Casino Spotlight: Foxwoods Resort

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, Foxwoods Casino in southeastern Connecticut, a property with almost 10 million square feet of space, offers a staggering variety of activities, from games in seven casinos to more than three dozen restaurants. Foxwoods is owned operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, who always seem to be adding and improving upon the resort. Four hotels can accommodate 2,200 guests, two spas can pamper them, and in addition, there are two golf courses, two theatres, six nightclubs, a bowling alley, and enough shops and stores to keep anyone busy for days. There are even hiking trails, a museum and, coming soon, a zipline, for those who want to get out and about. Here are some of the highlights visitors will find at Foxwoods Resort.

Gaming

In total, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers 340,000 square feet of gaming space, including 4,800 slots, 249 table games, 94 poker tables, high-stakes Bingo, Keno, and more. Table games, of which there are 22 varieties, include all the favorites, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Texas Hold’ Em Poker, and Three Card Poker. If you’re a timid player like me, the $1 Blackjack tables allow you to gamble without stressing out.

Dining

There are more than 40 dining venues at Foxwoods, from super casual to high end, touching on every type of cuisine. Highlights include Alta Strada, a modern Italian restaurant with an impressively large wine list; David Burke Prime, which features steaks from Kentucky that are dry-aged on the property in a salt tiled aging room; and VUE 24, which is located on the 24th floor of the Grand Pequot Tower and offers stunning panoramic views. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar serves up some of his classic dishes and there’s even an outpost of Junior’s, a Brooklyn, New York landmark.

Entertainment

A lot of big-name acts come to play at Foxwoods 4,000-seat Grand Theater, from comedians like Jerry Seinfeld to musicians like Mariah Carey, but there are so many venues at the resort, it can be hard to choose where to spend your evening. The more intimate 1,400-seat Fox Theater is an outstanding place to catch acts like Criss Angel, Tracy Morgan, and Rob Schneider. There’s also a host of bars and lounges to enjoy and high-energy nightclubs with DJs brought in from around the world.

Spas

There are two luxurious spas to indulge in at Foxwoods, the Norwich Spa and the G Spa & Salon. The G Spa, created by Gretta Monahan, is a 21,000-square-foot sanctuary found in the Fox Tower. There is an array of treatments to choose from, from facials to massages, but the signature ones are those inspired by Native American treatments, such as the maize and mountain laurel scrub, which uses ground maize to exfoliate your skin. Happily, day passes are available, which allows guests to enjoy the eucalyptus steam room, sauna, waterfall whirlpool, sun decks, fitness center, co-ed pool and whirlpool, without booking a service. You can even dine there if you like. Norwich Spa, located in the Grand Pequot Tower, offers similar treatments and also offers a day pass.

Golf

Foxwoods is home to two championship golf courses, both designed by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. Named Lake of Isles for the 90-acre-lake on the property, the courses are located on over 900 acres next to the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Visitors of the casino can play on the North Course, which is open to the public. An all-inclusive golf fee includes 18 holes with a cart, range balls, yardage card and bottle of water. The South Course is by membership only. In addition, there is a golf academy with four indoor teaching studios; Matches Tavern; and a golf shop. Guests can also sign up for lessons with PGA and LPGA teaching professionals.

Pequot Museum

The museum tells the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and offers insight into the histories and cultures of Native Americans in the northeast. Permanent exhibits include the excellent “Pequot Village,” a recreated 16th-century Pequot village, pre- and post-European contact, where you can see wigwams, traditional clothing and ornamentations, all made by Native craftspeople. In addition, there are a variety of other multi-sensory dioramas, exhibits, films, videos and interactive programs. Make sure to check out the 185-foot stone and glass tower, which offers amazing views of the area. You should definitely visit the restaurant, which features a variety of Native American cuisines.

Have you ever been to the Foxwoods Resort? Tell us about your visit in the comments below!

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