Atlantic City is famous for its sparkling strand of hotel casinos. Millions of annual visitors flock to the city, on southeast New Jersey's Absecon Island, to try their luck at the casinos 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The casinos have more to offer than the chance to make a quick million, and the city has more to offer than just the casinos. Atlantic City boasts an impressive list of firsts: the world's first boardwalk, first color postcards, first saltwater taffy, and the first Miss America pageant, which continues to be held here every October.
Redevelopers halted the city's slow decline in the 1970s, when the resort was opened to gambling. The old seaside hotels gave way to glitzy casinos on prime Boardwalk property. A state-of-the-art Convention Center replaced its antiquated predecessor. The city is working to create a more culturally rich environment as well. A new Ocean Life Center explores the sea and shore, with live marine exhibits. The Atlantic City Historical Museum documents the city's rich history. Atlantic City is also home to two sports teams - the Atlantic City Seagulls, a United States Basketball League franchise, and Atlantic City Surf, a semi-pro baseball team.
