Casinos are magical places. They are full of lights, sounds, people, and excitement. They compete to offer the best customer services and great experiences for their customers. And there are now many casinos across the country so we have a lot of options to choose from. Having stopped at a few roadside casinos, I know what it feels like to walk into a dreary small place and think, “This is nothing like Vegas.”
But are there really any casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City that are like the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City? I believe there are. And you can find them.
Now I am not suggesting you can enjoy the full Vegas experience outside of Vegas. I just mean there are some really big, really nice casinos spread across the country.
So here are ways I have used to decide which casinos to visit with my family:
Choose a Casino with a Dedicated Website
If a casino wants to get information out to the public it needs a Website. You should be able to learn how many games the casino offers, whether it is part of a hotel or close to a hotel, what the hotel accommodations are like, and what dining options are available.
Children may not be permitted in the gaming areas but some larger casinos allow families to dine in their nice restaurants.
A good casino may be adjoined to a family-friendly hotel that offers plenty of things for the kids to do. But your casino road trip should not be all about gambling.
Look for Family Attractions That are Close By
I like to visit theme parks and theaters that are within 15-30 minutes’ driving distance of casinos. The closer the better. I also want access to local shopping outlets that sell “in state” products like local foods, local handicrafts, souvenirs, etc.
A large casino may be located on a Native American reservation but still within short driving distance of a major city. In this case, do some research to decide which hotels in the area are best (and affordable) and whether you can enjoy fine dining near the hotel and/or casino.
Look for Casinos Located Near Interstate Highways
I prefer easy access to the casinos I visit because there may be a lot of traffic near them and I don’t like sitting in traffic, especially with hot, hungry, bored kids in the back seat.
A casino that can be quickly reached from an Interstate highway is also going to be located near important road stops such as gas stations, convenience stores, and repair shops. You never know when you will have car trouble on the road trip.
Look for Reviews of Casinos by People Who Have Played at Them
It’s not easy to find good casino reviews. A lot of them look pretty awful to me. But maybe there are some good consumer reviews on Yelp and Expedia.
Budget for Each Casino
You are not going to get rich by gambling and so you should never walk into a casino with all your money. After all they are designed to deprive you of that money. Check out some of the mistakes that gamblers make so that you don’t repeat them yourself. You should also study the kinds of strategies you can use to win at games like blackjack.
But if you know you are planning to visit several casinos then plan ahead and allocate a fixed amount of money for each one. I promise myself I will only spend $200 in a casino. When that money is gone I am done.
My gambling sometimes pays off and I leave the casino with a few hundred more dollars than I started with. I save that money for the kids.
And that reminds me: budget your time in each casino, too. It’s very easy to lose track of the time. You can use your smart phone to schedule alerts so that you know when you have to leave, even if you feel like you are “hot”.
Finally, Look for Travel Tips on the Web
You don’t have to rely just on my own site. You should also be looking at Websites that offer road trip travel ideas and consumer travel tips in general.
Remember, this is all about having fun. Find places where you can do things with your family. Don’t just split up and have each person go their own way, or park the kids in daycare. The casinos will always be there. Your family may not be.
Travel safely.