With 6 decently sized river-boat casinos, the 14,000 seat Centurylink Center arena, historic Bossier Strip, also known in the music community as the Magic Circle due to the number of notable musicians who were born or got their start in the area, there isn’t a lack of things to do while staying in the Shreveport/Bossier City metropolitan area.
In the following article, I’ll take a look at places to lay your head and feed yourself. Whether you stay at the casino hotel or find a local hotel just minutes from the casinos, you won’t need to break the bank to find a convenient and cozy place.
1 – Basic Tips for Staying in Bossier City
For my first trip to the area, I stayed at a local hotel. After playing at each of the casinos for roughly an hour each, I started receiving mailed reward discounts and free hotel rooms at the casino resort properties, which arrived about a month after I first registered my rewards cards at each location.
If you want to stay on a weeknight, it’s just as economical to stay at a casino hotel as it is to stay at a property off site. In fact, if you plan to visit on a weekday, you can find standard rates as low as $47 per night at some of the casino hotels.
If you prefer playing slots, earning points towards free rooms, food, slot play, and more, it’s as easy as inserting your player card each time you sit at a machine. If the table games are more your style, remember to hand over your player’s card to earn rewards points.
When it comes to points earned, keep in mind that many factors are at play in determining how many points you earn. The higher the house edge, the more points you earn. That being the case, slot machines typically earn much more than table games like blackjack and craps; however, you’ll earn more points at table games with a higher edge like roulette.
2 – Something for Everyone in Bossier City
Whether you merely need a place to sleep, want a free breakfast included, want the option of casual or fine dining at the hotel, or just need to unwind at a spa, Bossier City has you covered. The pricing is reasonable nearby or even at the casinos.
Each of the 6 casino hotels in the area offer casual and fine dining as well as full spas at each. Even if you’d prefer to stay at a property just off the casino property, you can find hotels with full spas from as little as $70/night.
Even though the casinos are only a few miles from several decent hotels in the area, if you want to have a couple of cocktails and get there and back safely, you can get casino-to-casino transportation Friday and Saturday, 11AM to 12 midnight, for only $3/person for one way, $6 for round trip.
If you can get a group of seven people, the cost is $3 one way per person to shopping centers, restaurants, and more. Check out Twin City Express Shuttle Service for this affordable option.
3 – Hotels Where You Can Save a Buck
If you’re on a really tight budget, there are rooms available in Shreveport for as little as $29 per night. The economy hotel at this price is almost 10 miles from the casino, but the price is amazing. If you don’t mind spending a bit more, say $55 per night, there are many other properties only about 3 miles from the casino properties.
If you’ve decided to forego the shuttle and drive yourself, you’ll be glad to know each casino has more than ample free parking to accommodate as well as paid valet if you’re not staying at the casino hotel. While the casinos are the main attractions, there are plenty of other things to check out while you’re in town.
In addition to real money gambling, dining, spa treatments, and some nice and quiet spots I’ve found on the deck of some of the riverboat casinos, you’ll also want to consider which, if any, of the other available area sites you’d like to check out before booking your room. The museums, shopping, and family friendly spots to check out with the kiddos are just a few of the other attractions available in the area.
4 – Casinos Worth Staying in
Whether you get a discounted, free, or even reasonably-priced full-rate room at one of the casinos, you’re sure to find resorts to match your tastes. While you should be aware that all of the casinos allow smoking—and you may want to consider that if you’re sensitive to such things—they offer non-smoking rooms and gambling areas for those of us who don’t smoke tobacco.
Brought to you by Caesar’s, the Horseshoe Bossier City is a favorite among fans of the area. The TripAdvisor rating is solid at 4.5 stars, and the spa offers massage, facial treatment, hair, nail, and wax services at reasonable prices.
Sam’s Town, El Dorado, Margaritaville, Boomtown, and Diamond Jack’s also have similar accommodations, including a spa, casual, buffet, and fine dining, large rooms with oversized bathtubs, kicking lounges, and live entertainment venues at all of them. The venues are much larger at Horseshoe and Margaritaville, but there are live shows available at each property.
Be sure to check the casino websites for their unique promotions, which change regularly, to get the most out of your trip as well as earn the most points to apply towards your next visit to one of their properties, available for future use at these or sister properties, even some locations in Las Vegas and other spots.
5 – Eating at the Casinos in Bossier City
No matter your reason for travel, you’re going to need to get some fuel to nourish and sate your appetite. Some hotels offer room service (all of the casino hotels do), and if you’re out and about at the casino property, there are many options available at each property including casual dining, buffet style, and fine dining establishments.
Margaritaville offers the World Tour Buffet, Riverview Restaurant and Brewhouse, and the singer’s namesake, Jimmy’s Seafood and Steakhouse for the fine dining option.
The Horseshoe offers the Spread for buffet-seekers, Jasmine’s Noodles and 8 oz Burger Bar for casual folks, and for those with more discerning palates, fine dining options include Jack Binion’s Steakhouse and Four Winds restaurant, offering 5 different Asian cuisines.
Moving along to one of my favorites, I had the pleasure of sampling buffet, causal, and fine dining options at Boomtown Casino. Cattleman’s Buffet didn’t disappoint, Sundance Cantina was lively and quaint, and 1800° Prime Steakhouse was decadent and intriguing.
Diamond Jack’s has offerings like Legends Buffet, Whiskey Jack’s in the casual category, and DJ’s Seafood and Steaks in fine dining.
Sam’s Town has an International Buffet, quick bites at Java’s Deli, or indulgence at William B’s Steakhouse.
Last, but not least, El Dorado offers the appropriately named Buffet restaurant, Sportsman’s Paradise Cafe, Cinema Cafe, Noodle Bar, and for gourmet fare, The Vintage.
6 – Eating Out in Bossier City
Although there’s no shortage of food on-site at the casino, maybe you’d like a change of scenery, or perhaps you’re staying at a hotel and want to order delivery. Bossier City has those options for you as well.
Check out Trip Advisor for a comprehensive list of restaurants available in the area. You can browse by food type if you want to find offerings such as Mexican, seafood, Italian, Chinese, Cajun, BBQ, or you can search by price, local cuisine, and top restaurants (some of which are the fine dining offered at the hotels).
If you want my two cents, I always enjoy ordering from Johnny’s Pizza House, a local chain that has unique pizza sauce, ample cheese, and crust that I instantly fell in love with.
7 – Other Reasons to Visit the Area
While much of my time is spent in the casinos, eating, and sleeping (who am I kidding—I don’t sleep very much on trips near casinos!), there are still many other reasons to visit the area.
The beautiful Betty Virginia Park has ample picnic tables and shade trees for you to relax with friends, family members, the kids, or maybe that special someone. Walter P Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is another local park with hiking and nature trails for your enjoyment. Check out the kangaroos, baby goats, horses, camels, and a zebra at the Jubilee Zoo that you can pet and feed.
If you’re up for some museum visits for art and refinement, you’ll find a nice assortment of stops to satisfy your entire group. Between The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Meadows Museum of Art, Shreveport Water Works Museum, and SciPort: Louisiana’s Science Center, there is a choice to suit most tastes.
If shopping is more to your tastes, get your browse on at Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, Bossier Corners Shopping Center, or the Pierre Bossier Mall.
Anything I Left Out?
If you haven’t gotten your fill of casino gaming or if you just want to check out some horse racing, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs offers a casino, a dirt surface and turf course, excellent wagering value, and 130 days of live racing every year.
With great rates, lots to see, tons of food to choose from, and casinos competing for your business, Bossier City is a great destination for your adult playground needs.
Please comment below to share your thoughts on Bossier/Shreveport metro area attractions. Good luck whales and sharks!
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …
