Mike Lopez — known as AC Mike — will lead 90-minutes tours about the history and present day of Atlantic City. (Photo by Kristian Gonyea)
Mike Lopez has witnessed the ups and downs of Atlantic City for more than a half-century.
"I've seen it all," he said. "My family moved to Atlantic County when I was 7 years old. I remember getting into the station wagon with my mom and my brothers and sisters, four boys and four girls going to the Boardwalk and playing in the arcade."
Who better than Lopez — aka "AC Mike" — to offer private 90-minute tours courtesy of Broadway Tram Tours?
Lopez, 60, will wax about the history and present day Atlantic City.
"We're not just showing the people the sights," he said. "We're helping them feel the soul of Atlantic City. This tour is a specially curated homage to the city I call home. I want guests to see why my motto is 'Live, work, play A.C."
Lopez tells it like it is during the journey, which departs from Stockton University on Albany Avenue and glides past historic landmarks, such as The Claridge, Ritz-Carlton and Steel Pier aboard a luxury tram car.
"I'm going to tell people about Atlantic City," he said. "I'll talk about the good, the bad and the indifferent."
There is much to detail since Atlantic City has arguably more significant history than any other town in the Garden State.
Tourism arrived in 1870, which is when the Boardwalk was built, thanks to the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway.
The 1930s through the 1960s was the peak of nightclub entertainment in Atlantic City. The 500 Club, Club Harlem and the Paradise Club were some of the legendary nightspots in Atlantic City.
Atlantic City survived the 1944 Great Atlantic hurricane, hosted a myriad of Miss America pageants, heavyweight title fights featuring Mike Tyson and concerts headlined by such icons as Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Aerosmith.
"The history of our city is endless," Lopez said. "We love our history and we're excited about our present and future."
The host of a weekly radio show on WOND is stoked about detailing the rich history of the city.
"I'm very much looking forward to discussing what has happened here," Lopez said. "It's amazing how many United States presidents have been here. Ulysses S. Grant was here. Beyond that this was the world's playground. It was not a self-proclaimed title like how Hammonton is as the blueberry capital. Atlantic City really was America's playground."
Tim Boland, the owner of Boardwalk Tram Tours, is just as enthusiastic about Lopez's gig as the host.
"This is more than just a tour," Boland said. "It's a celebration of what makes Atlantic City unforgettable."
Lopez is on the same page.
"There's no place like Atlantic City," he said. "And I look forward to telling people all about this great city."
