If you live in Cleveland, Ohio, you know that the best local casinos aren’t local. There are five good casinos that are not too far from Cleveland.
1) Presque Isle Downs – Erie, Pennsylvania (about one and a half hours away) 8199 Perry Highway
Erie, PA 16509 1-866-ERIE-FUN
or
(814) 860-8999www.presqueisledowns.com
Presque Isle Downs is located on I-90 Exit 27. The good news for Clevelanders is that they can take I-90 East all the way there.
The casino has live racing, card games and slot machines. The players reward card is a must have. The food is okay, but I wouldn’t recommend the buffet. I suggest the clubhouse, which has excellent drinks at great prices and good food at decent prices. The snack area is the place to go if you don’t want to spend much time.
2) Mountaineer – Chester, West Virginia (about two hours away)
1-800-80-40-HOT! (1-800-804-0468)
www.moreatmountaineer.com
Mountaineer provides links for directions on its website. The best way from Cleveland is to take 80 East to 11 South. The directions on the website (and most GPS directions) will tell you to get off at the exit for Downtown East Liverpool. That route has more turns and a rickety bride. Don’t follow those directions. Go to the next exit which is for route 2 and get off there. Make a left and go straight down the road until you see Mountaineer on your right.
The casino has a hotel and several dining options. The buffet is decent, but I’m not a big fan. I love the ice cream from the stand near the buffet. Big Al’s Deli and Pizzeria is where I usually purchase a quick snack. If I want to sit down then I go to the Gatsby Dining Room.
3) Wheeling Downs -Wheeling, West Virginia (about two and a half hours away)
1.877.WHEELING (943.3546)
www.wheelingisland.com
I’ve only eaten at the Breezeway Café. It had good drinks and delicious pasta. I have never eaten at the other places.
4) Rivers Casino- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (a little over two hours away)
777 Casino Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 231-7777
Toll Free:
1.877.558.0777
1.877.558.4777
www.theriverscasino.com
This casino is the least convenient in terms of location. The website provides different directions so that visitors can avoid some of the traffic on event days. I went there one time and I didn’t eat anything. I like it because it’s not that far, but it’s definitely not high on my list.
5) MotorCity -Detroit, Michigan (about three hours away)
2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit MI 48201
1-866-782-9622
www.motorcitycasino.com
No offense to Greektown or MGM Grand but it doesn’t get better than MotorCity. The Grand River Deli is the place to grab a snack. The corned beef sandwich is delicious.
