Hotel at a Glance: The Claridge Hotel

A 1920’s-era hotel that was once nicknamed the “Skyscraper of the Sea,” The Claridge Hotel recently returned to the Atlantic City Boardwalk with a slew of updated amenities. The hotel’s choice location puts guests just minutes from the beach and shopping destinations.

• Glitzy history: Opened in 1930, The Claridge Hotel has hosted such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Al Capone, and Frank Sinatra. It’s one of the oldest remaining skyscrapers from Atlantic City’s early boom, and channels the Roaring Twenties feel popularized by the TV show Boardwalk Empire.
• Where you’ll stay: Recently renovated guest rooms feature WiFi access and Keurig coffeemakers. Book the jetted-tub king room to enjoy the added perks of a private jetted tub.
• Take a dip in the indoor pool.
• Break a sweat in the fitness center.

Atlantic City, New Jersey: Casinos and Carnival Rides Lining Historical Beachside Boardwalk

No trip to Atlantic City is complete without a stroll along its signature boardwalk, which stretches for 6 miles along New Jersey’s eastern coast. Originally built in 1870 to keep sand out of hotel lobbies, the boardwalk grew in popularity as a place where you could drink and gamble during Prohibition without much trouble from the police, as depicted in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. The boardwalk is still popular for its casinos, but it’s family-friendly, too; visitors are just as inclined to sit at the beach or stop at one of the many carnival rides.

On the boardwalk, it’s worth it to check out the Absecon Lighthouse, which is more than 150 years old. It’s possible to climb its 228 steps to the top, which features sweeping views of the city skyline and the sea.