Your Complete Casino Weekend in Danville, VA

A casino weekend in Danville, VA, delivers more than most people expect. Caesars Virginia, the $750 million resort that opened in December 2024, is the obvious headliner, with its massive gaming floor, 320-room hotel, Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and 2,500-seat entertainment theater. But what turns a casino visit into a genuine weekend getaway is everything surrounding it: downtown Danville’s River District, where venues like River District Social bring golf simulators, bowling, and live music into a converted tobacco warehouse; the 12.8-mile Riverwalk Trail along the Dan River; craft breweries and upscale dining in historic buildings; and a growing hotel scene anchored by Virginia’s Hotel of the Year.

Here’s a detailed Friday-through-Sunday itinerary that covers all of it.

Friday: Arrive, Eat, Play, Casino

3:00-5:00 PM – Arrive and Check In

Whether you’re driving from Greensboro (50 minutes), Charlotte (2 hours 15 minutes), Roanoke (1 hour 45 minutes), or Lynchburg (1 hour 10 minutes), aim to arrive in Danville by late afternoon. Check into your hotel and get settled. If you booked the Caesars Virginia hotel, you’re already on the casino property. If you chose The Bee Hotel downtown, you’re a short walk from the River District’s restaurants and bars.

5:30-7:30 PM – Dinner at River District Social

Head to River District Social at 680 Lynn Street for dinner and drinks. The menu features chef-crafted burgers, wings, flatbreads, shareable appetizers, and a full bar with craft cocktails and local draft beers. The atmosphere in this 120-year-old warehouse is the perfect introduction to what Danville has become. If there’s live music on the schedule, you’ll catch the opening set while you eat.

8:00-11:00 PM – Caesars Virginia Gaming Floor

After dinner, drive the 10 minutes to Caesars Virginia. The gaming floor is massive: nearly 1,500 slots, 79 live-action table games including blackjack, roulette, and craps, 48 electronic table positions, a WSOP Poker Room, and the Caesars Sportsbook. Grab a drink from the floor service and find your game. For couples, try playing side-by-side slots or setting a shared budget at the blackjack tables. For groups, the poker room and sportsbook add competitive options.

11:00 PM-12:00 AM – Late Night Back Downtown

Return to the River District for the late-night scene. On Fridays and Saturdays, River District Social stays open until midnight and goes 21-plus after 9pm. Bowl a few games on the LED-lit lanes, shoot pool, or simply close out the night with cocktails and whatever live act is finishing their set.

Saturday: Explore, Dine, Casino Round Two

9:00-11:00 AM – Morning on the Riverwalk

Clear your head with a walk, jog, or bike ride along the Danville Riverwalk Trail. The 12.8-mile paved trail follows the Dan River through some of Danville’s most scenic stretches. Start at the Crossing at the Dan trailhead downtown and head as far as you like. The trail is mostly flat, shaded, and well-maintained, making it an easy morning activity even if the previous night ran late.

11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Explore the River District

Walk the streets of downtown Danville and you’ll see why this area has attracted over $375 million in private investment. The River District is packed with converted warehouses now housing restaurants, shops, breweries, and galleries. Stop by the Danville Community Market if it’s open, browse the boutique shops, or check out the Danville Science Center. For architecture enthusiasts, Millionaires’ Row on Main Street features some of Virginia’s finest Victorian and Edwardian homes.

12:30-2:00 PM – Lunch

For a sit-down lunch, try Golden Leaf Bistro for upscale dining in a historic warehouse or Cotton for riverfront patio views. For something quicker, grab a bite at Ballad Brewing, the craft brewery housed in an 1891 tobacco warehouse with food trucks on the patio and a family-friendly taproom.

2:30-5:30 PM – Afternoon at Caesars

Head back to the casino for an afternoon session. The vibe is different during the day, with a more relaxed pace on the floor. This is a good time to explore areas you missed on Friday night, try new games, or simply relax at the spa or pool if you’re staying at the Caesars hotel.

6:00-8:00 PM – Saturday Dinner

For Saturday dinner, step it up. Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen at Caesars Virginia offers a dining experience from the multi-Michelin-starred chef. Or return downtown to one of the River District’s growing roster of restaurants for something with more local character. River District Social’s menu is also worth a second visit, especially if you missed certain dishes on Friday.

8:30 PM-Late – Saturday Night Out

Saturday night is the main event. Start at River District Social for live music, cocktails, and entertainment. The weekend performance lineup brings in strong local and regional talent, and the energy on Saturday nights is noticeably higher than any other night. After the music, head to Caesars for late-night gaming, check out Thread Bar for the upscale lounge scene, or hop between both venues until you’re ready to call it.

Sunday: Brunch, Sightsee, Head Home

10:00 AM-12:00 PM – Brunch and Coffee

Take a slow Sunday morning. Grab brunch at one of the River District’s restaurants or stop by River District Social, which opens at 11am. Fuel up with good food and coffee before your final activities.

12:00-2:00 PM – Last Stop: Optional Activities

  • ✓ Visit the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History in the Sutherlin Mansion
  • ✓ Drive Millionaires’ Row for a self-guided architecture tour
  • ✓ Mountain bike 35+ miles of trails at Anglers Ridge
  • ✓ One last session at the slots before checkout
  • ✓ Pick up gift cards or souvenirs from River District shops

2:00 PM – Head Home

Sunday afternoon drives from Danville are typically smooth, with lighter traffic on US-29 and I-85 southbound. Pack up, check out, and head home with a weekend’s worth of stories.

What to Budget for a Casino Weekend

Your casino weekend budget depends entirely on your style. Hotels range from standard chain rates to boutique pricing at The Bee Hotel. Dining at River District Social is moderate, with entrees and craft cocktails at accessible price points. Casino gaming is obviously variable, so set your floor budget in advance. Entertainment at River District Social runs from $20-$60/hour depending on the activity and time of day, with Half Off Play available on Mondays if you extend your trip.

Book Your Weekend Entertainment

Casino weekends draw visitors from across Virginia and North Carolina, which means River District Social gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Reserve your golf simulator bay or bowling lane in advance online or by calling (434) 228-4155. Planning ahead means less time waiting and more time playing.