Overnight stay in Verona, NY

An overnight stop at The Villages at Turning Stone in Verona, NY turned out to be a gem! With ample shade provided by the tree cover, a serene ambiance, and a free shuttle to the casino (where everyone else apparently hangs out, hence the quiet), it’s definitely a place we'd revisit.

The shuttle service was a lifesaver, sparing us from unhooking the Jeep for our casino adventure and dinner escapade. Our driver doubled as a tour guide, sharing that the casino has hosted the World Series of Poker and attracts over 5 million visitors a year! 😳

As you pull up to Turning Stone Casino, you’re greeted by statues of turtles, bears, and wolves—symbolizing the three tribes that teamed up to create the casino about 30 years ago. (Missed a photo op, though. 😢)

We got a “free” pull and won $10, which we promptly spent on the gaming machines. Don hit the jackpot with $5.40 on his first spin, and Beth walked away with a whopping $0.55 on hers! Trying to figure out the machines was a comedy show in itself. 🤣😂🤣 High rollers, watch out! 😂 We had a blast trying to figure out the gaming machines, laughing all the way.

The casino boasts about 10 different restaurants, though some were closed. We settled on the Italian place, which served up good, hearty portions (hello, leftovers!) — nothing to write home about, but it hit the spot!

All in all, it was a fun and memorable stop!Read more