When you think of casinos in the United States, you automatically think Las Vegas, well, that’s your first mistake. Sure Las Vegas is great but it’s not the end-all be-all for casinos in the US.  There are awesome casinos all around the US that offer the same experiences as Vegas without a lot of the hassles. Check out this list of the best casinos not in Las Vegas that won’t need your passport to visit.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Biloxi

If you are in the south, why waste money on airfare and save that to waste at the tables instead. Don’t visit Vegas for your gambling needs, just head to Biloxi and have the same experience, without hopping on a plane. The Hard Rock in Biloxi is a rock n roll themed casino, just like any other Hard Rock, but this one is massive. Covering over 50,000 sq ft and with outstanding views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Nevada

Tahoe is such a special place that you should visit with or without going to the casino. How many casinos have a private beach? Not many, but the Hyatt Regency in Tahoe certainly does. Not only can you gamble away your life savings here, but you can also enjoy water sports and fishing, take that Vegas.

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Niagara Falls

How many casinos are located next to incredible water falls? One that I know of, the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. Take in the falls by day and play in a huge casino with over 100 gaming tables by night. You get a Vegas style experience with none of the desert heat.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City

Surprisingly Atlantic City is still hanging on. Many resorts here have closed down but the Borgata stands strong. The elite Atlantic City resort, the Borgata has all you could ever want from a Vegas style resort without leaving the East Coast.

An easy drive form many huge metropolitan cities, The Borgata should be a top choice.

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Reno

Reno is the little sister to Las Vegas with it’s own feel and identity. Much cheaper than an average Las Vegas vacation, Reno offers a slower pace and chiller vibe. If the all night parties aren’t for you, maybe check out the Peppermill. The Tuscany styled resort will make you relax while losing all your money.

Talking Stick Resort, Arizona

Talking Stick is a killer Indian Casino with tons of fun activities to keep you entertained while not spending money at the tables. Table in a round of golf or hit up the award-winning spa.

Foxwoods resort and Casino, Connecticut

New Yorkers already know just how awesome Foxwoods truly is. Foxwoods actually offers six different casinos in its little empire in Connecticut. There are two golf courses, two arcades for the kids and tons of live entertainment options. A short drive from New York City makes Foxwoods an easy winner as the best US casino, not in Las Vegas.

Hawaii opens its doors to vacationers. However, there are still several protocols that tourists need to follow.

On 15 October, Hawaii started providing visitors an easier alternative. Instead of requiring tourists to undergo a 14-day quarantine, would-be visitors must undergo testing, at least 72 hours before mainland departure, proving that they are free from the COVID-19 virus. Although this new Safe Travels protocol was supposed to start on the first day of September, the State of Hawaii had to suspend the program due to the sudden spike in cases. Yet, does Hawaii really want visitors now?

“I want people to come if they are fully prepared to test, know that they are healthy and are prepared to wear a mask,” mentions Lt Gov Josh Green, one of the leaders of the program. “If they do all those things, we are excited to resume our relationship with old friends,” he continues. He adds, however, that “…we are very mindful of risk, and we’re just trying to begin the process of a healthy restoration of our economy. We are not pushing for any large numbers. We just want to begin to kind of shake off the rust.”

To participate in the program—and to be given the chance to enter the state, all would-be visitors are required to undergo testing. This is a mandatory protocol that includes testing children who are aged 5 and above. Aside from the tests being done at least 72 hours before leaving the mainland, they should also be undertaken by accredited testing centers or health care agencies.

Green advises travelers to consult their chosen accredited testers regarding their own testing protocols. He mentions that some of these testing centers do not provide testing for children. Some merely offer COVID-19 tests to children who are 12 years old and above.

Nevertheless, the COVID-19 home testing kits from Hawaiian Airlines can also be used for testing purposes. Vault Health mentions that children can do their saliva-based COVID-19 test, as well. Big airline companies that provide Hawaii flights also offer travelers the option to take the test at the accredited clinics or have them done at the airports. They can also opt to do the home tests, as well.

A few of these airlines provide faster test results, too. For a fee of $250, United Airlines offers rapid testing at the San Francisco International Airport. For this kind of test, results are provided in a few minutes. Travelers can also obtain the tests from Walgreens and CVS.

However, the tests may only allow travelers to enter Hawaii. Traveling between islands may require vacationers to undergo additional COVID-19 tests, though. This is a protocol that applies not only to tourists but to Hawaiians, as well. They will also need to do the necessary 14-day quarantine each time they reach a new island.

Additionally, a second COVID-19 test may be requested from visitors, four days after arriving in Hawaii. This allows the government to make sure that visitors are, indeed, negative from the virus. Records suggest that 1 out of 1000 visitors are known to have come up positive during the retesting.

Traveling with your kids in mind is a great way to have a good vacation and what do kids like better than toy stores? If you have kids, then you know that they rule your world. If you don’t have kids, well, enjoy your freedom, haha.

No, but seriously, traveling with kids can be a nightmare if you don’t keep them busy. Have you ever seen a family traveling and everyone seems happy…? I didn’t think so, most families either do a trip for the kids or the parents, but the key is to travel for both.

Plan your trip around your kids but make sure you throw in some parent fun too. Theme parks can be extremely expensive and exhausting, so where do you take a kid that is fun and won’t break you bank? Try taking your kids to one of these legendary toy stores, where you can play for free and who doesn’t love a toy store? Toy stores bring out the child in all of us and maybe they’ll have a giant keyboard like in the movie ”Big.” Check out the best toy stores in the world and make your family enjoy traveling by catering to everyone.

Hamleys – London, England

Take your kids to the oldest toy store in the world at Hamleys in London. Opened in 1760, geez that’s old, and featuring seven floors of toy store goodness. Allow your kids to play with over 50,000 toys and not buy a single one, haha. This particular store is a busy tourist attraction, with over five million visitors yearly. This place is massive and if you can’t find something fun to play with here… you are most likely dead inside.

The Lego Store, New York, New York

Who doesn’t love Legos? The brand that began the intelligent toy movement, making kids critically think since 1932. This massive two-story store in Rockefeller center is waiting for your family to play.

Kiddyland – Tokyo, Japan

For the Tokidoki lovers in the world, head to Kiddyland in Japan for every Japanese toy ever. Well, not every toy from Japan but they sure do have a lot. Featuring strictly Japanese toys, Kiddyland is a playground for kids and adults from all over. You’ll feel like a kid immediately as the brightly colored toy store is made for fun.

American Girl Place – Chicago, Illinois

Do your kids love dolls? Then the American Girl Place is for you. Featuring every doll in their collection, your kid won’t leave here empty handed.

Playthings Etc. – Butler, Pennsylvania

The self proclaimed “world’s coolest toy store,” Playthings etc is anything but normal. The building is built to look like a stealth bomber and is completely metal, so it’s not your normal Toys R Us. The toy store that lets you play with anything is their unofficial motto. So unwrap whatever you want and play, just don’t break it or you bought it.

Nintendo World, New York, New York

Nintendo World is for the Mario heads and video game nerds of all ages. Save the princess and help your brother Luigi defeat Bowzer at this awesome shrine to Mario.

Disney Store – London, England

The most epic children’s brand, Disney has a huge flagship store in London that is radical. Feel like you are at Disneyland or world without dropping $100 per person just to get in. It’s Disney World on the CHEAP! 

Prepare your kids by telling them they only get one toy and be honest. Don’t cave, the kids will enjoy themselves and the parents should enjoy themselves too.