Family Friendly AC

Fall Fun with Cruisn 1

Fall dolphin watching on Cruisn 1.  Atlantic City Cruises, Cruisn 1, dolphin watching is still in full swing until the end of October.  This time of year is beautiful to enjoy a cruise.  The weather is perfect.  The sun is still shinning, but without  the high heat.  The water just sparkles like diamonds. Best of all you’re avoiding the large crowds.  Cruisn 1 can hold up to 150 people, on our fall cruise there were less than half.

Atlantic City Cruses, Cruisn 1 departs every day and 1:00pm.  Get there by 12:30 to buy your tickets and grab a seat on the boat.  They have upper and lower decks for your viewing convenience. There’s a snack bar with plenty of snacks and drinks for adults and children.  There are several inside seating areas, as well as outside seating areas.

Jeff George is an amazing captain.  He’s fun, friendly, and really wants you to enjoy your trip with him.   The staff is very friendly and helpful as well.  During our cruise the crowd was so excited to see so many dolphins he stayed out a little longer to make sure we all got some great pictures.  He also makes sure he turns the boat to accommodate whatever side you happened to be seated on.

(info from website)

Departs from: Historic Gardner’s Basin
Dates: Daily – June 2 – Sept 30
Wed, Sat & Sun – May 2 – May 30 &
Wed, Sat & Sun October 3 – 21, 2012
Time: 1:00PM

This is your ticket to the adventure of a lifetime! This trip is perfect for kids of all ages! On your trip you could see leaping, frolicking dolphins as we head into the open ocean in search of marine life.

A highly educational commentary provided by an onboard marine naturalist ensures your trip will indeed be one to remember.

Atlantic City Cruises Dolphin Watching Adventure aboard Cruisn 1 has been featured by mainstream media outlets including The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Atlantic City Press and New Jersey Outdoors. This cruise has grown to be our most celebrated adventure experienced by oceanographers and mammal lovers from coast to coast

 

You’ll never know how many there are, or how many you’ll see

- that’s part of the adventure! All we can say is fill your tank with energy and bring your camera! Guaranteed Sightings. In the unlikely event that dolphin are not spotted, a free return cruise ticket will be given. Sorry no refunds.

 

Check Out Cruisn 1‘s Schedule Here!  Dolphin cruises are available til October 21st.

On 4th of July my family and I stay at The Golden Nugget AC.  The Golden Nugget was formally the Trump Marina.  Out with the old and in with the new, and new is what The Golden Nugget is, inside and out.

Most of the interior of The Golden Nugget has been refurbished.  It’s a boutique casino with a great view, large marina, and luxurious spa.  The rooms are modern and sleek.

Couples Massage Room with tub

“Relaxing massages, Rejuvenating facials, and signature packages in an environment designed to do nothing but indulge the senses.”

And of course, The Golden Nugget has great shops, lounges, and restaurants.  Don’t miss the nightlife out at the marina bar.

Vic & Anthony’s

Wine and Wifi

Chart House

Overall The Golden Nugget is a beautiful Casino with breath taking views.  My family really enjoyed our stay.  The kids liked the views of the bay from the room.  They loved seeing all the boats at the marina as well.

Family Tip:

Is this the most family friendly resort, no.  There are others more suited for families.  This hotel is more suited for teenagers and up.  In the hotel rooms, there are no locks on the bathroom doors.  This isn’t really convenient when you travel with smallish people who tend to forget to knock.  The pool and hot tub area is beautiful, and has great roof top views.  However the pool, at least on our stay, was small and very over crowded.  There is a great lounge area in the pool where you can grab a pool chair, and sit in the shallow water.  This area is ideal for little kids, but again it gets crowded with sun bathers.

One of the oldest amusement piers at the JerseyShore, Atlantic City’s Steel Pier is an icon.  A trip to Atlantic City wouldn’t be complete without stopping here.

Atlantic City’s Steel Pier hosts just under 21 rides, but it’s still chock full of excitement and fun. 

 Here is the break down by height:

Wet Boats 3 tix 30” minimum 48” maximum
Jump Cycles 3 tix 30” minimum 60”maximum

Chopper Train 3 tix 36” minimum 60” maximum
Climbing Wall 4 tix maximum 250 lbs.
Kiddie Coaster 3 tix 36” minimum
Kite Flyer 3 tix 36” minimum 42” w/o adult
Mini Rocket 3 tix 38” minimum 42” w/o adult
Red Baron 3 tix 36” ride alone / under 36” w/adult
Dragon Jet 3 tix 36”minimum 60” maximum

Carousel 3 tix 42” w/o adult
Crazy Mouse Coaster 7 tix 48” minimum 54” w/o adult
Monster Plung 5 tix 47” minimum 51” w/o adult
Rocket $25 includes tax 44” minimum
Rock n Roll 5 tix 48” to ride
Scooters 4 tix 42” minimum 50” w/o adult
Sea Dragon 5 tix 42”minimum 48” w/o adult
Tilt 4 tix 46” minimum

Giant Wheel 3 tix 50” ride alone 40” minimum w/adult
Go Karts 7 tix 54” minimum

•Double Decker Carousel

Here’s the local low down:

This pier is a good stop for tiny ones.  They don’t mind repetition. So going on only the two rides they have for 30” inches and under isn’t too bad; especially, if you take a ride with you child on the Carousel and Red Baron planes.

Chopper Train

 However, if you child falls in the 30” -41” height range, this might turn into a disappointing time.  There are 7 rides total in this height range, two of which you need an adult to ride along.  A few of these are less than exciting. My 6 and 8 year old found a few of them “very babyish.”  The Chopper Train is a series of decked out motorcycle train cars that just travel in a circle slowly.  I thought it was more appropriate for my 2 ½ year old.  And different from other shore piers the tilt-a –whirl was off limits. The best rides are the Kiddie Coaster and The Kite Flyer.  The Rock Climbing wall is a big favorite also, but be aware wrist band riders are only allowed one climb per band. You’d need to purchase additional tickets to climb again.

Rock Climb

 If stopping by with kids under 41” buying tickets is your best bet.  Wrist bands are pricey and not worth it for just 7 or so rides; especially, if your kids snub their noses at a few.  The ticket count required for these rides are low, being only 3 or 4 tickets. 

 A great benefit is the Steel Pier doesn’t get as crowded during the day as some of its counter parts.  If you’re visiting AC with your little ones, The Steel Pier is a fun quick stop.

 For the 42” and up crowd Atlantic City’s Steel Pier is a blast.  If you have kids in this range, who will go on each ride more than once, grab a wrist band and stay awhile. My 11 year old had such a great time!  Some of her favorites were the Crazy Mouse Coaster, and the Monster Plunge. 

Mini Rocket

Ticket Prices:

* Note: NJ Sales and AC Luxury Tax are included in prices.

Special Attractions (additional fees)

 *All ride and ticket information was proided by The Steel Pier

Is it possible for Atlantic City, a city known for it’s casinos and nightlife, to have a family-friendly hotel?

Why…yes it is. It’s at Harrah’s Resort and Casino.

To prepare for our first family blogging event, Bloggers at the Beach in Atlantic City, Karen and I set out to find a family-friendly hotel in Atlantic City. We discovered Harrah’s Resort and Casino. Yes, it is a very beautiful hotel and casino for adults, but it also has a very family-friendly side that you probably didn’t know about before today.

First, let me tell you about the Harrah’s hotel rooms.

• Spacious rooms to spread out and share comfortably with your family – Each room has two king size beds. Mom and dad have one and 2 or 3 kids can share the other.  A small table with two chairs makes a nice area for snack time or coloring between activities. Rooms with 2 double beds start at $129 per night.

• The bathroom were designed with privacy in mind.- The shower is large enough to accommodate several kids. The vanity is large enough for all your’s and the kid’s gear. Plus, the toilet has its own door ensuring privacy for whoever needs to go potty.

• Pack ‘N’ Plays, portable cribs, etc are available from the front desk.

To see more pictures of the Harrah’s Resort Hotel Room visit our Facebook Album.

Then there’s the rest of the Harrah’s Resort Property.

• Family-friendly meals and snacks on a budget – The main floor of Harrah’s Resort and Casino has a pizzeria, sub shop, pretzel shop, ice cream store and other family-friendly eateries with affordable pricing options.

• Harrah’s Family Fun Center – There is so many activities for families staying at Harrah’s Resort to enjoy. The Family Fun Center hours vary with the season but it usually closes by 7 or 8 pm. The game room maybe open later.
  • Pool – This is the perfect family-friendly pool. There was an umbrella-mushroom like structure in the middle that showers down water.  The pool itself was a large rectangle plenty large enough for all our guest families and others stopping by for a swim. The pool goes from 3 feet deep to 3.5 feet. Harrah’s keeps the pool area well-stocked with towels and a hamper to gather them when you are done.  The pool is available for hotel guests at no extra charge.
  • For an additional charge, that you can pay there or charge back to your room, your family can play these games at the Harrah’s Family Fun Center:
    • Water Wars
    • Basketball
    • Shuffleboard
    • Miniature Golf
    • Arcade games that earn you tickets toward prizes
    • and more.

To see more pictures of the Harrah’s  Family Fun Center visit our other  Facebook Album.

In full disclosure, Harrah’s Resort and Hotel in Atlantic City, provided Family Friendly AC and our Bloggers at the Beach guests with hotel accommodations that did include the Harrah’s Family Fun Center so that we could experience the family-friendly aspects of the hotel. Our opinions are our own and are based on our experience at the Harrah’s Resort Casino and Family Fun Center.

One of the best views of Atlantic City can not be found in a posh casino hotel room.  It is found, rather in New Jersey’s tallest Lighthouse. The Absecon Lighthouse is 150 years old, and one of Atlantic City’s Historical Family Attractions.

You and your family can take a journey up the 228 steps of one of the countries oldest lighthouses.  Stop on each landing and peer out the windows as you make your way to the top.  Atop the lighthouse you’ll see the original first- order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857.

2 year old making his way up

Step out side on the landing for breathtaking views of Atlantic City and the Atlantic Ocean.  Parents there’s no need to fret as the top open landing is encased in bars, and the bars are to close for little heads to fit.  You children will OOOO and AAAAHHH with excitement and all there is to see.

Hours of Operation:

Fall/Winter hours:

Open Thursdays through Mondays  11am- 4pm

Last Climb is at 3:30pm

September – June
Thursdays through Mondays, 11am to 4pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
July & August
Open daily 10am to 5pm
Closed on major holidays

Cost to Climb the Lighthouse:

Adults $7
Children 4-12  $4
3 & under Free
Active military FREE
Dogs are welcome

The Local Lowdown:

The Lighthouse is a great place for you and your family to stop and check out.   My kids had fun climbing to the top and beating Mom and Dad.  The 228 steps are not too bad to scale.  However, it can be quite a bit for some.  There are ladings all the way up for resting. The steps are large and easy to manage.

My two year old did climb all the way up, however I had to carry him all the way down.  My 6 and 8 year old went up twice!

When you get to the top a lighthouse attendant will hand you a small card.  The card states that you made it!   Save this card.  When you visit Lucy the Elephant flash your accomplishment, and you’ll get a discount on admission.

They Made It!

There is a small gift shop and museum.  Very small.  My little ones were not at all interested in anything in the museum.  There are bathrooms located in a small building behind the Lighthouse.  There is also free parking in the small lot behind the lighthouse. Everytime we’ve visited the staff has always been delightful.

Your Lighthouse visit will not be an all day event. Climbing to the top and seeing all there is to see will probably take you any where from 30 mins to an hour tops.

On the lighthouse grounds there’s a life guard row boat.  This is a great spot for family pics. If everyone looks, oh well, better luck next time!

The Absecon Lighthouse does host some fun family events.  Check out their calendar to see whats going on during your visit to AC.