Being a local of Atlantic City, I feel like it is only appropriate that I help out everyone with Electric Adventure and leading up to the festival. So the plan for this is we’ll be putting out a series of posts every day to get you completely prepared for this festival. Let us be your liaison for this amazing festival and we’ll get you through smoothly for the most enjoyment. Before we start, if you don’t have tickets, buy them here. If you’re looking for hard tickets, contact our friends, @bashconcepts.
The most important thing you look for when going to a festival is a place to stay. Since this is not a camping festival, you have to resort to hotels, motels, or whatever else you can find. We’re going to help you figure out how to get not only the cheapest place, but a place that you’re not afraid to sleep in the bed with. So without further ado, here’s our tips and such.
1. Casinos, Casinos, Casinos…
If you’re able to stay in a casino, you’re golden. They provide the best amenities out of anywhere in Atlantic City. All of them are good. Some are farther than others, but if you’re in a casino, you’re golden. To book a casino, we suggest going directly through the casino’s site itself. Here’s the list (in no particular order)
2. $20 Dollar Trick
This is exclusively for you if you’re staying in a casino. When you check into a hotel, you simply slip the clerk a $20 bill with your confirmation credit card. When you do this, ask the magic question: “Do you have any complimentary upgrades available?”. The idea is that the front desk clerk will check for “complimentary” upgrades and if they cannot find anything they will return your tip! Simple. Easy.
3. Hotels/Motels Are A Person’s Best Friend
While hotels may come off pricey, I suggest you go with a site like Hotels.com or Expedia. They’re great. The problem is you don’t know where to go or if they’re good. If they are hotels in Atlantic City, you’re good. This includes the Claridge and the Chelsea (or its Annex). The motels are a hit or miss. The idea is that you find the ones that have a good name behind them such as the Wyndham. From there, don’t go any that go into Atlantic City. They’re the ones that got smacked hardest by Sandy and well nothing has been quite the same. Plus, they were the hourly motels for prostitution.
4. Distance isn’t Bad
Here’s the cool thing about Atlantic City. If you’re looking to get a cheaper hotel and it is some distance away, don’t sweat. All the surrounding cities are much nicer and you’re gonna have a nice and pleasant stay. Whatever you do, avoid Pleasantville. That place is worst than Atlantic City. Also, if you can, avoid Ocean City. That city is beautiful, but if you take the quick route, there is a toll and we’re going for cheap. Every other place is all of a 15 minute drive max to get into Atlantic City.
5. Parking is the Worst
The one thing Atlantic city is known for is going hard on the parking. The casinos love taking advantage of situations like this. They look at it as you’re not gonna eat, drink, or gamble, so they need to make money some way. Here’s what you do. Park in a nice area. The Golden Nugget has free parking and just Uber to the event. That’s your ideal goal. Caesars has where you spend $75 and you get free parking. That’s one meal if you get one person to pay (who is 21 and doesn’t have a playing card and you all pay him/her back). Avoid random lots.
6. Uber > Taxi
This. This. This. Taxi if you can barter and that’s it. Limo if you know a limo that does $5 a person ($6 or $7 with tip). Nothing more. Taxis are the worst. USE uberEDMAssassin for a free ride!
7. Airbnb May Work
I never used it. I’ve heard good things. Stick with rule 3 when it comes to cities. I looked just for friends and I saw good deals. This could be awesome.
8. How to Pack Hotels Properly
First thing to know. Don’t be oblivious. Second thing to know. Ask for as many cards / keys. Hotels like to limit the amount of people that go in a room. This way, you can go in waves. Have fun, but try not to piss off your neighbors. If you’re gonna party, have fun on the boardwalk or somewhere else. The bars are a ton of fun.
If you have any questions or anything, feel free to comment, message us via the contact form, or Twitter.