What wonders to behold...

October 2006

Autumn greets us with an explosion of color. Brilliant reds and golds against the crisp, piercing blue of a fall sky offer endless pictures of natural beauty, a visual feast for the eye. The lazy, hazy days of summer may leave us, but they give way to a mellower mood, as we dig out sweaters and jackets to meet the first chill in the air.

And, in South Jersey, though the summer crowds have dispersed, the shore still beckons, no less beautiful, sometimes more so. Few sights rival that of pristine white sand against the backdrop of the mighty Atlantic Ocean, topped by a stunningly blue fall sky. The memory of a sunny day’s walk near the ocean with a view like that can help one muddle through the dreariest of winter’s offerings yet to come.

Yes, nature’s beauty still beckons at the shore. But if the autumn breeze should become a bit too brisk, Mother Nature doesn’t hold all of the cards. Ahost of man-made visual wonders avail themselves to any interested party looking to warm up and still treat the senses.

Though every South Jersey shore town boasts of a bounty of lovely shops and restaurants to explore along with the beach’s grandeur, perhaps the largest offering comes from Atlantic City and those eye-catching man-made marvels known to many simply as “The Casinos.” And while each hotel/casino offers a distinctly different vibe, all provide their guests with a variety of visual treats.

To find oneself transported to another place and time, drive on over to Trump’s Taj Mahal and witness the opulence of one the world’s greatest and most grandiose palaces. Guests young and old will gasp with wonder and delight at the sight of seven two-ton stone elephants marking the entrance to the hotel. The huge white stationary beasts, leading to the rich white, purple and gold palace present an even more impressive picture at night, when lights make the entire scene glow.

Interested in something a bit more home grown? Head over to Bally’s Wild West themed hotel and casino for a taste of the American frontier. Outside, Bally’s surprises guests with a scene straight from the movies, as an old western town rises from the boardwalk on the building’s sides. Inside, cowboys, gunslingers, saloon showgirls and intricate scenes (watch a prospector pan for gold!) of the frontier’s wide open spaces carry the visitor back to the days when the West was won.

The Tropicana calls forth memories of old Havana with its fetching indoor creation of a Cuban courtyard surrounded by fabulous shops and restaurants. Visitors stand with mouths agape as they gaze up at the amazingly life-like painted blue sky complete with birds flying overhead.

For a trip to Mardi Gras, pop over to the Showboat, where you’ll discover the city of New Orleans at the Jersey shore. That indomitable city’s spirit pours forth through the festive décor, shops and restaurants housed in the Showboat’s New Orleans North.

Search the night sky for Borgata’s magnificent purple lighted casino/ hotel – a jewel in Atlantic City’s skyline. The building itself is a sight to behold, and inside, the eye continues to be entranced by the stunningly beautiful, almost ceiling high glass sculptures gracing the lobby. And that’s just the beginning. Borgata carves a place for itself as a visual wonderland with its elegance at every turn.

We’ve only just scratched the surface. Come to the Jersey shore this autumn. Mother Nature, as always, puts on quite a show. But the human handiwork promises to enchant as well.

In fact, you won’t believe your eyes.