Alright, so I decided to head over to Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino the other day. Been hearing bits and pieces about it, figured I should just go and see what it’s all about myself. You know, get my own feel for the place instead of just listening to others.
Jumped in the car and made the trip out there. Finding it was pretty straightforward, signs were clear enough. Pulled into the parking lot, plenty of space, which was good. Stepped inside, and yeah, you get hit with that typical casino vibe right away – the lights, the sounds, that specific carpet smell. It wasn’t overwhelming, just exactly what you’d expect, really.
First Stop: The Racing Action
I decided to check out the racing part first. I like seeing the horses, so I went straight for the track area. It wasn’t super crowded when I got there, which I liked. Meant I could actually get a decent spot by the railing and watch without elbowing people. They’ve got TVs all over showing the races and the odds. I’m not really a big gambler on horses, but watching them run is something else. Caught a couple of races. The energy definitely picks up when they’re coming down the stretch, people get loud. It’s a totally different feel from the indoor casino part. More open, you know?
- Watched about two or three races live.
- Threw down a couple of small bets just for kicks, nothing serious.
- Seeing the horses thunder past is pretty impressive.
Hitting the Casino Floor
After soaking in the track atmosphere for a bit, I wandered into the main casino section. And yeah, it’s a decent size. Lots of slot machines everywhere you look. All the flashy new video ones, plus some of the classic reel types. Found a machine that looked kinda fun, sat down, put a twenty in. Watched the lights flash and the reels spin for a while. Didn’t hit any jackpots, but didn’t burn through the cash instantly either. Passed some time that way.
Strolled around after that. Saw the table games – blackjack, roulette, stuff like that. Looked busy over there. The minimum bets seemed reasonable enough, but I wasn’t really feeling like playing cards just then. Just watched a few hands being dealt. The dealers looked like they knew their stuff, kept things moving along. The general noise in there is constant, a mix of dings, music, and chatter. It definitely pulls you in.
Felt a bit hungry so I grabbed a bite at one of the quick-eat places they have inside. Nothing spectacular, just some basic food to tide me over. It was fine, did the trick.
Calling it a Day
All in all, I probably spent maybe four or five hours there. Didn’t win big, didn’t lose my shirt either. Walked out about even, maybe down ten bucks or so after the slots and the small horse bet. It was an interesting enough afternoon. Saw the racing, played a few machines. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from a racino – does what it says on the tin. If you like slots and maybe catching a horse race, it’s a solid option nearby. Nothing that totally blew me away, but it was a decent way to kill some time. Headed back home feeling like I’d satisfied my curiosity about the place. Just another day trip checked off the list.
