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Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel facts for kids

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Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Logo.jpg
Seneca Niagara Casino Tower.jpg
View of front entrance
Location Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Address 310 Fourth Street
Niagara Falls, New York 14303
Opening date Casino: December 31, 2002 Hotel: December 30, 2005
Theme Bears/Woods/Water (Niagara areas natural state)
No. of rooms 594
Total gaming space 147,000 sq ft (13,700 m2)
Signature attractions Spa, Casino, Hotel, and Restaurants
Notable restaurants Java Café
Morrie's Express
Thunder Falls Buffet
Three Sisters Café
Koi
La Cascata
The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse
Blues
Casino type Land-based
Owner The Seneca Nation Of Indians
Renovated in Thunder Falls Buffet (2007, 2012)

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is a large resort located in Niagara Falls, New York, in the United States. It was built by the Seneca Nation of New York to offer entertainment and lodging. This resort is a major attraction in the area, competing with other resorts across the border in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

This impressive resort was once known as the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center. The Seneca Nation bought it and transformed it into the exciting place it is today. The resort has a huge area for games, about 147,000 square feet. It features 99 gaming tables and 4,200 slot machines. The hotel part of the resort is the biggest in New York state, not counting those in Manhattan.

History of Seneca Niagara Resort

Opening and Early Years

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino first opened its doors on December 31, 2002. This was after an $80 million project to change the old convention center into a full-service resort. When it first opened, it had 82,000 square feet of gaming space. There were 2,595 slot machines and 91 table games for visitors to enjoy.

In May 2004, work began on building a tall hotel tower for the resort. This tower has 26 floors and cost $240 million to build. It officially opened in December 2005. The New York Times newspaper described the new tower as a key part of the skyline on the American side of the Niagara River.

Updates and Renovations

In late 2012, the resort opened a new dining area called Thunder Falls Buffet. This buffet was later updated and reopened in 2022 as the Full Plate Eatery.

The resort received many improvements in 2013. About $26 million was spent to upgrade the main gaming floor and the outdoor areas. Another $6 million was used to improve the resort's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

In 2018, the Seneca Nation of Indians and Seneca Gaming Corporation announced a big plan. They invested $40 million to renovate and make the resort even more beautiful. This plan included a new lobby and a lobby bar. They also added new areas for checking in, including special VIP check-in spots. A new entrance was also part of these exciting changes.

Operating During the Pandemic

Like many places, the resort temporarily closed on March 16, 2020. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in July 2020, returning to 24-hour operations. This was part of its careful plan to reopen safely during the pandemic.

Dining Options at the Resort

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino offers many different places to eat. You can find a variety of foods to suit every taste.

  • Western Door (Steakhouse)
  • Koi (Asian Cuisine)
  • La Cascata (Italian Cuisine)
  • Full Plate Eatery (Buffet)
  • Blues Burger Bar
  • Three Sisters Café
  • Bear Claw Cafe
  • Slice-N-Dice (Pizza)
  • Lounge 101

Shopping at the Resort

If you enjoy shopping, the resort has several stores to explore.

  • 8 Clans (Offers Native American merchandise)
  • The Garden Nook
  • Lux Box
  • Odds & Ends

Entertainment and Shows

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is a fantastic place for live entertainment. It has two main venues for shows.

Seneca Niagara Events Center

This is a large theater with 2,400 seats. Many famous artists have performed here. Some of these include Stevie Nicks, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Lewis Black, Steely Dan, Heart, Steve Miller Band, Huey Lewis and the News, Gretchen Wilson, Air Supply, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Blondie, Jeff Foxworthy, Jay Leno, The Moody Blues, Grand Funk Railroad, Cheap Trick, Jim Gaffigan, New Kids on the Block, Seth Meyers, The Pointer Sisters, Chicago, The Go-Go's, Bobby Vinton, Tracy Morgan, Jackson Browne, Frank Caliendo, Michael Bolton, and Alanis Morissette.

Bear's Den Showroom

This theater is smaller and offers a more personal experience. It has 440 seats. Artists like The Goo Goo Dolls, Eddie Money, The Grass Roots, Lou Gramm, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Little River Band, Mary Wilson, and Richard Marx have performed here.

After being closed for a year during the pandemic, the resort also started hosting online events. These included broadcasting concerts, sports events, and interactive tournaments.

Future Growth and Development

In February 2008, the Seneca Gaming Corporation announced plans to expand the resort. This expansion included adding more hotel rooms and other features. They bought Fallsville Splash Park, which was next to the resort. The State of New York had closed the splash park. It was then taken down to make way for the second phase of the resort's expansion.

Awards and Recognition

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino has received praise for its quality. In 2023, USA Today ranked it highly. It was sixth on their list of the "Ten Best Casinos Outside Las Vegas" in their 10 Best Readers Choice Awards. This shows it is a top destination for visitors.

See also