MGM Springfield. Credit: MGM Springfield
It’s easier than ever for East Coasters to enjoy the amenities of Las Vegas without hopping on a plane or giving up any of the high-rolling fun that the iconic city has to offer.
From $1 million slot machines and high-stakes table games to award-winning celebrity-chef-helmed restaurants and spas you’ll never want to leave, there are plenty of reasons to spend time (and money) at these East Coast casinos.
MGM Springfield
This recently debuted gaming retreat in Western Massachusetts doesn’t look like the typical casino resort — how many Sin City stays do you know that fill their lobbies with old books, antiques and knickknacks?
With interior décor as eclectic as the entrance — think funky chandeliers and vintage photos evoking another era — you might be surprised to stumble upon the well-equipped casino floor, clad with a poker room, more than 2,500 slot machines and plenty of table games.
Even if you don’t win big, you can feel like a high roller by checking into one of the resort’s sumptuous accommodations, such as the 1,150-square-foot Rotunda Suite with its 180-degree entertainment room, or the Deluxe Garden Suite with its private patio overlooking MGM’s landscaped grounds.
In between naps and slot machine pulls, you’ll be entertained with a seven-room spa, an indoor pool, a movie theater, Tap Arcade & Bowling lounge and a Topgolf Swing Suite.
Should you work up an appetite, pony up for Italian-meets-New England fare at Cal Mare (from renowned chef Michael Mina), made-tableside favorites (prime rib, Caesar salad, bananas Foster) at Chandler Steakhouse or tasty options at the six other eateries.
Turning Stone Resort Casino’s TS Steakhouse. Credit: Turning Stone Resort Casino
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Serenely situated in Upstate New York, this expansive 3,400-acre hideaway has all the fresh air and green space you never knew you needed from a casino resort.
For a luxurious home base filled with gambling fun, check into Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Lodge at Turning Stone Resort Casino. One of four hotels on the sprawling property, the all-suite retreat boasts plenty of elbow room. While even the smallest accommodation is a generous 550 square feet, the VIP Suites really up the ante with wrap-around balconies, gas fireplaces and wet bars.
When you’re ready to try your luck at the tables, just head through the connecting glassed-in walkway to find the 120,000-square-foot casino, as well as myriad shops, lounges and clubs. A Four-Star spa and three championship golf courses provide plenty of entertainment between blackjack hands.
Come dinnertime, you’ll be spoiled for choice between the romantic Four-Star Wildflowers with its seasonally changing menu, or Forbes Travel Guide Recommended TS Steakhouse’s 360-degree views and prime cuts.
MGM National Harbor. Credit: MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor
Overlooking the Potomac River, this urban casino resort provides Washington, D.C., movers, shakers and visitors a respite from the typical Capitol Hill goings-on. With a 125,000-square-foot casino boasting everything from blackjack and baccarat to more than 3,000 slot machines, delicious dining, a lovely spa and a 308-room hotel, it’s easy to forget where you are.
Live the high life at the 2017-opened property by booking an Executive Corner Suite, which features a sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows (great for enjoying the sunset) and a host of high-tech amenities, including single-touch electric blackout shades, which you might need after a late night of roulette.
Indulgence is the name of the game here, with restaurants from big-name chefs like D.C. native José Andrés and Top Chef stars and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio; a 3,000-seat theater that hosts major acts like Bruno Mars, Gladys Knight and Mariah Carey; and a 27,000-square-foot spa for when you need a rejuvenation session.
Mohegan Sun’s Shops. Credit: Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun
You might not expect to find Vegas-style gaming in suburban Connecticut, but Mystic’s Forbes Travel Guide Recommended casino resort has played with the big boys since the mid-1990s. This massive grown-up playground has stayed relevant with 350,000 square feet of gaming space spread over three casinos, almost four dozen dining options, multiple entertainment venues, the gorgeous Mandara Spa, an indoor/outdoor pool and plenty of high-end shops to spend your winnings.
You don’t have to be a high roller to have a good time here, though. Opt for a round of golf, see a show at Comix Roadhouse, dance the night away at Avalon Nightclub or catch a Connecticut Sun WNBA game or concert at the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, where acts like Fleetwood Mac, Blake Shelton, Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake have taken the stage.
When you need to rest your head, do it in style in one of the resort’s Aspire Royal Suites. At 3,500 square feet, these palatial spaces offer two master bedrooms (each with its own Jacuzzi) and perks such as limo transfers from the either Bradley or Providence airport and 24-hour butler service.
Live! Hotel’s Spa. Credit: Live! Casino & Hotel
Live! Casino & Hotel
Next to Arundel Mills shopping center, this Hanover, Maryland (just nine miles from Baltimore), casino is a slot player’s dream, with more than 4,000 state-of-the-art machines and a High Limit Slots Lounge with a $1 million jackpot. In addition, gamblers can enjoy nearly 200 live action table games.
Adjacent to the casino is the 310-room Live! Hotel, where you’ll find the swanky Southview Penthouse, outfitted with a huge living room, a dining table for eight, a wet bar, two king bedrooms and an in-suite movie theater.
When you’re not taking chances with Lady Luck, relax with a treatment at Live! Spa, dig into a steak at The Prime Rib restaurant, watch a show — look for performers like Kenny Loggins, Foreigner and Howie Mandel on the marquee — or peruse a diverse art collection that includes pieces from names like Andy Warhol, Jennifer Steinkamp and Charlie Ahn.
