Don't forget to
check out our WebCams area for some really nice
cams. Two of our favorites: The "Hollywood
Sign" Cam and the Grand Canyon Cam.
SPOTLIGHT:
21st Century Meets the Boardwalk - Atlantic City's Rebirth
by James Doorn Jr.
(Atlantic City, New Jersey) Tearful
employees and tired customers shuffle off the gaming floor at the
Atlantic City Sands. The slot machines are silenced and the security
guards are splitting their duties between exiting people out of the
casino and removing the chips from the table games. It is 6am, November
11th 2006, and after 26 years the Sands is closing its doors forever.
But this is not a sad event for
Atlantic City, the closure of the iconic Sands is actually a sign of
progress in this shore town. Located in the heart of Atlantic City's
famed boardwalk, the Sands will be reborn.
Pinnacle Entertainment, which
purchased the Sands from gaming mogul Carl Icahn, plans to tear down the
old Sands and build a mega casino in it's stead. Once the smallest
casino in Atlantic City, Pinnacle plans on making the new Sands one of
the grandest casinos east of the Mississippi. This is just one of many
projects in Atlantic City's bright future.
Over the last five years Atlantic City
has exploded with new construction & expansion projects. The Borgata
ushered in this latest wave of growth. Building a facility worthy of a
prime spot on the Las Vegas Strip. Harrah's, Showboat, Tropicana &
Resorts casinos have all had major expansions completed. Even the new
Borgata is already expanding to meet the demand of the crowds that
converge on the weekends.
'The Walk', a newly built smorgasbord
of outlet shops, has been so successful that a second and third phase of
construction is underway. Jutting out majestically over the Atlantic
Ocean, the $175 million 'The Pier' at Caesars is the Atlantic City
boardwalk's newest attraction. The three story 500,000 square foot
dining, retail and entertainment complex will secure Atlantic City as a
destination on an international scale. With breathtaking panoramic
views of the Atlantic Ocean, The Pier is host to nine restaurants, world
class shopping, a Wedding Chapel and a must see visual production that
spans three levels and consist of a multi-media presentation of light,
water & sound.
The future growth of Atlantic City is
boundless. The upcomming projects planned include some of the biggest
names in gaming. Steve Wynn, MGM/Mirage, & Donald Trump all have their
eyes fixated on Atlantic City.
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
