Monday, May 25, 2015

Fist Pumping down the Jersey Shore

Sadly, our time in New Jersey is coming to an end (yes I am kinda sad about it!) and it would be crazy not to at least check out the most famous places in New Jersey, Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore.  We decided to go the weekend before Memorial Day, to maybe avoid some of the traffic and crowds.  We did some research and found a nice little place to stay in the heart of Long Beach Island, in Beach Haven.  We planned to spend Saturday there and on Sunday go spend a couple hours in Atlantic city then come home.  Things didn't exactly turn out as planned, but in a good way!

We started out very early Saturday morning, even though my alarm never went off and did the close to 2 hour drive along The Shore (the photo below is the sign to where "The Jersey Shore" is set) and on LBI (Long Beach island).  When we arrived the weather wasn't bad, but it wasn't awesome either and we were hoping to watch the 10AM UFC event then head to the beach, but we couldn't find anywhere open at 10 to watch it!  So we wandered around and checked out the gorgeous beaches and some great little shops.  




At 12 we finally found a place that was open for lunch and would play the fight for us, so we enjoyed a bite to eat and then headed to our hotel on the beach to get ready to go catch some rays and waves.  Unfortunately, the weather still wasn't fantastic but we HAD to enjoy the afternoon out on the beach. I can't say enough how beautiful the beaches were, and they were nice and quiet which I always love!








After the somewhat chilly afternoon on the beach we decided to walk back into downtown Beach Haven for some dinner and checking out the sites. We of course had t stop at a nice little mini golf course for a as usual, heated matchup.  I ended up losing, for a change!


We found Carmen's Unique Beach Cuisine for dinner which had such a small town feel and the nicest staff!  I got the crab stuffed flounder and Josh got the steak and shrimp.  Both were fantastic!



We saved room for dessert, because close to our hotel was The Boardwalk, an ice cream parlor/bike and water toy rental place.  They have more milkshake and sundae flavors than I have ever seen.  I got a plain old hot fudge sundae (yes I'm very boring when it come to ice cream) and Josh got a Twix milkshake.



We headed back to the room with some very full belly's for an early night and some relaxing!

Birght and early we were up and eating again!  We went to an amazing semi famous place, The Chicken or the Egg.  They are famous for their breakfasts, but the rest of their huge menu looks phenomenal too.  I got the special, a crab stuff omelette.  Yum!


We were back on the road to again, this time down to Atlantic City.  I was really excited for it, but Josh had convinced himself that he would hate it.  I was really hoping he wouldn't!  We parked in the Tropicana Hotel parked because it was only ten dollars for the day, so our first stop was the Tropicana  hotel.


It was pretty much what anyone that has ever been to Vegas could expect, but if you haven't been to a place like this I think it is pretty crazy.  Huge and overdone with tons of restaurants and stores and things to do.  It didn't take long and Josh was on his phone looking up hotel prices for the night.  yay, he loved it!  We actually ended up booking at the Tropicana for ease and it was really nice and had good room prices.




After throwing our stuff in our room, we decided to take a walk along the famous AC Boardwalk.


We decided we needed a fun beach drink, so we stopped at a really cool outdoor bar/club, Bungalow Beach.  An outdoor bar with Cabanas, hammocks and palm trees, it's a pretty epic place with delicious fruity over priced drinks.



Oh it is also a Hookah bar... although we didn't partake, this lady beside us was loving it!


*Fun Fact* A.C is the home of the Miss America pageant.  I received the crown this particular day.


A must see of course is Caesar's Palace.  We went into the Forum Shops and restaurants first for some lunch.  We walked in the doors to this cool mural.


The indoor pier goes out on to the water, making for a pretty epic AC beach photo.


We grabbed some crab and spinach dip at Philips Seafood and kept walking around the hotel.



This season's winner of Hell's Kitchen will be there head chef at Caesar's Gordon Ramsey's Pub and Grill, so there was a billboard with the remaining contestants.



We popped a few bucks in the machines (well I did, Josh headed for the roulette table) and then continued on the Boardwalk.



Any Boardwalk Empire fans will know that the show is set here.  They have a pretty cool mural of the places used on the show.


Time for another huge sugary drink!  we stopped at the Landshark to listen to some live music and watch some hilarious drunk people play Cornhole. It was actually a great time and the weather was perfect for about an hour.  We also got  to watch the helicopters fly over watching for Mary Lee, the great white that has been hanging out in the area.  




My massive Daiquiri in the Margaritaville blender cup.


A great view of the Steel Pier from the Landshark.


We decided to take a peak into another famous one, the Trump Taj Mahal. In true Donald style it is overdone and grandiose but actually really beautiful!




From the top of the Taj Mahal with the Steel Pier in the background.





When in AC you have to check out one of the most famous pier's in the world, the Steel Pier.  Pretty normal carnival rides and games and delicious fair food.



Oh and another breathtaking view!


Josh decided to take a ride on this thing... I wish I could but with a couple drinks in me, and my motto sickness it would end up being a bad scene.


I love carnival games, so I beat Josh in the water gun game and won a penguin, then he played the crossbow shoot and won me a tiger!  I have never seen anyone win at one of these shooting games before, so I was impressed!


Love this sign!


Once again it was time to eat (seems like we eat a lot doesn't it?  we walked like 25 miles over the weekend so I didn't feel too bad).  We went back to Ramsey's Pub and Grill and had an awesome dinner.  We got the Scotch Egg, which was one of the best things I have ever eaten, and I got the Short Rib and Risotto and Josh got the best fish and chips ever.  Kudos Gordon, I knew I liked you for a reason.



It was getting dark, so we started walking back to the Tropicana for the night.  They have these really cool video screens that play beach scenes and sunsets and such.


We ran out to the truck and I got this awesome picture of AC at sunset.  Pretty nice!  We spent the evening playing some casino games and wandering through the halls of the hotel just admiring everything!

We need up having a really great time even though neither of us knew really what to expect, hopefully we can make it back before we leave for good!



No comments:

Post a Comment