🇺🇸 A Trip to Atlantic City with the Kids

I bring my children here several times a year for competitions, usually staying a night or two. But this time was different — for once, it wasn’t about sports, but something related to academics 😊. As a dad who did pretty well in school back in the day, it’s bittersweet seeing my kids so passionate about basketball and running, but not so much about studying. This trip definitely got me reflecting 🧠. In the morning, I served as a judge for a student competition — 10 groups in total. Among them were one white student, one Chinese American girl, and the rest were Indian students. I awarded first place to a young Chinese American figure skater — wishing her the best in the finals! 🏆⛸️ When people talk about Atlantic City these days, it often feels like it’s past its prime. Why has it fallen so far behind Las Vegas? 1️⃣ Management & Operations: It hasn’t built a diverse ecosystem around entertainment, arts, nightlife, dining, or sports events. 2️⃣ Business Environment: New Jersey’s strict regulations and high taxes don’t help. 3️⃣ Winter Weather: Let’s be honest — the winters aren’t inviting. 4️⃣ Limited Industry: The city relies heavily on gambling, unlike Vegas, which has diversified into tech, e-commerce, and finance. 5️⃣ Location: It feels a bit out of the way — even Mohegan Sun seems better positioned. But still — we’re not far from New York and Philly! With the right vision, Atlantic City could easily become the top attraction on the East Coast. And let’s not forget… we have the ocean 🌊, we have the ocean 🌊, we HAVE THE OCEAN! 😍 This time of year, the beach already feels warm under the sunlight — peaceful and spacious. I love seeing the ocean like this… maybe this is how it’s truly meant to be enjoyed ☀️🏖️. That giant sphere above the Ocean Casino Resort — so striking at night or in the soft light of dawn, like a full moon — doesn’t feel as massive up close. The glass facade gives off a strong vibe of modernity and luxury 🏙️💎. As for the Showboat… from any angle, I still can’t quite see the “boat” shape 🛳️🤔. Caesars, Bally’s, Resorts, and Claridge stand close together — I’ve always liked their retro style 🎰✨. Along the Boardwalk, you’ll find displays on patriotic education, political conventions, JFK, the Korean War, 9/11… a walk through American history 🇺🇸. Horseshoe crabs… They run away together, wander to the ends of the earth, but never leave each other. They may turn away in a huff, sit back-to-back… but they always stay together. A lonely fish isn’t just shameful — it might also die quietly, unseen 🐠💔. #AtlanticCity #BeachVibes #LighthouseLife #OceanBreeze