Strike It Rich at the Casinos

When you enter Foxwoods, you enter a world unto itself, with a stunning variety of dining, entertainment, shopping and gaming options. Choose a restaurant (David Burke Prime or Hell's Kitchen on the high end; Hard Rock Café or California Pizza Kitchen for casual) and parlay it with a show or concert. Dance 'til late, try your hand at blackjack, even bowl a string or two – the casino’s got you covered. Spend the night at one of the resort’s four hotels – the views from the upper floors of the Grand Pequot Tower seem to encompass all of southeastern Connecticut.

Now it’s on to Mohegan Sun Casino. Check in to your room and begin your stay with a visit to the spa to work out the kinks from your night of dancing and day of golf. Many dining options await at Mohegan Sun, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Bobby’s Burger Palace and Tao among them. Entertainment might include a boxing match, basketball game or concert by Michael Bolton, Straight No Chaser or Cirque Dreams Celebration (all scheduled this winter) in the Arena, or a free concert in the Wolf Den.

Still feeling lucky? First, there's an awesome selection of boutiques at both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods filled with the latest styles and goods. Then, try the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods. Here you’ll find more than 80 stores, including Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Nike and Gap Factory Outlet. On the way home, stop and look for bargains at two Connecticut outlet centers, both right off I-95. In Clinton, Clinton Crossing offers 70 designer outlets, including Kate Spade New York, Under Armour and J. Crew. In neighboring Westbrook, Tanger Outlet Center includes Rockport, Timberland and Williams-Sonoma among its dozens of stores.

This New Year's Eve, ring it in right. Party all night, have a laugh, and savor flavors at these great casino events:

• Lipstick Lashes: NYE Edition
  10:00 p.m. 12/31, Comix Comedy Club at Mohegan Sun
  A variety drag show with a rotating cast of performers. Expect to see comedic sets, live singers, celebrity impersonations, dancing & more; the show will also include audience participation games.
• Chizzle
  9:00 p.m. 12/31, Avalon Nightclub at Mohegan Sun
  Special Guest DJ all night party
• Party into The New Year
  10:30 p.m. 12/31, Uncas Ballroom at Mohegan Sun
  Extravagant New Year celebration gets underway with dancing and music by DJ Tom Macari with an open bar, a champagne toast at Midnight and breakfast buffe.
• Blurred Vision
  8:00 p.m. 12/31, Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun
  Blurred Vision will be playing high energy music with an open dancefloor.
• New Year’s Eve at Shrine
  9:00 p.m. 12/31, Shrine at Foxwoods
  Concert by 50 Cent
• New Year’s Eve with Whiskey Boulevard
  9:15 p.m. 12/31, Comix Roadhouse at Mohegan Sun
  High energy live music with food, drinks, and craft beers.
• Red Light
  10:00 p.m. 12/31, The Lansdowne Pub at Mohegan Sun
  Party music rock cover band with food and drinks.