattan Cruise Terminal

OK - wondered if it is possible to take the ferry from near the Doubletree in Jersey City over to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?

We are a party of 5 adults and 3 kids, so would it be a big hassle (if so, we will just take a cab).

Any thoughts or ideas gratefully received.

Ferry from Jersey City to Manhattan Cruise Terminal

There are no direct ferries from Jersey City to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Since I am assuming you will have luggage, you will need to arrange for car service. You won%26#39;t be able to find a taxi on the street to just take you from NJ over to Manhattan.

Parking - Jersey City - Hyatt Regency

Curious as to where to park other than the hotel itself? The hotel charges $32 which I find to be excessive considering the doubletree which is located a couple blocks away only charges $10.

Does anybody know of any safe areas to park that are within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency?

Parking - Jersey City - Hyatt Regency

No answer...but a related question:

We are not having any luck with reservations in Jersey City OR Secaucus (through Hotwire or PL). So, we may stay in a more distant suburb such as Edison / Woodbridge to obtain reasonable prices. Our intent is to visit Manhattan for the full day and evening (Sat. %26amp; Sun.). If we do not stay at a hotel near a PATH station, can we just park at the Exchange Place (or more distant lots) the entire day (until midnight), provided we use any lot that states they are open 24/7 on the PATH web site?

It appears that the Exchange Place parking lot is open 24/7, and that a 24 hour rate is $20. Could the original poster not part in that lot for several days as well? Not a great savings, but better than the Hyatt.

Parking - Jersey City - Hyatt Regency

trytofly - Although I%26#39;m not familiar to the parking situation in Jersey City, I can suggest that you stay at the Woodbridge Hilton, which is walking distance to the Iselin, NJ train station. There you can take NJ Transit directly into Penn Station, NY (34th St), or you can change at Newark if you want the Path for downtown NYC locations. The Woodbridge Hilton has free parking and usually has great greats rates on Hilton website. (I booked $99 bounceback rate which includes bkfast for a weekend in Sept, for guests of an upcoming family event.)

For a nice hotel near NYC try Sheraton suites in weehawken. It%26#39;s afordable usually and has waterway access to nyc and I haven%26#39;t been there in a while but I think it has access to the new lightrail system to exchange place as well. DO CHECK IT OUT!

Hilton woodgate is pretta far from NYC. The ride into Manhattan will take almost an hour. What about Hilton at Newark Penn Station? Do you know how much they charge for parking? Is there any cheaper parking options around?

Parking at Hilton at Newark Penn Station is $20 according to their website.

For a group of people, it is in general not that more expensive to drive into the city and park especially on weekends. www.iconparking.com

For PATH, it is $1.50 one-way. Not sure about children.

For NJ Transit, from Newark Penn Station, it is $6 adult round-trip non rush hour, $3 child round-trip non rush hour.

Do your math.

for other fares, use www.njtransit.com

We just returned. Some of the parking lots shown in the Exchange Place area maps are no longer in existance. In fact, our check-in host at the Hyatt directed us to a lot that supposedly was once associated with the hotel, but it was no longer a self-park lot at all (only monthly contracts). HOWEVER...we did eventually park in the public lot located directly across from the Hyatt for the weekend. They are closed Sat. %26amp; Sun. but we did not need the car at all during that time, so it worked out fine. It is $22 per day, and $7 if you enter after 4pm. While still expensive, it was a lot cheaper than valet parking at the Hyatt (about $62 for our stay vs. $98 plus valet tips).

The adjacent PATH station was a joy!!!

Actually self parking for Hyatt was in the parking deck of Harborside Plaza 4A. I work in one of the 3 office levels in that building. It is a couple blocks away from the Hyatt, so I would say, if you had at least 2 people to your party, you might want to drop off one with the luggage at the hotel, as you don%26#39;t want to be rolling your luggage that far and over the light rail tracks.

Parking deck is open on the weekends... well, at least it%26#39;s been open the weekends I%26#39;ve had to go into work ;) I think daily parking is like $22/day. Not sure, as I have a monthly, which is $240.

Thanks

Can you believe my friend got $32 on Sumerfield Suites?

My friend was so excited that he won a $32 bid at Summerfield Suites at Whippany off Rt 10-West near Fwy 287 on 9/9/06 thru pricelinedotcom ...

Why? Any reason for that? I mean this is wonderful suite hotel with full kitchen, complimentary hot breakfast ...etc that I used to pay $79 to $129 to stay ... Just curious ... but, of course, very excited, can%26#39;t wait to visit this hotel ...

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i4967-Hyatt_Mor…

Can you believe my friend got $32 on Sumerfield Suites?

Wow! and I got it at $32 too!!!

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i6394-An_Afford…

Internet Connection at Showboat?

Does anybody know if there is Wi-Fi or sometype of internet connection at the Showboat.

Internet Connection at Showboat?

Wireless available in all rooms.

Internet Connection at Showboat?

Not sure about wi-fi but all the rooms have data port connections.

thanks

I think there is an internet connection Fee at Showboat .

If I remeber correctly, last week the internet connection cost at Showboat was $5 for an hour. Seems to be about the same at the other casino hotels. I believe the Borgata was also getting $5 an hour.

Wi-Fi available in the rooms, $10.95 a day, also at ACY free Wi-Fi provided by NJSTransportation department.

I%26#39;m headed over to harrahs. Any idea if I can use my laptop in the room and reach the internet?

I would assume that Harrahs has the same system as the Showboat which is part of their family.

I%26#39;ve found the Showboat to have pretty lousy Internet connection-it seemed slow to me and I lost it more than once. I just use the computers at the Atlantic City library now-it%26#39;s easier and free.

If you%26#39;re walking down to the Caesar%26#39;s Pier anyway, use the Apple store as your own personal internet cafe. I do it all the time! Just have to politely tell the salespeople that you don%26#39;t need any help!

Name for a new kitten