Atlantic City
 

If anyone is starting to make travel plans for the National in August and has questions about where to stay or other logistics, please feel free to reach out to me. I like AC a great deal, and it's not the really scary place some of you may have been led to believe. Having said that, there are a lot of cheap motels in the area that I would not stay in, never mind stay in with tens of thousands of dollars in valuable products with me. I would steer clear of motels and get in a real hotel. Many fine choices, and some of them start to get pricey.

I'd also be happy to arrange an Italian restaurant dinner for some board members off the strip in a place that will totally blow your doors off.

I am hoping to go...but I am using the convention as an excuse to the wife to play poker.

10% baseball cards
10% eating
80% losing money at poker

Actually thats 100% losing money.

well
 

I hope I can get myself away from the casino for at least an hour a day to see the national....... St. Louis was crazy - up 6am - work the show until closing - casino until 7am the next day and back to the show to groundhog day it all over again. Last AC not so bad as my smoking and drinking got in the way. That predilection and the hookers keep me centered now. Those nights with Glenn and Jerry Spillman used to get a bit crazy.

I was just starting to think about the logistics last night so good timing on the thread.

I am interested to know your thoughts on getting to AC from Long Island. We are visiting family that week in LI (so I am not a local). The wife and I want to come down for a day of cards and night of dinner/gambling.

Should I just plan on driving down from LI or are there other convenient ways to get there such as train?

Also a dinner recommendation would be cool. thanks-

Leon, I know it is early still, but any word on if there will be a net54 dinner again on the Friday night?

DJ

Recommendations on hotels or areas within walking distance would be appreciated as I will likely fly in.

thanks!

Bob

No train convenient from LI. I grew up there know it well. Have to drive unless you want to endure a casino bus.
Chef Vola. Best Italian. Good places in Tropicana. Like the Cuban place. Fun. Also the White House sub shop cannot be missed on any trip to AC. Trust me. Cannot be missed. Also highly recommend the Knife and Fork Inn. If you were a fan of Boardwalk Empire cannot be missed.

Nothing walking distance to Sheraton. It's on the middle of nowhere. But a quick cab ride from the borgata, golden nugget, Chelsea, Tropicana. I real.y like the Chelsea. Small classy boutique on Boardwalk. Doesn't have a casino.

Thanks for the info on Hotels and Chef Vola---I need the early hotel for Monday---Quite sure it is very hard to fly into AC---I will also check out the White House Sub shop---We have Italian sandwiches here in Maine--and the old fashion Hoagie in Penna. (Were I was born)

Fly into Philly if you can. Must better than NEWARK or any NY airport.

Atlantic City
 

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I thought this might be a discussion on how The Band's version of "Atlantic City" is much better than Springsteen's...

I won't be attending, but hope everyone who does has a blast!

Those places to eat look great....thanks for the info

Long Island Railroad to Penn Station. Amtrak to AC. Probably 1-1.5 hours longer than driving, depending on where on Long Island you will be. With unknown traffic conditions, taking the train could be better.

No Amtrak from NYC to AC. Discontinued about 2 years ago. The Aces train. I loved it. No more. You could take Amtrak to Philly and get a regional connection to AC. Not a bad way to go. But you may be hanging out in Philly a while waiting for next AC train.

How is the walk to White House Subs from boardwalk area?

There won't be a Net54baseball dinner this year. I am not setting up this year and still am not sure I am going.

Driving in the NY area is by far my least favorite thing to do so I am keep the train route in mind...thanks for the info

this jersey boy will not be going!

so fix your hair up nice,
and fix yourself up pretty...

I left NYC 9 years ago. Had not heard that. I did go to the Amtrak website, and it still shows you can go from Penn to AC; takes less than 2 hours and is about $65 one way.

Since we are talking about the AC National. I am staying at the Sheraton which is right next store. But I need a hotel/motel for Monday since I am driving to the show. But with this thread, looks like I found a place to stay and good food spots. I think I will bring in some subs from White House sub shop instead of convention food. Thanks for the advice. Don

Do you still need "an in" to get a reservation at Chef Vola? I had the pleasure of dining there twice over a decade ago and the food and overall experience was top notch!

I will be going for the day on Friday, most likely, I second Knofe & Fork and the down market charm of the Irish Pub

For those who would be setting up at the National, would you prefer Baltimore over AC? Just curious.

I set up at both Baltimore Nationals. They were outstanding. Great hotels, restaurants, good parking, easy set up and collectors came in droves. Time will tell on Atlantic City. I know most dealers would love to see another Baltimoe National, but it will be a few years due to logistics. But I am looking forward to AC.

Leon, please say it ain't so - no dinner, no set up, no you? Please reconsider. The National needs your face. John

I had heard from many dealers that business was good in Baltimore. I had heard that one issue as to why the national has not returned to Baltimore is that the convention center will not book a date over a year out. I hope the national returns as well because it is closer to home.

Pretty much the same. Or you can try to call now for a reservation in August, but your phone call might not get returned. Very difficult to get in there for dinner.

If you never been, I agree you have to go to the White House Sub Shop.

Also, if anyone is going to be there for a few days with children, you should check out Ocean City NJ, about 10 miles south or so of AC . Best family boardwalk in NJ.

Agreed. But not super convenient, as those 10 miles could take a lot longer than you'd figure in the summer.

go see Lucy the elephant in Margate..

I've never been to AC, but I'll agree with Daryl, the logistics seem like a nightmare. Last year I flew into ORD and took the free shuttle to my hotel. Took the free shuttle each day from my hotel to the convention. Took the free shuttle from my hotel to ORD for my return flight. It appears it would have been easier to fly from my home in Florida to the west coast. I'm leaning to just sitting this one out.
Larry

Leon............
 

we will see you there............you will love it! :)

I would recommend the Tropicana, newly remodeled sports bars, shopping and dining mall, Carmine's Italian Family Style. Cuban Resturant, Mexican, Chinese, Starbucks, small gourmet shops, nice music bars all in a separate corridor. Gaming is excellent wide variety, very large poker room with daily poker tournaments.
I would drive down parking is $10 for the day with a free transfers.
Since the national is there they might have a shuttle bus to the show. I happen to be staying there on the Thrusday night. They have a great sports bar $8 bottles of barefoot wines cheap food but very good and $5 40 ounce bottles of beer. Check out the website.

I am leaving from Queens/Nassau boarder, 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Garden state parkway 1 hour 20 minutes from there 3 hours normal trip from Long Island. Leaving early in the morning 7-8 am on weekends gets you through the city in 40 minutes through the holland tunnel. Or leave at night. During the week in the morning unless leaving at 5am your looking at 2 hours to get through holland tunnel the key is no traffic is leave early on the right day or at night.

What's a good restaurant/bar within walking distance from the convention center ?

I live on the Nassau/Suffolk border...takes me about 2hrs 40 mins. Why on earth don't you take the Belt? Saturday morning there is no traffic...it is definitely quicker.

Tropicana is a very good choice. Nice inside mall area with some nice restaurants. The Shereaton is a nice hotel but nothing there but a hotel. All by itself. Might be perfect for some people; others may find it a bit sterile. The Borgata and its attached Water Club are the gold standard in this area. Golden Nugget very nice too. None of the last 3 are on the boardwalk however.

For you long distance out-of-state guys, your most convenient trip to the National this Summer is to fly into Philly Airport.

Then take the SEPTA train to the 30th Street Station and connect to the NJ Transit train to A/C.


Incidentally, the two Baltimore Nationals and Chicago (as usual) are my best shows in recent years.


TED Z

+1 on Chef Vola. Went there years ago for a bachelor party...as I recall you had to know a guy who knew a guy who knew a guy to get a table there. Food was unreal...

AC
 

Hard to believe the National is scheduled in a city without a decent airport. It will be an 18 hour drive each way for me, or I can drive 3 hours to Milwaukee for a flight, then to PA, then a couple of trains. I don't need this kind of hassle to go to a card show.

I'm thinking seriously about skipping the National this year and waiting for Chicago. Like one of the previous posters said, it is so easy in Chicago. I can save a couple of thousand bucks by skipping the AC national and spend it in Chicago next year.

Rick

Drive is simple from Philly and not awful from Newark. Beats an 18 hour drive.

On the cheap.
 

I will save a TON of money this year by not going. Will wait until it gets back to Chi town. Have fun everyone.

Google Maps has recommended that I travel by kayak from the west coast. I have to leave next Wednesday though. Looking forward to the Panama Canal.;)

Frank
 

Godspeed Frank. Safe travels.

Actually Frank, I was considering renting a covered wagon and doing a reverse Donner family trip. You want to go in on half?

Hoping to go to the Atlantic City National
 

I'm hoping to be able to go the the National this year.

Curious about the Sneak Peak Night on Wednesday, August 3rd.

I know they have a general admission from 4pm-8pm.

Are you able to purchase cards/memorabilia during this Sneak Peak or is it simply a "peak" at what you can purchase on Thursday the 4th etc.?

Patrick

Sneak peak
 

Pat. Yes you can buy cards during the sneak peak night. I guess they call it sneak peak but it really is the show opening. Hope to see you there. Don