Meathead’s Guides are Men’s Health’s field manuals for doing a city right—where to train, what to eat, and when to go all out. Built around workouts, great meals, and local intel, these guides are for anyone who’s looking to do more than see the sights and pose for pics. Come hungry, bring decent shoes, and consider this a full-body itinerary.
Once upon a tide, the seaside town formerly known as the “Nation’s Playground” was best known for boozing, betting, and beaching. Born and raised in AC, Spena says he’s been through “the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent.” Still, he can’t help but love this island where he and other longtime locals are ushering in a new era, aiming to appeal to younger beachgoers who care less about bottle service and more about bike rides and piglet yoga. You don’t have to be a “gorilla juice head” from Jersey Shore to feel at home at CrossFit RDT or Island Gym.
Heck, you don’t even have to be a “meathead” to enjoy the “Hungry Man” breakfast from Gilchrist Restaurant or a famous Italian hoagie from White House Subs. From PGA-level golf to nighttime volleyball, these days the active traveler is likely to be pleasantly surprised by all the hangover-free options available in Atlantic City and its surrounding areas. Skip the standard hotel-casino breakfast buffet and start your day at Gilchrist, a beloved bayside breakfast spot frequented by locals and in-the-know tourists.
It’s famous for its light and airy blueberry pancakes, the recipe for which Spena jokes he’s been “trying to steal for years.” (Can confirm they are addictively delicious.) Local lifeguard Christopher Pozza, 19, says his go-to order is the Hungry Man, a customizable combo of eggs, pancakes, choice of meat, plus optional home fries or grits and toast—all for $12.95. Yoga teacher Michell Joga, 30, loves what she calls “gourmet Mexican coffee on the go.” Just make sure to check their Instagram before you go down to the shore to see where they’ll be posted up each week. The mobile espresso trailer frequents farmers markets, food festivals, and local parks.
For a brick-and-mortar source of caffeine, Joga also likes Beat the Daily Grind, while other locals recommend HeyDay Coffee. It may be the obvious item to put on your to-do list, but locals swear a stroll on AC’s historic five-mile boardwalk (the first in the country, FYI) remains a can’t-miss part of anyone’s AC stay. Rent a beach cruiser and ride along the boardwalk.
While summer might seem like peak seaside biking season, fall is actually the best time to ride. From September 16 through May 14, bicycles are permitted on the boardwalk 24/7. (In summer, you can only ride from 6 a.m. to noon.) There are multiple beachside bike shops, but locals love North Beach Mini Golf & Bike Rentals. Hourly rentals start at $18 for beach cruisers and $40 for 1920s-style surreys. (North Beach also offers a Putt & Ride special, where you can play a round of mini golf before or after your ride for $5 off.) Pedal through Ventnor to Margate and, while you’re there, make a pit stop at Lucy the Elephant.
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