🎰 The Best Casinos in Laughlin, Nevada | USA Today

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Laughlin isn't trendy, but that's kind of the point, and it's quirky dining establishments are certainly not without their charms: Bumbleberry Flats A Laughlin original, open 24 hours a day. Courtesy of Niaz Uddin. Need a new crock pot or microwave? The versatile outdoor amphitheater hosts events ranging from rodeos and racing to concerts by arena-level acts, like Brad Paisley or KISS. Aside from hanging out on the river, the most common excuse to book a trip to Laughlin is a show at the Laughlin Events Center. Along the way, the boat travels past the California town of Needles, the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, and vantage points that can only be seen from the water, including petroglyphs in Topock Gorge. But the real draw is the burros roaming Oatman, whose ancestors were brought in to work during the mining days. The town itself -- about a minute drive from Las Vegas -- became official when postal services were established. No trip to Laughlin is complete without a detour to Oatman, a Route 66 ghost town in Arizona that has become a bit more touristy over the years. But it has a fun casino rewards system, allowing players to cash in points on tangible prizes. It recently added a taproom for Brew Brothers -- a homegrown Reno favorite -- that's probably the best place for beer in town. Just northeast of Vegas, a hotel in Mesquite markets itself as "how Vegas used to be," but that tagline seems to fit Laughlin just as well, if not better. This place loves its beer; every booth has a pair of self-serve draft handles, and an eight-ounce brew is presented as a "garnish" alongside the Bloody Mary. In case you're wondering, Don Laughlin is still going strong at 88 years and living in a penthouse at the top of his resort. If you've left a drop behind, you did it wrong. He needs more water taxis and whiskey bacon jam in his life. Laughlin River Lodge This hotel barely lights up at night -- making it the most aesthetically boring resort in the skyline. The new escape room at the local jail is fun. It's probably the closest thing you'll find to a strip club in Laughlin -- and oddly enough, it's at the outlet mall. Parking is free and easy, the staff actually does recognize regulars by name, and the river, well, the river is just right there. Courtesy of Rob Kachelriess. The menu, under the direction of Chef Richard Ross, mixes steaks, seafood, French, and Italian without feeling like it's having an identity crisis. The gallery stays surprisingly up to date -- recent additions include Bill Cosby and Lori Loughlin. This is your place. It actually opened in Laughlin first, before a Vegas version arrived at the Rio, proving that on occasion, this little resort town by the river can be a step ahead of Sin City. But Laughlin is about kindness and convenience more than any sort of culture clash. Bumbleberry Flats A Laughlin original, open 24 hours a day. Follow him on Twitter rkachelriess. That doesn't stop guests from calling the front desk to ask when it's leaving port. Most casinos have their own dock and if you stand around on one, a water taxi will show up fairly quick. The one exception is Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho at Harrah's, which specializes in margaritas and nachos served in a small trash can. It's a family-friendly destination that draws folks from California, Arizona, and the rest of Nevada in that order. A few unwritten rules to follow: first -- burros and dogs don't mix. But be sure to visit the Oatman Hotel for lunch. The Aquarius is the largest resort with 1, rooms and a centralized casino with restaurants around the perimeter. Or at the Losers' Lounge. Over the years, his civic projects would include an airport expansion, flood control work, and the opening of a ranch that provided beef to Laughlin's restaurants. New Pioneer Courtesy of Rob Kachelriess. The koi fish in the front moat are a nice touch. The postmaster at the time was of Irish heritage and liked the name Laughlin, so all the stars seemed to align. It also has River Rick -- a double of Vegas Vic, the iconic neon smoking cowboy that once stood outside the original Pioneer Club in Vegas. Laughlin Labyrinths Courtest of Rob Kachelriess. Finally -- when the burros are in the middle of the road which they frequently are , they have the right of way. Casinos and restaurants overlook it, and when the weather is right, the obvious move is to swim, boat, float, and Jet Ski in it. At the time, the area was home to less than a thousand people. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the river. Don't forget to tip your captain a few bucks. The restaurant has killer buffalo burgers and the walls and even parts of the ceiling are covered with dollar bills. Laughlin is old-school, big on return customers who appreciate the familiar. He even financed a bridge that crossed the water between Nevada and Arizona -- right next to the Riverside Resort, obviously. You're more than welcome to feed them alfalfa squares, sold in bags for a dollar. Oatman Courtesy of Rob Kachelriess. The classic car collection in the lobby adds to the s ambiance. Second -- don't feed the burros carrots, which are high in sugar and do a number on the digestive tract. And people seem to like that just fine. You can also take a two-hour sunset dinner cruise on The Celebration , which is super affordable and more than likely comes with an Elvis impersonator. As for the rest, Harrah's is at the south end of the casino strip, at a slight bend in the river, which makes it feel more secluded without really being that far away. But Don was just getting started. Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than six years. The move for breakfast is fried chicken with bacon cheddar waffles and a side of whiskey bacon "jam," which is more like a chunky syrup. Become best friends with a burro in Oatman No trip to Laughlin is complete without a detour to Oatman, a Route 66 ghost town in Arizona that has become a bit more touristy over the years. Social Media Links.{/INSERTKEYS}{/PARAGRAPH} They love prime rib and they love country music. By comparison, Laughlin's newest hotel was built in the mid-'90s. The coolest way to get around town is by water taxi. El Burro Borracho Laughlin avoids the celebrity chef culture that dominates Vegas. They're mostly lounges with live bands and line dancing. Laughlin isn't trendy, but that's kind of the point, and it's quirky dining establishments are certainly not without their charms:. Pause for a meditative moment at the Laughlin Labyrinths The Laughlin Labyrinths are a series of ground-level rock formations just off Thomas Edison Drive near the Tropicana. Edgewater is large and centrally located, but somewhat uneventful aside from its concert theater. Each labyrinth takes months to design and build, and Dufek is the sole person who maintains them So if you're looking for a selfie station, take a photo with River Rick instead. Riverside Resort Courtesy of Rob Kachelriess. Thrillist Serves. It's the sort of place you go to escape the modern woes of Twitter. They were built by Wes Dufek, to facilitate moments of meditation and reflection in the sand dunes overlooking the casino strip. No honking, revving engines, or doing anything else to encourage them to move along. Cars have to wait, no matter how long it takes. You can hang out in the town for a few hours and check out London Bridge, a historic structure that actually spanned the River Thames and was brought over brick by brick. {PARAGRAPH}{INSERTKEYS}In , pilot Don Laughlin was cashing in as the owner of the Club in North Las Vegas and, while flying his plane over the Colorado River, saw a world of potential in a strip of Nevada land across the river from Arizona's Bullhead City. These small boats, piloted by certified captains, zip around on the river from one property to another. A rooftop pool deck has been updated with cabanas and a modern circular bar. Colorado Belle Courtesy of Rob Kachelriess. The casino floor has a classic old-school style that wouldn't look out of place in Mississippi or New Orleans.