The circular art deco Casino Building is Catalina's landmark, rising from the point at the north end of Avalon Bay. Built in 1929 by William Wrigley Jr., it never actually housed a casino — the name comes from the Italian word for a gathering place. The ground floor holds a classic movie theatre with a full pipe organ, still operating as a working cinema, while the upper level is a grand ballroom with a 180-foot circular dance floor.
Guided tours run daily and are worth the time: the WPA-era murals inside are exceptional, depicting California wildlife and island history in vivid detail. The building also houses the Catalina Island Museum, which has since moved to a separate space nearby. The Casino stands at the end of the Crescent Avenue promenade and is the most photographed building on the island.