Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway

Getting Here: 22 minutes from White Plains

Vibe & Crowd: One of the newest jewels in the crown of a resurgent Yonkers, the continually expanding Empire City draws a young (and young-at-heart) urban crowd from New York City and beyond.

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Place Your Bets: Empire City’s mainstay remains its gleaming banks of themed slots and progressives (including its uber-popular Wheel of Fortune) and electronic table games, including blackjack, three-card poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, and sic bo. The casino’s new state-of-the-art virtual dealers for blackjack and poker give gamers who may be hesitant to participate in a live game the experience of a “human” dealer without the added pressure. And a visit to Empire City would not be complete without the thrill of betting on and watching live harness racing (five days a week).

Beyond Gaming: Empire City maintains a robust schedule of programs and events, giving you lots of options to take a break from gaming — from DJs and salsa dancing to comedy acts, bands, and bowling. After you’ve worked up an appetite from gaming and dancing, you can take some of your newfound winnings and indulge in one of several on-site dining options, including the international food court, Dan Rooney’s Sports Pub, or Italian fare at Nonno’s Trattoria.

Ace the Experience: While there are no on-site accommodations (yet), Empire City has partnered with the new Hampton Inn & Suites on Tuckahoe Road (914.963.3200) and Residence Inn Marriott in Yonkers (914.476.4600), to provide shuttle service between the casino and the hotels.