Blue Heron Pines Golf Club
Opened in 1993, Blue Heron was soon rated as one of the best courses on the Jersey Shore. Measuring 6,810 yards off the back tees, the largely flat course takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the pinelands, with majestic treelines framing breathtaking vistas. BlueHeronPines.com
Twisted Dune Golf Club
True to its name, Twisted Dune offers a links-style course with dramatic elevations and contoured fairways, delivering a challenging, yet playable design. Deep ravines, towering grass-covered hills, and well over 100 deep bunkers make Twisted Dune’s 7,200 yards a memorable golfing experience for all. TwistedDune.com
Twisted Dune Golf Club
pic: Twisted Dune
Shore Gate Golf Club
Shore Gate’s 18 holes are carved out of woodlands, with its dense treeline allowing golfers to play in splendid isolation from the first tee shot to the final putt. Undulating fairways and no fewer than 88 bunkers call for precise approach play, while five sets of tees make the course playable for all. ShoregateGolf.com
Cape May National Golf Club
Nicknamed ‘The Natural’, Cape May National is one of the most back-to-nature courses ever built. Surrounding a 50-acre private bird sanctuary the layout is among a new wave of venues that places environmental sensitivity at the core of its design, while also providing a classic turn-of-the-century golfing challenge. CMNGC.com
Long Beach National Golf Club
Situated on over 155 acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the woodlands of South Jersey, the newly named LBI National is being re-imagined and revived. The property’s 35,000-square-foot clubhouse features a restaurant, a pro shop, multiple private dining and event spaces, and an Atlantic City skyline view. LBINational.com
Renault Winery Resort & Golf
Vineyard National’s popularity among local and visiting golfers stems from the fusion of pristine greens, challenging play, and the novel experience of teeing off among the original vines the winery’s founder cultivated to create his famed ‘American Champagne’ over 150 years ago. RenaultWinery.com
Vineyard National pic: Renault Vinery
McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links
Located just minutes from Atlantic City, McCullough’s offers players a distinctly different links-style experience. With wide-open fairways, tricky winds, true undulating greens, and remarkable grass mounds and bunkers, players will be both challenged and fascinated.
The course’s signature par-4 7th hole, which features a three-acre waste area and an island fairway 160 yards wide, is a tribute to famed architect Alistair Mackenzie, who won an award for the design in 1914, but never had the opportunity to build it. McculloughsGolf.com
OFF-COURSE ACTIVITIES
Take time out from bagging birdies to experience fun-filled days in Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore. When you’re not on the golf course, Atlantic City and its environs is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sightseeing and entertainment.
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
First and foremost, you have to walk the boardwalk. First built in 1870, it’s six miles of classic AC, filled with novelty shops, independent boutiques, lively bars, hotels, and great cafés and restaurants.
And, if you want a bit of amusement on the side, there are old-fashioned carnival rides and traditional seaside games to enjoy as you make your way along the eastern seaboard’s most famous stretch of shoreline.
The Boardwalk also hosts countless events throughout the year, from concerts and music festivals, parades, food events and competitions, so it’s always worth checking in advance to see what activities will be happening during your visit.
AC’S BOARDWALK STRETCHES FOR 5 MILES AND OFFERS ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY
CLASSIC CASINOS & LUXURY HOTELS
After the sun goes down, many people head to the countless resort hotel casinos that helped put Atlantic City on the map, including Bally’s, Caesars, the Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harrah’s and the Tropicana.
Here you can try you luck at all the casino classics, from roulette, poker and blackjack through to the penny slots and much more besides, and then, when the chips are down –
or if you’ve lucky enough to win – you can simply head upstairs for a relaxing night’s sleep in your five-star room.
For more late-night revelry there are plenty of gambling-free nightspots to suit your vibe. Bally’s Beach Bar at Caesar’s is a popular option and is open until midnight most nights of the week, while Boogie Nights at the Tropicana will be right up your street if you’re looking for a bit of a retro disco atmosphere, while there are number of big-name music acts hosting live concerts through the year.
AC IS A BEACH-LOVERS PARADISE
FAMILY FUN & SHOPPING HEAVEN
If you’re traveling with family, there are plenty of places to take the kids when chilling between rounds. There are arcades and rides at Steel Pier, Storybook Land, and there’s also the Atlantic City Aquarium, which has recently reopened follow a major renovation.
While shoppers can head for the Playground Pier or Tanger Outlets, which offers over 110 stores to browse, including all-American classics such as Gap, Old Navy, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike and H&M.
If you’re not staying in a rooftop penthouse suite, but you’re looking for a view, and then
a climb up to the top of the 170-foot Absecon Lighthouse – which was built in 1857 – is another box worth ticking on Atlantic City’s extensive must-do list.
The 227-feet tall Observation Wheel offers stunning views of the city from the comfort of one of 40 air-conditioned gondolas. For real high rollers, helicopter rides are offered from Steel Pier for the ultimate bird’s eye view.
WINING & DINING
For foodies, the choice of restaurants and eateries in AC is off the scale, with enough diners and dives to feed your appetite and your soul for a several months of Sundays.
The late great chef Antony Bourdain was a New Jersey boy, and many of the favourite joints that he visited during his TV food & travel shows are very much open for business, including the Knife & Fort Inn, Dock’s Oyster House, Tony’s Baltimore Grill and James’ Salt Water Taffy.
Wine, beer and spirits buffs can also indulge their passions in a wide range of wineries, breweries and distilleries that are located in and around the city, from the Balic Winery in Mays
Landing, the Renault Winery Resort in Habor City, to the Tun Tavern Brewery right in the heart of AC.
GETTING AROUND
While golfers will be better suited by hiring a car to get to-and-from golf clubs, once inside the city, the best option for getting around is using the natural-gas powered Jitney minibus service, which, for just $2.50 a trip, will take you anywhere along the main tourist routes 24 hours a day. Electric trams also travel the length of the
Boardwalk and are a great way to take in all the sights, as are Atlantic City’s famous Rolling Chairs, which first saw service in the 1880s, and are as popular with visitors now as they were back then. Bikes, both pedal powered and electric, are also available to rent, offering the freedom to hop off and on as you desire.
GETTING THERE
Atlantic City is just an hour’s drive east from Philadelphia International Airport, which is serviced by regular direct flights from the UK by American Airlines and British Airways, with a flying time of eight hours.
For an up-to-late list of the concerts, festivals and live events taking place in Atlantic City, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com
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