Quick: when you think of Atlantic City, what comes to mind? If youre like most people, its the world-class casinos and old-timey oceanfront boardwalk (with the iconic Miss America pageant coming in third?).

But todays Atlantic City has so much more to offer visitors than beaches and blackjack since the resort town reopened in July after the shutdown due to the pandemic. With endless shopping options, a vibrant arts district and all-inclusive brewery tours,theres enough to keep visitors busy this winter that require neither betting nor warm weather. Add to that fabulous restaurants, spas and resorts that have all made safety adjustments to accommodateCOVID protocols, and Atlantic City just might be your go-to pandemic getaway.

While dates for many of the must-see shows and performers have been pushed back until spring, at the earliest, there are still plenty of activities to fill a whole weekend in Atlantic City. Grab your special someone or gather your pod, and make plans for one of theseCOVID-friendly activities:

1. Indulge in a spaaaaaah day at Hard Rock Spa & Salon

Lets face it: things have been a little stressful lately,and we all need to chill. The Rock Spa& Salonfeatures 31 newlydesigned treatment rooms where guests can choose from a variety of massages, facials and therapies of the worlds first fully music-centric spa menu. The playlist includes the Rock Spas Rhythm & Motion treatment, which utilizes vibrations, pressures and patterns as its soothing foundation. Keep on rocking in thesteam and sauna facilities followedbya tour of the Vitality pool area, which features a heated hydrotherapy tub, ambient temperature tub and specialty shower with three different experiences (Cool Mist, Caribbean Rain and Atlantic Ocean). If this doesnt help you take it easy, maybe you should just go your own way.

2. Drink and dont drive with City Brew Tour

Climb aboard theSouth Jersey City Brew Tourvan at the Tropicana for a tour of the areas hopping (get it?) craft brewery scene. New Jersey does have quite a few breweries,and we just keep adding more in the South Jersey area, said owner Lisa Lopez, who explained the 3.5-hour tours feature tastings at three local breweries, locally made snacks and an edu-taining look at the history of beer and how its made. Breweries could include nearby Garden State Beer Co., Somers Point Brewing Co. or Tuckahoe Brewing Co. that feature small batch beers on tap using premium ingredients, quality and flavor. If you love drinking really good beer, youll love it even more coming from the source, Lopezsaid. Learn about the Prohibition days of Atlantic City,and discover the new beer traditions being brewed right here in South Jersey. Cheers to that.

3. Ring in the Chinese New Year because we could all use something to celebrate

Add to your luck in 2021 by celebrating the Chinese New Year on Friday, Feb. 12 at Resort Casino and HotelsEastWind Restaurant. Featuring dishes like Good Luck Soup, Preserve Wealth and Triple Happiness, the menu seems designed to ensure that the new year brings better fortune than 2020.Just steps away from the casino floor and the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, EastWind Chinese Restaurant and Noodle Bar is just one of Resorts many food and beverage options during your AC stay.

4. Make it legal and turn 21 in AC

Turning 21 in 2021? Assemble your squad and head to Resorts where you and your besties canown the night and celebrate in style.You and your guests will be eligible for food and drink discounts at eateries like Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, drink specials including a free daiquiri tray at Wet Willies, 20%off your overnight stay and$20 in Match Play or Free Slot Play. Adulting has never been so fun.

5. Feeling trapped? Break out at an escape room

Escape ACis located right in the heart of Atlantic City at the Tropicana Casino Hotel and combines highly immersive sets with clever puzzling to deliver four themed and challenging escape room adventures. This winter, the familyfriendly rooms includeCasino Cage and The Boardwalk which are moderately challenging and the extremely challenging Poker Room and Backstage. If you survived quarantining with your family, solving these puzzles should be a piece of cake.

6. Remember old time rock n roll greats at the Hard Rock

The Hard Rocks extensivememorabilia tourfeatures historic pieces from the worlds top musicians, including the silk suit Prince wore to the 1988 Grammy Awards, handwritten lyrics from an unreleased Drake song, an ostrich-feather gown worn by Lady Gaga in a magazine shoot, and Elvis iconic Rolls Royce Phantom V. Whats perhaps most impressive and exclusive about the hotels collection of iconic items is what theyve compiled from great New Jersey-born and bred artists think: Lauryn Hill, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and more. If that denim vest doesnt bring you back to 1984s Born in the USA tour and make you want to go out and buy some AquaNet, you dont know Bruce.

7. Call Borgata your work home this winter

Like many other New Jersey resorts and hotels, the Borgata is offering virtual workers the opportunity to get out of Dodge for a few daysand channel their inner Eloise. Why not break up the daytoday by working from one of the resorts guest rooms overlooking the Atlantic City Marina and enjoy in-room dining options or theBorgataEatstakeout program, which lets you order from one of its eateries? When the workday is done, you can slip away to their action-packed casino or treat yourself to a relaxing treatment at Spa Toccare. This takes your usual takeout and Netflix routine to the next level.

8. Buy one, get one at Showboat

During the week this winter you can buy one night and get another one free at Showboat.As a mainstay of ACs legendaryboardwalk, the hotel is close to nearby casinos with its own gym facilities and plenty of dining options, like the Atlantic City Eatery.

If youre looking to get away from the everyday grind and like a variety of activities, Atlantic Citys got you covered. Fromsippingbrewskisto getting pampered at a spa and hoping for a lucky 2021 theres always plenty to do in AC.

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Jerseys Best. Subscribeherefor in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

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8 ways to go beyond the boardwalks and blackjack this winter in Atlantic City - Jersey's Best