I grew up spending summers at the Jersey Shore, specifically in Margate City. I would wake up and dress myself in a swimsuit before heading downstairs for breakfast before a long day at the beach, followed by plenty of sunburnt naps and family barbeques. This weekend in Jersey was quite different as I spent my first weekend “doing AC.” And for those not familiar with the bumper sticker term of “Do AC,” I mean I spent my Saturday and Sunday at Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for all of the casino games, pool days and good food I could get my hands on. I certainly “did” AC.

The trip kicked off with a 10-ounce filet at the famous Bobby Flay Steak. I enjoyed a new favorite drink, a French martini, and the company of my two sisters, my dad and his girlfriend. The trip was dedicated to celebrating the 21st birthday of my two younger twin sisters, Sam and Liv. Luckily, as the only older sis, I got to tag along for the festivities. Nobody in my family has ever been into casinos or gambling, so we spent the evening weaving in and out of the aisles and aisles of neon lights and slot machines. The dealer games looked a little too intimidating for my first night.

The rest of the weekend was more of the same; we spent the day at Borgata Outdoor Pool and Beer Garden and dined at Izakaya by Michael Schulson — one of my favorite dining experiences by far. Again, weaving in and out of the never-ending maze of slot machines, loyally accompanied by my espresso martini, I ended up leaving with some extra change!

I think I can speak for my family when I say my favorite part of the trip was spending happy hour in Borgata’s Sportsbook Bar to watch the third and final race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Everyone ended up winning one way or another, expect my dad, the most experienced of us all. This was definitely an awesome weekend, and I highly recommend spending time in Atlantic City. If you stay at the Borgata, try the espresso martini at the Sportsbook; you won’t regret it.

— Haley Fogarty, account executive