As you cross the mighty Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas and arrive in the Magnolia State of Mississippi, you will see the familiar image of a tropical bird gracing the large entrance to the Isle of Capri Casino.

This is a sharp contrast to the landscape, because you are in the prime Delta area of the South and can see fields of cotton, soybeans, rice and other assorted crops not far from the parking lot. Here you will find the casino that is not located in Tunica, but instead is in a little nook approximately 25 miles down the road.

After entering the building, you realize there are actually two casinos inside. The main entrance into the casino houses the hotel registration area with a large rock waterfall and buffet. Here guests can register for a comfortable room in one of the two hotels attached to the building. The Palm Terrace is located on the right side of the building and has an indoor swimming pool for year-round participants. The other hotel, the Coral Reef, is located on the other end of the building where there is an outside pool for those sun lovers in the warmer weather. Both hotels offer a variety of rooms and amenities and are directly connected to the casinos.

And., Of course, for dining pleasure there's the Calypsos Buffet where you'll find a variety of down-home cooking featuring catfish, greens, blackeye peas, pinto beans and cornbread, just to name a few. Some of the favorite food in the buffet comes from the grill area, where diners can feast on barbecue spare ribs, grilled corn on the cob and chicken. From the dining room, viewers have a view of the waterfall and can enjoy sitting and listening to the splashing water which creates a relaxed atmosphere.

If you're more in the mood for a relaxed dinner with friends or just a cozy dinner with a special friend, Farradday's Restaurant is also available offering a large assortment of choices. A favorite specialty is the blackened red snapper with a lobster and crab topping.