Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, located in Riverside, is approximately 25 minutes from Iowa City and acts as a one-stop shop for all of your weekend leisure needs.
This major casino built in 2006 is home to a golf course, a hotel with 201 rooms, a golf indoor simulator, a spa, a pool, a wellness center, endless entertainment, shopping and several restaurants. This casino is owned by the Elite Casino Resorts, which was founded by the Kehl family in the 1960’s.
The privately owned resort, which recently underwent a massive resort remodel, will be expanding outside of Iowa into Illinois and Nebraska. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort employs approximately 600 employees and has a huge focus on giving back to the community. Their employee volunteering committee has logged over 17,000 volunteer hours in 2021, and its gift shop features many Iowa-made products to support local businesses.
A host of national acts, there are two main areas for entertainment in Riverside: the Show Lounge and the Event Center. The Event Center, which was remodeled in the summer of 2021, can hold up to 1,300 people for ticketed events. This space can be broken up into small event spaces that are perfect for corporate meetings or intimate events. The large space splits into six smaller spaces to maximize rental potential. The Show Lounge is located on the outskirts of the casino floor and allows players to enjoy live music free of charge. When there are no live acts at the Show Lounge, many times high-profile sports games are shown on the large projector. The outdoor gazebos are available for rent and are often put to use during the summer months for guests to enjoy. There are also many spaces available for indoor or outdoor weddings. The event team is available to make your special day come to life.
For another form of entertainment, the Riverside golf course was added in 2007, just one year after opening. It is an 18-hole golf course that also has two PGA instructors. The golf course opens April 1 and closes end of October, all pending weather. The golf shop is filled with many golfers in the spring/summer, and the space is transformed into a small event space during the off-season. If traditional golfing isn’t for you, check out the indoor golf simulator, which is available to reserve for specific time slots. The simulator also includes a wide array of other games groups can play, including baseball, and visitors can watch any sports team that may be on during that time. The simulator is located in the sports bar, Draft Day, that has a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with half-price beer.
The casino floor features nearly 800 slot machines, two dozen live table games and a poker room that holds 10 tables. A nice perk to the casino is the complimentary beverage stations through the space. This includes unlimited soda, water, tea and coffee.
There are several restaurants to choose from when staying or playing at Riverside Casino. Robert’s Buffet and Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood fine dining are two options, both of which are named after the founding members of the Kehl family. 22 & Vine is a grab-and-go option, with a smaller sit-down option as well. There, guests can enjoy delicious pastries or even a late-night ice cream.
Another way to slow down from the hustle and bustle of the lively casino is to schedule a service from the full-service spa. This is a day/resort-type spa that has every service imaginable, featuring Aveda products. The space also has access to the indoor/outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. Appointments can be booked online or by calling the hotel.
Be sure to sign up for the Resort Club Card, which is a guest reward card, to earn points during your visit to Riverside. These points can be redeemed for many things at the resort, including overnight stays. Another perk for club members include car giveaways, which happen three or four times per year.
Riverside Casino & Golf Resort is your home away from home near Iowa City, whether you make it a day trip and hang around for some live entertainment and make it an overnight stay. For more information on Riverside Casino & Golf Resort or to book a room, visit www.riversidecasinoandresort.com