Travel Tips

If you’re merely willing to look, you’ll discover grand casino entertainment in virtually any neck of the United States, so stop worrying about that next big Las Vegas or Atlantic City getaway. Here we break down off-the-beaten-path casino options with hotel recommendations.

There are some parts of the Las Vegas experience that simply can’t be replaced: the abundance, the indulgence and the sheer spectacle to name a few. We wouldn’t think to discourage anyone from making that fateful trek to Sin City. It’s as much an American icon as New York, Los Angeles or Washington D.C.

However, travelers on the hunt for that casino experience should realize that you don’t have to go to Vegas, or even Reno or Atlantic City for that matter, to scratch that itch. Over half the country is within one hour’s drive of an Indian or traditional casino, an easy drive to make during an otherwise regular vacation. What’s more, because these erstwhile casinos lack the pomp and prestige of Vegas, you can usually have a great time for much less money, not counting gambling of course.

This article isn’t about casino vacations; it’s about fun vacations with maybe one day at the casino. As you’ll find, a vacation like that can be had just about anywhere. Casino and hotel recommendations will be made at each destination. Remember, unless you can get a comp or significant discount, never stay at the casino hotel where prices are often artificially trumped up. Biloxi, Mississippi Once a gambling Mecca in its own right, hard times have come to Biloxi in the wake of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. While restoration efforts continue to this day, one segment of the area that is back in full swing is the robust casino market, and there’s truly never been a better time to enjoy the Biloxi casino experience on the cheap. When the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino opened in Biloxi in 1999, it brought a sense of stateliness to the area echoed by Las Vegas’ own Bellagio or Wynn casinos.

When it re-opened in August of 2006, exactly one year after Hurricane Katrina, it came back stronger than ever, adding upscale restaurants, more gaming space and even an on-site golf course. Over 2,100 slot machines, 94 games tables and a vast poker room await you on the stylish casino floor, and we’re particularly fond of the BR Prime Steakhouse, provide you’ve got some winnings to blow.

For vacation rentals in Biloxi, Mississippi, consider the Ocean Club at Biloxi. It’s an upscale condo at affordable prices ideally-suited to extended stays. (Note: the Ocean Club at Biloxi is not a hotel, it offers condominium rentals). Scottsdale, Arizona This posh Phoenix suburb has flourished as of late into an upscale tourist town brimming with fine shopping, dining and entertainment, and when those three are on the bill, casinos are usually close behind. Scottsdale is, in fact, especially well-suited to this style of vacation because Phoenix offers so much entertainment itself, making it easy to spend just a day, or even less, at the casino before moving on to other diversions. Unless you are a lucky gambler, this certainly keeps the cost down.

Casino Arizona actually has two locations in Scottsdale (and they’re building a third), located on either side of the city along 101, and you could do well at either. We prefer the location at 101 and McKellips, because it’s the larger of the two and that means more variety in one place. 1,600 slot machines and an incredible 46 poker tables will keep you busy, but be sure to plan ahead and get tickets at one of their limited-seating shows. For a comfortable choice of Phoenix and Scottsdale hotels, consider the Embassy Suites Phoenix – Scottsdale. Tampa, Florida Even a city as unassuming as Tampa, Florida can bring big name casino entertainment, and what’s better, here you don’t even have to leave the city. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa provides an over-the-top Las Vegas-style experience with vast gaming floors and a stylish setting that you might expect to see on the strip. The casino features extensive accommodations to game-players of any preference, including 3200 slot machines and 17,000 square feet of table space, but the highlight of the gaming experience at the Hard Rock is definitely the poker. Fifty designated poker tables, with games ranging from 7-card stud to Texas Hold’em to Omaha, are available to satiate even the most voracious poker player. Enjoy 24-hour dining options as well.

For Tampa hotels, we like the Embassy Suites Tampa Airport Hotel. Detroit, Michigan There is this conception that Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City are the only major cities with casinos and that all
other resign there properties to the far outskirts or two Indian reservations. This is largely true, but not entirely true. Take Detroit, for example. Since October of last year, Detroit, Michigan has been home to a major resort casino, the MGM Grand Detroit, which is located near downtown and Comerica Park. You don’t have to drive an hour to get there. Depending on where you live, you may not have to drive five minutes. Like its cousin casino in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand Detroit is all about larger-than-life entertainment, be it on the casino floor, in one of the buzzing showrooms or at the sensational restaurants.

There’s even one by celebrity chef to the stars Wolfgang Puck, an icon in Las Vegas dining. This is, however, ultimately about the gaming, and the MGM Grand Detroit has got it covered. 4,000 slot machines, 90 table games, a high-end poker room – you won’t have any trouble. For Detroit area hotels, look into the Doubletree Hotel Detroit/Novi. West Palm Beach, Florida With sugar-white beaches, a tropical climate and splendorous sun nearly all year long, you wouldn’t think that a place like Singer Island and the Palm Beaches in Florida would have much need for casino entertainment, but the truth is that some people just don’t do beaches, and for them, a day or two over at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is just what the doctor ordered. One of the best things about Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and really all Florida casinos, is that they cater to a wide range of customers and offer a zero-attitude atmosphere.

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A stern departure from the miles and miles of Las Vegas swank, the Seminole offers cheaper games, like two-cent slot machines, that are ideal if you want to have a good time but don’t necessarily want to take a big risk. This idea even extends over to the table games where you’ll find $1 tables, a rarity among casinos nation-wide and a virtual impossibility in Vegas or Atlantic City. Like most smaller Indian casinos, the Seminole lacks the rich amenities of some others on this list, including big name shows and upscale restaurants. But for serious gamers, that’s just fine. For West Palm Beach hotels, we like the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront Resort. This list could go on and on, of course, but you get the idea. If you’re an anxious casinophile and are feeling stuck on another hum-drum vacation, just do a little research and keep your travel options open and you might find that a fun day trip isn’t that far away at all. Good luck.

By: Steven Mayo

Lodging links: vacation rentals in Biloxi, Mississippi, Tampa hotels, Detroit area hotels.

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