With Memorial Day weekend coming up, that means summertime is right around the corner.
Michigan’s retail casinos offer a lot of gaming entertainment, but also can provide options for those looking to soak up some sun or just cool down in some water.
Whether looking for kid-friendly, or adult-friendly entertainment options over the summer season, the state’s casinos have you covered.
Detroit casino summertime entertainment
Michigan features three casinos in Detroit, all with varying options to keep you busy during the next handful of months.
MGM Grand Detroit
The MGM Grand Detroit is located in downtown Detroit and features a 400-room hotel that overlooks the city.
MGM Grand Detroit offers a variety of amenities to consider. They feature an indoor pool for swimming, as well as IMMERSE Spa for some relaxation.
You can also enjoy the Topgolf Swing Suite, a virtual golf experience that can be enjoyed for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
The MGM Grand Detroit is also less than a mile from Comerica Park if attending a Tigers game is of interest.
MotorCity Casino
MotorCity Casino is also right in the heart of the Detroit.
You can choose from one of the 400 available rooms at the hotel to stay in for your trip.
MotorCity Casino offers up the D.Tour Spa, which features thermal whirpools, steam rooms and more. There are 10 different private treatment rooms for massage and body treatments.
MotorCity Casino is located 1 mile from Comerica Park.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Located in downtown Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown features a 400-room hotel that goes up 30 stories over the city landscape.
While it doesn’t have a pool, it is located a half mile from Comerica Park and is just about a 10-minute walk.
Southern Michigan casino summertime entertainment options
Outside of Detroit, Michigan has multiple southern tribal casinos to consider for a fun family trip.
FireKeepers Casino
Located in Battle Creek, FireKeepers Casino features a hotel that includes 446 rooms.
Included in the hotel is a multi-level indoor pool that also features a whirlpool, sauna and steam room.
The pool is open seven days a week. Guests under 21 are allowed usage from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with an adult present at all times. For 21 and over the pool is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Four Winds
Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo features a hotel with 415 rooms.
Included at the New Buffalo location is an outdoor pool that features The Pool Bar, two fire pits and poolside service.
Hours for the outdoor pool is subject to weather and private events.
Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino doesn’t currently have a hotel or pool offering, but that will be changing in the near future.
The location in Wayland is in the process of large expansion project that will see a new 15-floor hotel added to the location with 252 rooms, along with an Aquadome that will be 32,000 square feet.
Included in the Aquadome will be live palm trees, tropical flora and two separate pools. One pool will be for families while the other will be for 21+ VIP members.
The Aquadome will be a fully enclosed glass atrium that will be illuminated by sunlight in the day and turn into a concert venue and nightclub in the evening.
If that wasn’t enough, a spa and fitness center will also be part of the expansion.
Plans call for the expansion to be completed in March of 2025.
Northern Michigan casino summertime entertainment
Shy of crossing into the Upper Peninsula, Michigan’s tribal casinos in Northern Michigan offer a lot of value for families looking for a getaway in the summer.
Soaring Eagle Casino
Located in Mt. Pleasant near the campus of Central Michigan University, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort offers up a variety of options for summertime enjoyment.
The casino location features a 516-room hotel that includes a 2,400 square foot indoor pool. They also have an indoor and outdoor jacuzzi. Pool hours are from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Inside the resort is Soaring Eagle Spa & Salon for all your relaxation needs.
Soaring Eagle also offers up Kids Quest, a supervised play center where they can interact with other children and take part in age-appropriate play events.
If looking for something more for the kids, you can instead opt to visit, or even stay at, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel.
Located a mile from the casino, Soaring Eagle Waterpark is an indoor waterpark that includes features for kids and adults alike. You can find multiple slides, a lazy river, wall climbing, a surfing simulator and more. The location also has an on-site arcade to use when you’ve dried off.
The Waterpark Hotel also offers shuttle service to and from the casino.
Soaring Eagle is also known for its outdoor concert series. This summer, the Mt. Pleasant location will feature acts like James Taylor, Pitbull, Carrie Underwood, Disturbed and Monster Truck Madness.
If traveling by RV, Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park is a seasonal location with 67 sites available. It includes full hookups with fire rings and is next to a 42-acre lake. You can rent kayaks, canoes and paddle boats to enjoy the lake. Fishing is also welcome on the site.
Lastly, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort also offers stay and play packages that features Bucks Run Golf Club, a course recognized by Golf Digest and GolfWorld Magazine.
Little River Casino
In Manistee, Little River Casino Resort features a 292-room hotel.
At the resort, you can find two indoor pools, a heated outdoor pool, a sauna and a hot tub.
Also at the resort is Nectar Spa & Salon. You can relax with a massage, body treatment, facial, skin enhancement, manicure, pedicure and more.
If hotel staying isn’t for you, Little River also features a deluxe RV park with 95 spaces with level concrete pads. All sites also feature cable TV, water and electric hook-ups. Those staying at the RV park have access to the resort pools and sauna, as well as shuttle service to the locations.
Leelanau Sands
In Peshawbestown, near Traverse City, Leelanau Sands Casino includes The Lodge, which features 50 different guest rooms with walkout patios or balconies.
RV camping is also available in an asphalt parking lot on the north end of the property. It isn’t a traditional campground for tents and no fire rings are available. The RV location does offer shuttle services to the casino.
While The Lodge doesn’t include a pool, you can make a short trip to visit one of the many beach areas around Leelanau County.
Saganing Eagles Landing
Located in Standish, Saganing Eagles Lansing Casino & Hotel features an 148 guest rooms.
Inside of the hotel includes an indoor pool that also features a hot tub and is available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all guests. Adults can use the pool until 10:30 p.m.
Saganing Eagles Landing also features an RV park with 50 sites available. Electrical hookups, water and dump stations are available, as well as free portable grills and fire pit units.
Odawa Casinos
Odawa Casino Petoskey features Odawa Hotel, located just one mile from the casino.
The hotel contains 137 different rooms and offers complimentary shuttles to the casino and back.
RV parking is also available at Odawa Petoskey, located to the left of the casino. It does not offer electrical hookups or waste disposal.
Turtle Creek Casino
Located in Williamsburg, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel offers up 137 different guest rooms.
Turtle Creek offers free RV parking on the north side of the casino, but doesn’t have electrical hookups or waste disposal services.
A complimentary shuttle is available at Turtle Creek to the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for all your spa treatment needs and golfing options at The Bear (a Jack Nicklaus course), The Wolverine or Spruce Run.
Upper Peninsula casino summertime entertainment
If crossing over the Mackinac Bridge, there’s a lot of fun to be had at Michigan’s tribal casinos.
Whether it be inside the resort floor, or exploring around in the nature of the Upper Peninsula, you aren’t short on options.
Island Resort & Casino
Located in the southern part of the Upper Peninsula in Harris, Island Resort & Casino has a lot to offer those looking for summertime fun.
The resort includes a 454-room hotel for families to stay in. It also offers a RV Park for overnight stays, equipped for 42 sites that feature essential amenities. Free shuttles are provided from the RV park to the casino and back.
The hotel itself includes a spa, saltwater pool and hot tub.
Island Resort & Casino also special stay packages that include trips to Splash Island. Splash Island is an indoor water park that includes:
- Activity Pool
- Hot Tub
- Twist Slide
- Tunnel Slide
- Splash Pad
- Lazy River
The Splash Island pool is available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the waterpark features are open on Friday from 4-9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Splash Island will also be open on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If that wasn’t enough, Island Resort & Casino also offers up golf packages that can get you on the links of Sweetgrass Golf Club or Sage Run Golf Club.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino
Bay Mills Resort & Casino includes a 143-room waterfront hotel on the shores of Lake Superior in Brimley.
If the hotel isn’t for you, you can opt to stay at Sunrise RV Park. Bay Mills offers full and partial hook-up locations and can accommodate up to 124 trailers. The RV Park is across the street from the casino.
During your stay, you can check out Wild Bluff Golf Course, which features one of the top 10 hardest holes to play in Michigan according to Michigan Golf Live. That would be the 15th hole.
Coming into 2024, Bay Mills is looking to complete a $65 million expansion project to the resort.
When completed, the resort will feature an additional 134 hotel rooms, a new spa with massage therapy rooms, a pool with a splash pad, a nail salon and more.
Kewadin Casinos
Kewadin Casinos offers hotel stays at two of their five locations throughout the Upper Peninsula.
The Sault Ste. Marie location has 319 rooms available. Inside the hotel guests can find an indoor pool and arcade for the kids.
The St. Ignace location has an 81-room hotel. It also features an indoor pool and arcade. St. Ignace’s location also has a variety of outdoor concert and entertainment events throughout the summer.
Kewadin Casinos also offer up RV parks and campgrounds at all five of its locations. The Hessel location also offers a spacious cabin to stay in located across the street from the casino.
Northern Waters Casino Resort
Located in Watersmeet, Northern Waters Casino Resort features Dancing Eagles Hotel, which includes 132 rooms.
Inside the hotel you can find a heated pool, a whirlpool and a sauna.
Northern Waters also offers RV Parking and campground spots with electricity and water available.
You can also enjoy the outdoors with a stop at Lac Vieux Desert Golf Course right near the casino.
Ojibwa Casinos
Ojibwa Casino at the Baraga location features its own hotel.
The 40-unit hotel includes an indoor pool with a whirlpool and sauna. Open swimming is available from noon to 5 p.m. and costs $3 for kids and $4 for adults.
The Baraga location also features an RV park with electricity, water and sewer services provided.
You can also enjoy their 2-HD golf simulators, located in The Pressbox Bar & Grill. Virtual golf is available year round.
