The Prairie Island Dakota’s massive Treasure Island Resort and Casino (5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd., 800/222-7077, www.treasureislandcasino.com [1]) has a Caribbean decor and one of the largest nonsmoking gaming spaces in the Midwest.
If you are here in July you can join the Prairie Island Dakota Wacipi (powwow).
The 125-passenger Spirit of the Water (Wed.–Sun. June–Oct., $29–37) cruise boat runs on the Mississippi River, and lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises are available.
The casino’s 250-room hotel features a swimming pool with a waterfall, a pair of hot tubs, fitness center, and rooms from $109. If you are driving your bedroom it can be parked in the large RV park. You can also come by boat since they have a large full-service marina.
There are several restaurants on-site including the Las Vegas–worthy Tradewinds Buffet ($8 lunch, $13 dinner).
Turn down the road just before the casino, and you’ll pass the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant before coming to Lock and Dam #3, the busiest lock on the Upper Mississippi River. Over 11,000 recreational boats get an eight-foot lift each year, and you can watch them from the elevated viewing platform.
Links:
[1] http://www.treasureislandcasino.com