WILD WILD WEST CASINO AT BALLY'S

The Wild Wild West is Atlantic City's first freestanding casino, meaning there is no hotel at the property. It's part of Bally's Park Place, making it part of the largest gaming operation in Atlantic City. The extensive Old West theme begins with the property's exterior, both at the Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue entrances. The Boardwalk façade features a movie-land style Old West townscape with a wagon perched on a rockscape replica. Upon entering from the Boardwalk, guests are greeted by an animated mountain scene with waterfalls, mines, and a running stream. At the base of the 20-foot-high mountain, two animatronic characters - an old forty-niner and his trusty burro - tell stories of panning for gold in the Old West. Nearby is a talking animatronic vulture perched on a cactus (who eerily sounds like actor Jack Nicholson). Above is a faux sky depicting an approaching thunderstorm, with thunder roaring and bolts of lighting illuminating the mountaintop to boot. Across from the mountain are various storefronts, all designed in the likeness of the Old West.The theme continues inside the gaming hall, complete with faux structures like the gun shop, the general store, the undertaker, the dance hall, and the saloon. The town bank (casino cage) sits in the middle of the casino floor. This brick building serves two purposes: a casino cage and, behind bulletproof glass, the hard-count room.New western scenes are at every turn, including the restrooms, which look like abandoned mine shafts. 17 more animatronic characters perform in 30-minute intervals with four different scripts throughout the gaming hall. Voices are designed for each character, and an animatronic band performs four different songs, composed specifically for the Wild Wild West.The 40-foot-high casino ceiling provides an open and spacious environment that allows for a comfortable gaming experience. The ceiling is supported by columns that have been designed as lonesome pines or mighty oaks, all created to give the visitor the feeling of being outside at nighttime.The Wild West casino has plenty of grub for when it's mealtime. Located on the second floor is the Virginia City buffet. One of the better buffets in town, you can count on fresh food in plentiful portions. If you're in the mood for a cocktail, visit the Mountain Bar located near the boardwalk entrance.