Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
4.0(9.1K)google
2.4(349)yelp
Horse RacingSportsLocal LifeNight-Friendly
Overview
Located near the historic Blue Ridge Mountains, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races combines high-energy gaming excitement with classic thoroughbred racing. The venue features a massive casino floor with thousands of slot machines, action-packed table games, and a state-of-the-art sportsbook lounge. Combined with its historic open-air racetrack that hosts year-round night racing events and premium dining options, it provides an exhilarating nightlife and entertainment destination.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration1-2 days
Best TimeThe indoor gaming and slots floor is open 24/7 year-round. However, targeting Friday or Saturday evenings from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM between April and October is highly recommended, as it aligns perfectly with the live evening Thoroughbred horse racing events held under stadium spotlights.
Getting ThereEasily accessible by car. Take US-340 directly to the dedicated Charles Town / Hollywood Casino exit ramps. The resort provides a massive, state-of-the-art multi-level parking garage that is entirely free for guests, featuring covered pedestrian skywalks leading directly to the slot floors.
Travel Tips
- The gaming floor and racetrack viewing areas enforce a strict 21+ age mandate. Present a valid government photo ID for digital scanning; minors and infants are legally barred.
- Live horse racing runs seasonally on designated Thursday through Saturday nights. Temperatures drop sharply post-sunset due to valley microclimates; wear windproof layers.
- The main parking garage gets highly congested and expensive on race weekends. Divert to peripheral complimentary open-air surface lots for easier egress onto US-340.
Reviews
Positive
- The gaming floor is massive with a huge variety of slots and table games, and the live thoroughbred horse racing is highly thrilling.
- The on-site buffet and steakhouse offer high-quality food, with the seafood selections and desserts receiving exceptional praise.
- The overall crowd management is orderly and security personnel are visible throughout, making late-night guests feel very safe.
- Located within driving distance of DC, it features easy road access and a spacious, free parking garage for convenient self-driving.
Heads up
- Despite designated zones, a strong stale cigarette smoke odor lingers in older slot areas, which is unpleasant for non-smokers.
- Minimum table game bets scale up significantly on weekend nights, setting too high a barrier for casual, budget-conscious players.
- Hotel room rates can be overpriced on weekends, and the in-room carpets and furniture show noticeable signs of wear and tear.
- The queues at the cashier cages and players' club desks during peak hours are overly long, showing a need for faster service efficiency.