All In: The 9 Best Casino Road Trips in the U.S.
Photo by Reeder Studios, LLC / Alamy. Design by Erik Mace for Yahoo Travel.
Not satisfied with typical boring drives that end at a single casino or casino town?
Yahoo Travel went in search of weekend-worthy road trips that just happen to include some of the country’s hottest casinos. We looked for scenery, bonus activities, and attractions to round out the trip. Here’s our list to help you hit the road and let it ride!
Mohegan Sun to Foxwoods
Take the scenic route from Mohegan to Foxwoods and stop at the charming waterfront town of Mystic, Conn. (Photo: iStock)
These two mega casino resorts are only about nine miles apart — hardly an epic road trip. The goal though, is to enjoy one casino, take the scenic route to the coast through Mystic, then end the trip at the other casino. Mohegan Sun has three distinct casinos, a spa, golf, and multiple entertainment venues. In addition to having one of the largest casino floors in the world, Foxwood’s Resort Casino encompasses more than 8 million square feet of hotel, entertainment options, dining, and shopping. Your road trip break between casinos might include Mystic Seaport, a beach stop, or even a fishing charter.
Sands Bethlehem to Mt. Airy
Cruise alongside the Delaware River as you gamble your way through the Poconos. (Photo: iStock)
This trip takes you from the industrial Lehigh Valley to the peaceful Poconos. Get off the main roads and meander along with the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border. Venture into the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area before heading north into the mountains. The casinos match the change in scenery. The Sands feels high-tech and urban, while Mt. Airy is a mountain lodge decked in neon. Both offer fine dining and entertainment in addition to the gaming.
Mississippi Gulf Coast: The Golden Nugget to the Silver Slipper
Biloxi combines Vegas-quality casinos with beautiful beaches. (Photo: iStock)
If not for the beaches, you could almost imagine yourself in Vegas along some stretches of the coast. You can eat, shop, and play your way along forty miles of fun. The Golden Nugget has a new casino, a Morton’s Steakhouse, and a pool with daybeds in it! The Silver Slipper tops that with a beach-front RV park.
Related: The 30 Worst Decisions You Can Make in a Casino
Argosy to Horseshoe Council Bluffs
Enjoy the open road as you drive through almost 200 miles of sprawling prairies. (Photo: iStock)
The Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa is one of the top-rated luxury hotels in Kansas City, boasting five dining venues. The journey north to Omaha’s Horseshoe at Council Bluffs hotel and casino is 177 miles of rolling prairie, paralleling the longest river in North America — the Missouri. Travel through St. Joseph, with maybe a stop at the St. Jo Frontier Casino.
Oklahoma Windstar to Riverwind
Live big: visit both the country’s largest casino and one of its largest lakes all in one trip. (Photo: Reed George/Flickr)
It may be hard to believe, but the largest casino in the country is in Oklahoma. Winstar World Casino has an incredible 519,000 square feet of gambling floor, golf, spa, sixteen dining options, and of course, a massive hotel complex. If you can pry yourself away from the casino, nearby Lake Texoma is one of the largest lakes in the country and worth a side trip before heading north through the rolling hills toward Norman and the more intimate Riverwind Casino.
Cripple Creek to Black Hawk
Explore two classic mining towns turned gambling meccas against a stunning backdrop of mountain scenery. (Photo: Kent Kanouse/Flickr)
You can almost hear the clinking of spurs as you walk the streets of these two gold rush towns in the mountains of Colorado. Cripple Creek has fourteen casinos, many in buildings restored to their original Western glory. Blackhawk boasts sixteen casinos with the mountains as a backdrop. The scenic route between these two towns is through the front range of the Rockies, and involves mountain roads with hairpin turns. If you are faint of heart, try using I-25 between Colorado Springs and Denver for the bulk of the journey.
Rapid City to Deadwood
See if luck is on your side as you play the slots and roll the dice in the historic saloons of Deadwood. (Photo: iStock)
This trip is perfect for both the casino lover and the western history buff. Rapid City is flush with gaming rooms, as is I-90 headed toward Deadwood. Once you have played a hand of cards in a Deadwood saloon, don’t forget to detour to see Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
Related: Where to Eat with the High-Rollers: World’s Best Casino Restaurants
Reno to Carson City to Lake Tahoe
The triple threat: from Reno to Tahoe with a stopover at the iconic Carson City Nugget. (Photo: Carson City Nugget)
If scenery is what you want between casinos, this trip is perfect. The rugged mountains and valleys of western Nevada connect the bustling towns of Reno and Carson City with the mountain resort area surrounding Lake Tahoe. Reno offers big-name gaming options like Atlantis Resort Casino and Harrah’s, while Carson City has smaller options like the Carson City Nugget. On the lakeshore, try your luck at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Skagit Valley to Suquamish
Enjoy the beautiful Northern Washington scenery as you drive through Fidalgo Island, over the Deception Pass Bridge, and then down Whidbey. (Photo: Dave Lichterman/Flickr)
Leave your expectations of bright lights and glitz behind on this road trip through Northern Washington’s tribal casinos. Instead, come looking for the scenic beauty of waterfront communities and menus loaded with seafood. Skagit Valley Casino Resort offers a simple approach, combining gaming with good food and top-level entertainment. Try the Swinomish Casino and Lodge for breathtaking waterfront views. Take a break from the slots with a trip down Whidbey Island, hopping the ferry over to Port Townsend before ending your journey at the peaceful Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.
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