Looking for entertainment, gaming, and Southern hospitality? Head to Tunica! Located along the Mississippi River just south of Memphis, Tunica is known for its casino resorts, blues history, and welcoming charm. Whether you’re rolling the dice, savoring barbecue, or exploring Delta culture, Tunica is a vibrant escape with a laid-back feel.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Tunica is from March through May and September through November. These months offer pleasant weather for sightseeing, casino hopping, golf, and exploring nearby attractions without peak summer humidity.
How to Get There
- By car: Tunica is located along U.S. Route 61, about 40 minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee, and 90 minutes north of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
- By air: Fly into Memphis International Airport (MEM), then rent a car or take a shuttle for the short drive to Tunica.
- By bus or shuttle: Casino shuttles and charter buses operate from Memphis and other regional cities.
Where to Stay
- Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino – Stylish resort with a lively casino floor, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
- Gold Strike Casino Resort – Upscale option offering a spa, gaming, and rooms with river views.
- Fitz Casino & Hotel – Affordable rooms and gaming with panoramic views of the Mississippi River.
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Tunica RiverPark & Museum – Learn about the Mississippi River’s ecosystem and Delta culture with scenic trails and boat rides.
- Tunica Queen Riverboat – Enjoy a cruise along the Mississippi with sightseeing and dinner options (seasonal schedule).
- Gateway to the Blues Museum – Explore the roots of blues music in an interactive and beautifully restored train depot.
- Casino Strip Resorts – Try your luck at multiple casino properties offering slots, table games, and live shows.
- River Bend Links – Hit the greens at this Scottish-style golf course adjacent to the Mississippi River.
Top Casinos
1.Horseshoe Casino
Play table games and enjoy high-energy vibes on an exciting weekend trip.
Horseshoe Casino is a modern casino hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, about 30 from Memphis. It was developed by Jack Binion, and named after his father's famous Binion's Horseshoe gambling hall. The Horseshoe Tunica is known as a place for serious gamblers, especially table games players, but it also offers the latest in slots and video poker. The casino is known for its liberal rules and its comp policies. The hotel rooms are modern, with cozy sitting areas, coffeemakers and flat-screen TVs. Upscale 15th-floor suites have magnificent Mississippi Delta views, separate bedrooms and wet bars. Guests enjoy a live music venue hosting big-name acts, five restaurants, an outdoor pool and a gym.
1021 Casino Center Dr, Robinsonville, MS 38664, Phone: 800-303-7463
2.Gold Strike Casino
Go all in and savor dining options on a thrilling couples getaway.
Gold Strike Casino is a laid-back casino hotel in Tunica, Mississippi about four miles from the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau and 20 minutes from Memphis. The resort was originally opened as Curcus Circus in 1994 and it looked like a circus tent. After the 1997 total renovation, the resort has 1,133 spacious, modern rooms and 125 suites, the conference and convention center, the Courtyard Buffet, the Atrium Café, award-winning Chicago Steakhouse restaurant, a nightclub Red Door; a spa, the 800-seat Millennium Theater; and 50,000 square feet of gaming space with 52 table games and more than 1,400 slot machines. The resort is 31 stories tall and is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tunica.
1010 Casino Center Dr, Robinsonville, MS 38664, Phone: 888-245-7829
3.1st Jackpot Casino
Try your luck and explore lively attractions on a quick, affordable trip.
1st Jackpot Casino Tunica (formerly Bally's) is a casino and former hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. It is owned by Gaming & Leisure Properties .The casino has 46,535 square feet of gaming space, with 899 slot machines and 16 table games. In May 2017, Bally's and Resorts Tunica were sold to Gaming & Leisure Properties, the casino was renamed in September 2017 to 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica and the hotel was later demolished. '1st Jackpot Casino now sets the standard for high-rolling gambling on the Mississippi River. Designed in a vintage 1800s’ Delta theme, the timber and rich velvet seats bring to life opulent eras of America’s past.
1450 Jackpot Blvd, Robinsonville, MS 38664, Phone: 866-422-5597
Where to Eat
4.Blue and White Restaurant
Savor Southern comfort food and enjoy classic charm on a relaxed family meal.
The Blue and White Restaurant is a tiny, narrow diner in Tunica, Mississippi that looks like it is in a time warp and has been transported from the early 20’s, with blue and white tiles, blue chairs and white formica tables. The diner was originally established in 1924 on Route 61 in downtown Tunica, near the railroad station. In its early days, the diner included a tobacco and newsstand, a service station, a Greyhound bus stop and a full-service restaurant. The kitchen still produces the kind of food the old diner offered - a true Southern style cooking with such old-time favorites as Chicken Livers with Gravy, Country Style Steak and Catfish Creole.
1355 US-61, Tunica, MS 38676, Phone: 662-363-1371
More Places to Eat
- Jack Binion’s Steak – Classic upscale steakhouse inside Horseshoe Casino with fine dining and river views.
- Buffets and Quick Bites – Each casino features its own buffet or food court for casual dining and variety.
If you are interested in local events:
- Tunica Balloon Bash (October) – A colorful weekend of hot air balloon races, glows, and family fun.
- Tunica Rivergate Festival (April) – Music, food, and crafts in historic downtown Robinsonville.
- Casino Concert Series (Year-round) – Enjoy big-name musical acts and comedians at casino venues like Horseshoe and Gold Strike.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Tunica, Mississippi:
- Memphis, TN (30–40 min) – Explore Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and more.
- Clarksdale, MS (1 hr) – Dive into authentic Delta blues culture at the Delta Blues Museum and Ground Zero Blues Club.
- Helena, AR (30 min via ferry or bridge) – Visit this historic Mississippi River town with Civil War sites and music history.
- DeSoto County (25–30 min) – Discover antique shops, wineries, and nature trails in nearby Hernando or Olive Branch.
- Arkabutla Lake (30 min) – Enjoy fishing, picnicking, and boating at this peaceful North Mississippi reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where is Tunica located?
- Tunica is a town in Tunica County, Mississippi, near the Mississippi River.
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What was Tunica like before casino gambling?
- Until the early 1990s, when casino gambling was introduced in the area, Tunica had been one of the poorest places in the country.
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When did Tunica become known for its casinos?
- Since 1990, the town became known as the location of a number of casinos near the Mississippi River.
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Where are the casinos in Tunica now located?
- The currently existing casinos are now part of Tunica Resorts, located just outside the Tunica downtown.
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What is the Tunica Museum?
- The Tunica Museum is a history museum founded in 1997 and a great place to learn about the town's past.
Plan Your Trip
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