Top 10 Best Things to do at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa 2014

I recently visited St. Charles, Missouri's upscale casino: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa. And, by upscale I mean ~ how did this place land in the Midwest? I have been in a few casinos and this is more of a spa, resort and casino combined yet, completely separate of each other's identities.

And ~ considering I am not really one to put coins into a machine without being assured of getting a candy bar back ~ this was great news. And surprising to find outside of Las Vegas.

Located in the historic town and just a few minutes from the airport makes this an easy road (or air) trip and provides the small town charm with big city slots.

It is owned by Pinnacle Entertainment, which also owns over-the-top Vegas-glamorized River City Casino and Hotel in St. Louis, which I wrote about earlier. Read Top 10 List here. Here are the Gotta Go recommendations for Ameristar Casino and Hotel, St. Charles.

Top 10 Best Things to Do

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa

~ 1 ~

Twirl

 
There are many food items in this list, I realize. However, when it happens that you find so many great ones, you just need to share. Here is the worth-the-drive pasta dish from the masterminds at Bugatti's Steak & Pasta, the Italian fine dining eatery. Beef short rib tagliatelle is a very long name for a very scrumptious meal to twirl. This could actually be my new No. 1 favorite Italian dish. No disrespect to Tony Danza who has just been pushed to the No. 2 spot.

~ 2 ~
Scrub Up
When I found out the ARA Spa service menu features Missouri's only Japanese bathing ritual-inspired all over body treatment, I went for it. Pure Bliss consists of five-parts using minerals, flowers and fruit essences, oils and lotions for an ultimate experience. All over mimosa shower, bamboo scrub, cherry blossom polish, plum mist and hydrated with wild lime oils.... that's not a spa menu item, it's an entire spa buffet. Wow. I might have floated to heaven somewhere between the second and third segment, or at least felt no stress for a couple of hours ~ Be sure to ask for Ramon.

~ 3 ~

Play Footsie

Just like any other lady (and cool men), I have received many pedicures in my life and the reasons this one hits the list is the professionalism and friendliness of the technician, the atmosphere and decor of the salon, and..... here's the big reason ~ the polish did not chip, smudge or flake off for three weeks ~ what a time saver without the extra cost and time for a gel polish treatment like Shellac gel. I use OPI regular nail colour (they also have a gel) almost exclusively and this was no exception. Except it lasted. And lasted. I received the Pure Bliss Ara ritual pedicure (and manicure) and if I lived within a reasonable driving distance, I would use ARA Salon for this reason alone.

~ 4 ~

Step Down
The suites are just that... suites. A relaxing sitting area accompanies every hotel room-suite in the form of a sunken living room. Picture windows showcase the cityscape or river view flooding the room with natural light. The step-down area is large enough for a few friends to sit and enjoy themselves without sitting on a bed or uncomfortable desk chair, making this a hotel that actually understands their customers' needs.

~ 5 ~

Flop it

No, I have not missed the Texas Hold 'em craze, which became more than a fad and is now a staple in casinos, bars and homes across the nation. I just never got the hang of it ~ until an invitation to a private lesson (my job does have its perks). Many things were learned at that tutorial: they are called cheques not chips, it's really, really fun to win large stacks on a bluff and you can take home big bucks playing this game. Hmmm, maybe I should take on that Moneymaker guy. I wonder if he's playing the Heartland Poker Tournament in Kansas City this October?
I think I'm ready ~ let 'em flop.

~ 6 ~

Pearl's Oyster Bar
(See image at top)

There is only one thing better than seafood. A tower of seafood. Pearl's is a Cajun and seafood eatery that tops itself with a vertical tribute to all that is wonderful under the sea. Blue Point oysters, King crab, snow crab legs and huge shrimp fight to be king of this hill of horseradish, hot sauce and melted butter. Enough to share with your gaming pals, chances are you will wrestle for the last bites.

~ 7 ~

Catch Fire

Because this casino's food and beverage team are slightly insane in that let's-see-how-we-can-top-it kind of way, they have taken a classic drink, the Hurricane (Pat O'Brien's in NOLA), and, well... lit it on fire. Yes. Flamed up the old standby get-the-party-started drink, proving they truly will try anything. Thank goodness.

~ 8 ~

Make a Wish

Now, I am not certain you are allowed to toss in the customary three coins, but no matter. This million-dollar water fountain doesn't need any coins to make you believe wishes truly do come true. It also doesn't scream for attention with flash and neon, simply drawing you in gently, offering a calming respite from all the gaming floor action.

~ 9 ~

Lap it up

Take a few laps in the indoor-outdoor pool or... just soak up the sun's rays while sipping a few cold concoctions. The cabana-style bar serves frothy, frozen and fruity drinks and is available to non hotel guests as well in the form of a day pass.

~ 10 ~
Listen Close

Live entertainment in the form of national and local artists fill the venues, such as Bottleneck Blues Bar and The Night Club. The St. Louis metro property even goes so far as to bring the music outdoors with Rehydrate Weekends ~ a pool party on steroids. Country, 80s pop, blues, you name it and you will find music for the soul.

Images ~ 

©Jeff Roberts JLR Photo&Video
E.J.Musgrave

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana Casinos Offer More than Gambling

Blue Chip

I am not surprised at how many people do not know about the amenities at casinos outside the gaming floor. It's almost a secret. I am not against gambling at all, I just don't do it often. So why do I go to casinos?

If you consider that people go to casinos and win money ~ they want someplace to spend it and they want to spend it now. Enter... an entire smorgasbord of options, including (but certainly not limited to) shopping, food, mixologists creating marvelous cocktails, spas, hotels, golf, cooking classes, and so much more... They truly are an adult playground.

Below is a complete and up-to-date (as of today) list of all the casinos in Indiana with links directly below. Read, click and go have fun ~ not gambling.

Well, okay, you can go ahead and gamble if you like. Certainly they have plenty of slot machines, poker, Black Jack and horses for placing money on, along with people who help you understand how to bet, play the games and where to cash in (my favorite part).

Indiana Casinos List 2013

Ameristar
Ameristar.com/eastchicago 

Belterra

Belterracasino.com

Blue Chip

Bluechipcasino.com 

French Lick Resort & Spa 

Frenchlick.com

Hollywood 

Hollywoodindiana.com

Hoosier Park & Casino 

Hoosierpark.com

Horseshoe SI

Horseshoe-indiana.com

Horsehoe Hammond 

HorseshoeHammond.com

Indiana Grand & Downs 

Indianagrand.com

Majestic Star I 

MajesticStarCasino.com

Majestic Star II

MajesticStarCasino.com

Rising Star

RisingStarCasino.com

Tropicana Evansville

TropEvansville.com

Elizabeth gives Indy Style viewers insider tips for Indiana casinos.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, persuasive copywriter, features
writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as your Personal Lifestyle Adviser on WISH TV 8 (CBS) Indy Style. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Twilight Tours at West Baden Springs Hotel

West Baden Springs Hotel, located in the gently rolling hills of southern Indiana welcomes guests to mingle with ghosts during its Twilight Tours throughout the summer and fall. Costumed characters bring history to life with this year’s cast featuring two new figures.

The 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking is represented by passenger Margaret (The Unsinkable Molly) Brown, and Caroline Astor. The socialite hid at West Baden’s luxury hotel during the scandal of her divorce from John Jacob Astor, who perished during the ship’s sinking.

Through October, Indiana Landmarks brings the period back to life on guided trips through the hotel where visitors meet costumed characters representing guests and famous people of the time.

Characters from the 1920s include: Col. Bliss, commander of US Army Hospital No. 35 (the Army leased the hotel as a hospital from September 1918 through April 1919); Walter Hagen, PGA winner at French Lick in 1924; Helen Keller, who attended the hotel’s grand opening; author Edna Ferber and Chicago mob boss Big Jim Colosimo.

Visitors also will meet hotel employees and entertainers, such as Mademoiselle Louise, the hotel’s resident palmist/mentalist in the early 20th century.

Tours last 75 minutes and ends before 10 p.m., leaving time for enjoying the moonlit gardens or one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Dates include, May 25, June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 13.

To make required reservations and for more information, call 812-936-4034, 866-571-8687.

Photos provided by: Indiana Landmarks

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her new column, Infused, at FoodandDrinkDigital.com, as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on BroadwayWorld.com, in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Indiana's Office of Tourism launches new fall travel website

VisitIndianaFall.com features festivals, agritourism venues and leaf updates

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Office of Tourism Development has launched a new travel planning resource just in time for fall. Tour, Taste, Traditions is a promotion that highlights dozens of fall excursions, u-picks and markets, wineries and breweries and festivals throughout Indiana. The information is now available at VisitIndianaFall.com. The new website also features the Fall Color Blog, an interactive tool designed to help track the changing leaves.

Detailed information about some of Indiana's many great autumn getaway options can be found at the seasonal website. In addition, nearby dining and hotel options are showcased alongside each attraction or event listing. The Fall Color Blog provides frequent updates on leaf-peeping opportunities across the state. Naturalists from DNR are among the experts providing content to the blog.

VisitIndianaFall.com is live through November 14. It is linked with VisitIndiana.com, the official state travel website where discounts, trip ideas and helpful tips are easily accessible. Indiana visitor information is also available via Twitter and Facebook.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGO and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.