Mohegan Sun: Vegas Style Casino Fun in New England
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The Mohegan Sun is a massive casino which sits on 240 acres of reservation land on the gorgeous Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut. The casino is very isolated, and thus, is a great weekend escape for city dwellers looking to escape the clutter and congestion of nearby hectic cities like Boston and New York.
This resort is conveniently located just 2 hours from New York and an hour and a half from Boston. There is more than enough to do here to justify the drive. Mike and I visit often from Fall River as it is an easy and scenic 1.5 hour drive. We love the restaurants, the shopping, and the gorgeous design of the property. It’s really a beautiful place – right on par with all the Vegas resorts in my opinion.
I am sure most of you have heard of this casino by now, being that it is the 2nd largest in the U.S. For those of you who haven’t heard anything about it, Mohegan is a 5 star casino located in Southeastern Connecticut about 8 miles from Foxwoods, one of the largest casinos in the world. We actually never heard of it before passing it on the road one day while driving to Foxwoods.
I prefer the Mohegan Sun as it looks newer, the design is more extravagant, and also it offers better restaurants, and better shopping. It doesn’t get as busy and I prefer the tranquil vibe. In my opinion, a stay or daytrip here is better suited for anyone who prefer a relaxing getaway. The poker room is really nice with plenty of games going on, nice comfortable chairs, and the layout is really spacious in comparison to Foxwoods which seems to be more cramped and crowded all the time, although it is one of the largest in the world.
The Native American style design is quite attractive. Most impressive is the gigantic Dale Chihuly sculpture in the shopping area. He is a famous glass blown artist. I really love his work and even visited the Chihuly Collection in St. Pete. This piece really makes a statement.
Here are a few pictures of the Native American elements throughout. The design is really so gorgeous with so much effort involved. I love just walking around taking it all in.
During the holiday season, the property goes all out. There are multiple Christmas trees and festive displays. I love the giant ornaments.
Dining Options
Food choices range from casual (such as Johnny Rockets) to fine dining choices such as Todd English’s Tuscany. I recently tried out the Season’s Buffet which offers an excellent variety, comparable to the best buffets in Vegas. I really enjoyed the variety of soups available (there were 6 – butternut squash was my favorite!) Plan for a meal at the breakfast buffet which basically offers anything you could imagine. Not only is the food great, but the design is awesome too.
Update: This buffet is closed unfortunately. Let’s hope they open back up as they are one of the best around!
Even though the buffet is closed, there are a few other breakfast choices. I recommend enjoying a coffee and pastry at Bean and Vine. They serve Illy Espresso (which I love) and breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and various croissants. I love sipping a cup of coffee out by the firepits. Unfortunately, they only serve in paper mugs which is a bit of a bummer but the coffee itself was delicious.
Other breakfast options include: Dunkin donuts, STarbucks, Hash House A Go Go, and Krispy Kreme. I love Hash House – they serve the best vegetarian hash I’ve ever tried.
A few other restaurants I recommend:
The Original Soupman
The Original Soupman is now a chain of the widely popular restaurant NYC Soupman, which once drew huge lines in Manhattan. Soups vary on a daily basis – I highly recommend testing out the Broccoli Cheese and/or Clam Chowder if available! Seinfeld fans will want to visit. The famous “Soup Nazi” was based off the original Soupman in NYC.
Lansdowne Irish Pub
This is a nice lively little Irish pub with great food and a great ambiance. Live music is frequently on the entertainment lineup. As far as food goes, the mac and cheese and seafood pot pie are definitely worthy of the calorie splurge! The Claddagh rings and Irish nachos are worthy appetizer selections! Basically, if you are in the mood for comfort food, the Lansdowne should surely please!
Tuscany
Todd English’s Tuscany is an upscale Italian dining option. It’s located in the shopping area and features a gorgeous “outdoor” seating area. I love sitting out here and enjoying the waterfall. It’s a beautiful restaurant and the food is great as well.
Other amenities
The spa looks very nice and has been recently updated, although I have not been able to try it out yet. Hopefully, in the near future… The pool area is nice enough, although not really as extravagant as you would expect for a 5 star resort.
The shopping section is fantastic with plenty of high end and casual retailers. I love to browse around the Old Farmer’s Almanac Store. I always find the best Christmas decorations here including the most gorgeous snowglobe ever which I display every year.
Entertainment options include a cocktail lounge, a comedy show, and free musical entertainment at The Wolf Den. The Mohegan Sun Arena hosts major artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, and Keith Urban. Check the event calendar to see who will be in town during your visit.
There is almost always something going. On our most recent visit, we ran into this fun little photo opp.
Best time to visit
This resort is a great destination with a little something for everyone; whether you are interested in gaming, shopping, or trying a new restaurant you are bound to have some fun! I recommend visiting Mohegan Sun over the holidays when the resort is at its’ best. The grand holiday decorations, which include a gigantic walk through gingerbread house and a 16 foot wreath over the Falls, are quite spectacular. Plus, there is plenty of shopping availability and a range of seasonal entertainment.
Location
1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 06382. Parking is free.
If you are looking for a great daytrip while you are out here, I recommend strolling around Mistick Village. It’s the cutest little shopping and dining area. The vibe is old-fashioned and the landscaping beautiful. I recommend visiting during the summer or beautiful fall foliage season.
If you are up for a longer drive, I recommend a hike at Enders Falls. The setting here is so tranquil and there is a gorgeous little waterfall. It’s located about an hour away in Granby.
