Hollywood Casino at The Meadows
- Aaron S. Terry
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows 210 Racetrack Rd Washington, PA 15301
Year Opened: 1963
Meadows Racing
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows features live harness racing in Washington, Pennsylvania. While it is a clean, modern venue on the inside with all the bells and whistles, the apron is filled with food trucks and local vendors selling arts and crafts and other items, making it difficult to watch the races and forcing patrons upstairs to get a decent view.
The Meadows also features 20-cent pentafecta betting during the final race of the evening, which is something not all horse tracks offer – this type of wager is also known as a Super High 5.
Food & Beverage 4
Besides restaurants in the casino itself, plus a concession stand on the lower level of the race facility itself, The Meadows has a slew of food trucks parked outside on the apron, so visitors can find all sorts of great food and drinks. The concession stand inside features typical concession fare such as burgers, nachos, brats, and hot pretzels, while the food trucks include well-known options such as Cousins Maine Lobster, as well as local chains serving up chicken and waffles, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, and many more. The only downside is that the large portions and quality offerings also come with high price tags.
Atmosphere 2
The biggest downside at The Meadows is all the vendors and food trucks parked on the apron – the strip of ground right next to the racetrack. While it is great to have so many food options and shopping options if you are into that (handmade jewelry, clothing, local knickknacks, etc.), it does make it difficult to watch the races, especially if you are the type who likes to get close to the action and/or view the horses before placing a wager.
There are about half a dozen rows of outdoor grandstand seating above the apron, but the lowest rows of those seats are partially blocked by the tops of the vendor tents, meaning you either have to sit in the highest rows or sit upstairs inside the grandstand building to get a good view of the races. You can’t see the track from the tables and chairs on the lower level of the facility at all, as the view is completely blocked by the vendors and food trucks.
Ignoring that one issue, there are plenty of comfortable seats inside the building, including lots of tables and chairs, myriad betting machines and cashiers, and a simulcast area where you can bet on races at other tracks. All in all, it is a very nice racing setup, but for that one major flaw.
Neighborhood 4
There are plenty of restaurants in the area, including Bistecca Steakhouse (with cigar bar) inside the casino itself, or Seafood Tango just off the property. There are also plenty of hotels; unlike many similar venues, however, the casino doesn’t have its own hotel attached.
If you are looking for something to do while in town for the races, be sure to check out the Washington Wild Things at EQT Park, or check out the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, where you can take a 4-mile trolley ride around the different exhibits.
Fans 3
The Meadows is pretty busy during a typical day at the races, with post times starting at 12:45 pm Tuesday through Thursday (and some Saturdays), and at 5:10 pm on Friday. Friday nights tend to be the busiest – the aforementioned food trucks and vendors were likely brought in to increase foot traffic at the track. You may notice that attendance gets lighter as the night goes on, so it will be a lot less crowded once you get to races 12 and after.
Access 3
Getting to The Meadows is simple enough, as Washington, Pennsylvania sits right along I-70, making it easy to reach from either the east or west. Once you get on property, however, things get a little more confusing – the signage sends you one way for the racetrack, then seems to point you back the other way. Your best bet is to park in the south garage, which is the closest access point to the track, rather than in the lot near the casino’s main entrance. If you do end up at the casino main entrance, just walk down the sidewalk to the right, away from the valet parking; this will take you to a second door with an escalator down to the racetrack, avoiding the need to meander through the casino.
The racing facility itself is on the lower level; the upper level has only a small seating area with tables and chairs overlooking the track. That small upstairs area is outside the casino checkpoint area, meaning kids are allowed there – no one under 21 can be in the casino, but anyone is allowed at the track (they just can’t bet).
Return on Investment 1
If you want to see horse racing, I wouldn’t recommend The Meadows; the vendors and food trucks on the apron block too much of your view, and that really hurts the overall experience. Unless this is your only option for horse racing, or you are already in the area, you may be better off driving over to Wheeling and checking out the greyhound racing instead.
Extras 2
On the other hand, if you are looking for more of a fair-like atmosphere, where the horses are only one part of the overall scene, you may still enjoy the experience at The Meadows. The food trucks offer plenty of different options, and you may even find some unique handmade treasures out on the apron. The facility is also modern and well-kept, with plenty of tables and chairs where you can sit and chat with family or friends while taking in the surroundings.
