JACK Cleveland Casino

This was the Cleveland area’s first casino and has since turned into a must-see stop in the energetic heart of Public Square. This isn’t James Bond — you definitely don’t have to wear a tuxedo to sit at the baccarat table. But if you want to throw down a bet at the JACK, bring your A game. This place is filled with all kinds of casino table gaming including blackjack, craps, poker and roulette. Located in the historic location of the former Higbee’s Department Store, the opulent and completely smoke-free building is free to enter and open 24/7.

What You'll See:

• It’s a casino: so, of course, you’re going to see casino players. Some of them high rollers, some of them weekend warriors, some of them with the resolve to pull a slot machine lever one time and walk away. But, if you’re lucky, you might just win some serious cash.
• It’s worth stopping in to see the restored Higbee’s building, a Downtown Cleveland icon that was immortalized on screen in the holiday classic, "A Christmas Story." Unlike some of the casinos out west, you won't find a replica of the Statue of Liberty or a faux Egyptian pyramid here. In fact, casino operators restored the Higbee building's woodwork and brass doorways, maintained the high ceilings, and added art deco-style chandeliers and other touches to channel the building's air of elegance.

What Else to Do?

• Food options abound at the JACK Cleveland Casino. In addition to a gigantic Vegas-style buffet on the ground level, the casino includes several dining options, including Rock Bar — which bills itself as the region’s only electronic gaming sports bar — actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg’s popular burger chain, Wahlburgers, and an outpost of the popular Cleveland deli, Corky & Lenny's.