The Best Las Vegas Dupes — Affordable Casino Towns Across The US
By
Kaitlyn McInnis
Writer at Casinos.US Updated: 05/22/2024
Kaitlyn McInnis is an outstanding travel writer and guidebook author with years of experience. She’s written for numerous international publications, such as BBC Travel, CNN, and Forbes. She blends her travel expertise with insights on accommodations and entertainment to help our readers maximize their experience at casino resorts and hotels.
Explore Las Vegas Alternatives
- Reno, Nevada
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Tunica, Mississippi
- Deadwood, South Dakota
There’s no denying the lustrous allure of Las Vegas; it’s a veritable adult amusement park plenty with every vice you could possibly dream up. The weather is almost always great, there’s drinks and dining available at all hours of the day, and there are more casinos than you could possibly visit in one trip to town.
But Las Vegas isn’t the only casino town worth visiting in the US — in fact, there are quite a few that will provide the same level of entertainment and memories (or lack thereof) that might even be within driving distance to you, cutting out the need to book a flight or pay for an expensive hotel on the strip.
Here are some of the best Las Vegas dupes from coast to coast and what makes them worth a visit:
Reno, Nevada
Reno is only about a six hour drive north of Las Vegas — but the third-largest Nevada town offers a totally different vibe than its big sister city. It’s not commonly own but gambling was first made legal largely thanks to Reno businessmen who pushed for the bill to pass — and these days the town is equal parts gambling haven and quirky indie getaway. You’ll find the same all-in-one casinos and resorts here as you would in Vegas but for a much more affordable price point. Reno also has its fair share of independent breweries, water sports and outdoor activities, and a very vibrant art scene (it helps that Reno is one of the jumping-off points for Burning Man!). Be sure to check out the largest outdoor climbing wall in the world at the Basecamp Climbing Gym or check into the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa and Casino to take advantage of the turquoise blue waters of Lake Tahoe.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The flight from the East Coast to Las Vegas is almost equivalent to flying to Europe in certain cases — and that can be hard to justify for a weekend getaway. Atlantic City on the other hand? It’s a short two-hour drive from New York and just five hours driving from Boston. The coastal town also has something that you can’t get in Las Vegas: a stunning oceanfront. Atlantic City is synonymous with bachelor parties and graduation getaways, so you’ll often find similar antics and vibes in its bars and restaurants as you would in certain parts of the Strip. However it also has an abundance of local seafood and Italian restaurants that make it a distinct casino town worth checking out. Take a spin along the Atlantic City Boardwalk and be sure to sample the famous Atlantic City salt water taffy while you’re at it.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Did you know that New Orleans has two different types of casinos? You’ll find them both on riverboats and on land as well. While the Louisiana town doesn’t offer the same volume of casinos as other dupes on the list, its infamous food and party scene makes this a serious contender if you’re looking for an alternative to the Las Vegas Strip. Think of the beignets (from Cafe du Monde, of course) and po’boys (check out Johnny’s Po-Boys or Killer PoBoys)!
Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica — formerly known as Robinsonville — is the third-largest casino-gambling destination in the United States after Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The city consists mainly of floating casinos that sit on the Mississippi River. This is due to the fact that gambling was historically banned and a workaround meant that many-a casino had to be built on water to evade local laws. These days there are only six remaining casinos with the Gold Strike Casino Resort and Hollywood Casino Tunica being two of the most popular (and expansive) casinos in town.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood, South Dakota is famous for its gold rush history — and honestly the town feels like stepping into the Wild West in the best way possible. Here you’ll find attractions like the Days of 76 Museum and even the graves of Wild West figures like Wild Bill Hicock and Calamity Jane. That said — the best part of visiting Deadwood is sauntering down its Historic Downtown, which is where you’ll feel the most like you’ve stepped into an old Western. There are also more than twenty state licensed casinos that evoke an equally old school feel.
