The return to a pandemic-free world is near. If you’re done with online gaming and the newest slots are no longer enough to excite you, there’s a lot to look forward to.

It’s still a different experience going to physical casinos and having personal interactions. If you’re thinking of indulging in Canada’s gaming scene once again, here are five of the best resorts and casinos from the east coast to the west coast, along with some of the cities’ top attractions.

Moncton, New Brunswick: Casino New Brunswick

Fall in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Photo by Amer Alhalawani on Unsplash.

You’ll find Casino New Brunswick, the province’s only entertainment resort, in Moncton. In fact, it’s a 4.5 star resort with a 4 diamond rating, only 10 minutes from the Greater Moncton International Airport. Featuring a Vegas-style casino, you’ll find traditional reels and video slots in their 600 machines. If your preference is table games, you’ll be happy to find Baccarat to Texas Hold ‘Em.

While you’re at Casino New Brunswick, be prepare to be amazed with the #1 nearby attraction—Magnetic Hill. You may feel like you’ve landed on another planet as you experience its naturally occurring phenomenon, which makes it feel like everything around you is running uphill! Indeed, Magnetic Hill is one of the top three visited natural attractions in Canada.

History of Magnetic Hill as a Tourist Attraction

But Casino New Brunswick is just one of the attractions around Magnetic Hill. The Magnetic Hill Winery offers guided tours through their tank room, along with wine tasting of a range of tastes from mead to dessert to traditional. Or, if you prefer, you can check out the Pump House Brewery, which was one of the first brew pubs in the Maritimes.

Looking for things to do outside? You can golf 9 or 18 holes on the very diverse greens of the Mountain Woods Golf Club. Or, for the adventurous, try an aerial adventure ziplining at TreeGo, knowing you’re safely attached to continuous safety cables. And if that’s not enough of an adrenaline rush, you can jump out of an airplane with SkyDive Moncton!

Montreal, Quebec: Casino de Montreal

Offering a splendid view of the Ile Notre-Dame, Casino de Montreal is not just aesthetically satisfying. This casino that claims to be the largest in the world offers five floors of gaming heaven with more than 3,000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables. Operating all day long, this extravagant casino resort offers blackjack, roulette, hi-lo, craps, baccarat, and many other games. It also has an 18-table poker section.

And the city, well, if you’re looking for a North American destination that’s out of the ordinary, Montreal offers you a slice of Europe with its rich French history and culture. Indeed, it’s the second largest primarily French speaking city in the world, after Paris. Don’t worry, though, the majority of the population here is bilingual

No matter when you visit Ile Notre-Dame, the man-made island created to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967, you’ll find lots of attractions to choose from. You may even want to plan your trip around two of the island’s biggest events: the Canadian Grand Prix (Formula 1 car racing) or the annual Winter Carnival (La Fête des Neiges de Montréal).

Summers, the beach is popular, along with paddling on the Saint Lawrence River. Once the snow flies, you’ve got it all with ice skating, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Niagara Falls, Ontario: Fallsview Casino Resort

Located near the bank of Horseshoe Falls—hence the name—Fallsview Casino Resort is one of the best options for your first trip to a physical casino in Canada after the pandemic. It lets you play casino games while enjoying one of the most Canadian views around, the sight of the Niagara Falls. With more than 200,000 square feet of space, this is the largest casino ever built in Canada. It operates 24/7 and features more than 3,000 slot machines and over 100 gaming tables.

The Canadian Horseshoe Falls, of course, are just one set of falls that make up the world-famous Niagara Falls. You’ll also find the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, along with attractions on both sides of the Canadian/U.S. border.

When you’re at Fallsview Casino, of course, you’ll be in Canada. For starters, take a tour to explore 130-year-old tunnels through the bedrock and feel the vibration of the water rushing over the Horseshoe Falls. If that’s not enough of a challenge, consider the White Water Walk, experiencing Class 6 white-water rapids on the Niagara River, or the Zipline to the Falls.

And when you’re ready for a little relaxation, check out the Butterfly Conservatory. Here, you’ll find one of the largest glass-enclosed conservatories in North America that’s home to 2000+ butterflies.

Edmonton, Alberta: River Cree Resort and Casino

Regarded as one of the best entertainment, and dining, destinations in Canada, Alberta’s River Cree Resort and Casino is known for attracting seasoned gamblers. With more than 1,300 slot machines and 40 table games, this facility in Greater Edmonton may not be the biggest, but it certainly offers one of the most unforgettable experiences. It is famous for its exclusive high stakes poker room.

Often referred to as the Gateway to the North, and even as Festival City, there are a lot of unique experiences for visitors to this city in central Canada. What better place to see the famed Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, than from one of Canada’s largest planetariums at the Telus World of Science.

Interested in Alberta’s oil history? Check out the Canadian Energy Museum, a National Historic site where you can climb inside a working oil rig. Or take a trip further back in time to check out Canada’s fur trade, and early forts, at the country’s largest living history museum—Fort Edmonton Park.

And if it’s a festival you’re looking for, Edmonton has 30+ annually!

Richmond, British Columbia: River Rock Casino

Whatever type of gaming you’re looking for, you’ll find it at River Rock Casino on Canada’s West coast. Featuring the most Baccarat tables in North America, the casino also offers five kinds of poker and all the classics, including Roulette and Blackjack. Ever tried wagering on horse races? Now’s your chance at the 55 seat Racebook at River Rock, where video technology combines with horse racing to give you an exciting day.

As Western Canada’s only four diamond casino resort, you’ll find all the amenities you’re looking for on a getaway. Whether you plan to spend all your time in the casino, so only want a small room, or plan to relax in luxury with the 2500 square foot presidential suite, your getaway will be memorable.

It may seem contrary to the flashing lights and steady hum of a casino, but you’ll also find River Rock is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Situated on the banks of the Fraser River, there are many outdoor activities to do around the marina and boardwalk. Indoors too, for that matter, as there’s a salt-water pool with a 70 foot waterslide to take your breath away.

River Rock is located between two major visitor centres: Vancouver and Richmond. Indeed, Vancouver is often given the title of being the most Asian city outside of Asia—it’s also known as the Sushi Capital of North America!

Aside from their top-notch entertainment and accommodation offerings, the resort casinos listed above also stand out for their policies of maintaining safety protocols to make sure they do not become places for spreading COVID-19 while the inoculations are still ongoing. Visiting any of them will be a worthwhile experience for the eager gamer who is stepping out of voluntary quarantine or social distancing for the first time.

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