Turning Stone is a popular casino resort located in upstate New York within the town of Verona. Though it is a long way from NYC, it is just a short 45 minute drive East from Syracuse on the NYS Throughway (Exit 33). This makes it a popular destination for many residents around the greater Syracuse area. Since the age to gamble here is just 18, it also draws in college students from nearby state universities.
The casino at Turning Stone currently offers up slots, electronic machines, keno and table games which helps to differentiate it from a few other casinos in New York that do not currently have live table games. This means they are able to feature Class III casino games which utilize dice, wheels and/or cards. Like some of the aforementioned casinos, however, it does not have an on-site horse racing track. It compensates for this by having a hotel and resort on location.
The Turning Stone Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation. Aside from the many games you’ll find on the casino floor, Turning Stone also offers a four diamond hotel, world class golf course, spa and plenty of entertainment options. Though many people who live outside of the state have likely never heard of Turning Stone, it has actually received several noteworthy awards in recent years. These include the “Casino of the Year” award in 2009 by The Academy of Country Music along with the “Most Excellent Golf Resort” award in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens; a world renowned luxury resort company.
Casino at Turning Stone
As is the case with many other casinos located in the state of New York, the age to gamble here is just 18 years old. This can be a draw for younger players who would not otherwise be able to gamble in other popular destinations like Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Turning Stone’s casino floor offers up a wide variety of games ranging from cards and dice to wheel games and many slot varieties. Compared to other New York casinos, the gaming floor is pretty large. It is worth noting that smoking is permitted in most areas of the casino. They do also have a poker room, which is outlined in further detail later on. Below is a list containing all of the table games available at Turning Stone.
Table Games
– Blackjack
– Double-Deck Blackjack
– Craps
– Roulette
– Baccarat (Mini and Midi)
– Pai Gow Poker
– Let it Ride
– Three Card Poker
– Four Card Poker
– Caribbean Stud Poker
– Spanish 21
– Texas Hold ‘Em Bonus
– The Big Six
– Sic Bo
– Casino War
– Beat the Dealer
Slot Machines
Turning Stone offers up over 400 different slot machine varieties ranging from classic 3-reel slots to 5+ reel video machines. All in all, they have a total of over 2,000 individual machines spread across the gaming floor. I believe the slots here are Class II, much like other casinos in New York which means they are in all reality, Video Lottery Terminals. These types of machines use a lottery-style system instead of the random number generators used in places like Vegas and Atlantic City. That being said, they are still able to offer these games in popular varieties that you are probably familiar with such as Wheel of Fortune, Triple Double Diamond and the likes. For a full list of the slot machine games available here, you can view them directly on their official website, or click here.
Restaurants and Bars at Turning Stone
Turning Stone has a fairly large number of options when it comes to dining and drinking. Whether you’re looking for five star restaurants, or just a quick bite to eat, Turning Stone actually has a lot to offer. Below is a full list of restaurants and bars located within Turning Stone.
Restaurants/Dining
– Peach Blossom: Offers primarily Chinese and Thai food with an “Asian Fusion” feel.
– Pino: Offers Italian-American foods as well as wine.
– Upstate Tavern: Offers “bar food” and quick bites that are unique to upstate New York. They also serve alcohol.
– Tin Rooster: Offers BBQ and “Southern” meals in a country atmosphere.
– Emerald: Offers casual foods with a classic American menu. Has breakfast, lunch and dinner; open 24hrs.
– Season’s Harvest: Offers buffet-style dining with foods from 7 uniquely distinct regions of the world.
– The Corner Market: Has 6 different dining options including: Bamboo (Stir-Fry), Bella Roma (Pizzeria/Italian), Crystals (American), Ice Cream, Southern Bull Fried Chicken & BBQ (Southern/Barbecue), Stone Street Deli (NY-style deli)
– Delta Cafe: Offers fast food and quick bites in the Bingo hall.
– Opals Confectionary: Offers fudge, sweets, desserts and other baked goods.
– Wildflowers: Offers a diverse menu of American style foods, located in the lodge.
– TS Steakhouse: Offers steaks and elegant meals with locally sourced, sustainable foods. Located on the top floor of The Tower it has the best views in the casino.
– In-Room Dining: Available 24hrs/day.
Bars/Lounges
It is worth noting that many of the restaurants listed above also serve alcohol. Below is a list of all the lounges/bars that’s main purpose is serving alcohol.
– The Gig
– Turquoise Tiger
– Lava Nightclub
– Leopard Lounge
– Atrium Bar
– The Lodge Lounge
– Bar Pino
– Over/Under Sports Lounge
Hotel and Resort at Turning Stone
When looking for a hotel room at Turning Stone you’ll notice there is three different options to choose from. This includes The Lodge, The Tower and The Hotel. Each of these areas have their pros and cons, and are somewhat distinct in their own ways. The Lodge is located just behind the casino. It consists of only large, 500+ square foot suites and is a four diamond award winner. The Tower is another four diamond winner and is one of the tallest buildings in upstate New York. On the top floor of The Tower is where you’ll find great views and the TS Steakhouse. The Hotel was recently renovated and offers more standard room options that you are probably used to if you visit casinos somewhat frequently. The Hotel is located right in the center of everything and has 268 rooms total with elevator access to the casino floor.