Wave Foxwoods Day Party

Foxwoods Resort Casino is a fun spot to go with friends and even family. Headline acts grace the Fox Theater Stage and Comix Comedy Club. The kids can enjoy a two story arcade or outdoor skating rink in the winter. Adults can gamble on penny slots or in the third largest poker room in the world. It's not cheap unless you win big, but it's fun, and on weekends you can dance the night away, play blackjack through the night, and then take the elevator up to your room for a nap.

Rooms at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods has four distinct hotels within the resort. The Grand Pequot Tower has the nicest rooms, and even offers Tower Villa Suites with round-the-clock butler service. The Great Cedar Hotel offers decent rooms at a better price. The Fox Tower (previously the MGM Tower) is connected via walkway to the rest of the resort, but offers a large outdoor pool and is in the same area as the main concert stage and Shrine nightclub. The Two Trees Inn is a short, complimentary shuttle ride away and offers cheaper rates as well as pet-friendly rooms. Book early for weekends and peak times; midweek you can usually just show up and get a room. You can also find plenty of inns nearby with free shuttles and competitive prices.

Must see/do at Foxwoods Resort Casino
If you or your wallet need a break from gambling, you'll find plenty of other things to do. For excellent, albeit pricy dining, try David Burke's restaurant Prime. Get the candied bacon appetizer; it will be the highlight of your trip.

The Scorpion Bar has tasty Mexican food and drinks, and on the weekend they've got live bands, awesome DJ's, and girls in booty shorts dancing on the bars. Get there before nine on these nights to beat the cover charge.

If you can catch a show or see a concert at the Fox Theater, go for it. This is a fantastic venue, not too large, and with great views of the stage from almost any seat.

Best and worst time to go to Foxwoods Resort Casino
This depends on what kind of experience you're looking for. If crowds full of bachelorette parties, guys on getaways, and some grandmas with oxygen tanks are your thing, go on a Friday or Saturday night and plan to stay out for a while. If you want a spot at a blackjack table with a low minimum bet and low noise level, go on a weekday, particularly in the afternoon. If you go Christmas Day, you may feel like you're in a ghost town, which could either be very cool or very creepy.

Parking and public transportation at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Parking is easy, as there are several self park lots as well as free valet parking available at each casino entrance. The valet parking is worthwhile; just allow a bit of time for the valets to retrieve your car. There are also tons of buses from various locations in New England and New York. You can call 1-888-BUS-2-FOX or check the Foxwoods website for schedules and details.

Other places to visit near Foxwoods Resort Casino
If you haven't already gambled away your kid's college fun, drive fifteen minutes to the slightly larger Mohegan Casino. Or, venture outside; drive twenty minutes to the historic and charming seaport town of Mystic, Connecticut. In June you can even enjoy Mystic's annual sea shanty festival. Spend new money on old furniture as you enjoy some of Mystic's many antique shops.

Insider tip for visitors to Foxwoods Resort Casino
Drinks in the casinos are free. They may not be the strongest, but they're free. Just wait for a waitress to come around, and don't forget to tip her a buck or a chip. Also, even if you only go once in a while, become a rewards member and use your rewards card whenever you gamble. In the slot machines you accrue points relatively quickly, and those points can be used as cash in any of the resort shops, restaurant, and bars. By the end of the weekend, even if you've spent $200 gambling, you will at least have earned back a coffee at Starbucks. Rewards members also get offers on cheap midweek rooms and free show tickets.

Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it. The only machine that ever gives her money is the ATM.