Riverboat casinos are a great way to bring some old school charm to life. When this style of gaming industry started, they were the only places to gamble outside of Vegas and Atlantic City. They were a way for states to bring in income, but if they were restricted to the waterways as it was believed to keep the “riff-raff” out of the cities. Today, opinions have changed and now, these fun boats represent one of the fast growing ways to enjoy an evening out. William Bailey invites you to take a look at a few of the best in the U.S.
Ameristar Council Bluffs
This paddlewheel riverboat is huge and is roughly 38,000 square feet. It has three levels has 1,651 slot machines and 31 gaming tables. That’s just on the boat. The adjacent complex on the shore features fabulous restaurants, a hotel with 160 rooms 32 of which have king whirlpool rooms and offer great views of the river. The complex also features entertainment with two cabaret bars at headliners at their Amerisports Bar. You get all the creature comforts of a big casino and the nostalgia of a riverboat.
Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Harrah’s Council Bluffs is a three deck paddlewheel casino and is considered one of the best riverboat casinos in Iowa with over 1,000 slots and 35 gaming tables. Like the Ameristar, it is also adjacent to a complex that features a 240 room hotel. The restaurants are stellar and you can choose from fine dining fare at 360 Steakhouse or the nostalgic fare at Ace’s Diner which is a 50’s style classic diner. If you’re looking to put on your dancing shoes head over to the popular nightclub called Stir.
Harrah’s Joliet
Harrah’s Joliet is a mere 30 miles from Chicago, so if you’re in the city and feeling a need to gamble, you don’t have far to go. It is located on a barge that is docked on the Des Plaines River. It was formerly two riverboats that were linked by a barge but has been remodeled into a single level Vegas style casino. It offers shore side facilities that include a luxury hotel with a top of the notch fitness center.
Riverboat style gaming is a great way to see the states and to step back a bit in time. You won’t have the number of facilities to choose from as you would in Vegas or Atlantic City, but they do offer their own unique variety of fun, and hopefully a little luck.
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