Is There A Casino Near Phenix City Alabama

Phenix City, Alabama lies directly across Chattahoochee River from the bustling city of Columbus, Georgia.

It’s a city with rich history, and a notorious one too, as it was once known as ‘Sin City’ on account of its gambling and prostitution.

The Phenix City you see today is very different.

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With exquisite architecture, riverside walks, museums and parks, there’s much to see and do.

Whether you wish to delve deep into Civil War history, get your adrenaline pumping on the East Alabama Speedway, or hike along trails at Lake Oliver, there’s activities to entertain everyone.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Phenix City:

1. Phenix City RiverWalk

Phenix City RiverWalk

Phenix City Riverwalk is an urban trail stretching for 1.2 miles along the banks of Chattahoochee River.

It’s a loop trail where you can walk, run, skate, fish and cycle, and there’s myriad wildlife and attractions to see along the route.

The walk begins at the elevated 3000-seat Phenix City Amphitheatre, offering the perfect location to view birds and wildlife.

If you wish to extend your walk, there are several bridges connecting you to Columbus, Georgia across the river.

Once you arrive in Columbus, the trail continues past Eagle and Phenix Dam into the historic cotton mill district of Bibb City.

2. Whitewater Rafting on Chattahoochee River

Whitewater Rafting

If you want to view both Phenix City and Columbus from a different perspective, head for the water.

There are several places along the riverfront where you can hire kayaks, canoes and tubes by the hour, but if you feel a little bolder, try your hand at Whitewater rafting! Chattahoochee River is home to the longest, urban rafting course in the country.

The 2.5 mile stretch flows faster due to the daily dam release, providing an exhilarating, fun, adventure for all.

3. Coca Cola Space Science Centre

Coca Cola Space Science Centre

At Coca Cola Space Science Centre in Columbus, you can use your imagination, and the Challenger Learning Centre Mission Simulator to discover the secrets of the universe.

Visitors can become scientists or engineers as they journey to the Moon or Mars.

Work in teams at mission control, and experience what’s it’s like to live aboard the International Space Station.

Visit the Omnisphere Planetarium, explore a range of interactive exhibits, and spend time viewing Georgia’s largest collection of Space Shuttle artefacts.

4. Fort Mitchell Historic Site

Fort Mitchell Historic Site

Around 1800, ‘The Federal Road’ in Alabama was used as a transport route by travellers, soldiers and stagecoaches.

However, during the Creek War between 1813 and 1814, the same road became a main site of hostilities between Americans and Indians.

The first fortress was built in 1813, following a particularly vicious battle.

Today, visitors to Fort Mitchell can reconstruct life during the Creek War as they stand in the replica of the fort, imagining how both sides felt during this difficult period.

Discover the carriage museum, view a restored 19th century log home, visit the Trail of Tears monument, and delve deep into history at the informative on-site visitor center.

5. East Alabama Motor Speedway

East Alabama Motor Speedway

East Alabama Motor Speedway is one of Alabama’s most popular attractions.

Founded by NASCAR cup team National 500 winner, Jimmy Thomas in 1973, it’s one of the best circuits in the country to watch motor racing.

It hosts events such as National 100, stock car racing, monster truck events, and if you fancy a spin around the track yourself, you can pay to ride in the race cars.

It’s a place to meet like-minded individuals and enjoy quality food and drink while cheering on your favourite team.

6. Lake Oliver

This 2,150-acre reservoir is located approximately 7 miles north of Phenix City, Alabama.

The lake was named after James McCoy Oliver, who worked for Georgia Power around 1959. The dam and power plant created the lake, and today it’s a popular place with locals for recreational pursuits.

Take a picnic, cycle along pathways, go fishing on the lake, or join the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and hike back to Phenix City or Columbus.

7. National Civil War Naval Museum

National Civil War Naval Museum

The museum in close by Columbus (Georgia) aims to connect people to the past, showcasing displays and stories of how the Navy were involved in the American Civil War.

Is There A Casino Near Phenix City Alabama News

Overlooking Chattahoochee River, the museum is home to the CSS Jackson – the largest surviving Confederate warship, and other full-scale ships ripe for exploration.

Walk through the dockside exhibit of Plymouth, North Carolina, see the largest collection of Naval Civil War flags in the country, and discover a range of artefacts which were used throughout the period.

8. Phenix City Amphitheatre

Phenix City Amphitheatre

Located along the banks of Chattahoochee River, within a short walk of Dillingham Street Bridge lies Phenix City Amphitheatre.

Throughout the year, the pretty, stepped theatre, which looks across to Columbus, Georgia, showcases live music concerts, functions and events.

It can house 3,000 people, but still feels like an intimate outdoor venue.

As the sunsets, and lights from historical industrial buildings reflect and illuminate on the river, this idyllic setting really comes to life.

9. Idle Hour Park

Idle Hour Park

One of the most relaxing spots in Phenix City is Idle Hour Park.

This picturesque park was once home to an amusement park and zoo.

Today, it’s a tranquil retreat close to the city centre and Phenix City Riverwalk.

The park is surrounded by verdant woodland, which changes colour throughout the seasons.

Moon Lake takes centre stage, offering a great place to spot a variety of birdlife including Buffleheads, Belted Kingfishers, Canada Geese and Coots.

Children are catered for too, with a playground and Splash Pad in the park.

There are also nature trails, picnic areas and a pavilion where you can enjoy alfresco snacks and beverages.

10. National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center

National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Centre is located 8 miles southeast of Phenix City.

The museum is home to a multitude of interactive military exhibits and tells the story of the infantry division of the US Army.

Visitors can experience a soldiers’ journey around the world, watch video presentations of their deployments, and explore myriad monuments and memorials.

Walk through each decade viewing over 100,000 historical artefacts, military vehicles and sculptures.

Don’t leave without venturing outside to Patriot Park.

The outdoor campus hosts several large-scale displays, including the popular World War II Company Street.

11. Ma Rainey House and Blues Museum

Ma Rainey House And Blues Museum

Follow the life of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey – known as “Mother of the Blues” at her former home in Columbus, Georgia.

During her career, Ma Rainey performed and recorded with the most famous names of Blues and Jazz, including legendary Louis Armstrong and Blind Blake.

With a range of factual information, photographic displays and artefacts, fans of the Blues should put Ma Rainey House on their itinerary.

Get into the mood before your visit by listening to her greatest hits, Booze and Blues, Deep Moaning Blues and Moonshine Blues.

12. Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Centre

Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center

If you’re planning to visit Fort Mitchell during your Alabama stay, then consider continuing up the road to Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Centre.

This fascinating site honours the Creek Indians and Native Americans which lived in the valley prior to their removal during the Creek War.

Is There A Casino Near Phenix City Alabama History

Visit the Trail of Tears Monument – the sacred fire sculpture and follow in their footsteps along the interpretive trail.

13. Columbus Museum

Columbus Museum

When local industrialist W.C. Bradley passed away in the late 1940s, his family donated his vast estate to the city.

A few years later, the Columbus Museum opened, its primary focus, to display archaeological artefacts, American art and regional historical exhibits.

Today, the museums temporary and permanent displays tell the story of the Chattahoochee River Valley, and the people and creatives who have been inspired by its history and natural beauty.

14. Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District

Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District

Phenix City and Columbus’ industrial heritage can still be seen today on the banks of Chattahoochee River.

During the American Industrial Revolution, the cities were earmarked as a prime location for factories with machinery as they could be powered by local dams.

Eagle and Phenix Mills was one such factory, and it became the largest textile centre in the southern states, manufacturing clothing for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

The mill’s raceway and the now breached dam can still be seen in part today.

Other buildings included City Mills – a grist mill, Muscogee Mills and Columbus Ironworks.

Take a walk around the area, explore the exteriors of the buildings and imagine what life was like for the workers in these factories during the Industrial Revolution.

15. Museum of Wonder

Museum Of Wonder

Around 15 minutes’ drive from Phenix City is the eclectic Museum of Wonder.

This bizarre drive-thru museum started in the 1970s as an artefact room and taxidermy store.

These days the museum is abundant with an array of strange curiosities and original artworks.

If you have exhausted many of the city’s landmark sights, this museum is an odd, yet welcome change.

The museum has featured in the New York Times as a place to visit in Alabama, so it’s worth checking out if you have free time.

This is a list of casinos in Alabama.

List of casinos[edit]

History[edit]

Legality of electronic bingo[edit]

Alabama has had many 'electronic bingo' parlors which feature slot machines that are or are similar to Class II gaming machines. The legality of these vary from county to county, and are in a near-constant state of flux. In particular, most such parlors were closed through the efforts of an anti-gambling task force put in place by Gov. Bob Riley early in 2010. But in March 2010, the Alabama Supreme Court determined that Riley did not have the authority to convene such a task force, but that power rested with Attorney GeneralTroy King. Shortly after the task force was sidelined, e-bingo parlors reopened in cities which had previously enacted ordinances permitting and regulating such halls. Additionally, Victoryland also reopened after a brief closure. (Greenetrack and the three Poarch Band of Indians gaming facilities did not close.)

At one time, several counties in Alabama featured numerous e-bingo halls, most notably Walker County, with halls large and small mostly concentrated along the former U.S. Highway 78 between Jasper and the Jefferson County line, ranging in size from converted small storefronts to large halls with hundreds of machines. But a ruling in a lawsuit by the Walker County sheriff determined that the machines in the county's halls were illegal, and the halls were forced to close. District attorneys in Jefferson County used that ruling to justify their order of closure for halls in that county. However, several large halls in Fairfield remained open because the city had passed specific ordinances permitting them. Those halls closed during the governor's task force raids in January 2010, but reopened on March 12, 2010 when the task force was invalidated. They again closed briefly in April 2010, as a part of the ongoing controversy over their legality and a dispute over jurisdiction between Riley and King.

In late May 2010, in yet another legal action in the anti-gambling feud between Riley and King, the Alabama Supreme Court determined that Riley had the ultimate authority to appoint an anti-gambling task force. Riley then announced plans to reactivate the task force, and the district attorney in the Bessemer Cutoff area of Jefferson County (including Fairfield) advised halls there to shut down immediately, or risk having their machines seized. King announced he would no longer interfere with the governor's efforts. Halls began closures on May 24, 2010. Victoryland and Greenetrack remained open for the time being. Poarch Creek operations were not affected, as the state has no jurisdiction over them.

Fairfield legalized large electronic bingo halls in mid-2009, with certain requirements for minimum number of gaming machines. Bamaco Bingo opened in September 2009 with more than 800 machines installed and announced plans for up to 5,000 machines. Two other large e-bingo halls, Bingo Fantastico and World Bingo, later opened adjacent to Bamaco, followed by Legacy Bingo in March 2010. All except Bingo Fantastico occupied empty 'big box' retail stores; Bingo Fantastico replaced a roller skating rink. Three other small bingo halls, including one that shared space with an automotive repair shop, were also located in Fairfield. The city received a permit fee of $100 per machine per month, and bingo was a major tax source for the city.

Bessemer, Alabama had some e-bingo halls in place, but their legality was in question due to a dispute between the city council, which voted to allow the halls, and the mayor, who opposed gambling. Those halls remained closed after the task force invalidation. Other smaller halls were located in cities and unincorporated areas near Bessemer; they also closed later.

Two other large e-bingo halls, Country Crossing in Dothan and White Hall Gaming Center between Selma and Montgomery, were shut down by the task force.

Throughout the controversy, the Poarch Creek band's operations not only continued, they expanded. Facilities in Wetumpka, Atmore and suburban Montgomery added to their gaming floors, and the Wetumpka and Atmore facilities added new high-rise hotels.

In July 2010, after all legal avenues were exhausted, state police and the task force shut down machines at Greenetrack in Eutaw, Alabama, then later at Victoryland. And on October 4, 2010, federal prosecutors filed charges against and arrested Victoryland owner Milton McGregor and several members of the Alabama State Senate in a corruption investigation regarding the entire affair.^[1]

In 2016, after winning a ruling in a federal court against the state, Victoryland reopened its electronic bingo floor on September 14, 2016.^[2]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Byerele, Dana (2010-10-04). 'VictoryLand owner, state senators arrested'. The Tuscaloosa News.
2. ^Moon, Josh (September 14, 2016). ''Victoryland reopens to large crowd''. Montgomery Advertiser.

External links[edit]

• Media related to Casinos in Alabama at Wikimedia Commons