The Grand Finale of our plan to visit ALL 9 New England casinos in only seven days has arrived. This virtual tour has been an example of New England’s exceptional and diverse gambling destinations. Next, it’s time to check out Twin River Casino and head to Connecticut, where the expansion of today’s casinos began. So let’s go to Connecticut and the end of our journey. It’s time for New England Casino Trip – Grand Finale.
In case you missed the previous two posts about our adventure, click below:
Visit New England’s Casinos in 7 Days – Pt. 1
Visit All of New England’s Casinos in 7 Days – Pt. 2
New England Casino Trip – Grand Finale
The Ground Rules Revisited
Let’s review a few basics for this “virtual” trip. This recipe for visiting all of New England’s Casinos in one week was based on the following criteria:
- This is a roadmap, not a budget spreadsheet.
- The cost could vary greatly depending on lodging costs. (Anyone on a high rewards level might have comped rooms or suites waiting at certain hotel casinos.)
- Flight times for those outside New England could vary greatly. So, on this fantasy trip, we can arrive and stay overnight whenever and wherever we want.
- This is a pre-Covid, or post-Covid, itinerary. It is based on previous adventures by Bert & me. This journey may be fantasy at the moment, but the itinerary will be applicable soon.
Now, it’s onto I-295 to I-95 to the “Wonder Of It All” – Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Day Six – The Pequot Experience
Our drive takes 90 minutes. Traveling on Route 2 for ten minutes after exiting I-95, it rises in the distance. We follow the signs to the Grand Pequot Hotel, one of the four hotels on-site. As in other early arrivals, we leave our luggage with the concierge, look around, and go to the main floor. However, Foxwoods is a bit larger than all previous New England Casinos.
It’s still morning, so get a coffee and start walking—a great time for some exercise. Foxwoods is almost a two-mile walk from one end to the other. This walk will pump the heart and present all that Foxwoods offers.
Today and tomorrow’s itinerary will consist of suggestions only. Both properties are vast and offer so much that to tie anyone down (especially on a first visit) would prove ridiculous. NETimeGambling recommendations are made on our experience with these two casinos for over 20 years. As they say, “mileage may vary.” Remember, this virtual adventure is either Pre- or Post-Covid. Subsequently, any of the property visits considered do not consider the things we are now experiencing.
Foxwoods Started It All
The history of the Mashantucket Pequots is a fantastic journey. Only an article of its own would do it justice. Be checking into TravelZork for a future post entitled “How Did Foxwoods Become The Wonder Of It All.” It originally was “How Did Foxwoods Get So Darn Big?”
Big, in Foxwoods terms, equals four casinos, four hotels, the second largest casino floor, and much more.
Related Post – Once Largest Casino Is About To Become Even Smaller
The Gambling, The Food, the Amenities
Foxwoods has any game you would find on the Las Vegas Strip. Some games, such as Face Up Pai Gow, are not offered. However, Foxwoods has one of the largest Bingo Hall in the country and is the only New England casino to offer regular KENO.
In its heyday, Foxwoods offered 6000 slot and video poker machines. With four different casinos and two high-limit casinos, you should be able to find what you’re looking for. But there are so many more possibilities.
Foxwoods has been determined to be all one destination could be. Food venues cover a vast gamut from Ben & Jerry’s to David Burke’s Steakhouse and everything in between.
Thrill rides are serious business at Foxwoods. Catering to families, millennials, or the young at heart, No other casino in the northeast offers more non-gambling amenities than Foxwoods.
So, if you want to take a break from gambling, or see more of the property, here are non-gaming recommendations:
- High Rollers Luxury Bowling Lanes *
- Monza World-Class Karting
- Mashantucket Pequot Museum *
- Highflyer Zipline *
- Tanger Outlets *
- * = NETG Tested
You can find entertainment at eleven venues at night, from lounges to two concert venues.
Your Day 6 will be overwhelming. Tomorrow we finish our journey by driving a mere ten minutes over the Thames River to another tribal reservation.
Last Day – Mohegan Sun – New England’s Casinos in 7 Days
We can take our time checking out of Foxwoods. Spend the morning, and get a breakfast of choice, quick bites, or more refined dining. Then, at 11:00, we drive to Mohegan Sun.
Mohegan Sun is also one of the country’s largest casinos and is in the top five. The native decor is the first thing you will notice. The entire property is adorned in tribal architecture and design. It is stunning.
The Gambling, The Food, the Amenities
Mohegan Sun has the best overall experience in New England. You may find better restaurants, a better rewards program, and better gambling rules, but with everything considered that this vast two-casino property offers, Mohegan rates at the top.
Entertainment is where Mohegan Sun places its value. Here are our recommendations for your day at Mohegan Sun:
- Video Poker – best paytables for low to mid rollers
- Buffet – best in New England
- The inside tribal decor
- You are riding the Bull at the Comix Roadhouse if you dare.
- The Mohegan Sun Arena has received top honors for concerts and sports. So take advantage of seeing it in the Arena if something is happening.
- The Wolf Den – the free music venue that provides headliners for anyone who gets there early enough.
All in all, Mohegan Sun, in my opinion, is the best place to end our adventure with some last-minute gambling, drinks, entertainment, or just relaxing in the hotel lobbies, at the pool, or in your room.
Related Post – Mohegan Sun Rises in Vegas and Around the Globe.
Summary – New England Casino Trip – Grand Finale
New England has a lot to offer. When I created NETimeGambling, it was a passion project to highlight New England as a casino destination. Who knew it would grow to nine casinos?
- New England has three large casino resorts that could compete in Vegas with most on the Strip.
- One other, Twin River Casino Hotel, may not be in that category yet, but now like Bally’s, the Sky’s the limit.
- Almost every casino has fine dining to rival the best in any casino in the country.
- Outside of Las Vegas, it would be difficult to find a group of industry giants such as Wynn Resorts, MGM International, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, Bally’s, and Penn National within a six-hour radius.
- New England’s history and culture are diverse in the regional casinos of six small states.
- Each New England Casino has something different to offer.
In the future, without a pandemic, this virtual itinerary will be possible. Set aside a week and try visiting all that is New England. Each part of this itinerary can also become a mini-vacation. It’s your choice! But whatever you choose, choose New England as a gambling destination.
Thanks for coming along. I hope you enjoyed it.
Binbin