September 30, 2022 • travel
Experience Atlantic City, New Jersey, Like Desiree Hartsock on ‘The Bachelorette’
Atlantic City, New Jersey, combines the razzle-dazzle of live shows with the adrenaline boost of casinos and the quintessential vibes of the boardwalk. It’s home to famous hotels and restaurants and is a dream destination for shoppers, foodies, and romantics alike.
Thanks to its abundance of activities, Atlantic City is the perfect getaway for couples looking to wine and dine at top resorts or spend their nights enjoying live shows. Either way, you won’t be bored!
Desiree Hartsock traveled to Atlantic City on Season 9 of “The Bachelorette,” and here’s how you can experience the city just like she did.
Where to Stay
Desiree and her men stayed at the Revel Resort, which is now known as the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. Ocean Casino Resort is more than a destination: It embodies that feeling that gets your heart racing when you score the win, ignites your imagination when you bite into something delicious, sets your soul ablaze when you see your favorite artist perform live, and makes you catch your breath when you wake up to a sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. It’s more than just a hotel — Ocean Casino Resort is a way to experience Atlantic City.
One-on-One Date: Love Is Sweet!
For her first one-on-one date in Atlantic City, Desiree took Brad to explore the various attractions around the Atlantic City Boardwalk, including the slingshot and the steel pier. They played games and Brad won a stuffed animal for Des. How sweet! They also went to James’ Salt Water Taffy and went into their kitchen to see how the taffy is made. They decorated and tasted chocolate-covered pretzels. Then, the two went back to the boardwalk and rode on the carousel. After their adventures, they walked on the beach and then sat and talked in front of a giant sandcastle with a bench built into it. For the night portion of their date, Des and Brad went to the Absecon Lighthouse for dinner. Sounds like the perfect day in Atlantic City!
Group Date: Pageant of Roses
Desiree met her guys at Boardwalk Hall, one of the most historic buildings in Atlantic City. Boardwalk Hall has housed title fights and the Beatles, and is the birthplace of the Miss America Pageant. Former Miss America Mallory Hagen met Desiree’s men inside the hall, and the guys found out they would be competing in the “Bachelorette Mr. America” Pageant. Mallory and Christopher Dean, a world-famous pageant coach, helped the men prepare for the pageant. During the pageant, they were judged on their talent, swimsuit portion, and their interviews. After practicing all day, the guys got ready to take the stage. The three judges were Mallory, Desiree, and Lorenzo Langford, the mayor of Atlantic City. Kasey won the pageant, and for the night portion of the date, Des and the guys hung at her private pool at the Ocean Casino Resort.
One-on-One Date: Spreading the Love
For her second one-on-one date of the week, Des took James on a special adventure. The two went on a helicopter ride, and they were joined by a rep from the American Red Cross. They took a tour of all of the damage that Hurricane Sandy inflicted on the city. Des and James flew to Seaside Heights, where they saw all of the destroyed homes. They landed and walked through the streets of Seaside Heights as relief workers were still cleaning. The two ended up meeting a couple, Manny and Jan, who lost everything in the hurricane. The four of them went to Manny and Jan’s former home, which was barely standing. Des told the couple that she wanted to give them their date because they didn’t get to celebrate their anniversary. Manny and Jan took their limo to the House of Blues Foundation Room in Atlantic City. The couple had the whole place to themselves and a romantic dinner was waiting for them. Meanwhile, Des and James enjoyed pizza and beers at The Baltimore Grill. Eventually Des and James joined them for a private concert by Darius Rucker and the two couples slow-danced and enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
