The Best Places to Stay with Kids in the Hudson Valley & Catskills

Nature and relaxation are waiting at these kid-friendly vacation spots

Need a family vacation but don’t want to head out too far from NYC? We’ve hand-picked the best destinations in the Hudson Valley and the Catskills. Slide, dive, ride, and hike your way into the top destinations of the region, all located under three hours away from the center of NYC. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or a relaxing retreat, check out these family hotels and resorts to visit with the fam!

Bear Mountain Inn

This is one of the top destinations for NYC dwellers, thanks to its proximity to NYC central and affordable price. You won’t know you’re only a stone’s throw away, though, as a scenic lake, forested mountain trails, and a woodsy lodge greet you at Bear Mountain. Have a BBQ and a picnic in the main area, while the kids play in the small playground or run around the huge grassy field.

In the summer, you can visit the outdoor pool, while winter brings ice skating to the space. And while there’s no swimming allowed in the lake, you can rent a paddle boat or simply sit on a lakeside bench and enjoy the views. Two must-see attractions are the carousel, featuring wooden representations of the animals native to the region, and the zoo, which houses rescued and rehabilitated animals, many of which are also local residents. Look up to catch sight of some huge vultures! (Don’t worry, they’re just here to steal snacks from the zoo’s bears.)

Distance from NYC: 1 hr

3020 Seven Lakes Drive
Bear Mountain, NY
Online: visitbearmountain.com

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Known for being New York’s biggest indoor park, the Kartrite Resort has it all: pools and slides, an arcade, mini-golf, and multiple options for chowing down. Choose to stay in one of the 300+ modern suites, which have one- or two-bedroom options decked out in chic decor, or go rustic at the lodge, set right in the mountains. The enormous water park is home to thrilling rides like the Krakken and the Nor’Easter, as well as calmer, shallow options for the little puddle ducklings in your family. As a bonus, when you stay at the resort overnight, you actually get access to the water park for the full day both on your check in and check-out day.

Once you’ve had your fill of the water park, you can explore the rest of the resort, which has additional entertainment in the form of family and goat yoga, an arcade, restaurants and bars, and hiking trails.

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs

555 Resorts World Dr
Monticello, NY
Online: thekartrite.com

AutoCamp Catskills

If you’re looking to introduce your brood to the wonders of glamping, AutoCamp Catskills is here to provide. Explore the neighboring historic towns of Woodstock or Saugerties, and hike on the dozens of trails throughout the Catskill Mountains. Accommodations include luxury Airstreams, cabins, and swanky canvas tents if you really want to spend time with nature.

Summer Fridays mean family-friendly tunes brought to you by DJ AYO Nish!, a cornhole tournament hosted by Autocamp, an ice cream truck, and an outdoor movie featuring popcorn and a s’mores bar.

Distance from NYC: 2 hours

882 NY-212
Saugerties, NY
Online: autocamp.com/catskills/

Rocking Horse Ranch Resort

This top-rated family resort has everything you need for a complete getaway for kids (and parents!) of all ages. Take a dip or slide into one of the indoor or (heated) outdoor pools, ride a banana boat, bounce over 35 feet in the air with the Super Bungee Jumpers, or climb to the top of the rock climbing tower. In the winter, the resort also offers ice skating and snow tubing, and more family fun.

Of course, as the name suggests, visitors also get a chance to go horseback riding: The resort can accommodate all levels, whether you’re a regular rider or have never seen a horse in person in your life. Best of all? Once you pay for your stay, all the activities are included in the package—yes, even the delicious all-you-can-eat meals!

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs

600 State Route 44/55
Highland, NY
Online: rockinghorseranch.com

Mohonk Mountain House

The Mohonk Mountain House is a historic Victorian castle built in the late 1800s. The whole fam will enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding forest and farm-fresh meals, all included in the resort stay. A few experiences are an additional price, like the spa, room service purchases, babysitting, and a number of other exclusive and personalized options.

However, most of the resort’s offerings are included in your stay. This includes three meals daily and afternoon tea and cookies, yoga, meditation, and fitness classes, an indoor pool (with underwater music!), over 85 miles of guided and unguided hikes, a museum and a greenhouse, plus other outdoor adventures like tennis and lake activities. Spend the day playing and enjoy entertainment in the evening as you wind down.

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs

1000 Mountain Rest Road
New Paltz, NY
Online: mohonk.com

Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center

This location in the Catskills excels at group meetings, so it’s a great choice for families big and small. It features classical Italian decor and rooms that range from the standard two-bed accommodation all the way up to a two-bedroom, full kitchen suite. When you’re booking your stay, you have the option to purchase a package deal, which includes two daily meals: a five-course dinner and a full breakfast. Most of the hotel grounds and experiences are available with a regular stay, though, including scheduled daily activities and evening entertainment, indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, and more.

Additional activities are also available for an extra fee, like bumper boats, Go-Karts, and bowling. You can also go hiking or horseback riding, or try your hand at fishing in the catch-and-release pond, and play lawn games like handball and horseshoe throwing. The local area is home to cute boutiques and eateries if you’re looking for even more to do.

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs

356 Villa Roma Road,
Callicoon, NY
Online: villaroma.com

Woodloch Resort

Do your kids have limitless energy and a constant need for entertainment? The Woodloch Resort’s daily schedules will keep even the most easily bored kid engaged all day long. The resort boasts daily schedules jam-packed with over 30 activities, most of which are included in your stay and many of which are made specially for kids and families. On a typical day’s stay, the kids might take a cooking class, go on a scavenger hunt, take a scenic boat ride, participate in a family bowling tournament, watch a movie, see a magic show, listen to live music… and that’s just a fraction of what’s on offer for just one day.

If you’re still hungry for more to do, Woodloch also has arcade game rooms, batting cages (for an additional fee), Go-Karts, an archery range, pools, disc golf, an indoor and outdoor playground, and even more. Plus, when you stay at Woodloch, you can book a detached and semi-detached villa or guest house so you can wake up to stunning views.

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs

731 Welcome Lake Road
Hawley, PA
Online: woodloch.com

Kinderhook Farm

Wake up with the rooster’s crow—literally! Kinderhook is a working farm, which means that this farmstay will give you a chance to hang out with chickens, sheep, cows, dogs, geese, and any other animals they happen to have wandering around on the farm grounds. Set amid a scenic hilly landscape, you’ll be staying in a barn with a screened side to give you clear views of the scenery and grazing animals.

The farmstay accommodation is a comfortable mix of rustic and modern, with a full kitchen and a cedar bath, an outdoor picnic and BBQ area, swings and hammocks, and a fire pit—all private for your party of up to four adults and two children. Cribs and high-chairs are available to borrow if you need them—just let the farm know when you’re booking so they can prepare ahead of time. While you’re here, you can purchase farm-fresh goods and grass-fed meats (if you can handle meeting your dinner before you buy it).

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs 30 mins

1958 County Rt 21
Valatie, NY
Online: kinderhookfarm.square.site

Winter Clove Inn

This charming country inn is the perfect family getaway if you’re looking to escape from the city for a bit. Visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, a game room with ping-pong, air hockey, shuffleboard, and more, a children’s playground, a complimentary 9-hole golf course, and even a vintage bowling alley (for an additional fee). Note that at the time of this writing, the tennis and basketball courts are closed for resurfacing but they should be ready for use by summer 2023.

Intrepid nature lovers will have a whopping 300 acres and the Catskill Wilderness Park to explore at your leisure, with hiking trails and the beautiful Artist Falls just a short distance away. Plus, if you’re planning to out for a longer hike, the inn can make you a fresh lunch to pack! Also found nearby (within 20-30 minutes away) are opportunities for additional adventures like ziplining, kayaking, horseback riding, and more.

Distance from NYC: 2 hrs 30 min

557 Winter Clove Rd.
Round Top, NY
Online: winterclove.com

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