Does Tunica offer any... (Biloxi, Tupelo: crime, casinos, restaurants)

[HarlequhnBoy]

"I think I am asking way too much from Mississippi."

And you're from Kentucky? Anyways, Mississippians are very, very hospitable as long as you aren't being disrespectful to their heritage.

As a Tunican (and the actual town is located south of the Resorts) I can say that there are many "decent" places to stay, but no, you aren't going to find anything lavish. As for the comments about Tunica as a whole, the casinos have tremendously helped the lower class and the public school system. The type of people I've grown up with hasn't really been helped by it. The white middle to upper middle class hasn't benefited (and they didn't need help anyways).. The main problem in Tunica, imo, is the town itself wants to be left alone to its old Southern ways. Segregation is still rampant, but it's self-imposed by both groups. The worst thing is the school system. White parents, like my own, send their children to a private school.. therefore the segregation within the school system is almost as bad as it was 50 years ago. Anyways.. it's a nice town. Just not for me.

[SassyGirl2]

Me and my best half would meet my parents in Tunica about once every three months to "play". We considered it our family time (for the adults). When we first started going to Tunica, the casinos and restaurants were pretty good. The powers that be wanted your money more on the tables and slots than in the restaurants and rooms, so rooms and food were cheap to free. That doesn't mean the amenities were lacking, the casinos priorities were keeping the customers happy and gambling, which included great food and good rooms.

We were habitual residents, if you please, of the Horseshoe as the rooms were very nice, the food absolutely mouth watering, and the gambling profitable for us. More often than not, we never paid for our rooms nor our food as all was comped, and no, we were by no means high rollers, just regular old joes. We often left with more than we came with. Employees seemed extremely happy to work there and it showed with the care customers received.

Over the years, the atmosphere changed considerably and we have since ceased our little side trips for entertainment. I, personally, have blamed Harrahs for this sad state of affairs since they now have a monopoly, aside from the Grand, and they seem to care less for the customer service aspect of business. It is almost impossible to receive the quality, in all arenas, once found in Tunica of old, at least as far as we are concerned.

If you are looking for extracirricular activities, and the likes, the Memphis metro area should be strongly considered. Most employees of the Tunica casinos live in Memphis and commute. You will be within a 20 minute drive to reach Tunica, encumbant upon traffic. Staying in Memphis will broaden your entertainment field and possibly make your trip to the deep South more enjoyable for all.

Kentucky, not to admonish you too badly, play nice with others. I can understand your frustration at wanting and needing responses to your questions but manners, and respect, speak loudly here in the Deep South. We would love for you and yours to visit and enjoy all the hospitality the south has to offer and is so famous, if not infamous, for administering to all of those fortunate ones who choose to partake of our heritage and way of life.

Good luck in your quest and may the gods of fortune smile upon you when wrestling with those one arm bandits.

[TimtheGuy]

1st off the oldest casino hotel down there dates to about 1995 at the Hollywood and Sam's Town, so hard to see much 80's in them.

They cater to plenty of high rollers, unless you wouldn't consider someone that loses $500k+ in a weekend or into the millions in a year a high roller. Book a high end suite at the Grand, Horseshoe, or Sheraton. Certainly better or as good as any Marriot or any hotel in Kentucky.

How can you compare how the food was at the buffet to what the rooms might be?? Moderator cut: I know I didn't see that...cut, edit, delete

[kentuckydad95]

Look all, I am sorry I put down MS. I did not know that there were still so many problems in that state. Yes, I have been through one end of MS to the other and there may not be a ton of things to do, but like I said, the people are friendly. As for Tunica, I am not a high roller. I just wanted a room that was nice...pleasing on the eyes and modern. I looked online and most of the resorts will only let you book the "basic" rooms online and I have to ask why? If I wanted a suite, why not let me book one online? I know that every suite in Tunica cannot be booked on a Monday and Tuesday night. (We like to go during off peak times.)

And as for Tunica themselves, someone mentioned that Harrah's let's most of their resorts get rundown and I tend to agree. The one in Metropolis, Ill (50 miles north of me) has a new hotel, but the casino is seedy and not much fun. Although, one one side note, the ENTIRE CASINO is smoke-free because of the entire state of Illinois being smoke-free. The place was nearly dead the last time we went there, so if you are a non-smoker, you could benefit from this info.

And as for TimtheGuy, I have created enough turmoil on here already and I will not get into a shooting match on which place has the most posh hotels, Louisville/Lexington or Tunica. You may be right about the suites in Tunica, but like I said, I cannot seem to book one online.

[Sam I Am]

Kdad95, have you tried calling them? They may take reservations by phone...I don't know...as someone else mentioned, it used to be free rooms were plentiful and I'm sure that's what most people took advantage of....however, it surely doesn't seem that way now.

Okay, I just went to the Horseshoe Tunica site - you have to actually go into "book a room" to see the various options, but they are there - and they are pricey. The amenities are listed. I would assume most of the casinos operate off similar software...I guess it's to get you sucked in to look around some more.

We've been very pleased with accomodations at Horseshoe and Goldstrike in the past...hopefully you can find something you like and give it a whirl...you may be the next big winner! (it most certainly will not be me).

[kentuckydad95]

I try to stay away from the slots. They make me too upset. I stick to the easy card games like BJ.

I was thinking that Tunica could really become a national vacation destination if the airport started taking flights. Like from Atlanta or NC or Cincy, St Louis, etc. The place would blow up big time!!!

[darylwi]

Sorry, but Tunica probably will never be a national vacation spot, unless it combines with Memphis to provide an all-around theme.
Also, I've noticed in many cases around the country that hotels tend to not offer suites online for booking. If they did, I would definitely call to verify such a booking since online reservations tend to have a way of getting changed, somehow.

[kentuckydad95]

Why do you say that Tunica cannot become a national travel destination? If Branson can do it, so can Tunica. Put in direct flights from named air carriers, update the rooms, put in a bunch of tourist traps like Gatlinburg has (ie: Ripley's, Hard Rock, waterparks, etc) Add more shows and maybe an amusement park and you are good to go.

[Sam I Am]

Ugh. Sorry, Kentuckydad....I'm a delta lover from way back and I would HATE to see something like that going in around Tunica. Put it over in Tennessee...they already have the holy Mecca of Graceland...but an amusement park in the middle of the delta??? Oh me gawd...a bunch of tourists broiling in the delta heat without a tree in sight...gotta giggle there! And yes, I am aware trees can be planted - still, Tunica sort of rises up from the delta anyway and the billboards are just horrendous IMO. I'd hate to see it develop to a Branson, which I avoid at all costs! Have you seen the Tunica airport? A LOT of upgrades would have to be done there, if it's like I remember there is one runway. With Memphis so close, I just don't see that one coming to fruition anytime soon...like in this lifetime...

All that being said, I think there is a problem getting into anywhere in Mississippi, Memphis or Arkansas...we have regional airports and there isn't much that flies direct out of anywhere. Like the old saying goes, you can't get there from here...

[TimtheGuy]

Originally Posted by kentuckydad95

I try to stay away from the slots. They make me too upset. I stick to the easy card games like BJ.

I was thinking that Tunica could really become a national vacation destination if the airport started taking flights. Like from Atlanta or NC or Cincy, St Louis, etc. The place would blow up big time!!!

Tunica won't become a national destination because there is gambling all over the country now. Tunica all ready draws from all the areas you mention and many more. Tunica is probably the best place to gamble in the country as far as favorable odds, games available and easy comps. Consider it like downtown Vegas....it is a place to gamble and that is what people go there to do.

The attractions that Branson and Gatlinburg have might make a little money, but nothing like a casino can take in. I think the WPT (world poker tour) is down there right now. Check that out and you will see it is an international draw...at least for 2 weeks out of the year.