Spirit Mountain Casino

Name: Spirit Mountain Casino
Location: 27100 S.W. Salmon River Highway
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Contact information: www.spirit-mountain.com
What is it: Rollin, rollin, rollin – one of places closest to Portland to try your hand

Info: Court lady luck at Spirit Mountain Casino, located about an hour and a half drive from downtown Portland.

Spirit Mountain is your standard Oregon casino with no booze on the floor, a bingo hall turned concert venue and more slot machines than you can count.

Musical acts tend to consist of former rock stars that hit their high note in the early 1990s – or earlier. Acoustics are what you expect from, well, a bingo hall.

Spirit Mountain offers Monday-Friday shuttles from the Portland area for $5 (free if you’re a VIP patron). The drive to the casino is slow going, as there are a number of stoplights and the road narrows to one lane at a point. However, it wanders through wine country, so a few places are worth stopping for a taste.

There are a number of food courts and buffet options available. A finer dining steak-and-seafood restaurant fared well, but was nothing to write home about.

Lodging prices are set – reservations can be made by calling 888.668.7366.