The leaves are about to turn, and New England and the northeast are certainly known for their colorful autumn. But New England Casino Resorts seem to be overlooked for another travel consideration – gambling destinations. Here is a review of New England’s five Casino Resorts.
Criteria For Being A “Casino Resort”
A casino resort is a single property that integrates into the establishment:
- A mix of casual and fine dining
- Large casino
- Integrated in one building
- Entertainment venues – shows, nightclubs, comedy
- Swimming pools, gym and spa
New England’s Five Casino Resorts
Three major airports make it easier to fly in. You can drive from one to another in a radius of two hours or less. Most in less than an hour. Here’s a quick review of Foxwoods Resort(CT), Mohegan Sun(CT), Encore Boston Harbor(MA), Bally‘s Twin River Lincoln(RI) and MGM Springfield(MA).
First Class Gambling Experience In Connecticut
Recently, USA Today released its 10 best casinos that aren’t in Las Vegas list. Mohegan Sun ranked No. 2, and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket ranked No. 3, out of over 1000 casinos in America considered.
Both casinos have
- Many stadium gaming areas
- The newest slots
- Great Rewards Clubs
- Celebrity chefs and high-end dining cuisine
- Shopping available; Foxwoods is offering an entire Tangers Mall
- Top-rate golf courses
- Enough tables to cover any game you play
- Good video poker paytables
- Diverse entertainment beyond the casino floor
Mohegan Sun features two casinos: Casino of the Earth and Casino of the Sky. Mohegan Sun has an entire Asian game area with over 50 tables. Mohegan Sun was also named the No. 1 casino for slots and the No. 2 best casino hotel.
Foxwoods Resort Casino is also one of the largest casinos in the world. Foxwoods has five casinos – Its new poker room is the largest on the East Coast. With over 250 tables and 22 types of games, this Resort should be on every gambler’s bucket list.
Which is bigger, Mohegan Sun, or Foxwoods?
| | # of Casinos | Square-feet | Slots | Table Games |
| Foxwoods | 5 | 340,000 | 3,250 | 247 |
| Mohegan Sun | 2 | 364,000 | 3,350 | 300 |
Bally’s In the Ocean State
The Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino features one of the ten largest casino floors on the East Coast. Along with the under 200,000-square-foot first floor, a new 40,000-square-foot non-smoking gaming room has been added. The new gaming area includes 355 slot machines, 57 table games, 27 stadium-style games, and a first-class, high-limit gaming area. and a large waterfall. The non-smoking second floor includes the expanded poker room, as well as slots and dining. Bally’s is a favorite among New England’s slot players. It offers more slots than each of the Connecticut casinos, with over 4,000 slots.
Encore Boston Harbor – The Gem of New England’s Casinos
Much like other casino resorts connected to the Wynn Name, the quality throughout is luxurious. From the outside, it actually looks like a copy of Encore Las Vegas. Encore Boston Harbor offers a large, beautifully ornate casino with 40-foot ceilings. It has red Rubino glass chandeliers. The designer explains this better in How Encore Boston Harbor designer Roger Thomas brought opulence, intrigue to Everett.
All the games of a first-class casino are at your service. Encore also features several upscale restaurants, high-end retail outlets, a spa, and a fitness center.
The property has well-manicured gardens all over the beautiful property. Providing a relaxing outdoor walk along the Harborwalk. Looking for adventure?
MGM Springfield – Urban Excitement and Historic Charm
MGM Springfield (Springfield) is a smaller integrated resort. There is a debate about whether it is considered a casino resort. It includes dining, a spa, and an outdoor pool. There are designated pathways for families to avoid the gaming floor.
The casino offers 1,500 of the latest slots. It has decent video poker paytables. A beautiful poker room, many table games, and a sportsbook complete the casino floor. This 125,000 sq ft. casino feels bigger than it is. Free drink stations are available around the casino.
The casino decor pays tribute to Springfield with an “Industrial Chic” style. Their own hotel rooms are stunning and extremely comfortable. MGM Springfield also offers a new experience in hotel rooms. Called the “Stay Well” Room, it provides renewal, recharging, and refreshing. It achieves this by combining the latest wellness technologies from Delos, the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Deepak Chopra.
Something For the Whole Family
Many experiences are next to or close to these Resorts that you can’t find anywhere else. If you’re bringing the family, consider these adventures.
Connecticut
Nearby attractions to both:
- Mystic Aquarium
- Mystic Seaport Museum (both a short drive away.)
- Downtown Mystic
- Olde Mistick Village
Foxwoods: Foxwoods leads them all.
- Arcades
- Bowling
- Ziplining. (seasonal)
- A variety of family-friendly dining options
- Pools
- Monza World Class Karting
- Pequot Museum – discover the history and culture of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe
- Great Wolf Lodge is the latest addition and found next door but on property. Guests have unlimited access to the water slides and pools inside the 84-degree water park
Mohegan Sun:
- Kids Quest
- Cyber Quest arcades
- Game On arcade (with bowling)
- Two pools
Massachusetts
Encore Boston Harbor: Not much of a kids’ place. The Long Wharf North Water Shuttle from Encore is available. It will whisk you away across the river to the city of Boston.
- New England Aquarium: A premier aquarium with a four-story central tank.
- Museum of Science: A renowned interactive science museum
- Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
- The Freedom Trail: A 2.5-mile walking trail; 16 historical sites around the city
MGM Springfield:
- Basketball Hall of Fame.
- The Big E, New England’s State Fair (seasonal)
- Six Flags New England (seasonal)
- Dr. Seuss Museum: Part of the Springfield Museums campus
- Bowling and the Regal Theater are in the MGM building
Rhode Island
Bally’s Twin River: Probably the least family-friendly, but Providence is just ten minutes away. For the adventurous, Newport is less than an hour’s drive. It is the sailing, shopping, and mansion capital of the world. Take a tour of the Newport Mansions that will bring you back to the Golden Age of America.
Summary
All I’m saying is we “Nor’easters” have a lot to offer recreational and serious gamblers alike. I know there are casinos everywhere these days, but consider New England’s casinos as gambling destinations in the future. But be careful – you might just like it!
