Award-Winning Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone in NYS

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Did you know that one of the best gingerbread villages in the United States is located at a casino in New York State? I know what you may be thinking: “A casino? Pass.” First and foremost, this casino is so nice! But you don’t need to be in the mood to gamble to visit this Christmas display. The Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone Resort Casino is open to the public and a great spot to visit for a little Christmas joy.

You can smell the enticing scent of gingerbread and icing before even setting your sights on the impressive gingerbread houses on display at Turning Stone’s Gingerbread Village. You will be left in awe after seeing the intricate details on the gingerbread houses at Turning Stone.

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Where is Turning Stone?

Turning Stone is a Resort Casino located in Verona, New York. This casino is located in Central New York, just off the I-90. The location makes checking out the Gingerbread Village so easy. Many road trips through New York will bring you past this casino, located directly off Exit 33 on Interstate 90.

Stopping to see the gingerbread houses at Turning Stone Casino took approximately 30 to 45 minutes, including the time to get off the I-90, park at the casino, and check out all the intricate gingerbread houses on display.

About the Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone

The Gingerbread Village is an annual tradition at Turning Stone Resort Casino. Each year, Turning Stone’s pastry team creates a unique display of gingerbread houses that are on display throughout the holiday season. These gingerbread houses take 30 employees over 2,200 hours to complete every year. This gingerbread display is incredibly detailed and intricate, consisting of thousands of pounds of gingerbread, icing, and candy.

While the Gingerbread Village is an annual tradition, you will find different gingerbread houses at Turning Stone year after year. Each year, a different theme is selected, and the pasty team creates a unique display.

The Turning Stone Gingerbread Village is located near the main entrance near The Commons shopping boutiques. A giant cardboard gingerbread archway with a sign welcomes visitors to the Holiday Village.

A stone-textured Turning Stone gingerbread house with glowing orange windows that bring warmth to the frosty setting. The house features realistic details, including piped stone walls and a roof covered with brown icing shingles dusted with powdered sugar snow. A whimsical figure appears at the top of the chimney, holding a long list of names, and tiny penguin figurines stand on the snowy frosting base near the porch, adding a playful element.

A bright yellow gingerbread house at Turning Stone designed to resemble a classic colonial-style home. The frosted shingle roof has snowy dusting, and green icing decorates the edges like holiday garlands. The lit windows feature a festive silhouette of a leg lamp, paying homage to A Christmas Story. Small holiday figurines and a tiny nutcracker are placed outside the entrance, surrounded by snowy frosting, completing the charming gingerbread display

2024 Gingerbread Houses at Turning Stone Casino

Each year, there is a different theme for the gingerbread houses at Turning Stone. The 2024 Turning Stone Gingerbread Village theme is “A Stroll Through Holiday Classics.” This display is inspired by some of the most popular holiday movies. These are the films represented in the Gingerbread Village this year:

White Christmas
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Polar Express
Frosty the Snowman
A Christmas Story
Home Alone
Elf

A playful detail on a gingerbread house roof featuring a fondant figure of a blonde boy with his hands on his cheeks, shouting “AAAH!” as piped letters spell out the famous Home Alone scream scene. The roof is carefully decorated with black frosting shingles dusted with powdered sugar snow.

A yellow gingerbread house with a window showing a silhouette of the iconic leg lamp from A Christmas Story. The window is framed in green icing and surrounded by festive holiday lights piped onto the house exterior, adding to the nostalgic charm.

A close-up of a small figurine dressed in a pink bunny suit standing in front of the doors of a yellow gingerbread house. The house is decorated with green piped icing trim around the windows and doors, with snowy frosting on the steps, adding a charming touch to this holiday scene.

A gingerbread house porch featuring a black fondant sign that reads, “Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal!” in bold gold lettering. The sign is surrounded by frosted icing “snow” and candy cane decorations, paying homage to the classic line from Home Alone.

Visiting the Gingerbread Village

How Much Time Do You Need to See Turning Stone’s Gingerbread Village?

It will take 10 to 20 minutes to check out this gingerbread display. I took about 20 minutes to look at all the houses on display in the Gingerbread Village. Most people who arrived to see the village at the same time as I stayed for approximately the same time. While only nine gingerbread houses are on display, they are so intricate you’ll want extra time to check out all the details.

While I only had time for a quick stop at Turning Stone, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat, a sweet treat, and shops to browse in The Commons if you want to spend more time here.

The entire interior and exterior of Turning Stone Resort Casino are immaculately decorated for Christmas. When visiting during the holidays, take some time to check out the other decorations in addition to the Gingerbread Village.

A massive Christmas tree at Turning Stone Resort, glowing with twinkling white lights, red and silver ornaments, and a golden star perched at the very top. The tree is surrounded by reflective silver panels and a vibrant red base, perfectly complementing the opulent holiday décor.

A stunning circular fountain display inside Turning Stone Resort, framed by large marble columns and topped with intricate molding. Above the fountain hangs a festive arrangement of oversized red, gold, and silver Christmas ornaments, creating an elegant and luxurious holiday atmosphere. Visitors are seen enjoying the space in the background.

Is the Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone Casino Family Friendly?

While the Gingerbread Village is located in a casino, Turning Stone is family-friendly. I was surprised by how many families were out to eat at the restaurants and marveling at the gingerbread house at Turning Stone.

Unless you are adamantly against exposing your children to casinos, you can absolutely bring your kids here. While you will likely have to walk past the casino areas to get to the Gingerbread Villages, you don’t walk across the gambling floor.

A whimsical Grinch-themed gingerbread house with green and red icing. The Grinch himself sits on the snowy roof, wearing a Santa hat and clutching a red ornament. The house features glowing windows, a heart decoration on the façade, and a detailed frosting Christmas tree outside with fondant figurines.

n elaborately decorated gingerbread carousel at the Turning Stone Holiday Village with a detailed, towering blue and white frosting roof, adorned with intricate snowflakes, swirls, and festive designs. The words “Happy Birthday” are piped in red icing. Beneath the roof, a carousel of holiday-themed figurines includes reindeer, elves, and Santa riding in a sleigh. Red glowing lights inside the carousel illuminate the figures, adding a magical and festive atmosphere.

When Does the Gingerbread Village Open for the Holidays?

The Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone is open from Monday, November 25th, 2024, to January 1st, 2025.

What is the cost of Visiting the Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone?

Visiting the Gingerbread Village is free! Turning Stone Resort Casino also offers free parking. There are several parking lots around the building to choose from.

Turning Stone Resort Gingerbread Village: Wrap-up

Visiting the Gingerbread Village was a fun detour while driving across New York State. The gingerbread houses were so intricate, and the casino was so festively decorated. It made for an easy and festive stop. Personally, I wouldn’t take a day trip to Turning Stone to see this gingerbread display. However, it is well worth a stop while traveling along Interstate 90. If you are a gambler, though, Turning Stone is hands down the nicest casino I’ve seen in New York State.

For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
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🌊 Stony Brook State Park: Hiking the Gorge Trail
For more PA travel, check out my New York section!