Atlantic City is not all about casinos, gambling and shows. There are many healthy alternatives for people of all ages, even in wintertime. Atlantic City, New Jersey, has changed its reputation from that of a seedy and dirty town to one full of opportunity, events and luxury. From the historical boardwalk to the lavish spas and salons, Atlantic City offers many year-round activities.
The Boardwalk
Atlantic City's boardwalk existed long before the glitzy casinos and mammoth hotels. The boardwalk is open all year and stretches almost five miles along the beach and Atlantic Ocean. Taking a stroll from start to end, you pass many retail stores and souvenir shops, places to get a quick bite and entertainment piers with small-scale amusement parks with games, rides, food and other attractions. Depending on the weather, rent bicycles in the morning to ride on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is clean, historical and always brimming with people.
Sports and Recreation Facilities
Finding outdoor sports in winter can be challenging, but with the abundance of golf courses in Atlantic City, on a nice day you can play a round. Many hotels offer golf packages that include overnight stays, travel and rounds of golf.
Most major hotels in Atlantic City offer full-service gyms, pools and weight rooms. Though these may be open to guests only, some may offer pay-by-the day access for local residents. Within Atlantic City many indoor health clubs are open year round and offer workout facilities, aerobics classes, weight training and boxing instruction. These facilities range from bare bones gymnasiums to state-of-the-art high-tech services.
Sports Tournaments
To college sports fans, winters in Atlantic City mean sports tournaments. Two major college sports tournaments, the Atlantic Ten Men's basketball championship and the ECAC Hockey Tournament are held in Atlantic City. Travel packages are available incorporating tournament tickets, air and hotel discounts. The tournaments, held at Boardwalk Hall, also features entertainment such as interactive games and face painting outside the courts before and during the games. The ECAC hockey tournament, better known to fans as the "Frozen Four," is a set of four games of the best college has to offer in ice hockey.
As well as tournaments, Atlantic City casinos sponsor big-name boxing matches throughout the year in their hotels.
Events and Tourism
Known for the Miss America Pageant, where the contestants are the picture of health and beauty, Atlantic City hosts the event at Boardwalk Hall. In recent years it has been held in the winter.
Other winter events in walking distance from the boardwalk include the International Boat Show in January, the Antique Auto Show in February and indoor auto racing shows. Another year-round attraction in Atlantic City is the Absecon lighthouse where visitors can climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey.
Spas and Salons
Feeling healthy on the inside may require feeling good about your outside. Atlantic City hotels offer plenty of spa, beauty and salon activities designed for relaxation and pampering. Open all year, spas and salons offer services such as massages, facials, manicures, body scrubs, body wraps, mud baths and hair styling. Services range greatly in price depending on what you have done, the length of time your service takes and which hotel you utilize. You do not need to be a hotel guest to take advantage of these services, but you may receive discounts and packages if you are a guest.
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