Visitors to Meridian, Mississippi looking for some excitement and a game of chance can jump in the car and head to casinos owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians slightly more than an hour away. If you're wanting a little sand and salty air, stay in the car a tad longer and head for the casinos on the Gulf Coast.
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operate the Pearl River Resort, which includes the Silver Star Hotel and Casino, less than 70 miles east of Meridian. The Silver Star has more than 500 hotel rooms and a 90,000-square-foot-casino with nearly 2,500 slot machines, 67 table games and eight poker tables. The Silver Star has a spa and is in the same complex as the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club with a course by designer Tom Fazio and PGA player Jerry Pate.
The tribe also operates the Bok Homa Casino in Heidelberg, Miss., about 60 miles east of Meridian. The casino, which opened in 2010, has more than 750 slot machines, Lucky's restaurant and a bar, according to the Bok Homa Web site. Lucky's is open 24 hours a day and features burgers, sandwiches and pizza. The casino offers frequent giveaways and a rewards program.
If you're craving a longer road trip, head southwest about 160 miles to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on U.S. 90 in Biloxi. The beachside casino features 1,200 slots and 50 table games, and the hotel includes a spa, conference space and pool overlooking the ocean, according to the Hard Rock site. The Hard Rock has frequent concerts and several bars and clubs, including Vibe and Road House Live.
Next door to the Hard Rock sits the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino. The Beau Rivage has 1,740 guest rooms, 12 restaurants, four lounges and bars, 12 stores, spa and salon, pool, and Fallen Oak golf course, the casino's Web site states. Restaurants include BR Prime, serving steak and seafood; Jia, serving Asian cuisine; Memphis Q Smokehouse and Barbecue and a buffet. Beau Rivage has 50,000-square-feet of conference space and can accommodate groups of up to 1,800. The 85,000-square-foot casino features 93 table games, 2,100 slot machines, 230 video poker games and a 16-table poker room.
