SHOWBOAT: Big Bets on Clean Fun!

Travel

Audio By Carbonatix

Let’ s take a trip back in time to 1987…Atlantic City, NJ.

Casinos bustling with cha-chings from one armed bandits, smoke billowing through the air, drinks for the already drunk at no cost while breathing in wafts of beach residue and mold from the cheap, polyester flooring also known as wall-to-wall carpeting had it all going on.

Showboat Resort and Casino was just that place

And, remained so until it closed in 2014, and reborn as just a hotel in 2017.

Fast forward to 2025, and we not only have no casino, we have a resort dedicated to family fun in sin city minor (a subordinate of sin city major, Las Vegas).  

Since Covid, it is apparent Atlantic City has suffered its share of blows with casino closures and a boardwalk that resembles something out of Apocalypse Now. 

So, Showboat has decided to filter in some morality and clean fun with an Indoor Waterpark, and my favorite part, a 100,000 square foot casino morphed into a 100,000 square foot arcade.

And I was very impressed at the transformation from filthy fun to family.

Island Waterpark is just that, an Island in the middle of the hotel dedicated to a lazy river and a gazillion water slides for all ages and levels of swim prowess and bravery.

And, clean, clean, clean, complete with cabanas if you choose to spend the extra chips.

Although the indoor pool is dedicated to families, the outdoor pool with retractable roof beckons only the 21 and older crowd to to swim and drink, complete with a swim up bar. But, there is enough going on at the waterpark itself, you might not want that drink until after you put the kids to bed.

Showboat continues to expand their family reno throughout the hotel, and not a slot machine to be found.  Claw machines galore, but no slot machines.   And, for a weekend away, or pop-up day trip or overnight, Showboat delivers.

Mid-week seems less crowded, and although not the most glamorous, the newly refurbished rooms are simple and appropriate for a family to hang out and catch some sleep after a day of water play and faux surfing.

It did the trick for us to get away for an overnight and literally, test the waters of a less iniquitous Atlantic City.

Located on the Boardwalk, dining options right out the door are at your fingertips and for the parents who bring a sitter and can escape to the bowels of gambling dens, there are plenty of casinos right on the boards in walking distance.

So, kudos to Showboat, whose staff was the most accommodating and smiley I have experienced at a hotel in a long time, and who is trying to superimpose the good intentions of Excalibur by providing a clean refuge for families in a place not known for anything healthy.

This mom loved Showboat…great for kids of all ages.

Check rates. Mid week is always better and packages.