(Photo: Amy Toensing/Courtesy of Aces Train)

Getting to Atlantic City for a stress-release weekend has never been easier or—for those used to the Port Authority buses—more pleasant. Beginning February 6, a direct New York–to–Atlantic City rail service called the Aces train (acestrain.com or 877-326-7428) will make nine round trips Friday through Sunday out of Penn Station. The train makes one stop in Newark, then arrives at A.C.’s neon shores two and a half hours later. The bi-level cars are split into coach (from $50 each way) and first-class (from $75) sections, each with leather seats and snack kiosks. Groups of up to eight can start the fun by booking one of the private lounges (from $400) equipped with flat-screen TV, mini-Mac, and iPod docking station.

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