Atlantic city hotels are fine .. Yes there are bad parts of town but I would be comfortable staying in any of the regular casino hotels.

FWIW, the Casino workers Union just voted to strike at 5 of the remaining 8 casinos starting July 4th weekend.

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Love some of the posts about how I am not going to Atlantic City because its unsafe at night. Wow. Didn't realize how many folks like to walk around urban cities in the middle of the night with a bankroll or rare cards falling out of their back pocket. Who knew?

Inconvenient? Is Philadelphia or NYC inconvenient to? If you fly into Philly (a major US airport last time I checked) you can rent a car or take one of the many short train rides (less than 40 minutes I think) that deposits you within spitting distance of the convention center. Sounds like every business trip I've ever taken.

Realize of course if you live across the country it sucks. I wouldn't be flying out to Aneheim for a card show. Or probably even Chicago. But lucky year for me as I drive to AC all the time.

It's really not that easy. Getting to Philly is easy. Getting to AC from there not so much.

Most of the rental cars are already taken and the prices were already well above normal($300 for 4 days) and then you get to pay the hotel to park it there.

The train is not real feasible if you have much stuff to tote around.

So far the cheapest direct limo/car service I have found is $135 each way, might be some shuttles with multiple stops a bit cheaper, but would take 2 hours plus to get to the center. Still checking though, going to check with RapidRover today.

Thank God that we have a ton of East Coast Collectors!,! I still think this show will be a Blockbuster. There are a lot of collectors that don't like to fly to Chicago so this will be a chance to drive to the National.

Scott is right. It gets complicated. Another option is to fly into Newark airport & rent a car from there and drive to Atlantic City. There are several car rental shops at the Newark airport and driving to Atlantic City will take about 2 hours via the Garden State Parkway.

Uber from philly, better than a rental car as you don't have to drive and cheaper.

So........after many emails and searches and phone calls, I believe i have found the cheapest and quickest transport co. Tropiano runs a shared ride from Phil Airport to the Sheraton direct(since it's their first stop) for $55 per person each way. They also pick up at most of the AC hotels for the trip back to Phil Airport.

@ 2.5 to 3 hrs depending on traffic from Newark Airport to AC plus tolls, and AC is not a great place to visit

Atlantic City
 

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That BlockBuster must be in AC

I'm starting to think Franks' idea of kayaking from CA through the Panama Canal to AC isn't such a bad idea after all. :cool:

A man a plan a canal panama

Just thought in case it matters to anyone and is still available - the Shereaton is pet friendly. Think your dog has the be under 70 pounds.

The Sheraton has been sold out since the first of the year.

Hey Don, I'll be looking for you in AC. I'll have my list with me. I don't understand all the negativity. AC is like any other tourist/casino area. We're all adults; I don't think anyone will be kidnapped. Just bring your common sense and all will be fine. :o.
Herb

other ways to AC
 

One could fly into Salisbury, MD, rent a car there, drive to Lewes, DE, take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, and drive north from Cape May to AC.

If you're Air Force, hitch a flight into Dover AFB, get a car, go to Lewes, proceed as above. Or, hitch a flight into Maguire AFB, rent a car, drive south to AC.

Or, fly into Wilmington, DE, rent a car there, drive to AC, or take a variety of buses/trains to AC.

If I go? I'll have the wife, so probably Borgata for me. It had recently opened last AC national, and it was great then. And I'll take the ferry from Delaware. It's a relaxing ride.

Borgata still very nice. Vegas quality joint.

Planning on doing a day trip myself, from Long Island, on that Saturday.

Coffee, Drive, Spend (leaving enough for return trip coffee), Coffee, Drive. :)

Flying in from Los Angeles
Carrying cards for SGC
Don't rob me, please
Mr. AC Man

Anyone staying at the Taj Mahal?..it was pretty cheap but I hear its become a poophole. Just wondering

Its run down but for a weekend I think you'll be fine.

Definitely a little long in the tooth.

See you there. I'll be set up at Booth 153, not my first rodeo either. At my age it might be my last though.

Every show is a new adventure, I've been in a lot of big cities at night, and the folks talking about walking around at night make me cringe. You don't even want to do that in certain areas of San Diego. That goes back at least 100 years, so I can't see how anyone would expect AC to be completely crime free.

parking
 

I haven't seen this covered before but apologize if it is a repeat.
I will be staying at a cheap motel some 7 miles out of town and am looking for inexpensive yet safe parking options within a few blocks of the convention center. (Uber will cost $35 each way from my motel in Absecon!!)
I can't find definite info on convention center parking but have heard stories that it is very limited and expensive. Don't mind walking a few blocks as long as it is safe around 9am and 5pm. Anyone have definite info/suggestions? garages? casinos? I'll be staying for the week and helping one of the dealers - Sam Majors.
Richard D
I've been to Nationals before in Baltimore, Cleveland and Chicago and am surprised at how difficult the logistics are in AC, unless you are willing to fully open your wallet (which I am not).

There's parking under the convention center and across the street. There is valet about 2 blocks away and then all of the hotels have parking. If you have to walk from the boardwalk hotels to the convention center you can do it.. its a little walk but I've done it many times. I think most people will be able to find parking at the convention center though.
Matt

This will be my first National.

I will be there Friday.

I am looking forward to meeting some of the members in person.

AC Convention Center Parking
 

Here is the link with regards to the Atlantic City Convention Center Parking:

http://meetac.com/meet/ac/parking-and-transportation

Parking is $15.00 per day.


Patrick

thanks
 

Patrick,
Thanks for the convention parking link.
Next question, since apparently there is other parking around, and I don't mind walking, is $15 / day reasonable in AC, or is there much cheaper and just as safe elsewhere within walking distance?
I've heard that perhaps the convention parking may be the best deal, what do people think?
And do you need to reserve a spot?
Thanks again!
Richard

I'd stick with convention parking or if you are a large hotel maybe there. $15 for a day is about as good as you will find.

i would
 

like to thank steve for being a great guide on behalf of the Garden State! Thanks Steve!!!


I will be chasing Wagner at the show;).......I am looking for a table to set up at with "The Circus".....

possibly be at table where "Rare Sports Films " sets up......I will be there Saturday ....and maybe Sunday set up....:confused:??? more details as we get close.....as I live in Jersey and will drive each day...


if you have a 206 Wagner or the means to trade for "The Circus"....I'm am there to display and listen to offers:)

this will be my first national and I'm stoked to meet board members and see what's out there!!!


more to come...............

This will be my first National since Baltimore in '12 or whenever that was and I am very much looking forward to it. Growing up in Jersey and visiting Atlantic City about 730893 times has me even more excited. No, it's not the cleanest looking city in the country, nor is it the most interesting if you don't like gambling, but it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Use common sense, stay on or near the boardwalk/Marina, avoid back alleys at 2:00 a.m. and you'll be just fine.

I'll probably spend more money at a blackjack table than I will on the show floor but it's all in good fun!

I'll be sharing booth 2220 with a friend. Will have nothing but 50s-70s vintage at budget prices. .25, .50, $1, $2, $3, $5 boxes with other low-mid end cards priced cheaply. I will not have bulk, but will have great deals. Mainly hoping to make enough money that I can buy some stuff for my PC.

Will be my first National. Looking forward to meeting some of you all.

Budget prices ? Oh hell yeah.

Curious
 

I am curious about something. The emails that I have been receiving from the National all say "limited dealer tables still available". Is it unusual that all of the table space is not filled when we are only a month away from the start?

Rick

Very much so! Look forward to meeting you. I don't know many other Jewish collectors besides me!

My experiences, from what I remember :), have always been that there is always more room for another table, especially at $1k and up......

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Don't think this is the case as they have to submit a floor plan ahead of time for fire department reasons, etc

When my buddy and I picked our tables a few months back there were 4 booths left.

I know this topic was debated a bit a few months back . . . but do most vendors at the National take credit cards for high ticket items? Put another way, if you are buying a pricey card are you expected to be toting a big roll of $20s? I don't mind the cash aspect, but the ATM fees piss me off. Yes, charge me $5.99 to access my money. And there is a $200 limit.

Just take a big roll of 100 dollar bills and a small roll of fifties. Cash is the preferred medium of exchange at most all big shows.

ATM fees that high should be illegal.

You should see what the ATM fees are at the strip club. Er, uh, so I've heard. ;)

Yeah, but no one wants to carry around that big of a stack of ones at the National. ... or so I've heard. :cool:

I was once enlisted to escort a former professional running back to numerous strip clubs. I did not tip, don't drink, but can appreciate a fine figure. The big problem is you have a hard time seeing them through the smoke haze.

The running back had a fine time I am happy to report.

I'd keep " male escort" off your resume'...just sayin'

Better question

Did he make it rain?

On a more serious but no less inappropriate note, there are a slew of gentleman type clubs off the strip in AC. I have never partook in any of them. Putting aside that all such establishments draw a dicey crowd, I would imagine AC could run a little too seedy for comfort. If anyone is heading to AC and would like to do their part in supporting unwed mothers and other nice ladies, I'd stick to the large Scores out post on the strip at the Taj Mahal. I hear its a nice place.

In the past, I would attend a sports card show during the day & then go to a strip club at night. Seriously. No joking. Because, sometimes you gotta say, 'WTF" :D:D:D:D:D

Poorly worded. Should have used drive instead of escort I suppose.

Amazingly enough, yes he did! Ladies played it well and were well rewarded.

For all the board members attending the National, booth #329 should be your first stop. Unless you're too old to handle the NOIZZZE!!!!

Marshall B. in da hizzle!