We Found a Family Friendly Experience at Grand Casino Mille Lacs [PHOTOS]

You don't generally think "Family Friendly" when you think of visiting a casino.  I'd never been to Grand Casino Mille Lacs before and didn't know what to expect going in.  I called ahead to make sure the hotel was OK for kids to stay at before making reservations and thought at least May will have the pool area to enjoy.  My wife and I planned to split babysitting duties, so we each could get some quality time in front of the "video games" as Macy would call them.

When we arrived, we were surprised to find out that not only do they allow kids to stay at the hotel, but encourage you to bring them along for the visit.  Grand Casino Mille Lacs has areas exclusively for kids and really go out of their way to make it a fun place to be.  We were able to drop Macy off at a play area complete with a snack bar and arcade next store.  It cost us under $7 an hour and Macy had the time of her life.  We had to pick her up prior to the show that evening and she was very hesitant to want to come out (with all the fun things in there, I'm not so sure I would want to leave either).

I also love the fact that most of their shows are all ages and every seat in the event / convention center had a great view of the stage.  We saw Cirque Shanghai Bai Xi last Saturday night and even got the chance to hang with the talented performers after the show.  Were planning on going back later this month for the iconic Neil Sedaka on September 21st and of course being an 80's nut we have to check out Rick Springfield on November 9th.

Now being a food nut, we got plenty of that during our visit.  No stop would be complete without a visit to the buffet...right?  We definitely didn't leave hungry after an hour at the Grand Buffet and were thinking a stop at the Woodlands Steakhouse is in our future later this month.  If a play area, babysitting, pool etc aren't enough for you, they have a 4-screen stadium seating movie theater on the property and are within close proximity to the beautiful Lake Mille Lacs.