november-2009

026 LET’S GO
PHOTOGRAPH BY SHARON STABLEY (TOP)
FAMILY MATTERS
CREW CUTS APRIL WOODSON EXPLORES THE CASINO-FREE
SIDE OF ATLANTIC CITY WITH HER KIDS IN TOW.
Some might call April Woodson a walking
contradiction. Despite living in Atlantic
City—one of the most popular gambling
destinations in the US—the AirTran Airways
Station Manager doesn’t really like casinos. But
staying away from the slots and poker tables has
enabled her to learn everything else the Jersey
Shore has to off er. “In Atlantic City, it’s not just
casino aft er casino. I like that,” says Woodson,
who moved to the city last June.
Th e single mom likes to explore
her new hometown with her children,
Anthony, 17, and Taleigha, 5, and her
mom, who visits almost every month.
“Having family time is important,”
Woodson says.
Th is year, Woodson will get to
watch Taleigha experience the
Christmas lights and dancing topiary bears at
Atlantic City Outlets the Walk (www.acoutlets.
com) for the fi rst time. “I hear it’s all lit up with
Christmas decorations, so I’m excited to see
that,” she says. She also plans to take the kids to
the Atlantic City Aquarium (www.acaquarium.
com) to observe—and in some cases, touch—
their favorite sea creatures.
GO MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2009
Ripley’s Believe it
or Not! museum
Like many families, the Woodson clan bonds
regularly over a shared meal. Anthony, a sports
fi end, is a huge fan of Th e Irish Pub (www.the
irishpub.com) on St. James Place, which is plastered
with classic photos of baseball players. And
Tony’s Baltimore Grill (www.baltimoregrill.com)
is one of Woodson’s favorites. “Tony’s has great
chicken and snacks. Th e kids love it,” she says.
With the holidays coming up, there is one
important task on the family to-do
list: shopping. “My son’s really into
fashion, so he’s always looking for
clothes,” she says. And for this,
Woodson is willing to hit the casinos
for the amazing shops inside. She’s
planning to take the kids to Pier
Shops at Caesars (www.thepiershops
atcaesars.com) and Th e Quarter at
Tropicana (www.tropicana.net/thequarter),
which off er stores ranging from high-end
designer boutiques to more kid- and teenfriendly
shops. While the casinos are usually
packed, Woodson isn’t tempted to
join in. Her No. 1 activity is a sure
bet: spending time with her family.
—William Sokolic
PERSONNEL PICKS
Name: April Woodson
Position with
AirTran Airways:
Station Manager
Home base:
Atlantic City
Favorite thing about
her job: “I have a lot of
favorites: interacting
with customers, making
sure they get to their
fi nal destination and
being a team player.”
Must-visit place in
Atlantic City: Ripley’s
Believe It or Not!
Museum (www.
ripleysatlanticcity.com).
“They have 20,000
square feet of things
you’d never believe
could happen,” she
says. It counts a lock of
George Washington’s
hair and a 27-room
miniature wood-carved
castle among its
treasures.
Best place for the
kids to work off some
energy: “The Sun
National Bank Flyers
Skate Zone (http://
atlanticcity.fl yers
skatezone.com) off ers
public ice skating sessions
almost every day.”
TO LEARN more about what to do, where to
eat and where to shop in Atlantic City, turn
to page 108 in the Go Guides.