Jackson Free Press

Best Casino for Shows, Best Casino Hotel: Beau Rivage Resort and Casino 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 888-567-6667, 228-386-7111, beaurivage.com

Sometimes you just need to get away, even if it's just for the weekend. A change of scenery is a great way to de-stress from the woes of your everyday routine. The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino is a delightful option just three hours down south on the Gulf Coast. The MGM Resorts International property is the tallest and largest building in Mississippi, standing 32 stories with 3.2 million square feet of space to enjoy. "The Beau" features 1,645 guest rooms (95 of which are luxury suites), a redesigned casino floor, 12 restaurants, four lounges and bars, 12 retail venues, spa and salon, pool and convention center. If you want to hit the fairway, visitors can play a few rounds of golf at Fallen Oak. After you have relaxed, exercised and feasted, you can take in some night-time entertainment in their 1,550-seat theater. The 2013 line-up includes Comedian Rodney Carrington (Feb. 1-2), Diana Ross (Feb. 9), The Moody Blues (March 16), Vince Gill (March 22), Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (April 19) and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (May 3).--ShaWanda Jacome

Best Casino for Shows Second: Ameristar Casino (4146 S. Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-638-1000) / Third: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-7625) / Good Showing: Imperial Palace Casino Resort Spa (850 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, 888-946-2847); Pearl River Resort (13550 Highway 16 W., Philadelphia, 601-663-0656)

Best Casino Hotel Second: Ameristar Casino (4146 S. Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-638-1000) / Third: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-7625) / Good Showing: Imperial Palace Casino Resort Spa (850 Bayview Ave., Biloxi, 888-946-2847); Pearl River Resort (13550 Highway 16 W., Philadelphia, 601-663-0656)

Best Casino for Gaming: Ameristar Casino 4146 S. Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-638-1000, ameristar.com/Vicksburg

"Is that a unicorn?" "No, it's a quadricorn." If you haven't seen the widely popular Ameristar quadricorn commercials, I venture to say you must have been living under a rock in 2012. Ameristar has been garnering a lot of extra attention with its quirky commercials including: Quadricorns Rule, Panda Power, Wicked Beauty and Baron Von Bacon.

The 70,000-square-foot riverboat casino features 1,500 of the latest and most popular slot machines, 29 table games and a 10-table poker room. The full-service hotel also has 149 well-appointed rooms, a pool, three dining venues, 2 bars and entertainment venues and a full-service RV park.

Yet, Ameristar is not just about the getting, but also the giving. According to its mission, it strives to help improve the quality of life in the communities in which its properties are located. In 2011, the company donated nearly $6.8 million to community organizations where its eight properties are located.--ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Beau Rivage (875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 888-567-6667, 228-386-7111) / Third: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-7625) / Good Showing: Pearl River Resort (13550 Highway 16 W., Philadelphia, 601-663-0656); Riverwalk Casino (1046 Warrenton Road, Vicksburg, 601-634-0100)