Casino resorts used to be smoky, dimly-lit places where you wouldn’t find a kid in sight. For those days, it’s now game over. Casino resorts are embellishing their portfolios to size up their bottom lines, and families are a perfect fit in their game plan.
“As more families look for all-in-one vacation spots, casino resorts are adapting with new attractions, amenities, and experiences designed to appeal to all ages,” said Rebecca Thiry, executive director of marketing at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. “Families need resorts that they can enjoy year-round, regardless of the weather or season.”
Between busy school and work schedules, families can only escape for a vacation during certain times of the year—and in the Northeast, that’s often during bad weather, according to Thiry. “By offering a variety of indoor amenities and activity options, casino resorts are versatile, all-weather destination options perfect for any time the family can get away. “
Casino resorts provide “one-stop shop” travel experiences that cater to everyone in the family, she said. “With the whirlwind of modern parenthood, parents today are seeking convenient getaways where both adults and children can make memories all under one roof.”
The Winning Hands
Game on: These three resorts in the Northeast upped their game to attract families, a win-win.
The Ocean Casino Resort: Atlantic City, NJ
Pool and ocean views at Ocean Casino Resort / Photo by Laurie Bain Wilson
The Ocean Casino Resort debuted seven years ago as one of the newest resorts in Atlantic City, a prominent casino destination for more than half a century. The towering resort, with 1,860 guest rooms and suites, sits on the four-mile Atlantic City Boardwalk that’s lined with entertainment favorites like the Steel Pier amusement park with arcade and games and a Ferris Wheel that’s a favorite boardwalk attraction.
But the biggest amenity for kids is the Atlantic Ocean; the resort has prime beachfront property on one of the loveliest strands in Atlantic City with beach chairs and umbrellas for rent. In the off-season, moody beach walks are an excellent idea for families to let loose.
Ocean’s heated indoor/outdoor pool is always a family hit, and the resort is upping the ante with more family-friendly dining experiences and activities for young tykes and tweens/teens. Earlier this year, it announced $50 million in property-wide capital investments, including Sunny for breakfast and lunch, a new Stephen Starr celebrity restaurant which just debuted, and Ocean’s 18, a two-story Mini Golf & Bar that will tee off soon with a state-of-the-art course. Also, The Ocean Casino Resort has the largest top swing suite, bar, and kitchen in the country on site.
Foxwoods Resort Casino: Mashantucket, CT
Foxwoods Resort Casino exterior / Photo by Laurie Bain Wilson
The largest resort casino in the Northeast with six casinos, the sprawling Foxwoods Resort Casino rolled the dice on this location in 1992. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe, owns and operates the 1,900-room hotel and it has recently partnered with family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge, located just next door.
“We always felt a Great Wolf Lodge adjacent to the Foxwoods Resort would further enhance the destination’s appeal for families,” said Jason Lasecki, Great Wolf Lodge’s vice president of corporate communications. “Now, families can play at our resort, enjoy the indoor water park and attractions we offer, and also venture out to enjoy some of the family-friendly amenities available at Foxwoods like go-karts, ziplines, hiking trails, and the incredible Mashantucket Pequot Museum.”
A unique experience: Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is a mile away. Set back in a cedar forest, the museum shows off Native American artifacts and a recreated 16th-century Pequot village; it is the largest Native American museum in the world.
Foxwoods guest rooms spread out in several locations: The Grand Pequot Tower, The Fox Tower, and the Great Cedar Hotel. And the dining scene here is impressive as well. The roster includes Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, California Pizza Kitchen, Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, Juniors, Regina Pizzeria, and Sugar Factory. The Bedford by Martha Stewart is a new addition, transporting diners to Stewart’s renowned 1925 country farmhouse located in Bedford, New York.
The resort is also home to the outdoor Foxwoods Ice Skating Rink in the winter, and many year-round experiences like the Tree House Arcade — gaming for adults and kiddos with retro games like pinball machines. Also, outdoor trails for exploring are just outside the door. Lantern Tree Hill snakes up to 500 feet above sea level for views of Block Island Sound. And the esteemed Spa at Norwich Inn is also in the house.
“Our resorts typically draw families from a three-to-four-hour drive radius,” Lasecki said, “and the Mashantucket location makes our resort extremely accessible for families from New York, Hartford, Providence, and other large cities and towns across the Northeast.”
Mohegan Sun: Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun / Photo courtesy of Laurie Bain Wilson
Mohegan Sun partnered with Uncasville’s local tribal community — the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut — and debuted in 1996, honoring its Mohegan Tribe legacy.
The resort is immense, including two towers with 1,563 guestrooms. The Mohegan Sun Arena is a hit for concertgoers. And the treatments at the Mandara Spa are inspired by the spa’s Bali roots.
There is also year-round swimming: The Sun Terrace Pool in the Sky Tower has a solarium, indoor/outdoor whirlpool and sun terrace.
But for families, the huge draw is the Kids Quest/Cyber Quest family entertainment experience. Kids Quest is its own destination, a fantasy of fun for kids as young as six weeks to 12 years old. The Tiny Tots room focuses on “non-violent” videos and arcade games. For older kiddos, there’s Techno Quest with games, iPad stations, a gym with basketball court, the Karaoke Stage, and Quest Café. Apt. Q is the new kid on the block, complete with a kid’s playhouse in make-believe apartment, climbing wall and super slide, the Movie Spot for big screen movies while sitting in rumbling seats, and a Create Station for young artists.
Mohegan is home to more than 45 restaurants, bars, and lounges, but many are family-friendly. They include Frank Pepe, Bobby’s Burger Palace, Jersey Mikes, and Johnny Rockets. The resort is also home to celebrated Beauty & Essex restaurant and The Farm Italy, which debuted recently.
A Good Bet
Casino resorts are the new game in town for families in New England, where the weather can be challenging and indoor pursuits are key to Insta-worthy family vacays. Next time you’re searching for a vacation resort where the kids and the ‘rents can all be happy, take a gamble on these spots.
—
About the Author: Laurie Bain Wilson’s work has appeared in Real Simple, Working Mother, OpenTable, PBS/Next Avenue, Travel Channel, CNN Travel, Travel Market Report, Eat This, Chowhound, Parents, Salon, Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, and New York Times. She is also a longtime correspondent at The Boston Globe. Find more from Laurie at weekendsandcupcakes.com and her Muckrack profile.
