Foxwoods Resort: A Mini Vacation for Families

Foxwoods Resort for families...Okay, okay. We know what you’re thinking. Casinos are not for children. There’s the gambling. And then there are the bars. And then the nightclubs. Except that there actually are a number of kid-friendly things tucked into Connecticut’s beloved adult playground. We decided to check out the Eastern Connecticut casino midweek to see if Foxwoods Resort is a kid-friendly destination. And as it turns out, it absolutely is. There is so much more to Foxwoods Resort than gaming. Here’s what you can expect to find.

Foxwoods Resort: Things To Do with Kids

Kid-friendly activities at Foxwoods Resort include video games! Tree House Arcade photo courtesy of the resort

1. The Tree House Arcade at Foxwoods Resort

For the younger set, Foxwoods Resort offers the best video games of both today and yesteryear in one epic arcade: The Tree House Arcade. Here your kids will enjoy all the games you grew up with, including Ms. Pac-Man and pinball, mixed in with some Dance, Dance Revolution, Wheel of Fortune, Connect Four, air hockey, and more. Tree House offers access to countless hours of solid dual-player entertainment that our pack just loved. And honestly, the most basic of arcade thrills, like skee-ball and that game where you chuck baseballs at clown faces, entertained all of us.

2. High Rollers Luxury Lanes and Sports Lounge at Foxwoods Resort 

At High Rollers Bowling Alley, you and the family can enjoy twenty glamorous lanes of fun for all ages! High Rollers uplevels your bowling experience in every way. Say goodbye to rubbery hot dogs and stale popcorn, because High Rollers has a menu filled with gourmet comfort food and easy to share dishes. Between turns, relax on the velvet oversized banquettes and rock out to music videos on oversized screens. 

Kids are only permitted at High Rollers before 8pm, so we suggest heading there for a late afternoon game.

3. The Sugar Factory at Foxwoods 

Sugar Factory is pretty sweet. With an extensive menu teeming with crazy confections, your family will likely never stop talking about Sugar Factory. Sugar Factory is known for its 60 oz signature Goblets like Lollipop Passion and Bubba Bubba Gum. These drinks come in both cocktail and mocktail versions are are definitely big enough to share! Their menu is packed with a little bit of everything, but be advised: plan your meal wisely as dessert and drinks are the main show here (it isn’t called Sugar Factory for nothing!) I recommend starting with shareable appetizers. We LOVE the rainbow sliders! Then we move right on to dessert. The  cookie skillet and chocolate fondue cannot be missed. We’ve been known to indulge in an insane milkshake or two as well. 

4. Foxwoods Resort Hiking Trails

Just beyond the lights and glamour of the resort are the picturesque Pequot Trails. Follow along the fox paw prints in the Great Cedar Casino Lobby, where you can pick which trail you would like to take. Choose the path that takes you along the outdoor exhibits of the Pequot Museum, or try the scenic trail loop behind the Two Trees Inn. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take the Lantern Hill Trail up, up, up to nearly 500 feet above sea level to enjoy panoramic views stretching as far as Block Island Sound.

 
Foxwoods Resort celebrates indigenous cultures at the Pequot Museum. Photo courtesy of the Museum

5. The Pequot Museum

This 308,000-square-foot complex is the largest Native American Museum in the world. The galleries consists of permanent exhibits, the Mashantucket Gallery, a restaurant, a museum shop, and more. Journey back in time through the simulated glacial crevasse. Come face to face with life-size replicas of a dire wolf, a mastodon, and a beaver. Visit a 16th century Pequot village. I remember being blown away as a fifth-grade student during my visit to the Pequot Museum. Put it on your bucket list. And kids under 6 are free!

6. Highflyer Zipline 

Are you ready to fly the biggest zipline in Connecticut? Well, if you are a thrill seeker, you will love Foxwoods' HighFlyer Zipline. This 33-story zipline offers incredible views - on a clear day you can see all the way down to the Long Island Sound! Glide at speeds up to 60mph down to the Pequot Museum about a mile away. There are no age requirements to ride the HighFlyer, but guests do have to weigh between 65 and 300lbs. 

7. Monza World-Class Karting 

Put the pedal to the metal in the fast lane at Foxwoods Resort's Monza World-Class Karting. This state of the art multi-level track offers electric karts with improved safety. The track is one of the longest in the country, with 14 turns and 7 elevation changes!  You must be 54” or taller to ride. 

8. Hologate Virtual Reality Experience and the XD Dark Ride 

This virtual reality experience may be located in Foxwoods Resort's Great Cedar Hotel, but it will transport you to other dimensions. Once you put on your headsets, you will find yourself immersed in the world of zombies, dragons, and more! Keep an eye out for weekly deals and special offers. 

9. Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods Resort

With over 80 stores including Old Navy, Gap Factory, Vineyard Vines, and IT’S SUGAR, you can walk from store to store inside a fully enclosed outlet connected right to Foxwoods.

10. Ready Glaze Fire 

Located in the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods Resort, Ready Glaze Fire is a paint your own pottery studio. Their shelves are stocked with just about anything, from ceramic plates to miniature mermaids. 

 
These Foxwoods Resort activities will be a smash hit with the family! Photo courtesy of Smash Avenue

11. Smash Avenue 

Let go of a little stress at Smash Avenue. These popular rage rooms are filled with breakable objects just waiting to be smashed. You must be at least 11 years old to participate in the activities. Kids aged 11 to 16 will need a participating adult in the room. Kids age 17 need a legally responsible adult to sign a waiver.

12. Spellbound Escapes 

These escape rooms are perfect for an little bit of unique entertainment. Solve a series of puzzles surrounded by awesome decor, and try to see if you can get out before you run out of time. Children under 6 years of age are not allowed to enter Spellbound game rooms. 

13. The Gallery Selfie Museum 

The entire family can get in on the fun at the Gallery Selfie Musseum. The space is filled with creative vignettes each with a unique theme. From Barbie to Paris, and everywhere in between, the Gallery provides  accessories and ring lights so you can be picture perfect.   

Hitting the pool is a must on any getaway, including Foxwoods! Photo by Makayla O'Keefe for Mommy Poppins

14. The Pools

No vacation is ever considered a vacation unless there is a pool. Am I alone here? My kids’ number one priority is always finding a pool. So we did. And there are actually three to choose from at Foxwoods Resort. There’s The Fox Tower Pool, the Grand Pequot Pool, and Great Cedar Pool. We opted for the Grand Pequot Pool, which was truly the most luxurious pool experience the kiddos have ever enjoyed. We went there as soon as they opened (8am) and swam for a couple of hours before hardly anyone arrived. The kids loved spending the morning in the pool, and we loved that they offered free poolside coffee.

15. Upcoming Kid Events at Foxwoods Resort

Foxwoods Resort Casino periodically hosts a kid’s week with fun for the entire family. Guests and their kids can enjoy a wide range of exciting activities. Check their website for kid-friendly events during holiday and school vacations.

Coming Soon to Foxwoods Resort for Families

16. Great Wolf Lodge

This is going to be a game-changer for Connecticut families! Set to open in early 2025, Great Wolf Lodge is bringing their popular indoor water park resorts to Foxwoods!