Emerald Downs -- is a fun outing without too much cost ... assuming you manage your gambling appropriately. One time during a visit, I let each of my nieces and nephews place a bet and as long as... More

Emerald Downs -- is a fun outing without too much cost ... assuming you manage your gambling appropriately. One time during a visit, I let each of my nieces and nephews place a bet and as long as they won, they got to bet again. It was a lot more fun then betting myself. When we go, we make it an active outing by watching the horses arrive and get saddled and the jockeys mount, placing our bets, then going to the start (if possible) and watching the end and photos of the winner. Good beer is available which is always a positive and I saw many yummy mega-margarita's being downed. My guilty sin of the day was ordering small soft icecream and the guys behind the counter really piled it on -- chocolate, too! Some good garlic fries and corn dogs available, too. The horses though are the real treat -- such elegant beasts and even the cowgirl's ponies are fun to see.
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Emerald Downs is an excellent place for people of any age. I went down this summer with my friends and family, and we all had a great time. The adults all had fun betting on horses while the kids... More

Emerald Downs is an excellent place for people of any age. I went down this summer with my friends and family, and we all had a great time. The adults all had fun betting on horses while the kids enjoyed watching the horses. Theres a big patch of grass so you could enjoy a little picnic while watching the race. I am not sure if you could bring in your own food, but the prices of food is very reasonable, so even with admissions ticket and meal price, it still wont break the bank. In fact, if you are lucky, you might even take more money home than you brought!
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