- The KC Casino located just off I-70 has over 500 slots, keno, video poker, and more.
- Ameristar Kansas City has more than 2,000 slot machines, plus great dining options like Aquarium Restaurant.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kansas City is one of the best places to play, eat, and stay in Missouri.
Highway 75 stretches from the Texas Panhandle all the way up to the Minnesota River. If you’re looking for road trip ideas, the stretch that runs through Oklahoma and Missouri offers a ton of great casinos worth stopping at.
Whether you are looking for slots or tables games, these OK and MO casinos have got you covered. They also offer some fantastic restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and even an aquarium!
If you’re planning a road trip along this part of Historic Route 66, be sure to make a few stops at some of these awesome casinos. I’ll also include a few bonuses just off Highway 75 that are definitely worth the short detour.
1. Downstream Casino Resort
If you’re starting your Road to Midnight journey from the west, the first casino you will come across is Downstream Casino Resort. This property straddles the boundary between Kansas and Oklahoma, with one foot in each state.
Ways to Find a Legit Online Casino in 2023This large Native American casino offers tons of slot machines, electronic table games, live table games, a poker room, high-limit gaming, and a bingo hall. Even the most discerning gambler should find plenty to enjoy here.
Downstream also features several good dining options, including three buffets. You can load up on all your favorites and snacks for later, as they can come in handy when you’re hitting the road again. Their onsite deli offers gourmet sandwiches, salads, pastries, and specialty coffee drinks, which makes it perfect for a quick bite before hopping back on .
This casino resort also provides comfortable hotel rooms and a range of entertainment options, such as live music events and comedy shows. Their luxurious spa offers a wide variety of treatments and services for men and women. There’s also a full-service fitness center if you feel like working up a sweat.
2. Cherokee Casino & Hotel Ramona
Just a couple of miles down the road is the Cherokee Casino & Hotel Ramona. This property recently underwent a major expansion and renovation, adding lots of new slot machines and other gaming options. It also has a new hotel tower, bringing its total number of rooms up to 200.
You can break up your road trip by taking advantage of their many amenities. Enjoy a soak in the hot tub, get a massage, work out in the fitness center, or take a dip in the indoor pool.
The concierge can help you book tee times at the nearby golf courses or reserve tickets for one of the many shows and attractions in the surrounding area.
Ways You Can Win More Money Gambling (That Won't Involve a Genie)When you’re ready to hit the open road once again, stop by the Wags & Whiskers Café for a quick bite. As you might have guessed from the name, this eatery is themed after cats and dogs. It serves breakfast 24/7, so you can grab a stack of hotcakes whenever the urge strikes.
3. Cherokee Casino Sallee
The next casino you’ll encounter driving east on Historic Route 66 is the Cherokee Casino Sallee. Although this venue is small by modern standards, it still offers all your favorite classics.
They feature hundreds of hot drops slot machines that drop jackpots every hour, as well as electronic roulette and video poker. You can earn even more rewards by joining the Absolute Rewards program.
Thirsty Valley Bar & Grill serves up delicious pub fare and refreshing beverages. In addition to tasty grub and frosty brews, they also show all the big sports events on their many TVs.
Once you’ve had your fill, check out their game room for a chance to win big prizes. You can shoot for the stars in the Strike Zone, test your aim in the Dart Arena, or try your luck in the Golden Mug.
4. Wolf Creek Casino & Lodge
As you travel farther along the historic route, the next place you ought to pull over is Wolf Creek Casino & Lodge. This large establishment offers all the games you want, such as , high-stakes machines, and electronic roulette. They also provide live table games where you can enjoy blackjack, mini-baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and more.
Wolf Creek Casino & Lodge offers four excellent dining establishments to satisfy any appetite.
Hollows Pub serves up delicious comfort food and ice-cold beer. If you’re eager to try some local cuisine while on your trip, head over to Kan-I-Ka Winangi (“where the buffalo burn” in Osage). Here, you can feast on succulent steaks, fresh seafood, and other hearty dishes.
You can pick up some sandwiches, salads, and snacks at the Deli & Marketplace to go or enjoy on the casino floor. For a fine dining experience, check out the Wild Game Restaurant, which serves mouthwatering creations made with unique wild game ingredients.
After a long day of driving and gaming, you can retire to one of their beautifully appointed lodge rooms or suites. All accommodations feature premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, cozy chairs, and free WiFi. Some even have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.
Florida Casino Road Trips To Get You Out of DodgeSpeaking of whirlpools, Wolf Creek Casino & Lodge has a wonderful hot springs spa where you can unwind in natural mineral waters. They also provide a full fitness center, so you can stick to your exercise routine while on vacation.
Other amenities include a gift shop, an arcade, live entertainment, and an outdoor amphitheater that hosts the Summer Concert Series.
5. The KC Casino
Now, you will leave Oklahoma and enter Missouri. A good place to stop here is the KC Casino, situated right off I-70. While it’s not actually in Kansas City, it’s close enough that they gave it that name anyway.
Although this casino is small compared to others in the region, it still packs quite a punch. The KC Casino features dozens of hot drops progressive jackpot slots, electronic keno machines, video poker banks, and more.
You can earn points playing these games that you can exchange for discounts at the gift shop and restaurant, as well as entry into various drawings and giveaways. Speaking of the eatery, they serve up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
In addition to the onsite café, this casino is surrounded by lots of good dining and entertainment options in the greater Kansas City metro area.
Check out the Legends Outlets Kansas City for some retail therapy. This attractive outdoor mall features dozens of top brands, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Real Money Online Casinos That Offer Free Bonuses for 2023Another must-see attraction is Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium, located inside the Legends outlets. You can see a huge variety of marine life up close, including sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, colorful fish, and jellyfish.
If you really love the aquarium, consider staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel Kansas City. This fun family lodging option features bright red roofs shaped like giant LEGOs, countless LEGO models to discover, and numerous LEGO bricks for building your own creations.
6. Ameristar Kansas City
No Midnight Road trip would be complete without a stop at Ameristar Kansas City. This AAA Four Diamond Award-winning casino is the premier destination for gaming, dining, entertainment, and luxury accommodations in the Kansas City area.
Ameristar Kansas City boasts more than 2,000 slot machines, video poker machines, live table games, and a high-limit room. No matter what your pleasure, you’re sure to find plenty of ways to win.
One of my favorite parts of this casino is the beautiful decorative aquarium that separates the casino floor from the non-smoking area. Not only does it look nice, but it also houses thousands of tropical fish and serves as the entrance to the upscale Mermaid’s Bay seafood restaurant.
This casino also offers several other excellent dining options, including Stuart’s Operating Room, a simulated open-heart surgery operating room with mannequins in surgical robes serving as your waitstaff.
For a taste of the Big Easy, check out Roux, which serves up classic New Orleans dishes like gumbo, po-boys, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and bread pudding. Of course, no trip to Louisiana is complete without trying some delicious crawfish.
You can indulge in these crustacean treats at Crawfish Coastings, which features boiled crawfish, shrimp, crab legs, po-boys, and other Cajun cuisine.
If you seek a more refined dining experience, consider eating at Caesar’s Table. Named after the legendary Roman chef, this elegant eatery serves up gourmet salads dressed to impress.
slot machine tips - how to win on slot machinesFinally, we have the aptly named Steak. As the name implies, this restaurant specializes in prime cuts cooked to perfection. Whether you prefer your meat rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, or well-done, their chefs know how to prepare a juicy, flavorful sirloin, porterhouse, filet mignon, or New York strip steak.
You can pair your entree with a choice of potato, vegetable, soup, salad, and dessert. They also offer an extensive wine list and signature cocktails.
7. Harrah’s North Kansas City
Harrah’s North Kansas City is another fantastic place to gamble, dine, and stay in the area. This property features all your favorite slots and table games, plus live poker and keno. You can earn points playing these games that you can exchange for free plays, meals, gifts, and more at any Caesars Entertainment property.
If you get hungry while playing, head over to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. As the name suggests, this renowned restaurant specializes in sizzling USDA Prime steaks that are seared at 1,800 degrees and served on 350-degree plates to keep ‘em hot.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House also serves up scrumptious appetizers, salads, side dishes, desserts, and an excellent selection of wines.
Other dining options at this casino include:
- Casey’s General Store – This casual eatery serves up breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pizzas 24 hours a day.
- Fu Tai – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet of Asian favorites like Mongolian barbecue, sushi, lo mein, chop suey, egg rolls, fried rice, and fortune cookies.
- Mike’s Pizza Bar & Grill – Feast on pan pizzas, calzones, pastas, salads, subs, buffalo chicken dip, wings, and other Italian-American fare.
- Starbucks – Get your caffeine fix at this world-famous coffee chain.
This Harrah’s location does not feature extravagant frills like a fancy spa, hot tub, or water park. What it lacks in glitz and glamour, however, it more than makes up for in gaming options and convenient accessibility.
It’s located just north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, near Interstates 29 and 635. The casino sits between the Northland Catfish Farm and the World of Fun amusement and water park.
Speaking of which, season-ticket holders can enjoy all the rides and slides they want. If you don’t have a pass, you can purchase daily admission or bundled tickets that allow you to visit both Oceans of Fun (water park) and Worlds of Fun.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Out of all the great casinos in the Kansas City Area, my absolute favorite is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Located just across the state line in North Kansas City, Missouri, this rockin’ resort combines all my favorite things: gambling, music, and memorabilia.
Biggest Poker Sites by Liquiditory - PokerListingsHard Rock Hotel & Casino offers all your favorite casino games, such as slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and more. They also host frequent tournaments for various games, giving you the chance to compete against other skilled players for hefty cash prizes.
The casino also features non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas, as well as a hotel connected by a skywalk. Upgrade to a VIP suite to enjoy exclusive access to the VIP lounge, rooftop pool, and other perks.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino boasts a wonderful collection of rock ‘n roll memorabilia throughout the premises. You can snap pics with guitars once played by Slash, Bono, and Jimi Hendrix; costumes worn by Madonna, Elton John, and Cher; and other items belonging to Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, among others.
This casino also features some outstanding dining options, including:
- The Venue – Feast on wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and starters like loaded fries and spinach artichoke dip.
- Rock N Roll Tacos + Tequila – Enjoy handmade tacos, tequila, and margaritas.
- Coffee Club – Satisfy your morning joe cravings with specialty coffees, smoothies, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.
- SRH Steak – Indulge in dry-aged steaks, seafood, salads, pasta, and house-made desserts.
- SRH Massive Burger – This eatery focuses almost entirely on burgers of staggering size. They do have vegan and vegetarian options available, though.
- TONY GACO’S PIZZERIA – Enjoy Chicago deep dish, New York thin crust, and St. Louis cracker-thin crust pizzas, plus pasta, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
- Fuwai Sushi – Try delicious sushi, sashimi, hibachi, udon, soba, and other Japanese specialties.
- Eighties Grille – This nostalgic eatery serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an atmosphere reminiscent of the decade that brought us big hair, neon colors, leg warmers, Members Only jackets, and dance moves you can’t do without looking ridiculous.
When I’m not gambling, I love hanging out at the Center Bar, which features live music from local bands. The hardwood dance floor and giant video screen only add to the fun.
download golden nugget casino appBe sure to bring your camera for a photo op with the life-sized Liberace piano and Elvis Presley’s gold limousine.
Out back, you’ll find a spacious parking lot filled with motorcycles. That’s because the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is home to the world’s largest collection of motorcycle memorabilia. Highlights include Marlon Brando’s leather jacket from “The Wild One,” James Dean’s boots and helmet, and Steve McQueen’s iconic “King of Cool” 1912 Indian Motorcycle.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is easily accessible from Historic Route 66 and all the major highways around Kansas City. Stay tuned to their website and social media pages for info on upcoming events like concerts, comedy shows, car shows, motorcycle rallies, and holiday celebrations.
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As mentioned earlier, there are a few other casinos worth visiting that aren’t directly on Historic Route 66. Let’s take a look at a couple of these.
8. Downstream Casino Resort – Joplin, Missouri
Heading west on Historic Route 66, the next casino you’ll reach is Downstream Casino Resort in Joplin, Missouri. This stunning facility offers all your favorite games, excellent dining options, comfortable hotel rooms, and much more.
If you need to stock up on snacks for the road or souvenirs for the loved ones, the gift shop has you covered. The fuel center allows you to fill up your tank and wash window at very reasonable prices. They even offer oil changes and vehicle washes.
Best of all, Downstream Casino Resort provides fast, free shuttle service to and from Joplin Regional WeaverTel Airport. No more rushing through airports or connecting flights. You can now fly directly into Joplin and be at the casino within minutes.
9. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
If you’re driving east on Historic Route 66, you can exit onto I-435 and follow the signs to Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. As you might have guessed from the name, this casino is located adjacent to the racetrack where NASCAR and IndyCar series hold events throughout the year.
This property features all your favorite games, including slots, video keno, video poker, and electronic throw games.
Try your luck on one of their million-dollar wheel of fortune machines or sit down at a live table game. If you’ve never played before, sign up for a lessons class to learn blackjack, mini-baccarat, or poker from a professional dealer and other novices.
Following the lesson, you can hit the table with confidence during an one-hour play session.
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway provides an excellent selection of dining options. Whether you’re craving for baked goods, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, grilled items, desserts, espresso drinks, or alcoholic beverages, you’re bound to find something to tickle your taste buds at this casino.
Best Poker Tournament Sites Ranked (And How They Stack up in 2023)While I haven’t had the opportunity to visit, I’ve heard rave reviews about the VLT Lounge. This stylish establishment features plush chairs, 30 VLT terminals, and personal televisions.
Of course, no self-respecting Hollywood casino would be complete without a movie-themed gift shop. Stock up on souvenirs featuring logos from popular films like Batman, Superman, Jurassic Park, E.T., Ghostbusters, Grease, and La La Land.
Plan Your Midnight Road Trip Today!
There you have it, folks – nine spectacular casinos worth pulling over for on your Road to Midnight. From Oklahoma to Missouri and everywhere between, there’s plenty of chances to hit the jackpot and create unforgettable memories on this cross-country excursion.
So, what are you waiting for? Fire up the DeLorean, toss the keys to Clark Griswold, and tell Hal to get ready for another wild ride. With so many great destinations to choose from, the Midnight Road is truly the ultimate gambling getaway.
Safe and fun trips on your casino adventures! If you’re interested in learning more about casinos around the United States, check out these articles below.
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's been producing top-quality content for the site since 2002. Come experience hand-selected online gambling sites,Get expert insights on reading odds and beating betting markets.
