SLOT ZONE
Great casino getaways for slot players
By Karrie L. Zukowski
Just about anywhere you live, there are great casinos within driving distance. Here are a handful of our favorite places to play that are prefect for a quick daytrip or that warm weather casino getaway.
COUSHATTA CASINO RESORT – Kinder, Louisiana
Step into a world of glitz, gaming, and Southern hospitality at the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, Louisiana. From slots to table games to championship golf, this property has something for everyone – including some of the loosest slots in the region, as certified by Strictly Slots magazine.
A premier casino destination, this property is owned by the Coushatta Tribe and features 100,000 square feet of casino space with 2,800 slots and more than 70 table games. Opened in 1995, Coushatta caters to both Louisianans and Texans across the border. Table game offerings include blackjack, roulette, craps (with 20x odds), pai gow poker, three-card poker, and more. The 20-table poker room offers plenty of action including numerous games, stakes, promotions, and tournaments. Need even more action? Head to the off-track betting or bingo pavilion Wednesday through Sunday for big fun and shot at big bucks.
Coushatta also offers the best in dining and lodging options. For a flavorful steak, visit the Big Sky Steakhouse or for some great Louisiana seafood like gumbos, oysters on the half shell, or fried seafood dishes, Gumbeaux’s Oyster & Sports Bar fits the bill perfectly. With seven more restaurants and bars, there is something for every appetite.
For an overnight or weekend stay, Coushatta has many options. Top of the list is the Grand Hotel. Coushatta’s flagship luxury hotel, The Grand Hotel has been completely renovated into an adult-exclusive property reserved for guests ages 21 and up, offering you a relaxing and refreshing escape. You’re also connected to the region’s largest gaming floor so you don’t have far to go to get in on the action.
Other options include the fashionable and comfortable suites at Seven Clans Hotel or the deluxe lakefront RV and chalet resort at Red Shoes Park. For the golf enthusiast, the Koasati Pines golf course is located in the area’s natural wetlands surrounded by magnificent pines and huge live oaks and offers a brilliant 18-hole, par 72 layout. And for entertainment, check out national touring acts at The Pavilion as well as live music and dancing at the Mikko Live. Grab a bowl of gumbo and bring your lucky charm!
From the certified loose slot machines to the tables to the eateries to some after-hours fun, Coushatta makes for a great getaway. Load up the golf clubs or just bring some positivity for the casino floor for some fun times. Hopefully some big luck follows you to those loose slot machines. For more information, visit www.CoushattaCasinoResort.com.
ROCKY GAP CASINO RESORT – Flintstone, Maryland
Whether you enjoy the soothing tranquility of the great outdoors, or prefer to ramp up the excitement to a fevered pitch, Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone will help create your perfect Maryland getaway. Tap into your luck at the casino, grab a bite to eat with friends or hit a round of golf—Rocky Gap is designed to please.
From lush views to lavish details, the Rocky Gap Casino Resort hotel turns weekend getaways into lasting memories. Resort amenities include a casino floor featuring over 600 of the latest slot machines, blackjack, craps and roulette, four different restaurants, a bar and Event Center. Imagine yourself recharging in your suite overlooking the breathtaking view of the mountains and lake.
With summer just around the corner, plan to make your stay at Rocky Gap a true adventure by taking part in any of the numerous onsite activities including: canoe, kayak, peddle pontoon boat and Yolo Board rentals.
If you’ve got a touch of the angler’s spirit, the adjacent Mountain Lake has a large number of largemouth bass—with some lunkers weighing in at over 10 pounds. The lake also supports smallmouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish and trout. A wide variety of fishing poles, bait and tackle are offered for hourly rental.
Such an amazing property certainly must have equally amazing restaurants. Have no fear—Rocky Gap doesn’t disappoint when it comes to getting your feast on. Choose your preferred dining destination—all are terrific—and let them fill your visit with flavor. Here are some of our favorites.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort hotel turns weekend getaways into lasting memories.
Lakeside Restaurant. Enjoy casual dining with flair. Lakeside Restaurant offers you affordable and stylish buffet dining with a breathtaking lake view, prime rib, chicken, seafood and more.
Signatures Bar and Grill. Signature’s has it all, live entertainment, great views, relaxing atmosphere, premium sports viewing on a multi-screen TV wall, so grab a chair and get comfortable because fresh food and high spirits are on the way!
LB’s Place. With fantastic salad bowls, flat breads, signature burgers and delicious
Maryland Crab, LB’s is one of Western Maryland’s best casual dining restaurants! Enjoy a full bar with a well suited wine list and during the warmer months, enjoy outside seating with a beautiful lakeside view.
For the ultimate in relaxation, treat your body and mind to a rejuvenating session at The Spa at Rocky Gap Casino Resort. Pamper yourself with a wide variety of services specific to women and men of all ages. Services include massages, soothing skin care facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures.
Finally, during your stay enjoy exclusive access to Maryland’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Nestled in the foothills of the ageless Appalachian Mountains, the scenic vistas and shimmering lake offer the perfect backdrop for a round of golf with friends. For more information, visit www.rockygapresort.com.
STRATOSPHERE CASINO,HOTEL & TOWER – Las Vegas, Nevada
The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel &Tower rises above the Las Vegas scene as the north Strip’s iconic resort. The 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and offers guests a variety of attractions.
True garners have a home at the Stratosphere. The resort’s 80,000 square-foot casino won the 30 awards in the 2017 Best of Las Vegas contest, the most of any Strip resort property. Honors included the gold prize for Best Player’s/Loyalty Club, Best Strip Slot Machines, Best Strip Table Games, Best Sports Book, Best Hotel, and Best Valet.
The Stratosphere wasn’t just a winner in the “Best of Las Vegas” for gaming. Top of the World won six awards, including Best Fine Dining and Best View. 107 SkyLounge earned awards for Best Cocktail Bar, Best Happy Hour, Best Martini, and Best Specialty Cocktails.
The Stratosphere offers players the latest popular and themed table games. Slot machine players will enjoy playing popular new games, including “Dragon Spin,” “Jackpot Factory” “Lucky Big Wheel,” and “Lucky Larry’s Lobsterman 3.”
Slot machine players and table game players are recognized and rewarded for their play. Benefits include restaurant and show discounts, every day point multipliers, “follow me” points, hotel room upgrades, VIP services, dividends, host services, prize giveaways, cash drawings and special invitations to exclusive VIP events and tournaments. Throughout the year, the Stratosphere hosts exciting casino promotions and invitational tournaments for VIP players.
One-of-a-kind views of the city can be witnessed from the Tower’s 360-degree indoor viewing area and the outdoor observation decks. Thrill seekers can test their courage through the SlcyJump Las Vegas, and the Tower’s three rides: Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity. For a unique and ultimate night out, the Top of the World restaurant and 107 SkyLounge are considered among the city’s finest locations.
The hotel features 2,427 guest rooms and suites with a choice of uniquely themed restaurants. The Stratosphere proudly offers MJ LIVE, the world’s most successful Michael Jackson tribute show and L.A. Comedy Club, featuring the hottest up-and-coming stand-up comics.
For more information, visit: StratosphereHotel.com or call 1-800-99 TOWER.
TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO – Verona, New York
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience the incredible Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, this summer is the perfect time to plan your visit. The world-class destination resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of not-to-be-missed special events.
The only resort in the entire Northeast to earn three Forbes Four-Star Awards and three AAA Four Diamond awards, Turning Stone has long been renowned for the diverse array of entertainment and leisure opportunities it provides. With four hotels, two luxurious spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, an all-new 125,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom, a 5,000-seat arena, and several nightlife venues with live entertainment every weekend, there is truly something for everyone at Turning Stone.
The most discerning guests will adore The Lodge, an Adirondack style all-suite hotel, which provides a tranquil setting just steps away from the resort’s excitement. Inside this luxury venue are Wildflowers, lauded among the five best restaurants in Upstate New York, and Skana: spa, where soothing treatments with American Indian cultural themes create the most luxuriously unique spa experience.
Include a trip to the resort’s three championship-level 18-hole golf courses, recognized by Golf Digest, Golfweek and other leading publications as among the best in the country, as well as its two nine-hole courses and expansive indoor Golf Dome, and your lavish getaway is complete.
Yet, with 25 years of experience in creating magical visitor experiences, Turning Stone also continues to remain the newest gaming and resort destination thanks to its commitment to continually evolving and enhancing its amenities.
A recent $20-million-dollar investment further enhanced the resort’s already exceptional guest experience. Extensive upgrades included an all-new contemporary-style gaming floor with both smoke-free and smoker-friendly facilities, the addition of Noodle Noodle, an authentic noodle bowl restaurant and an all-new Food Hall with six new fast casual restaurants with a wide-variety of menu choices, and a floor-by-floor remodel of The Tower, a AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel, with a fresh rustic-contemporary design and an entire floor of hypo-allergenic guest rooms.
Only a few years before these most recent renovations, Turning Stone unveiled a $25 million, multi-venue entertainment complex dubbed “Exit 33.” The first facility of its kind in Upstate New York, “Exit 33” has become a destination unto itself, with four unique venues all under one roof, offering nightlife and dining choices with distinctly different themes.
With fantastic amenities like these around every corner, it’s clear to see why Turning Stone and its 4.5 million annual guests have enjoyed 25 wonderful years of success. Schedule your visit for this summer and experience the enchanting destination for yourself.
For more information about all that Turning Stone has to offer visit www.turningstone.com.
FIREKEEPERS CASINO HOTEL – Battle Creek, Michigan
FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan is the quintessential gaming destination. It features a 111,700-square foot gaming floor with over 2,900 slot machines, 70 table games, a 14-table non-smoking poker room and bingo room. FireKeepers offers six distinctive dining destinations, multiple lounges and a multi-purpose event center. Also boasting eight-stories and a Four Diamond rating, FireKeepers hotel has 243 stylishly designed rooms and 26 suites, fully accessorized with all the high-end amenities you need to make any stay a night to remember.
Whether you want to do it up, do it all or simply do nothing, the ideal getaway starts with the perfect accommodations. Guests can enjoy upscale room choices in four distinct styles. The Classic Room/King Studio offers two queen-sized beds or one king bed in an environment that abounds with classic touches. Step up to the Deluxe Suite, a fabulously spacious suite with separate sitting area, king-sized bed and a sizeable bathroom with an expansive shower and indulgent Jacuzzi tub. If you are looking to bring the heat to your next stay, consider the Fireside Suite with its beautiful fireplace. For the ultimate in exclusivity, there is a pair of Presidential Suites, where you experience a modern living room, full kitchen, a granite wet bar, spectacular bathroom and the type of executive privilege only a rare few can attain.
Get ready to turn the world off and get your game on. From penny slots to the latest progressive options, all the favorite slots are at your fingertips. And be sure to become a Red Hot Rewards Club member, so you can start enjoying the benefits and discounts right away.
What beats the thrill of a dealer flipping a jack right onto your ace? Or when the roulette ball falls exactly on your number? With over 70 live table games, this kind of excitement can happen at any moment. There are new non-smoking tables as well. Games like blackjack, Mississippi stud and Ultimate Texas hold’em are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Poker Room!
And for you high rollers, check out the Aurora High-Limit Lounge. It’s a private haven for the Sizzlin’, Blazin’ and Inferno members, featuring a wide selection of high limit slots and table games. With exclusive amenities like a fireplace lounge and a deliciously delightful menu prepared just for you.
Did somebody mention food? No trip would be complete without trying any one of the delectable dining options. Here’s a quick overview of a few of the favorites.
SMOKE ‘N FIRE: Smoke ‘N Fire is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu pops with classic American fare accented with delicious BBQ undertones.
NIBI: From the minute you enter FireKeepers’ signature restaurant you know you’re in for one unrivaled dining experience. From the gorgeous fresh seafood to the thick, juicy rib-eyes, this is the spot where great meals, good friends and unforgettable nights come together.
MIJEM BUFFET: Enjoy an endless variety of the freshest hot and cold dishes featuring a tempting array of international favorites. Top it off with a visit to the dessert bar with its ever-flowing chocolate fountain.
The Hotel Lobby Bar has the best seat in the house to enjoy a refreshing cocktail and watch the world go by. Enjoy food and drink specials during Happy Hour, as well as a full Smoke n’ Fire restaurant menu. And you’ll always find a seat smack in the middle of the action at Dacey’s Taphouse, Battle Creek’s newest craft beer experience. 50 taps. Big-screen TVs. An expanded menu. And a completely new space, floor to ceiling, with its own dedicated entrance. You’re going to love this place!
Headline entertainment, live music, popular DJ’s and big screen sporting events, keep the excitement going. At the Event Center, you can see big name entertainment like Masters Of Illusion, March 15 and Peter Frampton, March 30. For more information visit www.FireKeepersCasinoHotel.com.
SNOQUALMIE CASINO – Snowqualmie, Washington
High above the Seattle city lights and situated among natural surroundings with majestic views of the Cascade Mountains, Snoqualmie Casino in Washington offers visitors a first-class getaway with all of the best amenities, focusing the perfect blend of Vegas-style gaming and entertainment coupled with the warmth of a Northwest flare. It features fast-paced thrills on the gaming floor, upscale lounges and bars, top-tier talent performances in two concert venues, exceptional restaurants, and hospitality that’s beyond compare.
When it comes to gambling, there’s plenty of variety to appease any player. Their 1,700 dazzling slot machines include all of the tried and true favorites, along with a wide assortment the hottest new machines. Table game enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either with 54 classic gaming tables to choose from. Whether it’s blackjack or craps, Spanish 21, roulette, baccarat or fortune pai gow, you will always leave with a story. Card sharks can sharpen their teeth at one of the five tables in the classic Poker room, which features a selection of fixed limit, no-limit and pot-limit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Snoqualmie also has a full schedule of daily no-limit hold’em tournaments. They’re always action-packed and exciting to play.
And as most gamblers know, it’s best not to play on an empty stomach. Vista Prime Steaks & Seafood is Snoqualmie
Casino’s newest enhanced Northwest-inspired dining experience. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Snoqualmie Valley, Vista delivers a meal to remember with exceptional regional favorites and classic steak-house fare served with a modern twist. Guests will delight in a captivating atmosphere complete with sensational table-side service sure to elevate a night of dining and entertainment.
The 12 Moons restaurant has a menu as unique as the casino’s location. Highlights include freshly roasted duck in a custom duck oven, wok-fired specialties from around the world and an elegant, 13- seat sushi bar serving up the freshest cuts of the day.
But if you are on a hot streak and can only spare a few minutes, there are casual dining options that allow you to get back to the gaming floor quickly. The two top picks are the Falls Buffet, offering five action stations of world-class comfort food with favorite dishes such as King Crab, Prime Rib and Dim Sum, and the Sno Deli which offers top notch sandwiches when time is of the essence.
Don’t forget to stop and catch your breath by enjoying your favorite cocktails at one of the local watering holes. The Mist Bar has the games, the food and all of the libations to keep your night going strong. Mist bartenders are waiting to serve-up a great selection of the Northwest’s famous craft beers along with a rotating menu of seasonal cocktails made to order. Or check out the 12 Moons Asian
Lounge to add some “smooth” to your supper. This classic piano bar features live music, tapas and finely crafted cocktails. And last, but by no means least, the Vista Bar features incredible views, an exquisite seasonal menu and vast selection of amazing wines.
For non-gaming entertainment, Snoqualmie Casino has a renowned concert venue. The 1,200-seat indoor ballroom hosts big-name country, rock, jazz and comedy acts. Upcoming shows include Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, May 5; Little River Band, May 18; Kansas, May 27,Ann Wilson, July 6; Air Supply, July 7, Skid Row, July 13 and Trace Adkins, July 21. Tickets and show information are available at www.snocasino.comientertainment.
For more information, visit www.snocasino.com and be sure to follow them on Facebook,
