Iowa offers a great surprise for its visitors. About a half hour outside of Iowa City sits a modern and luxurious casino and golf resort.
The Casino at Riverside in Iowa
Riverside, similar to casinos in Las Vegas, is very ritzy and glamorous. There are grand statues, large plasma screen televisions and cascading waterfalls throughout. For those looking to gamble, there are various gaming opportunities including black jack tables, a variety of slot machines, roulette tables, craps tables and a poker room. Non-smokers will find Riverside to be much better than other gaming facilities as the smoke is very minimal.
Entertainment and Shows at Riverside in Iowa
Continuing in the spirit of Vegas, Riverside provides guests with an array of live entertainment. There is nightly entertainment in their Show Lounge, and special weekend concerts in the Event Center. Little Richard, Randy Travis and REO Speedwagon have all performed at Riverside. Upcoming acts include Grand Funk Railroad, Eddie Money and the Charlie Daniels Band.
Golfing at Riverside/Blue Top Ridge Golf Course
Many come to Riverside to golf and not necessarily to gamble. Riverside's Blue Top Ridge Golf Course was listed in Golf Magazine as one of the "Top Ten New Courses to Play". The 7,500+ yard course is only a couple of years old. It is beautifully designed and offers a challenge for most skill levels. Cost to play the course ranges from $70-$90 depending upon the time of year and what day one desires to play.
Dining at Riverside in Iowa
Guests at Riverside can choose from a few different dining options. For those looking for more of a quick and economical meal, Ripple Express may be the right choice. Somewhat like a cafe, one can purchase coffee, ice cream and gourmet sandwiches. If looking for a more quality meal, one might choose the Ripple Diner which is right next door to the Ripple Express. There one can enjoy a pasta dish, soups, salads, specialty sandwiches, steak or seafood.
If really hungry, one might choose to dine at Robert's Buffet just outside of the casino area. Each night the buffet features a main dish such as steak, prime rib or seafood. There are also various side dishes to choose from such as french fries, baked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, a salad bar, steamed vegetables and much more. To end the meal one can choose from a variety of desserts. As with many buffets, some of the food is a little tasteless and bland. Nonetheless, Robert's seems to always stay quite busy.
Guests looking for more of a formal dining experience can find it at Ruthie’s, a steak and seafood establishment. Ruthie’s is only open for dinner. It is the most expensive restaurant at Riverside. A couple can expect to pay around $70 a meal (less alcoholic beverages).
The Riverside Casino Hotel
With all of its opportunities, Riverside is somewhat of a small facility. The hotel offers 199 hotel rooms and eight golf villas. Hotel rooms are decorated in more of a contemporary style, with somewhat of a Vegas flair. Each room comes standard with king or queen beds, a view of the golf course (although some views are obstructed by the parking lot), luxurious bedding, a unique glass enclosed shower, flat screen television, refrigerator, iPod/Mp3 compatible alarm clock and free high-speed internet access. Guests can upgrade to a suite which includes a whirlpool tub, kitchenette, private deck and separate living area. The hotel also offers an indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center (which is shared with the staff) and specialty boutiques.
Recently Riverside completed a condominium project near the casino. These villas sleep 4-6 guests and offer fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer, flat screen televisions, private decks and a fireplace.
Riverside is in a very secluded area. In fact there are no shopping centers or restaurants anywhere near the facility. Guests wishing to eat or shop somewhere other than the hotel will need to drive to either Iowa City or Cedar Springs.
Dee Dee Smith - Dee Dee is a web content writer with over a decade of experience. She has held contracts with golf, sports and business publications.
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