I am a lifetime resident of Atlantic County, New Jersey. Just remember " Enoch "Nucky" Thompson was a fictional character name for the show. His name was actually Enoch " Nucky" Johnson. There is a museum in Galloway Township, Atlantic County that goes in depth of his local history
I live in Camden county, right on the Atlantic city railway, in my grandmother's house that's been here since the 1800s. Her uncle used to run booze from philly to AC back then. Apparently it paid well.
Frank, you did a terrific job. This may be one of the best documentary style approaches to Atlantic City that I’ve ever seen. I live here, I was born here, I’ll leave when I die, you walked past my house. I’m saving your video. (NK)
The Atlantic club / Hilton was actually the Golden Nugget when he originally opened. My uncle worked there he was a blackjack dealer then became a floor man around 1984 and then he transferred to Las Vegas.
You can collectively do this video for any casinos because anywhere you go there's a dark side especially when it comes to gambling. If people are going outside of Atlantic city's boardwalks and downloads dark areas they are looking for something and that's what they want. I'm glad that you're making light of what could happen to them if they were to meander outside of the casino life and the boardwalk. Continue on😊
Exactly. I lived here my whole life and nobody that I ever brung here was hurt nor harmed . When you go looking for trouble it will find you and it doesn’t matter if it dark out or light out it can go down.
Really, there are only parts of Vegas that are bad off the strip. I stayed in a few hotels right off the strip in Vegas, including a Hilton and Embassy Suites and it was perfectly safe. So try again.
My mom was mugged a few years ago at Tropicana. She was at hooters with my dad and went to bathroom and a lady climbed up over her stall and tried to snatch her purse. My mom ended up overpowering her and beat her ass. Lady had 6 warrants lol
Resorts is a really good casino and hotel. Clean rooms and only had an issue 1x when the room wasn't ready. But they accommodated us right away!! We had to wait about 10 to 15 minutes. I love ATLANTIC CITY. Want to move, but to a decent area for women. Have not been since my husband passed away. So nice seeing this video. ☺️💖💕💖
Took mom to AC to cheer her up a bit on our first holiday without dad (home was too sad without him). We did not stay at resorts but wandered in for ice cream at their food court. Walked by high limit room when her ears perked up instantly - she heard Frank Sinatra singing in the slots and broke into big smile. She sang along Frank, danced on her way to slot. She's never ever gambled in her life but whipped out a $100 bill and sat down. She had no idea on what to do and just started slapping buttons randomly all over the place - on the fifth or sixth bet - machine lit up and went crazy loud with flashing lights. Mom won a handpay - a little over 3K...I truly felt dad was with us then (he was big FS fan). This is my wonderful memory with mom (and dad) at resorts.
The Sands lot was the home of the Colony Motel, where we used to stay back in the late 60s, and of course the Traymore Hotel, which was "the castle on the boardwalk". I remember, as a teenager one year, watching them partially tear it down in preparation for the grand implosion. Even as a kid, I realized the absolute tragedy of blowing up a structure with such historical significance. Many years later I did get back to visit The Sands, but then was flabbergasted to see it, too, demolished several years after that. And now it sits empty. What a damn shame.
I came across the channel. I used to live down there in the 1980s in Atlantic City. We have very similar names my name is Frank Formisano lol. Where Trump plaza was I believe right there next to the old convention center that's where the original Playboy hotel and casino was which they closeddown like in the early eighties. I used to love going to the Playboy casino. All the cocktail waitresses were dressed as Playboy bunnies.
The most interesting part of this video is you, my friend. Great job, appreciate the history, along with the current insight. The best sights of Atlantic City are from the Vue rooftop bar atop of the Claridge. DO AC!
thank you for your video, your knowledge , and walking around. I was born in Atlantic City but moved away. this video is more than I could want to see how the city again.
I only travel in the Tropicana direction at night by car. Kudos to you for doing that walking tour. When I walk, it's definitely on the boardwalk and not after a certain time. AC is definitely up and coming, but they need to invest outside of the boardwalk. They really need to do something with that dark desolate looking Showboat. Yes, they have lucky snake and the Waterpark, but it's antiquated and dark
Haven't been down there since about 2005 when I walked off the boardwalk and saw a guy running out of that 7-11 with a guy behind him yelling "You no rob my store". Think that building across the street was a bank. Was two guys in a lowrider that kept circling the block at about 5mph. Looks a lot nicer now!
Excellent thread. I haven't been to AC in years but I hope to get back someday. I used to go with my Mom and Dad but they have passed on. The Claridge was our favorite.
Go there regularly to my second home, Borgata. Have frequently ventured to the Trop, Ocean, Hard Rock and Resorts casinos. It’s no different than any other large American City, don’t look for trouble and generally it won’t find you. As John Correia at Active Self Protection would say, don’t do stupid things in stupid places with stupid people.
I’m from Charleston, SC and visit AC often. We love the Trop and have drove there several times. We have never had any issues and still go back 2-3 times yearly. We spent new years 2023 in the Tropicana and had one of the best times ever! It was awesome to see all the families at midnight watching the ball drop. Great video. 🎉
So you came and did the average tourist experience, and use that as evidence the city is safe? you never walked the back side of the casinos after dark like in this video
Great video, everything you said was spot on and the knowledge was impressive. You are a true Atlantic citian lol. My aunt was a blackjack dealer at the ballys around the 2007 and when i tell you Atlantic city was hustling and busting back then the boardwalk was super packed and the pier boat mall was amazing with the mc donalds on the second floor. Music blasting the boardwalk performers doing their thing. Oh man the good old days 😢😂
Ocean one mall demolition was a tragedy…. They should’ve just fixed what was there and modernized it. Instead, they built the Ritz-Carlton of malls that no one could afford or care about and now it’s basically empty save for that movie studio thing.
What's up bro I drove tour bus down there for 20 years you gave me a lot of good memories and a great job God bless be safe I love Atlantic City even now❤❤❤❤
I love AC! The pier mall was nice with the water Lazer light show, trumps plaza hotels ladies bathroom was well stocked and kept iykyk. The cheapest buffet on boards 2flr up escalator was the garden buffet, but Virginia city buffet in Bally's was my favorite.
AC at the end of the month is extremely dangerous. The welfare checks come out on the first of the month and people aren't as desperate. A friend was jumped upon leaving a casino after winning four grand. She was jumped by a girl gang.
@@2pugman that’s awful . hope she was ok. every time i’ve won big I’ve tried to not draw attention to myself. but there are people always lurking . gotta have your head on a swivel in AC all areas
Just starting this. Lol. You said The good side of AC. I grew up coming down here in summers. And then when I was 23. I moved to Margate full time. But. With the housing market had to move offshore last year. So I've been here 24 years now! My first job was at Trump Plaza!!!! Looking fwd to this!
Was owned by Mr John Schultz and Gary Hill. Building is 1616 Paific Avenue. I actually helped with the remodeling and construction of the penthouse suite which is three floors. Actually helped install all the new windows and paint. Pretty cool seeing it after all these years.
Ask me again I drove motor coach for years I remember the Playboy I never Trump Castle his wife owned oh my God memories memories Golden Nugget back when I was doing a lot of cocaine it was heaven in the 80s sorry should have said that God bless peace out Donald Trump was the king back then🎉🎉
Ask me again I drove motor coach for years I remember the Playboy I never Trump Castle his wife owned oh my God memories memories Golden Nugget back when I was doing a lot of cocaine it was heaven in the 80s sorry should have said that God bless peace out Donald Trump was the king back then🎉🎉
When I was playing in AC in the 1980’s, I would stay at Harrahs as I had a very nice Korean female casino host there. When I wasn’t gambling at Harrahs, my other favorite was Del Webb's Claridge Hotel & Casino. From the boardwalk you had Bally’s to the left, and the Golden Nugget on the right. I played in every casino on the boardwalk.
Me and my hubby took a junket trip from St Louis to AC. Stayed at the Borgata. I luved AC. But I must admit we stayed after dark at the Tropicana. Since we were taking the jitney back to Borgata, you have to go to the back of Trop to get a jitney, and it is kind of creepy. The area was very seedy. Keep in mind we r older and not prepared to defend ourselves. lol😊 But we did make it ok.
Frank you did such a good job 👏!! The building by Tropicana was the one and only best place in the 80’s named the Golden nugget privately owned by Steve Wynn
I'm from a small town in GA, I was staying at Caesars for my birthday in May, I wanted to go to the Tropicana after a few hours of gambling at Caesars, it's about 1130pm, I could see the Tropicana from Caesars, so I figured, I'd take a walk there, well I took the elevator down to what I thought was the 1st floor of the hotel, it was actually like a basement floor, when I walked out the door, it LOCKED on me and I couldn't get back in (No key pad on this door) I was in a very dark alley behind Caesars and homeless ppl were EVERYWHERE, I had 5k in my pocket (Needless to say I was panicking, I had no weapon on me) I'm a big guy 6'2, 265 and in pretty good shape, so I walked with my head up and pretended to know where I was going, I was actually lost in this alleys behind Caesars and got turned around, I eventually saw Tropicana and decided walk there (not knowing it was further than I thought) I was not on the boardwalk, but I guess a side street similar to where this guy is, not many tourists on the street, just locals and homeless ppl, I was terrified inside, because I had this cash on me and NO WEAPON, eventually I made it to Tropicana, gambled a little was thinking, its no way I'm walking back to Caesars and caught a taxi back, I will never forget my visit to Atlantic City, funny thing is noone said a thing to me, not even the homeless begging for change
Cool! Well… Probably not for you. Not in the moment anyway. I’m wondering where this elevator was, can you tell me what tower? What floor you got on? Something the elevator was close to or anything?
I live here n Atlantic City. And they only mess with people that’s from out of town. I’m 6’5 375 and they won’t even sneeze wrong my way. I got you next time bro 💯💪🏿🫡❤️
@@Dwall44 I was staying in the Centurion Tower, there is an elevator on the 2nd floor where the casino is, I took this elevator down to what I thought was the 1st floor, but it was like a basement floor, there was an exit double door to the right, I went out that door and it locked behind me, I was in a dark alley behind Caesars, normally I would take the escalator down from the 2nd floor casino to the main lobby, I thought this elevator would take me to the same 1st floor lobby...WRONG!
@@RedMeet12 interesting, so not the regular tower elevators? Sounds interesting, I’ll have to check that out next time I’m there, which will probably be sometime in November. Thanks for the info!
I worked at the homeless shelter there 20 years ago. Shit was fucking crazy back then. Stabbings and shootings were common. Idk if its calmed down or what since then. It was just known back then that you don't walk around at night without a crew.
I went to Atlantic City 5 years ago in the summer. It was fun, I got good food and walked the beach and of coarse gambling at night. Great interview. Watching from- Elizabeth. NewJersey ❤❤
I know a woman who went to Atlantic City with her paycheck in her purse. Someone actually cut the side of her purse and pulled the check out and she didn’t even know . Some of these criminals are really good
Back in the late eighties I walked down Pacific many times at night with no problems. Until that one night I had a knife put to my throat and the other guy stuck a gun on my ribs. Right across the street from the church shown early in the vid.
I appreciate your commentary. I try to comment in my wake videos. I see so many vloggers don't say anything, they just film. Think I'll keep commenting in anymore I make. ❤
At least where you are there are streetlights. I was behind the boardwalk about 35 years ago looking for a package store with a friend of mine. Streets were much darker, narrower and creepy back then. We went down a side street. Good video though
Going north of Atlantic Ave is where it’s more dangerous, staying on the main strip is always going to be fairly tame. Worst neighborhood is directly across from borgata
I used to love going to the Taj mahal back when it first opened Atlantic City was great showboat all the bars and I was getting paid to be there driving tour bus 3 and 4 days at a time with meals and even money for beer Irish pub $2 sandwich $1 beers back in the 80s you made my day bro thanks again🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for the video! I love visiting Atlantic City. Granted it has it's bad spots, but so do most cities. The Clairidge is my go to hotel. I'm surprised it got negative reviews. Very good rooms, friendly staff, and a great rooftop bar.
Man you did an excellent job. I'm from the local area. I have a house in AC. I never venture out too far into this area, because my ma worked at Atlantic Care City Division and was in the ER/OR constantly. She told me to stay the fug away from this area and it stuck with me. But you showed me a new world tonight. This is not something I would do, but now seeing you do it, and living through your shoes puts a different perspective into my eyes. Growing up locally that sticks with you. I never want to become a statistic, but what you showed me seemed pretty tame compared to other placed around the world. It seems a walk down Pacific Ave isn't as much as it's put out to be. As long as you don't fuck with anyone, you seem good. But I guess it all depends on the night, events, time of place, and crowd. Otherwise, it's up to the Lord Almighty, or Allah, or Jahova, or whatever you wanna call it. Anyway, what I mean is thank you for the video. This was cool insight.
Visited here in the early 90s, mid 2000s, and most recently the same weekend when you filmed this segment. Never seen its glorious days of yesteryear as this Mecca of gambling already sunseting when I experienced it unfortunately.
@fgpalm there won't be a next time. I don't go to those conventions anymore. The reason why I stayed in Absecon was because I didn't feel like going back to Long Island Saturday and coming back on Sunday and I wasn't trying to be near a casino
My parents would vacation in the 60's-70's at a hotel called Marlborough- Blenheim. I went a few times, I thought it was so cool. Very elegant. I know it was leveled when casinos came. Do you know what took it's place? Great video!
I absolutely love Atlantic City. My City is beautiful to me! I remember the way it use to be. And not only that. We live right off the Atlantic Ocean... That's beautiful to me... Atlantic City has definitely seen it's fair share of us and downs...But it's a beautiful place if you remember them good old days
@JohnAsaro-c6n FYI! The City of Atlantic City has always been a beautiful place..As I said if you can read the comment...I said to me. Not you or anyone else. I said me...I don't get involved with the nonsense around. You have your opinion and I definitely have mine... And I remember the good old days
@JohnAsaro-c6n And yes your right about that. That was a good time for AC..I apologize if I came off to strong. But I do remember neighborhood's and neighbors getting along. Looking out for one another. I remember them mom and pop stores in and around the city. I remember walking the boardwalk without fear. Atlantic Ave was the place to be. And yes our City has diminished a great deal. I still hold on to the good old days. I look and see the decay and addict's that line our boardwalk and streets. I see the broken sidewalks and run down streets. I see the homelessness. I see all the bad things...But I always pray for a better future for AC. We definitely deserve it ❤️
I lived for several months on Alabama Avenue, on Pacific Avenue, in the Tropicana Motel, on Pacific Avenue, and in various other motels around the area. I have never seen any crime around Atlantic City.
@@CharlesAbernathy-u6r granted I don’t live in Atlantic City, but the worst things I’ve seen on any of my trips have been homeless people harassing, fights, and car accidents.
Nice walking tour of Pacific Ave. Frank! I did the same thing in the middle of August and really no harrowing moments. However, make no mistake and trust me when I tell you it's a different walk on Atlantic Ave. Significantly sketchier and it's a place where you don't belong although ACPD certainly patrols in cars. Also, I did stay at West Tower at the Trop and the rooms are austere, minimalistic and not clean. It's definitely the worst AC Casino hotel room I've ever stayed in. Absolutely nothing on walls for decorations and just not great rooms. Nothing beats AC in the summer, though ~
@MAM_007 keep to yourself, be respectful to the locals. I acknowledge everyone i pass with a hello, what's up? Or just a head nod. Even locals who are hanging those areas late at night still want tourism to come to town. Yes, things do happen, but it's always made out to be worse than it is. Just like every city there is problems, but not like every makes the stigma to be here
Yo Frank, finally got to see the end of the video. Thank you so much for posting, I really enjoyed, it next time you’re in town check out Tony’s Balt. Grill, Iowa and Atlantic Avenue.
Actually quite the opposite. From 1976 through the 80s it was bustling because of all the new construction and because of that there were more hard working blue collar people watching out over everything and corporations protecting their new interests. Compare 1976-1996 to 2004-2024 and it is a night and day scenario
AC looks nice at night from the air, shame it never reached it's full potential. So many old places that have been open for years, bars, Res truants, great food. I'm old enough to remember when Resorts first opened in the city Still have a Resorts chip from that year my Uncle gave me, not old enough to gamble, that came in a few years. That was a time when everyone dressed up to go. Then the Golden Nugget opened, that was the first casino I went to. always won at that place.
I worked at Bally's PP & the Sands. I moved away in 1999. I went down a couple yrs ago. Wow what a difference. Larger presence of homeless & addiction. So sad to see.
If you remember back in the day it was a bus lot out there called Hanson's we used to hitchhike and I was bus drivers drunk all the way in never a problem back in the 80s and 90s but then again it was three or four of us at least one of us is carrying a gun but I miss Atlantic City you made my day brother❤❤❤
I once went around that area. All my friends were shocked at what I did but I was just like it's not that bad although I went on a Wednesday night so maybe not the best sampling but still - it was VERY quiet.
I used to have a van transportation service that shuttled people from NYC to Atlantic City. Let me just say it was a lot more lively back then. What was going on just outside the casino area with the local residents was suspect. But Pacific Ave and the boardwalk had a lot more people foot traffic back in the early 2000's. Today it looks like a ghost town which tells you how bad the economy really is. People just don't have disposable income to waste at the casinos.
I miss the Taj Mahal-I haven’t been in Atlantic City for probably twenty years. Never walked beyond the front of the casinos & boardwalks, but you would see the cages over businesses @ night, driving into the casinos.
@marklewen9384 not since covid actually. Usually shut down by 2. Tonys Baltimore grill bar is 24hrs along with irish pub. And that's honestly about it anymore. Love ducktown though
@@frontrowproductions9145 yeah the view from the West tower is not terrible… But I definitely think El Dorado should do a full renovation of the tower. Not saying they have to make it a five star resort or anything but definitely updating the rooms would help Tropicana a lot. The West tower gives the whole property a bad reputation to a certain degree.
@ if you get up like around the 39th floor and get one of those corner king rooms they are humongous… I had my kids soccer team all in there one time when there was a tournament up there and sleeping bags everywhere, but there was still room to move around. It was crazy.
I remember AC when I was a kid, great memories. I went back a couple of years ago. Never again 😢 They tried so hard to make AC Las Vagas of the East Dumb.
My grandpop and grandmom had a summer home back in the 70's in Atlantic City on Massachusetts Ave the US Coast guard was right across the bay back then I remember captain storm used to pass bye when there was a lot of fishing charter's then. Miss that little shack on the water. Lol.
@@JohnParkinson-b2bJohn - our family used to vacation in AC You’re talking Captain Starnes? Good restaurant - and they had charter boat trips Further south was Hackneys - another good seafood place There was a solid nightlife before casinos The singer Arthur Prysock performed at a club on Pacific in the 70s Atlantic Av had Shumsky’s and Luigi’s
i forgot what street it was but it’s like the nearest chinese food. went to pick up food on the late night, some street justice was being handled and i just got my food and kept it moving. never again, im just gonna order in.
Great video but first off I live in Chicago and yes the Bally's permanent casino has been approved and is currently underway. Meanwhile we have the smaller temporary casino (Bally's) to attend. I wanted to ask is the Bally's in AC in operation as a casino or what? I'll be in AC next week during restaurant week I'll be staying at Bogota. I've been to AC about 4x's now but it still casinos and places I've never been but on my next visit I'll like to go to Ocean's and Golden Nugget ❤❤
@@MichelleJones-dh1ry the ballys in Atlantic City is indeed a casino… It used to be part of the Caesars empire and was in very rough condition for a while… New Ballys has been sslowly, but steadily investing money into it
I am a lifetime resident of Atlantic County, New Jersey. Just remember " Enoch "Nucky" Thompson was a fictional character name for the show. His name was actually Enoch " Nucky" Johnson. There is a museum in Galloway Township, Atlantic County that goes in depth of his local history
I live in Camden county, right on the Atlantic city railway, in my grandmother's house that's been here since the 1800s. Her uncle used to run booze from philly to AC back then. Apparently it paid well.
Has the original Hilton hotel gone now?
Frank, you did a terrific job. This may be one of the best documentary style approaches to Atlantic City that I’ve ever seen. I live here, I was born here, I’ll leave when I die, you walked past my house. I’m saving your video. (NK)
@@josestafford thank you! I have other AC video and a few more to come. Been in AC at least once a summer for decades.
Respect... but travel outta here/ go West young man!
The Atlantic club / Hilton was actually the Golden Nugget when he originally opened. My uncle worked there he was a blackjack dealer then became a floor man around 1984 and then he transferred to Las Vegas.
You can collectively do this video for any casinos because anywhere you go there's a dark side especially when it comes to gambling. If people are going outside of Atlantic city's boardwalks and downloads dark areas they are looking for something and that's what they want. I'm glad that you're making light of what could happen to them if they were to meander outside of the casino life and the boardwalk. Continue on😊
Exactly. I lived here my whole life and nobody that I ever brung here was hurt nor harmed . When you go looking for trouble it will find you and it doesn’t matter if it dark out or light out it can go down.
none of that is going on in Macau
Really, there are only parts of Vegas that are bad off the strip. I stayed in a few hotels right off the strip in Vegas, including a Hilton and Embassy Suites and it was perfectly safe. So try again.
My mom was mugged a few years ago at Tropicana. She was at hooters with my dad and went to bathroom and a lady climbed up over her stall and tried to snatch her purse. My mom ended up overpowering her and beat her ass. Lady had 6 warrants lol
@@DpimpPrOductions probably a local AC resident!
Lol
Way to go mom!
So she wasn't mugged though
🤣🤣🤣
Resorts is a really good casino and hotel. Clean rooms and only had an issue 1x when the room wasn't ready. But they accommodated us right away!! We had to wait about 10 to 15 minutes. I love ATLANTIC CITY. Want to move, but to a decent area for women. Have not been since my husband passed away. So nice seeing this video. ☺️💖💕💖
Took mom to AC to cheer her up a bit on our first holiday without dad (home was too sad without him). We did not stay at resorts but wandered in for ice cream at their food court. Walked by high limit room when her ears perked up instantly - she heard Frank Sinatra singing in the slots and broke into big smile. She sang along Frank, danced on her way to slot. She's never ever gambled in her life but whipped out a $100 bill and sat down. She had no idea on what to do and just started slapping buttons randomly all over the place - on the fifth or sixth bet - machine lit up and went crazy loud with flashing lights. Mom won a handpay - a little over 3K...I truly felt dad was with us then (he was big FS fan). This is my wonderful memory with mom (and dad) at resorts.
I beg to differ about Resorts. One of the worst.
@@Riechell70 I want to move to AC, just need to finish college
Thanks!
You are welcome! Thank you for the support!
The Sands lot was the home of the Colony Motel, where we used to stay back in the late 60s, and of course the Traymore Hotel, which was "the castle on the boardwalk". I remember, as a teenager one year, watching them partially tear it down in preparation for the grand implosion. Even as a kid, I realized the absolute tragedy of blowing up a structure with such historical significance. Many years later I did get back to visit The Sands, but then was flabbergasted to see it, too, demolished several years after that. And now it sits empty. What a damn shame.
*This is GENIUS!*
I would like to see people do these type of videos at other sites: Las Vegas Casino, Ocean City, Rome, etc.
“Jacob’s life in Vegas” sorta does this too. Shows the other side of Vegas sometimes.
@@fgpalm Ah yes, Jacob. As a former Bar Bouncer, Jacob seems to play it too safe...
I came across the channel. I used to live down there in the 1980s in Atlantic City. We have very similar names my name is Frank Formisano lol. Where Trump plaza was I believe right there next to the old convention center that's where the original Playboy hotel and casino was which they closeddown like in the early eighties. I used to love going to the Playboy casino. All the cocktail waitresses were dressed as Playboy bunnies.
Then it changed its name to Atlantis Casino from Playboy..I loved going to the Atlantis Casino in the 80's..!! 😊
I remember the Playboy Casino, the only casino that had windows you could look out to the Boardwalk & Atlantic Ocean.
The most interesting part of this video is you, my friend. Great job, appreciate the history, along with the current insight. The best sights of Atlantic City are from the Vue rooftop bar atop of the Claridge. DO AC!
thank you for your video, your knowledge , and walking around. I was born in Atlantic City but moved away. this video is more than I could want to see how the city again.
Welcome!
I only travel in the Tropicana direction at night by car. Kudos to you for doing that walking tour. When I walk, it's definitely on the boardwalk and not after a certain time. AC is definitely up and coming, but they need to invest outside of the boardwalk. They really need to do something with that dark desolate looking Showboat. Yes, they have lucky snake and the Waterpark, but it's antiquated and dark
Haven't been down there since about 2005 when I walked off the boardwalk and saw a guy running out of that 7-11 with a guy behind him yelling "You no rob my store". Think that building across the street was a bank. Was two guys in a lowrider that kept circling the block at about 5mph. Looks a lot nicer now!
Excellent thread. I haven't been to AC in years but I hope to get back someday. I used to go with my Mom and Dad but they have passed on. The Claridge was our favorite.
I worked in the Claridge for many years. Cocktail server!!
Go there regularly to my second home, Borgata. Have frequently ventured to the Trop, Ocean, Hard Rock and Resorts casinos. It’s no different than any other large American City, don’t look for trouble and generally it won’t find you. As John Correia at Active Self Protection would say, don’t do stupid things in stupid places with stupid people.
Harrahs is my favorite
I went borgata last week
I’m from Charleston, SC and visit AC often. We love the Trop and have drove there several times. We have never had any issues and still go back 2-3 times yearly. We spent new years 2023 in the Tropicana and had one of the best times ever! It was awesome to see all the families at midnight watching the ball drop. Great video. 🎉
So you came and did the average tourist experience, and use that as evidence the city is safe?
you never walked the back side of the casinos after dark like in this video
You haven’t drove there.. You have “driven” there. I’m from the 1960’s Catholic Grammar School Police!! My Nuns would be so proud of me!! 😂😂😂😂😎
Hey Charleston….my son and family live in Daniel Island.
Great video, everything you said was spot on and the knowledge was impressive. You are a true Atlantic citian lol. My aunt was a blackjack dealer at the ballys around the 2007 and when i tell you Atlantic city was hustling and busting back then the boardwalk was super packed and the pier boat mall was amazing with the mc donalds on the second floor. Music blasting the boardwalk performers doing their thing. Oh man the good old days 😢😂
Ocean one mall demolition was a tragedy…. They should’ve just fixed what was there and modernized it. Instead, they built the Ritz-Carlton of malls that no one could afford or care about and now it’s basically empty save for that movie studio thing.
What's up bro I drove tour bus down there for 20 years you gave me a lot of good memories and a great job God bless be safe I love Atlantic City even now❤❤❤❤
The Irish pub is a nice spot for the experience. I recommend the fish n chips. Docs oyster house is very nice too.
Loved going to the Copa club in the Sands back in the 80s, danced many nights away there.
Sands was the GREATEST CASINO 🎰 IN AC!! For 20+ years!!
I love AC! The pier mall was nice with the water Lazer light show, trumps plaza hotels ladies bathroom was well stocked and kept iykyk. The cheapest buffet on boards 2flr up escalator was the garden buffet, but Virginia city buffet in Bally's was my favorite.
I haven't been to Atlantic City in about 10 years. Everytime I did go, I had a great time at the casino
AC at the end of the month is extremely dangerous. The welfare checks come out on the first of the month and people aren't as desperate. A friend was jumped upon leaving a casino after winning four grand. She was jumped by a girl gang.
@@2pugman that’s awful . hope she was ok. every time i’ve won big I’ve tried to not draw attention to myself. but there are people always lurking . gotta have your head on a swivel in AC all areas
Just starting this. Lol. You said The good side of AC. I grew up coming down here in summers. And then when I was 23. I moved to Margate full time. But. With the housing market had to move offshore last year.
So I've been here 24 years now! My first job was at Trump Plaza!!!! Looking fwd to this!
The wife and I stayed at the Claridge a few years ago. It was a nice place.
Was owned by Mr John Schultz and Gary Hill. Building is 1616 Paific Avenue. I actually helped with the remodeling and construction of the penthouse suite which is three floors. Actually helped install all the new windows and paint. Pretty cool seeing it after all these years.
building looks great!
Born and raised here, interesting to see a perspective from a loyal patron to my hometown. Nice video
@@fernandoriverajr6222 thank you sir! Been very interesting to watch the evolution of the town over the years
Ask me again I drove motor coach for years I remember the Playboy I never Trump Castle his wife owned oh my God memories memories Golden Nugget back when I was doing a lot of cocaine it was heaven in the 80s sorry should have said that God bless peace out Donald Trump was the king back then🎉🎉
Ask me again I drove motor coach for years I remember the Playboy I never Trump Castle his wife owned oh my God memories memories Golden Nugget back when I was doing a lot of cocaine it was heaven in the 80s sorry should have said that God bless peace out Donald Trump was the king back then🎉🎉
When I was playing in AC in the 1980’s, I would stay at Harrahs as I had a very nice Korean female casino host there. When I wasn’t gambling at Harrahs, my other favorite was Del Webb's Claridge Hotel & Casino. From the boardwalk you had Bally’s to the left, and the Golden Nugget on the right. I played in every casino on the boardwalk.
I remember her. Her name was Kum Pak. For $50 she would play with your Golden Nuggets.
@@RidleyHolmes-sr2twNO!! She charged $75.00 to play with those Nuggets!!
Me and my hubby took a junket trip from St Louis to AC. Stayed at the Borgata. I luved AC. But I must admit we stayed after dark at the Tropicana. Since we were taking the jitney back to Borgata, you have to go to the back of Trop to get a jitney, and it is kind of creepy. The area was very seedy. Keep in mind we r older and not prepared to defend ourselves. lol😊 But we did make it ok.
Frank you did such a good job 👏!! The building by Tropicana was the one and only best place in the 80’s named the Golden nugget privately owned by Steve Wynn
I'm from a small town in GA, I was staying at Caesars for my birthday in May, I wanted to go to the Tropicana after a few hours of gambling at Caesars, it's about 1130pm, I could see the Tropicana from Caesars, so I figured, I'd take a walk there, well I took the elevator down to what I thought was the 1st floor of the hotel, it was actually like a basement floor, when I walked out the door, it LOCKED on me and I couldn't get back in (No key pad on this door) I was in a very dark alley behind Caesars and homeless ppl were EVERYWHERE, I had 5k in my pocket (Needless to say I was panicking, I had no weapon on me)
I'm a big guy 6'2, 265 and in pretty good shape, so I walked with my head up and pretended to know where I was going, I was actually lost in this alleys behind Caesars and got turned around, I eventually saw Tropicana and decided walk there (not knowing it was further than I thought) I was not on the boardwalk, but I guess a side street similar to where this guy is, not many tourists on the street, just locals and homeless ppl, I was terrified inside, because I had this cash on me and NO WEAPON, eventually I made it to Tropicana, gambled a little was thinking, its no way I'm walking back to Caesars and caught a taxi back, I will never forget my visit to Atlantic City, funny thing is noone said a thing to me, not even the homeless begging for change
Cool! Well… Probably not for you. Not in the moment anyway. I’m wondering where this elevator was, can you tell me what tower? What floor you got on? Something the elevator was close to or anything?
I live here n Atlantic City. And they only mess with people that’s from out of town. I’m 6’5 375 and they won’t even sneeze wrong my way. I got you next time bro 💯💪🏿🫡❤️
@@Dwall44 I was staying in the Centurion Tower, there is an elevator on the 2nd floor where the casino is, I took this elevator down to what I thought was the 1st floor, but it was like a basement floor, there was an exit double door to the right, I went out that door and it locked behind me, I was in a dark alley behind Caesars, normally I would take the escalator down from the 2nd floor casino to the main lobby, I thought this elevator would take me to the same 1st floor lobby...WRONG!
@@RedMeet12 interesting, so not the regular tower elevators? Sounds interesting, I’ll have to check that out next time I’m there, which will probably be sometime in November. Thanks for the info!
Just stay on the boardwalk
I worked at the homeless shelter there 20 years ago. Shit was fucking crazy back then. Stabbings and shootings were common. Idk if its calmed down or what since then. It was just known back then that you don't walk around at night without a crew.
I went to Atlantic City 5 years ago in the summer. It was fun, I got good food and walked the beach and of coarse gambling at night. Great interview. Watching from- Elizabeth. NewJersey ❤❤
Miss Elizabeth and Atlantic City 😊
I Love Videos Like This! I sometimes want to explore the Back Streets but usually be too tipsy to do so. I appreciate this, Frank! :)
Irish Pub is great...nice to hear it is still there.
Ya its safe just dont mess with anyone
What if someone messes with you-???🤔
I know a woman who went to Atlantic City with her paycheck in her purse. Someone actually cut the side of her purse and pulled the check out and she didn’t even know . Some of these criminals are really good
U inspired me to walk down the whole boardwalk at 4am
Taxi driver called me crazy
it not that bad….just be aware of whats around you and you’ll be fine.
Why is there no police presence-???🤔. Perhaps attending to their mistresses-???🤔.
I've walked that street many times after Beerfest. I'm still here. Never got bothered
Back in the late eighties I walked down Pacific many times at night with no problems. Until that one night I had a knife put to my throat and the other guy stuck a gun on my ribs. Right across the street from the church shown early in the vid.
@@allgems The Reagan economy. Not great
Yeah well it's all good till it ain't then you've got an issue!
Nice video, use to take the Jitney from AC Hilton to Merv Griffens Resorts Casino back in the day, brings back alot of memories in A C , thank you!
Love the ac videos!!
More to come!
I appreciate your commentary. I try to comment in my wake videos. I see so many vloggers don't say anything, they just film. Think I'll keep commenting in anymore I make. ❤
At least where you are there are streetlights. I was behind the boardwalk about 35 years ago looking for a package store with a friend of mine. Streets were much darker, narrower and creepy back then. We went down a side street. Good video though
AC bar and Grill is absolutely fantastic
I really do want to go!
AC bar and grill just got sold
I’ll give you credit, from Georgia Avenue on down to the Tropicana is rough. You did very good.
Tropicana had entertainment for the family back in the day.
A giant Farris wheel you could see from outside.
Yes, and they had a fantastic arcade called Trivoli pier with a roller coaster running through the lobby
My mom used to take us to take us to AC and we stayed at Econo Lodge as kids !
Going north of Atlantic Ave is where it’s more dangerous, staying on the main strip is always going to be fairly tame. Worst neighborhood is directly across from borgata
Great job. You should consider a video on all of the great bars and restaurants outside the casinos that the locals enjoy.
I used to love going to the Taj mahal back when it first opened Atlantic City was great showboat all the bars and I was getting paid to be there driving tour bus 3 and 4 days at a time with meals and even money for beer Irish pub $2 sandwich $1 beers back in the 80s you made my day bro thanks again🎉🎉🎉
Thank you for the video! I love visiting Atlantic City. Granted it has it's bad spots, but so do most cities. The Clairidge is my go to hotel. I'm surprised it got negative reviews. Very good rooms, friendly staff, and a great rooftop bar.
Man you did an excellent job. I'm from the local area. I have a house in AC. I never venture out too far into this area, because my ma worked at Atlantic Care City Division and was in the ER/OR constantly. She told me to stay the fug away from this area and it stuck with me. But you showed me a new world tonight. This is not something I would do, but now seeing you do it, and living through your shoes puts a different perspective into my eyes. Growing up locally that sticks with you. I never want to become a statistic, but what you showed me seemed pretty tame compared to other placed around the world. It seems a walk down Pacific Ave isn't as much as it's put out to be. As long as you don't fuck with anyone, you seem good. But I guess it all depends on the night, events, time of place, and crowd. Otherwise, it's up to the Lord Almighty, or Allah, or Jahova, or whatever you wanna call it. Anyway, what I mean is thank you for the video. This was cool insight.
I just went to Resorts and really enjoyed it!
Visited here in the early 90s, mid 2000s, and most recently the same weekend when you filmed this segment. Never seen its glorious days of yesteryear as this Mecca of gambling already sunseting when I experienced it unfortunately.
I know people who have worked security in AC and they all have crazy stories. Guns, knives, you name it
Tropicana Atlantic City once had a small indoor amusement area called TIVOLI PIER. it had a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and other rides.
I totally remember! A shame its gone…
The last time I was there was in 2014 for Exxxotica AC. I stayed over 1 night in Absecon. I didn't come out of my room until checkout time.
@@Mo-yd8xc next time book Ocean or Hardrock….or Borgata
@fgpalm there won't be a next time. I don't go to those conventions anymore. The reason why I stayed in Absecon was because I didn't feel like going back to Long Island Saturday and coming back on Sunday and I wasn't trying to be near a casino
My Ocean Club balcony passed its inspection and yes we have some weird people living here. You showed my side of the building thanks!
@@Larrybabbin1957 always wanted to stay there place looks cool! Maybe I’ll find some on Airbnb someday
@ Airbnb strictly forbidden here but some get through the cracks…….
Go too Atlantic ave 😂😭
Whole different experience
next visit
Back Maryland is beautiful this time of year. Also the Village and Florida Ave are must see
Florida Ave? You tryna get him killed?
Yea go through back maryland
I remember pops took me there when it was a beach attraction...yeah, way-back-when.
Frank, your narration is excellent. You kept my attention through the whole video. +1 😀
My parents would vacation in the 60's-70's at a hotel called Marlborough- Blenheim. I went a few times, I thought it was so cool. Very elegant. I know it was leveled when casinos came. Do you know what took it's place? Great video!
Ballys using it
I absolutely love Atlantic City. My City is beautiful to me! I remember the way it use to be. And not only that. We live right off the Atlantic Ocean... That's beautiful to me... Atlantic City has definitely seen it's fair share of us and downs...But it's a beautiful place if you remember them good old days
Can you tell me when the good old days were? I remember going from around 2006 to 2010 and it seemed more popular than last decade or so. Ty
@JohnAsaro-c6n FYI! The City of Atlantic City has always been a beautiful place..As I said if you can read the comment...I said to me. Not you or anyone else. I said me...I don't get involved with the nonsense around. You have your opinion and I definitely have mine... And I remember the good old days
@nonafleming8378 no disrespect I love a.c. to I was born in 1985 and I remember going from like 2005 to 2010 it seemed more "powerful"
@JohnAsaro-c6n And yes your right about that. That was a good time for AC..I apologize if I came off to strong. But I do remember neighborhood's and neighbors getting along. Looking out for one another. I remember them mom and pop stores in and around the city. I remember walking the boardwalk without fear. Atlantic Ave was the place to be. And yes our City has diminished a great deal. I still hold on to the good old days. I look and see the decay and addict's that line our boardwalk and streets. I see the broken sidewalks and run down streets. I see the homelessness. I see all the bad things...But I always pray for a better future for AC. We definitely deserve it ❤️
@nonafleming8378 that sounds like real heartfelt memories... it's still they're because it's inside you!
I lived for several months on Alabama Avenue, on Pacific Avenue, in the Tropicana Motel, on Pacific Avenue, and in various other motels around the area. I have never seen any crime around Atlantic City.
@@CharlesAbernathy-u6r granted I don’t live in Atlantic City, but the worst things I’ve seen on any of my trips have been homeless people harassing, fights, and car accidents.
I was just there in November for the NJEA Teacher's Convention and I walked these streets at night.
The Showboat isn’t closed. My family live a couple of blocks from there.
Nice walking tour of Pacific Ave. Frank!
I did the same thing in the middle of August and really no harrowing moments. However, make no mistake and trust me when I tell you it's a different walk on Atlantic Ave. Significantly sketchier and it's a place where you don't belong although ACPD certainly patrols in cars. Also, I did stay at West Tower at the Trop and the rooms are austere, minimalistic and not clean. It's definitely the worst AC Casino hotel room I've ever stayed in. Absolutely nothing on walls for decorations and just not great rooms. Nothing beats AC in the summer, though ~
@MAM_007 keep to yourself, be respectful to the locals. I acknowledge everyone i pass with a hello, what's up? Or just a head nod. Even locals who are hanging those areas late at night still want tourism to come to town. Yes, things do happen, but it's always made out to be worse than it is. Just like every city there is problems, but not like every makes the stigma to be here
Great video agnd thanks for walking around and showing all the buildings 🎉
Glad you enjoyed
Thanks for letting us hear you hock spit. Really appreciate it buddy.
your welcome....it worked out well for that one girl or something....
Yo Frank, finally got to see the end of the video. Thank you so much for posting, I really enjoyed, it next time you’re in town check out Tony’s Balt. Grill, Iowa and Atlantic Avenue.
Thank you!!!
You made it!
You can tell those streets have that hauntingly seedy vibes of yesteryear. I'm sure back in the 70s and 80s it was hell on earth around there
Actually quite the opposite. From 1976 through the 80s it was bustling because of all the new construction and because of that there were more hard working blue collar people watching out over everything and corporations protecting their new interests. Compare 1976-1996 to 2004-2024 and it is a night and day scenario
Spitting like that is diabolical 😂😂
Thanks. Great video and information.
AC looks nice at night from the air, shame it never reached it's full potential. So many old places that have been open for years, bars, Res truants, great food. I'm old enough to remember when Resorts first opened in the city Still have a Resorts chip from that year my Uncle gave me, not old enough to gamble, that came in a few years. That was a time when everyone dressed up to go. Then the Golden Nugget opened, that was the first casino I went to. always won at that place.
@@butchbrown5283 it has quite the skyline for a city of its size
Great video.
I worked at Bally's PP & the Sands. I moved away in 1999. I went down a couple yrs ago. Wow what a difference. Larger presence of homeless & addiction. So sad to see.
skyline is where I always stay. My favorite, reasonable hotel there
If you remember back in the day it was a bus lot out there called Hanson's we used to hitchhike and I was bus drivers drunk all the way in never a problem back in the 80s and 90s but then again it was three or four of us at least one of us is carrying a gun but I miss Atlantic City you made my day brother❤❤❤
I once went around that area. All my friends were shocked at what I did but I was just like it's not that bad although I went on a Wednesday night so maybe not the best sampling but still - it was VERY quiet.
I used to have a van transportation service that shuttled people from NYC to Atlantic City. Let me just say it was a lot more lively back then. What was going on just outside the casino area with the local residents was suspect. But Pacific Ave and the boardwalk had a lot more people foot traffic back in the early 2000's. Today it looks like a ghost town which tells you how bad the economy really is. People just don't have disposable income to waste at the casinos.
I miss the Taj Mahal-I haven’t been in Atlantic City for probably twenty years. Never walked beyond the front of the casinos & boardwalks, but you would see the cages over businesses @ night, driving into the casinos.
AC is fun, been going in recent years. Highly recommend the Ocean Casino
@@skinsnation4404 ocean is awesome
great video there friend!
You missed speaking about the Playboy Hotel and Casino. Located next to the convention hall stretching from Florida Ave to Bellevue.
@@jarheadleatherneck9965 there’s other videos where I do…sorry I didn’t get to it in this one! Hope you still enjoyed it.
Also Def check out Tennessee Ave beerhall, tobacco company, rhythm and spirits and bar 32. The orange loop is great.
Ducktown tavern is the spot 24 hours a day ..
@marklewen9384 not since covid actually. Usually shut down by 2. Tonys Baltimore grill bar is 24hrs along with irish pub. And that's honestly about it anymore. Love ducktown though
The west tower at the Trop is fine ( if you get a room very high up) I get comped there all the time in Havana Tower
@@frontrowproductions9145 yeah the view from the West tower is not terrible… But I definitely think El Dorado should do a full renovation of the tower. Not saying they have to make it a five star resort or anything but definitely updating the rooms would help Tropicana a lot. The West tower gives the whole property a bad reputation to a certain degree.
@ if you get up like around the 39th floor and get one of those corner king rooms they are humongous… I had my kids soccer team all in there one time when there was a tournament up there and sleeping bags everywhere, but there was still room to move around. It was crazy.
I remember AC when I was a kid, great memories. I went back a couple of years ago. Never again 😢 They tried so hard to make AC Las Vagas of the East Dumb.
Nice job! Just an FYI: It was Vera Coking who wouldn't sell her house to Trump.
Thanks. The name Escaped me while I was in the middle of it
You should check out Kings Pub on Tennessee Ave across from the Irish Pub, chicken tenders are great !
My grandpop and grandmom had a summer home back in the 70's in Atlantic City on Massachusetts Ave the US Coast guard was right across the bay back then I remember captain storm used to pass bye when there was a lot of fishing charter's then. Miss that little shack on the water. Lol.
I remember steel Pier too back then the old haunted castle..
@@JohnParkinson-b2bJohn - our family used to vacation in AC
You’re talking Captain Starnes? Good restaurant - and they had charter boat trips
Further south was Hackneys - another good seafood place
There was a solid nightlife before casinos
The singer Arthur Prysock performed at a club on Pacific in the 70s
Atlantic Av had Shumsky’s and Luigi’s
@jfrankparnell1565 yes Captain Starnes!!
They used to cruise bye when I was a kid all the time going on fishing trips..
Just go walk around by the Atlanticare healthplex on Tennessee Avenue. Lot of characters of there and you can do it in the daytime.
i asked the store owners on the boardwalk how the summer was and they said very very slow!
i forgot what street it was but it’s like the nearest chinese food. went to pick up food on the late night, some street justice was being handled and i just got my food and kept it moving. never again, im just gonna order in.
Very well done video production.👍
@@bricks-mortar thank you so much!
It's like Monoloply, just roll the dice. See where you land 😅
The streets are the Monopoly board. They even have Baltic ave and Mediterranean and if you ever get to that street you’ll why it got its name
Actually, I believe the game was based on Atlantic City many, many years ago.
Caesars rooms are great now..Try Nobu also.
I feel like I'm too poor for Nobu...lol
Great video but first off I live in Chicago and yes the Bally's permanent casino has been approved and is currently underway.
Meanwhile we have the smaller temporary casino (Bally's) to attend.
I wanted to ask is the Bally's in AC in operation as a casino or what?
I'll be in AC next week during restaurant week I'll be staying at Bogota.
I've been to AC about 4x's now but it still casinos and places I've never been but on my next visit I'll like to go to Ocean's and Golden Nugget ❤❤
@@MichelleJones-dh1ry the ballys in Atlantic City is indeed a casino… It used to be part of the Caesars empire and was in very rough condition for a while… New Ballys has been sslowly, but steadily investing money into it
Nice job 👍