WinStar Casino

The glitz, glam and debauchery of Vegas may be a plane ride -- or an incredibly long road trip -- away, but the slot machines of WinStar are a mere 80-minute drive from downtown Dallas (45 if you already happen to be in Denton). The world’s second-largest casino, it is truly a sight to behold (don’t miss the ginormous glittering dragon suspended over one of the gaming tables). Besides acres of games ranging from penny slots to high-stakes poker, there’s also an attached 12-story hotel with an award-winning spa, and an event center that has hosted everyone from Lil Wayne to Tony Bennett.