Atlantic County Magazine – GACCA Article
Print Date 6.17.2022
By Judy Brenna
Catering and Special Events Director, The Deauville Inn
Totally unrelated and unnecessary fact about The White and Black Horse Pikes, because, you know, #historynerd, and I can, so why not? The White Horse Pike, first known as White Horse Road, ran from Camden to the White Horse Tavern in the small hamlet of White Horse on the Old Egg Harbor Road. In 1855, state legislators incorporated the Camden and Blackwoodtown Turnpike Company, who made the strip into a toll road ((booo hissss)). The state bought the turnpike back in 1903 and removed the toll ((we love that)), changing its moniker once again, this time to the Blackwood Pike. Fast forward to 1925, while several housing developments were under construction along the Blackwood Pike, builders formed an association to rename the route the Black Horse Pike and also extend it to Atlantic City in hopes of capitalizing on its counterpart's successes. ((Drum Rolls)) Once completed, the Black Horse Pike, which runs parallel to the White Horse Pike, was advertised as the second White Horse Pike to the shore. ((Symbols clashing)) The End… You’re welcome.
((cracking knuckles then shaking hands)) On to more pressing matters… The GACCA had the unique and most excellent opportunity Monday night to take a tour of at The Raceway at The Lucky Snake Arcade and had the most amazing blast! A little background on the place if you, dear reader, are unawares, the reinvention of the Showboat as a non-gambling attraction in Atlantic City continued last month with the opening of a new go-kart racetrack, The Raceway. The project is the latest amenity to take shape at the former New Jersey casino, which has been transformed in recent years by Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein's Tower Investments.
This most bodaciously electric indoor racetrack covers about 40,000 square feet and invites drivers to navigate the course in custom-made Italian go-karts. The racetrack is situated within the sprawling Lucky Snake Entertainment Center on Showboat‘a ground floor. The track's neon-lit design has the greatest escaping-Las Vegas-theme and drivers get to pretend they’re Formula One Drivers and wear helmets equipped with 4K cameras that can upload their runs to social media. ((#supercool)) It literally is the most amazing thing ever ((paused for thought)) ok, it’s ONE of the most amazing things ever. I cannot discount the Grand Canyon or Macaroni and Cheese For the matter… Anyhoo… one of the best parts of this gem is they offer group packages for parties, corporate events, and other celebrations. But on Monday there was SO much to do not all of us individually got to try everything, but as a collective we got to experience everything this venue has to offer. Listen, if you have a need for speed, this place is it. You go SO fast and feel SO exhilarated, it’s an experience you will never forget. I’m focusing too much on the go karts because they have a ton of other exciting offerings.
Over yonder they have axe throwing, which, if you read what I wrote a couple years ago, you
can get your shield maiden on whilst wielding weapons of great Viking power. Some of our
members even got to play a game of tic-tac-toe using axes. They also have vintage bowling, and my most favorite game on the planet, Skee-Ball. I would go into the “why” but I don’t have the space here. Perhaps another time. And if that’s not your cup o’ tea, don’t worry! They have an endless array of tradition arcade games, as well as some of the coolest new featured arcade games the newest technology has to offer, namely, Halo Fireteam Raven. I won’t explain it, you will just have to take the trip down there and check it out for yourself. And then when you get tuckered out from all the excitement you can cool off with refreshing cocktails and delicious food, so you can regain some energy for round two! ((#winning))
The moral to this very descriptive story, is Showboat Hotel Atlantic City has become THE it place for family, fun, and entertainment in Atlantic City. And lest we forget the waterpark coming soon?! Deets to come down the line. As I’ve said before, we have so many more exciting happenings coming up this summer, keep your eyes peeled for SO much more…
P.S. ((shameless work plug)) Visit The Deauville Inn in Strathmere, NJ for some truly delicious food and handcrafted drinks, and stay for the most spectacular sunset around, and just so you know, the sunset is free ((insert winy emoji here)).
Until next week, folks… #stayjerseystrong!
