Getting Our Game on in Atlantic City

Picture it, two fun young guys looking for an exciting change of pace, but looking for somewhere that would feel at home. Now, Palm Springs was reaching a bit too far . . . but luckily, there was a better option, Atlantic City! But don't worry, all religions, sexes and races can and will enjoy the many gems of Atlantic City, even republicans! For years, we had been dismissing Atlantic City, but now was the time to finally give it the chance it deserved. So, once we chose our exciting locale, we took off for our exciting weekend getaway. Boy, did we have no idea what fun we were in for!

6:15pm, Friday: We board a train at 30th St Station that'll take us straight to Atlantic City. We can't describe the relief we felt, knowing that we wouldn't be hauling our over-packed suitcases through transfer after transfer!

8:40pm, Friday: We're here! After a pleasant train ride, but a little fumble with trying to hail a taxi cab, we've arrived at the go-ooooor-geous Taj Mahal where we'll be staying for the next couple of nights. Our room is amazing: an two inviting double sized beds, spacious room and a marble bathroom! We quickly unpack"who wants to schlep around when there's fun to be had?!

9:20pm, Friday: Feeling a bit languorous after our workday and trek, we decide that we definitely needed a good pick-me-up. Luckily, we didn't have to go any further than down the elevator. First, we went to the Safari Steakhouse, right in the hotel, for a good ole' fashioned steak and beer dinner.

10:45pm, Friday: After a top-notch dinner, we're feeling refreshed, so we decided to go to the casino for some gambling and drinks. When we walked in, we were floored. With over 4,000 slot machines and 210 table games, we had everything at our fingertips! My pal pressed his luck with various poker slot machines, while I chose to stick with a classic, blackjack.

11:18pm, Friday: I keep looking over at the Baccarat Pit. The royal blue chairs and the turquoise table are calling my name. It looks both exciting and intimidating at the same time, alas, I fear for my savings if I give into temptation.

11:57pm, Friday: We've both lost a lot of money. . .and gained most of it back. With a couple of mojitos in our stomachs from the bar, we're about ready to call it a night. . .until we pass by a Wheel of Fortune Super Spin. I can't lie, we were pretty excited for that one and proceed to play the hell out of it.

12:24am, Saturday: We leave the casino, with the amount of money we came in with, so we're willing to call it a success. Now, all we are ready to do is crawl into bed and call it a night.

9:45am, Saturday: Up and at em! We rise at the perfect time: we've slept in, but we're still up early to enjoy an entire day of activities in our only full day in the A.C. First on our agenda: an insanely yummy breakfast from the Atlantic City Diner! The authentic 50's style decor makes us feel like we should be wearing letter jackets and each other's class rings on a chain around our necks.

11:30am, Saturday: We hail a cab (on the first try!) and make our way to our next adventure: Lucy the Elephant! A National Historic Landmark, Lucy is an elephant-shaped building located on the beach at Margate. The elephantine structure stands 65-feet high and weighs 90 tons. Since its construction in 1881, Lucy has enjoyed several different "careers." Originally intended to encourage real-estate investment on the Jersey Shore, Lucy the Elephant has been, at one time or another, a restaurant, a tavern, a house and a tourist attraction.

1:56pm, Saturday: More than ready to grab some lunch, we come to the conclusion that we are feeling a little exotic, so we go to this Chinese bistro that all of our friends had been recommending to us forever and ever: P.F. Chang's China Bistro. And it was quite possibly the best Chinese fusion meal we ever had.

3:06pm, Saturday: We head over to the Pier Shops at Caesar's, an huge area for blowing the savings. We stop at all the big stores to window shop. . . okay, we buy a couple of things. On our way out we can't help but stop at IT'SUGAR, a giant candy store with a make your own candy bar section that we both take delight in. Squeal like girls!

5:45pm, Saturday: With our evening plans intact, it's time for a little nap. Otherwise, I might hit the darn casino again.

8:30pm, Saturday: We get a cab to Egg Harbor to have dinner at the Renault Winery. They have the oldest working winery in the country, delivering delicious, exotic wines with a truly gourmet culinary experience.

10:41pm, Saturday: We arrive back into the city and head promptly to the Borgata, to the nightclub mur.mur. (yes, we chose it solely for the name) and where we enjoy a couple of drinks and some dancing. mur.mur is a stylish, fantastic New York inspired nightclub, with none of the overdone, bright, blinking colors, but rather, deep chocolate and caramel tones that really gave the place a sophistication.

1:32am, Saturday: While we enjoyed mur.mur immensely, we had to go visit the most popular gay club in the A.C., right? We steal a cab from some drunken trashy hussy and go to Studio Six. There, we take part in a wild night of drinking and dancing in a more youthful atmosphere that manages to stay away from overly cheesy.

3:44am, Sunday: We really take Studio Six's promise of dancing until dawn as far as we can, but by now, we simply can't go on anymore. Thankfully, we easily grab a cab back to our hotel, where we promptly fall asleep.

10:30am, Sunday: It is a real chore, but eventually we roll out of bed. Aspirin! Aspirin now! We go downstairs for breakfast at The Bombay Cafe. The delicious breakfast and coffee helps nurse my hangover.

11:20am, Sunday: We decide to take a walk down the Atlantic City boardwalk, since the weather is permitting. It seems like just the perfect way to wrap up a great mini-vacation

1:07pm, Sunday: We have packed and tidied up our room some and ready to check out and head over to the train station. We don't want this fab weekend to end, but unfortunately Monday waits for no one. Not even us fabulous gays. Well, it does sometimes.

4:46pm, Sunday: We're home sweet home for us. . .and already, the calendar is out, with the search for the next, longer trip our main goal. Take our word for it: Atlantic City is the one oft-overlooked travel destination that needs to be frequented more.

To plan your own weekend retreat in Atlantic City, check out atlanticcitynj.com