Top Things to do in Iowa
Top Hotels in Iowa
- 1. Des Lux Hotel
- 2. Stoney Creek Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
- 5. Drury Inn & Suites Iowa City Coralville
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Cedar Falls, IA
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA
- 8. Hotel Julien Dubuque
- 9. Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Forest City
- 10. Hotel Renovo
10 Casinos & Gambling in Iowa That You Shouldn't Miss
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Restaurants in Iowa
1. The Iowa Greyhound Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Live Greyhound racing May thru October each year. Full card simulcast racing from the top greyhound and thoroughbred tracks. Open Wednesday thru Sunday - May to October and Friday thru Sunday - October to May. Mutuel windows open at 10:30am each simulcast day.
Reviewed By CarlS2238
My wife and I took my sister-in-law who was visiting from Korea to Galena. We decided cross the Mississippi and to go to Dubuque. We took a wonderful horse drawn carriage historic tour. We later went to the Casino for awhile and then to watch the greyhound races. It was the first time we had ever been to see greyhound racing. I'm from Chicago so I've seen the various types of horse races. However, I was extremely surprised to find it SO EXCITING !!! We wagered on just about every race, and win or lose we were totally entertained. BTW: We all left winners ! WE WILL BE RETURNING OFTEN AND WILL BRING FRIENDS !!!!!!!!!
2. Prairie Meadows
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 290 reviews
Prairie Meadows is the premier destination for gaming and entertainment in the Midwest. With more than 85,000 square feet of casino action, we have every game you'll want to play this side of Vegas. Whether you enjoy the latest slot machine or your favorite table games, Prairie Meadows has everything you need to get your game on. Win place or show,there's nothing like the heart-pounding thrill of live racing on our one-mile racetrack. Join us for live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing June - October. It's pure excitement start to finish. Casino action, live horse racing, a variety of dining options and great entertainment are waiting for you at Prairie Meadows.
Reviewed By 648traceyg - Loranger, United States
Fun casino, very clean and they have a nonsmoking area!! Horse racing is a must watch if you go. Machines are not tight.
3. Horseshoe Council Bluffs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8,602 reviews
Reviewed By Anekuda - Bellevue, United States
Always a good time at Harrah's Council Bluffs wonderful variety of slot machines end table games complimentary beverages Players card is always a plus 24-hour dining on site the hotel is amazing
4. Hard Rock Casino Sioux City
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 690 reviews
Hard Rock Casino Sioux City is a fully-integrated gaming resort offering 850+ slot machines and 28 table games. The facility boasts the world-famous Rock Shop, a live-entertainment venue, Anthem, an outdoor event park, Battery Park, the World Tour Buffet, Main + Abbey restaurant, Fuel American Grill and various other food and beverage options. Recently added to the casino are high limit gaming options and the area's new Wine Bar. The award-winning property was named as one of the 10 Best U.S. Casinos by USA Today in 2017!
Reviewed By ManyMilesTraveled741 - Greenville, United States
We have stopped in here twice a year for the past 2 years. We never walk out without having won money and enjoying our visit. Plenty of great slot machines...some of the old favorites and lots of the newer ones too. Easy to get on and off freeway and plenty of parking across the street from casino within an easy walk. Always clean too with helpful staff.
5. Prairie Flower Casino
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
Owned and operated by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Prairie Flower Casino is located at 1031 Ave. H in Carter Lake, Iowa. This ideal location is just minutes north of the famed Old Market area of downtown Omaha and just south of Eppley Airfield. You're sure to love Prairie Flower Casino's friendly staff and clean facility, but most of all you'll love playing and winning here!
6. Ameristar Casino Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 235 reviews
Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs features 160 luxurious rooms that are tastefully decorated, many of which include panoramic views of the Missouri River. Ameristar Council Bluffs is proud to boast the largest riverboat casino in Iowa. This 38,500-square-feet casino in Council Bluffs includes a selection of popular slot and table games. Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs includes four dining options, a supervised kids activity center, video game arcade and an indoor swimming pool.
Reviewed By cheetahwind
Love the buffet, something about a AAA 4 diamond buffet always keeps a person interested. The sports bar has a nice selection of drinks, appetizers, and food as well. The rooms are nice and spacious and have that upgraded feel to them. The casino has plenty of selection of slots from the newest to some of the older style slots as well. I was a bit disappointed that there was a lack of a high roller blackjack option available on a Friday night. That was one of the perks of this place was they always had a separate pit for the high rollers. Yet I'm guessing this isn't the case anymore since they've introduced bacarrat. Otherwise the casino is nice, slots play just fine, the free drinks while playing tables is a perk. The only other downside is the fact you have to put 1,000 points on your card before you can redeem anything.
7. Harrah's Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 525 reviews
Las Vegas-style casino boasts more than 25 first-place awards from Casino Player Magazine including Best Casino, Best Video Poker and Best Slot Club.
Reviewed By arlenew232
Harrah Casino is really a fun casino with a good variety of games; You will enjoy the Casino; and the Buffet is excellent as is the small cafe and the Excellent dining at the 360 Steakhouse!! Very friendly staff and comfortable beds; enjoy you visit; we will be going again this spring and summer
8. Meskwaki Bingo & Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By BikeHawk - Sioux City, United States
Meskwaki is a very large casino with a nice newly reconstructed hotel. Since casinos in Iowa reopened in June the Native American owned casinos opened smoke free, a big plus in our opinion. The casino has a mask mandate and takes temperature scans at the entrances. Cleaning crews seemed constantly wiping down surfaces. The slots are MUCH cleaner than other casinos without ashtrays and ashes and the customers are not continually pulling down their masks to smoke their by touching their mouths and then the machines. This casino also has a greater variety of slots than most, if not all, other Iowa casinos.
9. WinnaVegas Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 75 reviews
Popular gaming complex offers a full range of gaming from live action table games and poker to the latest in reel and video slot machines.
Reviewed By 412robynd
WinnaVegas has a great buffet !On the weekends, You can eat Yourself sick on crab legs ! Then wonder over to the casino and play slots or table games. We go at least once a month. I am taking my Husband for his 60th birthday this weekend. I told Him to pick anywhere he wanted to go, and he picked WinnaVegas !
10. Casino Queen Marquette
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 104 reviews
At Lady Luck Casino Marquette we mix great gaming action with the down-home service of a small town. With approximately 500 slot machines, 8 table games, savory dining options, and a smoke-free environment on the first deck of the casino, the excitement awaits! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Reviewed By knutson2016 - Franklin, United States
Enjoyed this casino even though it was far smaller than we're use to. Someone in our group did win a jackpot as her birthday wish so that was an added bonus. We found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. Food at the buffet was your normal buffet food but no complaints.
