1. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
The neon-lit casinos on The Strip, the gaming heart of Las Vegas, just keep getting more opulent as they replicate Euro landmarks, add thrill rides and celebrity chef-driven restaurants, and incorporate new Cirque du Soleil shows. Gamblers who prefer vintage Sin City head downtown to Fremont Street.
Also recommended for:
Romance
Las Vegas
Flamboyant and glitzy, Las Vegas is an adult playground with singing gondoliers, rooftop roller coasters and all-night entertainment. Couples can take their chances at the slot machines or in one of the city's wedding chapels, or just relax in a luxurious spa or resort.
The neon-lit casinos on The Strip, the gaming heart of Las Vegas, just keep getting more opulent as they replicate Euro landmarks, add thrill rides and celebrity chef-driven restaurants, and incorporate new Cirque du Soleil shows. Gamblers who prefer vintage Sin City head downtown to Fremont Street.
Also recommended for:
Romance
Las Vegas
Flamboyant and glitzy, Las Vegas is an adult playground with singing gondoliers, rooftop roller coasters and all-night entertainment. Couples can take their chances at the slot machines or in one of the city's wedding chapels, or just relax in a luxurious spa or resort.
2. Aruba, Caribbean
Aruba has a good hand to play, with fine powder sand beaches, amazing surfing and big-name casinos. High-rise hotels house such casinos as Allegro Aruba Beach, Aruba Concorde and the vast 8,000-square-foot Alhambra Bazaar, where Caribbean Stud Poker is the big draw.
Also recommended for:
Family Fun
Aruba
Clear waters and great weather are merely two of Aruba's draws. A smorgasbord of activities, from snorkeling to banana boating, entertains families above and below the waves, while jeep safari and quadracer tours are offered inland. A glimpse of the island's personality and past can be viewed at the Aruba Panorama.
Beaches & Sun
Aruba
Spectacular for water sports or just sitting on the sand and admiring the tides, Aruba's beaches are truly special. Swimmers and sunbathers will enjoy the calm waters and white sand at Palm Beach, while water-skiers and surfers love the surf at Eagle Beach.
Romance
Aruba
Aruba offers a delightful mix of daytime activities, nightlife and world-class dining to attract couples to its scenic shores. Indulge yourselves in romantic sunset walks on warm, sandy beaches and private coves, or explore the natural beauty or cultural attractions that make Aruba a popular honeymoon destination.
3. Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
The action in Atlantic City is on the famous Boardwalk and at the tables of the fabulous array of this good-time city's casinos. Vegas-by-the-Sea is home to the reborn Steel Pier, Ripley's Believe it or Not and a plethora of places to play from Bally's Grand to Trump's Taj Mahal to gaudy Caesars.
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Beaches & Sun
Atlantic City
Everyone knows that Atlantic City's beaches are not its primary attraction, but they're nothing to sneeze at either. The white sands at Atlantic City Beach are a great place to sunbathe, and although the water is not particularly warm, it can be refreshing on a hot New Jersey summer day.
4. Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Home to the imposing 1863 Monte Carlo Casino, a palace full of frescoes, sculptures and an astonishing gold and marble atrium, this tiny European principality is a glamorous gambling destination. Perched on the brim of the Mediterranean, the casino offers European, American and automatic games.
5. Macau Region, China
The former colony of Macau is famed for the frantic pace and constantly changing nature of its nightlife. Bars, shops, restaurants and casinos remain open 24 hours. Glittering "hungry tigers," as the slot machines are called locally, chatter all night, and table games star at 18 casinos.
6. Puerto Rico, Caribbean
The chances of a good gambling trip to Puerto Rico are high, as elegant, atmospheric casinos abound. Considered the most enjoyable gaming destination in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has hotel and resort casinos across the island, from old San Juan to Dorado and Mayaguez.
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Beaches & Sun
Puerto Rico
Blessed with crystal-clear waters and gorgeous white or golden sands, Puerto Rican beaches have a lot to offer. Swimming is great at Luquillo Beach and Playa de Ponce, Playa Higuero is perfect for windsurfing and the breathtaking scenery and vegetation is everywhere.
Family Fun
Puerto Rico
Rich with history, Puerto Rico offers countless sightseeing and learning opportunities for the entire family. Visit El Faro--a 316-acre ecological reserve, shop Fortaleza Street, tour the Mayaguez Zoo or visit the largest radio telescope in the world at the Aricebo Observatory.
Romance
Puerto Rico
Steeped in Spanish tradition, Puerto Rico offers more than beautiful beaches, spectacular views and clear waters. You can wander trails leading to dramatic waterfalls, shop along the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and even try your luck at one of the island's elegant casinos.
7. St. Maarten/St. Martin, Caribbean
A glittering constellation of casinos is scattered across the vibrant Dutch side of St. Maarten. Some are Vegas-style, themed casinos, such as underwater-themed Atlantis and the Ancient Rome-inspired Coliseum. There's no shortage of hot entertainment options to add to the excitement.
Also recommended for:
Family Fun
St. Maarten/St. Martin
The island of Saint Maarten/Saint Martin offers twice the international flavor of a single vacation. Swim in the calm, clear waters of Le Gallion or Pinel Island beaches, hike through rain forest-like landscapes at Loterie Farm, or chase fluttering, colorful creatures at the Butterfly Farm.
Shopping
St. Maarten/St. Martin
Dutch on the south and French on the north, St. Maarten/St. Martin is an entirely duty-free island, rendering it a playground for shoppers. Jewelry, high-end clothing and local and European crafts are especially popular. In St. Maarten, Philipsburg is the main shopping town; in St. Martin, it's Marigot.
Romance
St. Maarten/St. Martin
A spicy marriage of European and Caribbean cultures, St. Maarten/St. Martin boasts lavish elegance and secluded beaches on the cosmopolitan French side and a bustling center in Dutch-hued St. Maarten. Zouk, calypso, reggae and jazz soundtrack thrilling romantic dining experiences at some of the region's best restaurants.
Beaches & Sun
St. Maarten/St. Martin
There is no shortage of beautiful shoreline on St. Martin, which boasts some 37 beaches. What sets these apart from other Caribbean beaches is their breathtaking environs--visitors will not only be stunned by the white sand and gorgeous water but also by caves, cliffs, palm trees and rock formations.
8. Curacao, Caribbean
Curacao is a good bet for those looking for that lucky combination of gambling, glorious beaches and an array of outdoors activities. Balance time on the tables with daytime delights such as scuba diving, befriending dolphins, golf and wandering the streets of Chrisoffelpark and Willemstad.
Also recommended for:
Romance
Curacao
Considered a diving paradise, Curacao provides and island of wonders to couples. Spoil your loved one with morning swims in warm, clear waters, afternoon lounging on sunny beaches, sunset-lit walks through 17th-century architecture or romantic world-class dining.
Beaches & Sun
Curacao
Thirty-eight small, gorgeous beaches frame the turquoise waters around Curacao, and each one offers a distinct experience, from secluded to surrounded by cliffs. Scuba divers and snorkelers will find this a world-class destination, as will windsurfers and boaters of all kinds.
Shopping
Curacao
The capital of Willemstad is naturally the capital of Curacao shopping, with the picturesque Dutch-tinged pedestrian-only Punda neighborhood having for centuries been the focal point. Here you'll find fine European wares from the Netherlands and beyond, as well as Caribbean-made art, crafts and liquor.
9. Reno, Nevada, United States
In addition to its banks of slot machines and abundant table games, Reno offers a kaleidoscopic array of nightlife options, from oldies revues and country-and-western to rock and comedy. Follow an evening of poker or baccarat with a headline show or nightclubbing in Reno or nearby
10. Bahamas, Caribbean
The Bahamas boasts an enticing array of gambling destinations. Grand Bahama's big draws include Freeport's Bahamia and Lucaya's Isle of Capri, while Paradise Island, adjacent to Nassau, boasts the thrilling, glittering Atlantis Resort, a fairy-tale destination with a 7-acre lagoon, towers, glass sculptures and fantastic gaming.
Also recommended for:
Beaches & Sun
Bahamas
Whatever you look for in a beach, the Bahamas has it. With sands that range from pink to white to sugary, waters that are blue or crystal clear, waves that cater to water sports or swimming and sunsets that are always romantic, the Bahamian shores are brilliant and unforgettable.
Family Fun
Bahamas
The Bahamas offers families 700 islands of fun, sun and nature. Marvel at the tropical wildlife, plunder away at Pirates in the Bahamas, or explore the Adventure Learning Centre's petting farm, planetarium and nature trail. Of course, there are always relaxing beaches for family fun.
Shopping
Bahamas
Unique shopping opportunities can be found across the Bahamas' many islands, but the biggest concentration is along and around Bay Street in downtown Nassau, where you'll find department stores, boutiques and duty-free shops, as well as a lively straw market selling art, crafts and designer knock-offs.
The Bahamas boasts an enticing array of gambling destinations. Grand Bahama's big draws include Freeport's Bahamia and Lucaya's Isle of Capri, while Paradise Island, adjacent to Nassau, boasts the thrilling, glittering Atlantis Resort, a fairy-tale destination with a 7-acre lagoon, towers, glass sculptures and fantastic gaming.
Also recommended for:
Beaches & Sun
Bahamas
Whatever you look for in a beach, the Bahamas has it. With sands that range from pink to white to sugary, waters that are blue or crystal clear, waves that cater to water sports or swimming and sunsets that are always romantic, the Bahamian shores are brilliant and unforgettable.
Family Fun
Bahamas
The Bahamas offers families 700 islands of fun, sun and nature. Marvel at the tropical wildlife, plunder away at Pirates in the Bahamas, or explore the Adventure Learning Centre's petting farm, planetarium and nature trail. Of course, there are always relaxing beaches for family fun.
Shopping
Bahamas
Unique shopping opportunities can be found across the Bahamas' many islands, but the biggest concentration is along and around Bay Street in downtown Nassau, where you'll find department stores, boutiques and duty-free shops, as well as a lively straw market selling art, crafts and designer knock-offs.
11. Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Biloxi's floating fun palaces line the shoreline. Casino Magic Biloxi and the stunning 72,000-square-foot Beau Rivage are both due to be reopening. Beau Rivage offers banks upon banks of slots, a good mix of table games and friendly dealers.
12. Sun City, North-West South Africa, South Africa
Now that casinos have spread in South Africa, Sun City is no longer the only gaming hotspot in the country, but it's still visually dramatic. Located two hours from Johannesburg, it's a sprawling complex of luxury hotels, restaurants and Vegas-style shows on the edge of
13. Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Shreveport has been taking a gamble since the 1840s when paddle steamers resounded with the sounds of poker-provoked gun fights. Today the city's five atmospheric riverboat casinos are a far safer bet for those chancing their luck, and horse racing at Harrah's Louisiana Downs ups the stakes even further.
14. Connecticut, United States
If you're heading to Connecticut with cash to splash, make for Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. The 300-table, 6200-slot towering hotel resort is a sure bet. Meanwhile, Ledyard's Foxwoods Resort, once the world's largest casino, operated by the Pequot tribe, has a staggering 7500 slots and just short of 400 gaming tables.
Shreveport has been taking a gamble since the 1840s when paddle steamers resounded with the sounds of poker-provoked gun fights. Today the city's five atmospheric riverboat casinos are a far safer bet for those chancing their luck, and horse racing at Harrah's Louisiana Downs ups the stakes even further.
14. Connecticut, United States
If you're heading to Connecticut with cash to splash, make for Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. The 300-table, 6200-slot towering hotel resort is a sure bet. Meanwhile, Ledyard's Foxwoods Resort, once the world's largest casino, operated by the Pequot tribe, has a staggering 7500 slots and just short of 400 gaming tables.
15. Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, United States
High rollers head to the Las Vegas-style gaming that has made Tunica the third-largest gambling destination in the nation. No gaming limits, big name entertainment and genuine Southern hospitality attract all to Tunica's 10 casinos, only a 30-minute drive from Memphis.
