Forget any preconceived notions you may have of Atlantic City.  More than US $1.7 billion in investments in recent years have enhanced Atlantic City’s appeal with world-renowned casinos resorts and hotels, big name restaurants featuring famous chefs, unique attractions, headline entertainment, luxurious spas, championship golf, and for those seeking some retail therapy New Jersey offers tax free shopping on clothing and shoes.

Shopaholics can shop till they drop at high-end retail options through the eight casinos or find discounted brand-name fashions and accessories at Tanger Outlets The Walk, which is located in downtown Atlantic City.

This may be the very spot to get your holiday shopping done while enjoying everything else Atlantic City has to offer.

The seaside gaming and resort capital of the East Coast, hosts over 27 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. And no longer is it all about gaming.  Non-casino luxury hotels have changed the skyline of Atlantic City.

The Water Club introduces a new brand of hospitality, offering a unique personality all its own just steps away from the entertainment, nightlife, and dining of Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

The Chelsea is the first non-gaming hotel to grace the Boardwalk since the 1960s, and this boutique luxury hotel invokes the glamour and sophistication of the seaside resort town. The Courtyard by Marriott is another non-casino option, conveniently located one block from the beach and historic Boardwalk.

Make sure to check in at Boardwalk Hall which houses the world’s largest organ as measured by the number of pipes (officially 33,112, but the exact number is unknown).  Built by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company, the organ has several entries in Guinness World Records including "Largest pipe organ ever constructed", "Largest musical instrument ever constructed" and "Loudest musical instrument ever constructed.”

More powerful than a dozen orchestras, it can both whisper and thunder into the 5.5 million cubic feet of air space in the main area. The pipe organ can be seen and heard in operation every weekday for half hour concerts and tours from May through October.

There are umpteen choices when it comes to dining, but for nearly 30 years, Café 2825 has been the best kept secret in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Family owned and operated, the Italian restaurant has always had an excellent reputation, service and outstanding homemade food. The menu at Café 2825 is traditional, but unique in its own way and there is something for everyone.

Last year, Café 2825 was selected by Open Table as one of the top 100 eateries in the nation, which was the only Atlantic City restaurant on the list and one of only three in the state.

Affordable, accessible, entertaining, enjoyable. Atlantic City is well worth another visit.