Staycation : Turning Stone Casino And Resort

I had hoped that when I grew up,  I would be well off enough to just say, “Screw it, let’s just relax and stay at a hotel tonight.”

Well, I’m grown up now and I still not quite there.  But thanks to a gift from my mom and her partner, Elle, we were granted that privilege for a night.  

Just East of Syracuse, you can find the Turning Stone Casino and Resort in the small town of Vernon.    You can see the 22 floor Tower from Rt.90.

I spent a lot of time here as a young adult.  Casinos are a popular place for newly 18 year olds to go.  Just old enough to gamble, not old enough to drink ( legally).  I saw a handful of shows here and it was even the sight of my first half marathon back in 2012.  

I used to bring my Grandma up here for the afternoon.  We would hang out at the buffet and then she would play Keno, while the Black Jack dealers happily took my “donations”.  

Play poker people.  You are playing against other humans…not  in a system where the odds are never in your favor.  

This was our first time staying as guests.  We did have Liam, but that didn’t damper the mood.  We enjoy taking our kids places and giving them memories.  

We spent the evening eating, playing (in the arcade), and exploring the grounds.  Then I think we all had the best nights sleep we have had in months.  

The resort is beautiful.  In a place that is visiting by thousands a day, there are some isolated sections that make you feel like you are in the movie, The Shining.  

I took lots of pictures.  Check them out. 

“Hi Lloyd …a little slow tonight”.

Stairway to The Lodge

See…the Shining