Mohegan Sun: Vegas Style Casino Fun in New England
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, makes for a great weekend escape for city dwellers looking to escape the clutter and congestion of nearby hectic cities like Boston and New York. The Mohegan 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.
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 Sun is a 5 star casino located in Southeastern Connecticut about 8 miles from Foxwoods, one of the largest casinos in the world.
I prefer the Mohegan Sun as it looks newer, the design is more extravagant, and also it offers better restaurants, and better shopping. It seems to never get as crowded as Foxwoods, and thus, is better suited for those 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 – take a few peeks at the decor throughout
During the holiday season, the casino is particularly attractive, with gorgeous festive decor – take a look!
Dining at Mohegan
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. And, the design is quite attractive!
Update: This buffet is closed unfortunately. Let’s hope they open back up as they are one of the best around!
A few other great restaurants to check out
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!
As far as coffee goes, on-site is a nice local shop called Bean & Vine which serves the fantastic Illy espresso. The inside seating area is modern and attractive, and they also offer a nice outdoor patio which is surrounded by fire pits, which come in handy during the chilly fall season. And of course, there is a Starbucks for those who prefer their trademark specialty drinks!
More 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. The Old Farmer’s Almanac Store is definitely the must-see here – lots of great knick knacks and holiday decor.
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.
Best time to visit
Mohegan Sun 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
