"Before casinos were in Tunica, the only gaming locations in the U.S. were in Nevada and New Jersey," says Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Tunica has grown exponentially since the first casino opened in 1992, the direct result of the gaming industry, agriculture, and the legacy of the Delta and the blues. A quick, affordable getaway for Memphis-area residents makes it an ideal spot for gaming enthusiasts. The current set-up of nine casinos helps to support and build the local community and surrounding areas by employing thousands of people, offering jobs with benefits.
"The gaming tax paid by Tunica's casinos has generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue directly to the state of Mississippi's general fund," says Franklin. "All employees who work for a casino in Tunica or the other jobs created because of the casinos provide millions in state income tax annually."
Besides the extensive opportunities for thrilling game play, the multimillion-dollar showrooms in Tunica put on headliners such as Reba McEntire, B.B. King, Chris Rock, and Kansas, presenting uniquely entertaining opportunities for Mid-Southerners.
Tunica has likewise become a hub for outdoor recreation. The Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club boasts a tournament-level championship golf course along with a premier tennis facility, complete with four indoor clay courts and a clubhouse, located in the heart of the casino resort area. Many exciting pro and amateur golf and tennis events are scheduled there throughout the year.
In addition, two magnificent golf courses are available at the resorts. The Links at Cottonwoods at Harrah's offer golfers gently rolling fairways with three lakes and 80 bunkers. The River Bend Links at Casino Strip Resorts is in the style of Scottish links, with undulating and curving patterns around strategic bunkers.
It's also worth noting the Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center, a beautiful, natural setting that yields to realistic, competitive skill shooting. And Tunica Cutoff Lake offers hunting and fishing year-round, and water skiing in the summer.
The history and geography of the area are marked by attractions like the Tunica River Park, which explores the legend and life of the Mighty Mississippi through the Mississippi River Museum, in addition to an outdoor observation platform, aquarium, and walking trails. Docked nearby is the Tunica Queen riverboat, touring daily.
The Tunica Museum has artifacts all the way back to the days of Spanish explorers, leading up to the heritage of the Delta blues and the arrival of Las Vegas-style gaming. The Mississippi Blues Trail actually begins on Highway 61 in Tunica, and the Gateway to the Blues Visitor Center currently under construction will house a blues museum.
In downtown Tunica, you'll find antiques and specialty shops in charming, turn-of-the-century buildings. It's a prime place for thorough entertainment.
Bally's Casino
1450 Bally Blvd.
Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-357-1500
Bally's has a convenient location, friendly staff, and relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for small business meetings or get-togethers.
240 Rooms
1,200 Slot Machines
40 Table Games
Full Workout Room
The Barn – Serves steaks, ribs, fantastic salads, appetizers, and delicious desserts.
Cornucopia Buffet – Asian, Tex-Mex, and Southern options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Sweets and Treats dessert station to top it off.
Silo Eatery – Casual dining with burgers, wraps, pizza, and pie.
Fitz Casino and Hotel
711 Lucky Lane
Robinsonville, MS 38664
1-800-766-5825
Recently renovated rooms and the casino floor, with a new lobby and live-action buffet.
500 Rooms
1,300 Slot Machines
40 Table Games
Indoor Pool
Don B's Steakhouse – In an atmosphere of casual elegance, this restaurant serves steak, seafood, and daily specialties.
Riverview Buffet – Brunch every day. Chop Stix, Texas Grill, Country Skillet, and Sweets on the menu, plus you can't beat Saturday's steak-and-crab buffet.
Gold Strike Casino Resort
1010 Casino Center Drive
Tunica Resorts, MS 38664
888-245-7529
Recently renovated rooms come with excellent service for guests and players alike. The resort also boasts a new high-limit room and redesigned buffet. The Millenium Theatre has spectacular shows, with a seating capacity of 800, and the Red Door Nightclub is open Fridays and Saturdays. The newly remodeled convention space offers 30,000 square feet of business services equipped with support staff. The Live Oak Ballroom and four auxiliary meeting rooms can accommodate any gathering.
1,160 Rooms
1,460 Slot Machines
40 Table Games
Indoor Pool
Spa with Jacuzzis
Golden Hearts Chapel
State-of-the-Art Workout Facility
The Atrium Café – All-American food, such as soup, salads, sandwiches, and scrumptious desserts, with breakfast served all day.
The Courtyard Buffet – Tender cuts of meat, made-to-order omelets, salad, and seafood. Friday- and Saturday-night steak and lobster buffet, and special Saturday and Sunday champagne brunch.
The Chicago Steakhouse – Traditional steakhouse fare with a contemporary twist.
Harrah's Tunica Hotel and Casino
13615 Old Highway 61 N.
Robinsonville, MS 38664
1-800-946-4946
All kinds of perks, with access to the Bellisimo Spa, Links at Cottonwoods Golf Course, and Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center. Harrah's accommodations span three hotels, and the recent $45 million renovation includes rooms, restaurants, and a new casino floor. The Grand Event Center seats over 2,500, while the Mid-South Convention Center has luxurious amenities in state-of-the-art facilities with full-service catering and convention staff, professional audio and internet equipment, boardrooms, and ballrooms.
1,356 Rooms
2,500 Slot Machines
81 Table Games
Indoor and Outdoor Pools and Jacuzzis
'37 Steakhouse – Fine, modern dining, perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic date. Plus, dining specials to save you money.
Cottonwoods Clubhouse Restaurant – Offers comfortable dining with a spectacular view of the fairways. Traditional American menu serves a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees.
Paula Deen Buffet – Country-fried recipes are sure to stuff you silly in the Queen of Southern Cuisine's famous upscale buffet.
Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar" & Grill – Live music every Wednesday through Saturday night, Whiskey Girls, guitar-shaped bar, VIP room, and "Toby" the mechanical bull makes this the best honky-tonk around. Think of it as Southern food, spirits, and nightly specials from a country superstar.
Hollywood Casino
1150 Casino Strip Resort Blvd.
Robinsonville, MS 38664
662-357-7700
A fun casino, brimming with the Mid-South's largest collection of authentic movie memorabilia, including such artifacts as the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future , and costumes from The Terminator and Forrest Gump . Hollywood provides access to the River Bend Links Golf Course and their buffet is newly renovated. The 14,000-square-foot ballroom just off the main casino seats up to 1,200 guests and includes catering service, with a variety of meeting packages available. Hollywood can also organize private slot tournaments or poker lessons for all types of events.
494 Rooms
1,600 Slots
35 Table Games
Indoor Pool with Hot Tub and Jacuzzi
Epic Buffet – Designed like a movie studio back lot, and featuring international, continental, and local food in a newly renovated eatery. Filet mignon and seafood feast Friday and Saturday nights and many special deals.
Fairbanks Steakhouse – Newly redesigned, this restaurant has delicious steaks on the new menu.
The Hollywood Diner – Flashback to the '50s for classic Americana and great food. A jukebox plays favorite oldies while booths have star themes a la Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.
Horseshoe Tunica
1021 Casino Center Dr.
Tunica Resorts, MS 38664
1-800-303-7463
Clean and classy Horseshoe features the Bluesville Showcase Nightclub's incredible live shows, and the Push Club's late-night action. Guests have access to the Bellisimo Spa, Links at Cottonwoods Golf Course, and Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center.
307 Suites
199 Deluxe Rooms
2,115 Slots
70 Table Games
Outdoor Pool
Full-Service Health Spa with Sauna and Steam Room
Jack Binion's Steakhouse – Offers the finest cuts of Midwestern on-the-bone steak prepared by talented chefs.
Village Square Buffet – Food destinations like China Town, Home Cookin', Hickory Grill, Rio Grill, Little Italy, and Sweet Temptations, this buffet also has a Friday night all-you-can-eat seafood special with crab legs and lobster.
Resorts Casino
1100 Casino Strip Blvd.
Tunica Resorts, MS 38664
662-363-7777
An attractive and comfortable place, Resorts offers free live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights at the Center Stage, as well as access to the River Bend Links Golf Course.
200 Rooms
1,400 Slots
21 Table Games
Big Burger – Casual dining with all-American favorites, and the challenge presented by the five-pound "Big Burger."
The Buffet at Resorts – This buffet serves fresh, hot food for lunch and dinner from a variety of flavors.
T.J.'s Steakhouse – The menu offers specialty beef and seafood selections paired with unique appetizers.
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
1477 Casino Strip Resorts Blvd.
Tunica Resorts, MS 38664
662-363-0711
An Old West-style resort, Sam's Town features renovated, exquisite rooms, and easy access to the River Bend Links Golf Course and Emporium Shoppes. Shows at the River Palace and Entertainment Center are hugely entertaining. The new conference area was designed to accommodate groups of up to 1,600 in a single room. The Delta Ballroom is elegant, yet functional, and the smaller Jackson Ballroom and meeting rooms are ideal for receptions and hospitality events alike.
1,076 Rooms
1,600 Slots
57 Table Games
Live Keno
Outdoor Pool with Jacuzzi
Exercise Facility with Dry and Wet Sauna and Steam Room
The Great Buffet Featuring Corky's BBQ – Asian, Italian, American, and seafood options are almost overshadowed by the lure of barbecue, and free beer and wine. The buffet also has homemade desserts complete with a chocolate dipping station.
Smokey Joe's Café – The café serves huge portions of country cooking in an assuredly friendly atmosphere.
Twain's Fine Dining – Featuring an extensive wine list and VIP dining room, Twain's has fantastic seafood, chicken, and specialties each night.
Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel
1107 Casino Center Dr.
Tunica Resorts, MS 38664
1-800-391-3777
The renovated casino floor is done in a Delta Blues theme, and the resort even maintains pool tables and a mechanical bull. Other amenities include the Radiance Fitness Center, Bellisimo Spa, and access to the Willows Sporting Clays and the Links at Cottonwoods, not to mention a Jacuzzi in every room.
130 Deluxe Suites
1,400 Slots
35 Table Games
Big Kitchen Buffet – Besides Southern, Italian, and Chinese food, this buffet features a great seafood spread and fresh salads. Specials include the Friday seafood extravaganza, and champagne brunch on Sunday.
The Range Steakhouse – Serving steak, seafood, dessert, and more, The Range dares you to take on the Detour Challenge (a steak, 12 eggs, and much more, all served on a shiny hubcap) to win $100 in free slot play.
