shopping in atlantic city

Shopping in Atlantic CityAs you might guess, Atlantic City's casino hotels lure their customers with numerous ways to spend their winnings, therefore providing the most lucrative hunting ground for shoppers—and entertainment hunters in general.

The Playground (1 Atlantic Ocean), once known as the Pier Shops at Caesars, includes a number of luxury retailers that includes Burberry, Gucci and Tiffany & Co.

The Quarter at Tropicana (2801 Pacific Ave.), a multilevel establishment with an Old Havana-inspired theme, also dazzles shoppers. An assortment of emporiums like Swarovski and White House/Black Market entices visitors, along with a collection of lively nightspots and restaurants ranging from casual to elegant. The Tropicana's Marketplace (Brighton Avenue and Boardwalk) is a smaller, more family-friendly shopping alternative that includes a food court and spills out onto the Boardwalk.

The Waterfront at Harrah's (777 Harrah's Blvd.) presents a handful of shops touting shoes, jewelry and apparel in a marbled galleria, while the contribution of Borgata (1 Borgata Way) to retail bliss is The Shoppes at the Water Club, a small yet sleek assembly of fine merchants including Hugo Boss and Just Cavalli.

The glitter of the casinos has not diminished the Boardwalk's older charms: You'll have fun trolling for kitschy souvenirs, beachwear and T-shirts emblazoned while you wait. And like a kid in a candy store, you'll be tempted by an amazing variety of old-time treats, especially those colorful dollops of saltwater taffy at fixtures like Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy (1325 Boardwalk at Tennessee) and James' Candy (1519 Boardwalk at New York Avenue).

Tanger Outlets (2014 Baltic Ave.), a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, captivates shoppers with its impressive medley of national chains. You'll encounter all the usual suspects—Adidas, Banana Republic, Express and Gap, to name a few—along with some higher-end designer outlets to round out the mix.

Locals usually hit the shops downtown at the north end of Atlantic Avenue—mainly strip malls and groceries—or venture to one of the suburban shopping malls. These include the Central Square Shopping Center (199 New Rd.) in Linwood, with more than 70 specialty businesses; Hamilton Mall (4403 E. Black Horse Pike) in Mays Landing with some 140 shops and amenities; and Harbor Square (6725 Black Horse Pike) in Egg Harbor Township.

Historic Smithville and Village Greene (615 E. Moss Mill Rd.), about a 25-minute drive, offers a family-oriented shopping experience in a re-creation of a 1700s coastal town with quaint cobblestone streets and a charming gazebo. Kids can ride the carousel and mini-train or play in the arcade while their parents peruse stores laden with handicrafts, antiques, Christmas ornaments and other treasures.