The Tropicana Atlantic City opened in 1981. Major renovations in the early 2000s made it one of the largest hotels in New Jersey and added a mall with various upscale stores and restaurants.
The Quarter (seen here all done up for Christmas) opened in 2004 and features many famous restaurants like Carmine's, The Palm, and Cuba Libre, along with stores and an IMAX.
Looking north from the Tropicana
The Ritz-Carlton Atlantic City, now the Ritz Luxury Apartments, was once the most upscale hotel in the city. It's rumored that Al Capone owned an entire floor of the hotel back in the 20s.
Looking north towards Caesars and the Pier Shops from Boardwalk Hall.
Boardwalk Hall, opened in 1929, is probably most famous for being the former and current host of the Miss America Pageant. It contains the world's largest musical instrument, a 33,000 pipe organ. Boardwalk Hall has hosted the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and more recently, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.
The AC Boardwalk is home to the "Boardwalk Rolling Chairs". Similar to pedicabs, they are instead pushed from behind.
The Boardwalk is home to typical tourist spots like Rainforest Cafe, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Hard Rock Cafe, and House of Blues. The Atlantic City House of Blues' Music Hall is one of the their most profitable.
The Pier Shops, a complete demolition/rebuilding of an old pier, opened in 2004 as a high-end fashion mall. It failed, plagued by massive vacancies and bankruptcy. It is doing ok now as an regular shopping mall.
The back bay area of the city was once home to houses of alcohol smugglers who used the basins to sneak boats of liquor in. It is now home to the city's aquarium, a couple restaurants, a marina, and various new condo developments.
Part 3 coming up!