litcrit: Tunica

[litcrit]

I am contemplating taking my first trip to Tunica. What travel recommendations does anyone have for travel between Chicago and Tunica? Do you fly into Memphis and rent a car, or do you drive the whole way?

[phantom007]

Either way would work. With all of the new airport security rules, it probably would not take much longer to drive than to fly.

If you are a heavy Black Chip player, most properties will send their limo. Otherwise, having an auto IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED.

Tunica is laid out in 2 groups of 3 casinos each, that are in easy walking distance to each other (Horseshoe, Goldstrike, Sheraton) and (Sam's Town, Hollywood, and Harrah's). The other 3 properties...Fitzgerald's, Grand, and Bally's...are not in easy walking distance, unless you have just finished the Boston Marathon.

There is a free shuttle service that "circles" all of the local casino's every 30-45 min., though I do not think it runs in the AM hours (by memory, 1 AM-8 AM). Also, if you have "to make quick EXITS", standing around for 40 min. waiting for a shuttle, well, it just ain't cool.

Lastly, while it is unlikely with their relatively good games, it is still possible that you may wish to do something besides BJ...again, a car will help (the nearest WalMart is about 20-25 miles away in Southhaven, MS).

Hope this has been helpful. Enjoy your trip!

phantom007

[litcrit]

[drumz1]

Whatever you do, be sure to check out the incredible buffet at the 'Shoe.

You won't be sorry.

Regards,
drumz1

[Parker]

> I am contemplating taking my first trip to
> Tunica. What travel recommendations does
> anyone have for travel between Chicago and
> Tunica? Do you fly into Memphis and rent a
> car, or do you drive the whole way?

Depends on how much you like to drive vs fly. According to Mapquest, it is 530 miles from Chicago to Memphis. That is a pretty long drive, although it appears to be freeway all the way.

Since Chicago is a major hub for several airlines, I would think that a reasonably priced flight to Memphis would not be hard to find. Northwest has a major presence in Memphis.

Tunica itself is about 24 miles south of Memphis. The casinos are actually a few miles north of the town of Tunica. As others have mentioned, the casinos are somewhat spread apart. The Grand and Fitzgerald's are off by themselves. The Gold Strike, Horseshoe, and Sheration are clustered together in an area called casino center. Bally's is withing walking distance from this group, if you like to walk.

Harrah's, Hollywood, and Sam's Town are several miles further south in an area called Casino Strip.

I consider a car to be a necessity for getting around the casinos, so a rental car should be added to the cost of flying.

Besides, there is nothing around the casinos themselves except farmland, and the town of Tunica is one of those little towns where they roll up the sidewalks at sunset. In other words, if you are looking for any sort of nightlife other than what the casinos offer, you will need to drive into Memphis. Memphis, incidentally, has a lot to offer in this area.

I routinely drive between San Diego and Las Vegas, which is 320 miles. Even at that distance, I prefer to fly when I can get a cheap fare. If I had to drive another hundred miles or so, I would definitely fly every trip.

Even with today's airport security hassles, I still save over an hour's time by flying between San Diego and Las Vegas, so you would save several hours by flying between Chicago and Tunica. This is an important factor if your time is limited.

One final factor: When I fly to LV, I often catnap on the plane, and when I arrive, I am ready to hit the tables.

When I drive to LV, when I arrive, I am ready to take a nap.

Of course, I'm 137 years old. :-)

[scobee 1]

> I am contemplating taking my first trip to
> Tunica. What travel recommendations does
> anyone have for travel between Chicago and
> Tunica? Do you fly into Memphis and rent a
> car, or do you drive the whole way?

Email me and we'll talk. It is a very long drive to take alone. Flights from Chicago are either expensive or have lay-overs in Cleveland or Atlanta and take hours to get there.

scobee

[Wildcard]

Scobee can give you the best advice on getting to Tunica and perhaps play.

The attached link may provide you more info on gaming in Tunica. I strongly suggest when you go you rent a car. To do otherwise would not enhance your gaming experience.

I would also recommend that you print the maps provided, particularly the casino area map. You may find it invaluable as you try to travel between venues, particularly in the dark.

A caveat...the mosquitoes are horrific at times. The casinos are primarily built upon old cotton fields, no one has apparently been able to inform the blood suckers.

Tunica info

[Okie]

As mentioned, mosquitoes are bad and the West Nile virus has been an issue in Miss. I would recommend bug repellant. You would think that traveling between casino's is the worst but I had more of a problem with the little critters when I was setting at the bj tables (particularly at the Fitz).

Also it is important to view a map of Memphis. I tried to follow written direction (yahoo maps) and got lost. Many times 55 will be running East/West rather then North/South. Of course I am from Oklahoma so I probably had a tougher time then you will.

[drumz1]

Be careful late at night when leaving the casino. Recently, there have been reports of muggings at a few stores. I have been known to place my winnings in a lockbox at the cage if I gamble into the early hours, then retrieve them the next day. If you must take your winnings with you, be sure to have security walk you to your car, and when you get into your car, lock the doors. I'm not trying to frighten you, but better safe than sorry.

Regards,
drumz1

[litcrit]

for the terrific advice. I will make my annual pilgrimage to Fremont Street in July, and if I don't blow my bankroll there in it's meager entirety, I shall look forward to Tunica shortly thereafter.