• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

The third-floor promenade at the Pier Shops at Caesars.   (Photo: Courtesy of John DiMaio)

The Garden State does at least one thing well—malls—so it’s surprising Atlantic City has taken until now to get with the shopping program. Spend the morning at the Havana-themed Quarter at the Tropicana perusing shops like bluemercury, with its high-end beauty products, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac General Store, where you can grab hand-painted platters and homemade jams. Skip the casino’s food court, and walk about three-fourths of a mile north along the boardwalk to Gold Tooth Gertie’s, located just inside the southeast door at the Wild Wild West Casino at Bally’s. The nondescript bakery and deli has excellent chicken salad and house-made bagels. After lunch, head south, stocking up on Fralinger’s fudge and saltwater taffy on your way to the Pier Shops at Caesars, home to designer outposts like Michael Kors, Tiffany & Company, and Louis Vuitton. For a wind-down, check out the third floor, where the boardwalklike promenade has a faux beach with real sand, Adirondack chairs, and the best sunset views in the city.

Published on June 20, 2007 as a web exclusive.